Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Already working or studying in Canada? You may be closer to permanent residence than you think.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of Canada’s most accessible and fastest pathways to permanent residence, built specifically for people who are already living and contributing to Canada. At IPJ Immigration Solutions, we guide you through the CEC process with clarity, precision, and no surprises at every step.
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WHAT IS THE CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS?
CEC is one of three programs managed through Canada’s Express Entry system. It is built specifically for skilled workers with recent Canadian work experience who want to make their stay permanent.
Unlike other Express Entry programs, CEC requires no proof of funds, no job offer, and no minimum education. Your Canadian work history is what qualifies you.
Applications are submitted online and processed in approximately 6 months from submission of your PR application.
CEC At a Glance
- No proof of funds required
- No job offer required
- No minimum education
- All TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 occupations eligible
- CEC-specific draws with lower CRS cutoffs
- ~6 months processing after ITA
IS CEC RIGHT FOR YOU?
The CEC is for skilled workers who have recent Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents – without needing a job offer, proof of funds, or a minimum level of education.
You may be a strong CEC candidate if you are:
- A temporary foreign worker who has been working in a skilled occupation in Canada for at least 12 months
- An international graduate currently on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and wondering what comes next
- Someone who checked Express Entry before and assumed their CRS score was not competitive, before realising Canadian work experience adds significant point
- A worker with an expiring permit who needs to understand their options now, not six months from now.
Do You Qualify?
Eligibility Requirements
Canadian Work Experience — Minimum 1 Year
You need at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled Canadian work experience within the last 3 years.
- Full-time is 30 hours per week. Overtime does not count.
- Part-time qualifies if total hours reach 1,560. Hours from multiple part-time jobs can be combined, provided each role qualifies under the right occupation category.
- Valid work means paid, authorised work under a valid work permit, including LMIA-based permits, open work permits, and PGWPs.
- Does not count: self-employment, work on visitor status, unauthorised work, or experience gained during full-time studies, including co-op placements and paid internships during your program.
Being even a few hours short of 1,560 at the time of application means ineligibility. Timing your submission carefully matters.
Occupation
Your experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations do not qualify for CEC.
Your job title does not determine your NOC – your actual duties do. IRCC assesses whether you performed the lead statement and primary duties listed for a given NOC code. If you are unsure which NOC applies to your role, this is exactly the kind of review we do before you submit your application.
Language Proficiency
| Occupation | Minimum CLB |
|---|---|
|
TEER 0 and TEER 1 |
CLB 7 |
|
TEER 2 and TEER 3 |
CLB 5 |
Admissibility
Standard IRCC admissibility requirements apply. If you have a past criminal matter or a complex background, speak with our team before submitting. Our inadmissibility services address exactly these situations.
What You Do Not Need
- A job offer
- Proof of settlement funds
- A minimum education credential
- Foreign work experience
- Key fact one
Not sure if you qualify?
Book a free 15-minute call and we will tell you exactly where you stand — no obligation, no jargon.
About the CEC Draw
CEC-SPECIFIC DRAWS: A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
IRCC holds CEC-specific draws – invitation rounds exclusively for Canadian Experience Class candidates. These draws often carry a lower CRS cutoff than general all-program draws. Your Canadian work experience does not just help you qualify; it puts you in a more competitive position to receive an invitation to apply sooner.
Your Canadian experience also adds directly to your CRS score:
| Canadian Work Experience | Without Spouse | With Spouse |
|---|---|---|
|
1 year
|
40 points
|
35 points |
|
2–3 years
|
53 points |
46 points |
|
4–5 years
|
64 points
|
$4,000 |
|
6+ years |
72 points |
$6,500 |
Not sure if you qualify?
Book a free 15-minute call and we will tell you exactly where you stand — no obligation, no jargon.
Step by Step
How to Apply — and What to Get Right
Confirm Your Eligibility
Verify your NOC classification, calculate your hours carefully, and confirm your language results are still valid. Your NOC is determined by your duties, not your title. A wrong code can cost you CRS points or, in serious cases, flag your application for misrepresentation.
Take or Verify Your Language Test
Choose the test that suits you best. If you have already tested, confirm your results have not crossed the 2-year expiry. International students who tested early for a study permit often forget this expiry exists. Results that expire between profile creation and your PR submission will invalidate your application.
Gather Your Work Experience Documents
Employer reference letters must include your job title, start and end dates, hours per week, salary, and a description of your duties - on company letterhead, signed by your employer. T4s, pay stubs, and Records of Employment are also required. Vague letters are one of the most common causes of refusals. If your employer is unwilling to provide one, alternative documentation approaches exist, but they need to be prepared carefully.
Create Your Express Entry Profile
Submit through your IRCC account. Your CRS score is calculated automatically. Errors are difficult to correct and can cost CRS points, so review everything carefully - or have a professional review it - before you submit.
