Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a key immigration pathway under Canada’s Express Entry system, designed for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and wish to become permanent residents. The CEC is particularly beneficial for temporary foreign workers and international graduates who have already adapted to life in Canada.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Work Experience
- Have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in the three years before applying.
- The work experience must be in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) Skill Type 0, A, or B.
Language Proficiency
- Meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability (speaking, reading, listening, and writing). The minimum required scores are:
- NOC 0 or A jobs: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7
- NOC B jobs: CLB 5
- Provide valid language test results from a designated testing organization, such as IELTS or CELPIP for English, or TEF for French.
Education
- There is no specific education requirement for the CEC. However, you can improve your Express Entry ranking by obtaining a Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma, or certificate, or by having your foreign education assessed by a recognized credential assessment organization.
Intent to Reside
- Plan to live outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers through a different program.