All-Visas
Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
work · Canada
CEC transitions temporary residents with Canadian skilled experience to PR. Requires ≥ 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled paid work in Canada in the last 3 years at NOC TEER 0/1/2/3, gained with valid work authorization (Quebec experience does NOT count). Language minimum CLB 7 for TEER 0/1, CLB 5 for TEER 2/3. No settlement-funds requirement and no formal education requirement (education boosts CRS). CEC draws in 2026 cut off in the 507–515 CRS range.
- Minimum stay / validity
- Permanent residence
- Processing time
- ~6–7 months
- Official source
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/canadian-experience-class.html
Requirements & criteria
- [Mandatory] No criminal record
- [Mandatory] ≥ 1,560 hrs (1 yr full-time) Canadian skilled work in last 3 yrs
- [Mandatory] CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2/3)
- [Mandatory] Canadian work authorization while gaining experience