Enter the Pool and Wait for an ITA
CEC-specific and general draws are held on an ongoing basis. Remember that your CRS score also changes on your birthday, so if you are approaching a significant age threshold, the timing of your submission may matter.
Receive Your ITA: The 60-Day Countdown Begins
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Submit Your PR Application
Upload all forms, documents, and fees through your IRCC portal. Any inconsistency between your Express Entry profile and your supporting documents - including dates, job titles, and hours - will trigger additional scrutiny and can delay or jeopardise your application. Processing is approximately six months from submission, but can vary depending on the complexity of your file and the number of applications that IRCC is currently processing.
Two Ways to Work With Us
What Our Services Include
Every applicant’s situation is different. Some clients want expert support while staying in control of their own application. Others want a team to manage everything.
Guided Application Review
You Prepare, We Review — Fixed fee pricing. Expert audit before anything is submitted.
What's included
- Eligibility assessment and strategy call
- Custom document checklist and professional templates
- Full legal audit with written correction memo
- Final pre-submission review call
Best for hands-on applicants who want expert verification before submitting. Full fee credited if upgraded to Full Care before submission.
Full Care Representation
We Handle Everything — IPJ manages your entire file as your authorised representative with IRCC.
What's included
- Complete application preparation
- IRCC portal management
- All IRCC communication as your authorised representative
- Document requests and follow-up
- Ongoing updates until your decision
Best for complex cases, expiring permits, previous refusals, or anyone who wants complete peace of mind.
Upgrade Credit: Start with a Guided Application Review and decide to upgrade to Full Care before your application is submitted? We will credit the full amount you have already paid toward your new fee.
Professional Fee Schedule
We believe pricing should be honest, transparent, and stress-free. That’s why we don’t charge by the hour or burden you with unexpected fees. Before any work begins, you’ll receive a clear, written agreement outlining exactly what’s included. No guesswork, no surprises – just a straightforward deal you can count on.
Why Choose IPJ For YOur PR Application
Why Clients Choose IPJ Immigration Solutions
Two Decades of Ontario Experience
Before Express Entry existed, before CEC draws became program-specific, before NOC codes shifted to TEER - we have been handling these files through every policy change. You are not getting someone learning CEC on your file.
We Have Been Where You Are
Our team navigated Canada's immigration system personally - including the work permit stage, the CRS anxiety, and the 60-day ITA countdown. That shapes how seriously we take your timeline and how personally we care about your outcome.
RCIC and Lawyer Combination
CICC-licensed RCICs and an immigration lawyer licensed by the Law Society of Ontario — JD from Osgoode Hall — with Federal Court capability on every complex file.
Meticulous Attention to Detail
A wrong NOC code, a vague reference letter, one date mismatch between your profile and your documents - these are the reasons CEC applications get refused. We audit every detail before submission so yours does not become one of those cases.
You Are Not Just a File Number
Small, focused team. The same person who assesses your CEC eligibility manages your file through to the PR decision. You always know who to call and exactly where your application stands.
Success With Difficult Cases
Borderline NOC classifications, expiring work permits, multiple employers, previous refusals - these are CEC situations we have handled and resolved. If your case is not straightforward, that is exactly when experience matters most.
What Our Clients Say
Our clients come to us from across Richmond Hill and the wider Greater Toronto Area, including Markham, Vaughan, Toronto, and Mississauga. Their words reflect what we work to deliver on every file: clarity, honest guidance, and real results.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, provided your work was in a TEER 0 to 3 occupation and you were legally authorised to work in Canada. Many international graduates use their PGWP period as their qualifying CEC experience.
Yes, as long as both roles qualify under TEER 0 to 3. Each job requires its own separate documentation.
Alternative documents such as T4s, Records of Employment, pay stubs, and contracts can support your application. This situation warrants professional advice before you submit.
If you already have 12 months of qualifying experience, create your Express Entry profile now. You may also be eligible to apply for a work permit extension to maintain your status while you wait for an ITA. Timing is tight, so professional advice is strongly recommended.
Yes, within 3 years of your last day of eligible Canadian employment.
READY TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU STAND?
Your Canadian work experience may already be enough to start your permanent residence journey. The clearest way to know is a conversation with someone who can actually assess your profile.
Free 15-Minute Discovery Call
Not sure if CEC fits you? In 15 minutes we cover your NOC, Canadian work experience, and CRS score and give you an honest assessment. Book a free 15-Min call.
Paid 45-Minute Consultation
Already in the Express Entry pool but unsure about your NOC, your CRS score, or what happens when your permit expires? This focused session gives you a clear CEC strategy whether you are preparing your profile, waiting for an ITA, or dealing with a complication that needs a professional eye.
Start With a Guided Questionnaire
Answer a few short questions about your Canadian work experience, occupation, and current status. A licensed consultant will review your answers and get back to you within 24 hours with a clear, honest assessment of your CEC eligibility and the best next step for your file.