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Canadian Experience Class
Table of Contents
What is the CEC Program?
This program permits foreign nationals with professional skills and work experience, paving the way for the skilled worker and their family to gain permanent residence in Canada.
This program (since 2008) allows foreign nationals with Canadian work experience specifically to opt for this route. CEC is also an integral part of Canada’s Express Entry immigration system, which requires an individual to complete an online profile. Each profile is assigned a score using the CRS Calculator, primarily based on age, education, Canadian experience, language skills, adaptability, job offer, and provincial nomination.
Eligibility
Minimum Eligibility criteria for this program is:
1) 1 year of CANADIAN work experience in NOC 0, A or B
2) CLB 7 for NOC 0/A Jobs and CLB 5 for NOC B jobs
3) Job offer is not required
4) No minimum education required
For applicants exploring different options, the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program may also be relevant pathways.
Skilled Work Experience
The experience gained must be for a full-time or equivalent to part-time position for one year in the previous 3 years. The work experience must have been obtained on a legal work status in Canada. Most importantly, the work experience gained must have been paid for.
Any experience gained while you were a full-time student will not qualify under this stream.
Language
Foreign nationals must take an approved language test for English or French.
Approved English tests: CELPIP or IELTS
Approved French tests: TEF Canada or TCF Canada
Minimum required: CLB 7 in each of the four components for NOC 0 or A jobs, and CLB 5 for NOC B jobs. For guidance on language-focused pathways, check the French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream.
Education
For the CEC class, you do not need education. However, you’re able to gain additional points for having foreign or Canadian education.
For Canadian education, you must provide your degree or diploma.
For foreign education, educational credential assessment report is required which must be assessed by an approved designated organization. To see the list of designated organizations, please click here.
Proof of Funds
You do not need to show any proof of funds for this stream. There is no requirement to show any document with related to your finances.
Admissibility
You must not be inadmissible. To learn more about inadmissibility, please click here.
Where you can live in Canada
You may plan to live anywhere in Canada EXCEPT Quebec. Province of Quebec has its own immigration streams. To learn more about Quebec skilled worker immigration stream, please click here.
Can I apply for CEC If I'm outside of Canada?
Yes, you may apply even if outside Canada, provided you meet the eligibility criteria under the Express Entry system.
Will self-employment experience count towards the CEC requirements?
Self-employment experience will not count towards the CEC requirements for skilled experience.
How can a foreign national apply under this stream?
Applicants must submit an Express Entry profile via the IRCC website. Each profile receives a CRS score using the CRS Calculator.
Required documents include:
Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP)
Passport or travel documents
Job offer letter (if applicable)
Provincial nomination (if applicable)
Although education is not required, submitting an educational credential assessment report can provide additional points. You can also review the Skilled Trades Stream or Express Entry draws for recent selection trends.
What is the processing fee for this program?
| Fees | $CAN |
| Your application | 1325 |
| Processing fee ($825) | |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee ($500) | |
| Your application (without right of permanent residence fee) | 825 |
| Include your spouse or partner | 1325 |
| Processing fee ($825) and right of permanent residence fee ($500) | |
| Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee) | 825 |
| Include a dependent child | 225(per child) |
For a detailed fee structure, see professional fees and consider booking an initial consultation to clarify costs.
How much settlement fund is required under this stream?
No settlement funds are required for this stream. To get started, you can book an initial consultation with our experts.