Updated September 2026. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is the Express Entry program built for people who already work in Canada. If you are on a PGWP, an open work permit or an employer-specific permit, it is usually the most direct route from temporary status to permanent residence — as long as your Canadian experience was earned the way IRCC counts it.
Quick Answer
To qualify for the CEC you need at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of paid, skilled work in Canada in the 3 years before you apply, in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation, plus minimum language scores in all four abilities. There is no education requirement and no proof-of-funds requirement. Work done while you were a full-time student, and self-employment, do not count. Meeting the CEC only gets you into the Express Entry pool — you still need a CRS score high enough for a draw.
This guide explains general rules. It is not legal advice. Confirm the requirements on IRCC’s Canadian Experience Class page before creating a profile, and consider a licensed RCIC or lawyer if your work history is complicated.
CEC Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | What IRCC asks for |
|---|---|
| Canadian work experience | 1 year / 1,560 hours in the last 3 years, TEER 0–3, paid, while authorized to work |
| Language | CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs — in all four abilities |
| Education | None required (but it earns CRS points) |
| Proof of funds | Not required for the CEC |
| Where you live | You must plan to live outside Quebec |
How the 1,560 Hours Are Counted
IRCC counts up to 30 hours a week. Full-time work above 30 hours does not speed things up, but part-time work does add up:
- 30 hours a week for 12 months = 1,560 hours
- 15 hours a week for 24 months = 1,560 hours
- Two part-time jobs in the same weeks can be combined, but the total still counts only up to 30 hours a week
Because the 3-year window rolls forward, the hours from your earliest job can fall out of the window while you wait. Our CEC hours calculator works out your qualifying hours and the date you reach 1,560.
What Does Not Count
IRCC excludes these, even if you were legally allowed to work:
- Work while you were a full-time student — including co-op terms
- Self-employment — freelancing, gig apps, your own business (see gig work on a work permit and the CEC)
- Unpaid work — volunteering and unpaid internships
- TEER 4 and 5 jobs — this catches many PGWP holders, because the PGWP itself has no TEER restriction (why that gap costs people a year)
- Remote work for a foreign employer — IRCC says remote work counts only if you were physically in Canada working for a Canadian employer
From Eligibility to PR: The Steps
- Confirm your occupation’s NOC code and TEER level with the NOC Code Finder.
- Take an approved language test and get results that meet the CLB minimum.
- Create an Express Entry profile and check your score in our CRS calculator.
- If invited, submit your application with reference letters that match your NOC duties.
Is the CEC Being Replaced?
In its 2026–2028 Forward Regulatory Plan, IRCC proposed replacing the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience and Federal Skilled Trades classes with a single Federal High-Skilled Class, and consulted on it until May 24, 2026. As of September 2026 this is a proposal, not law: the CEC is still open, draws continue, and applications are assessed under the current rules. We cover the proposal in the Express Entry merger explained.
When Your Situation Changes
- Your work permit is expiring before you get an invitation: options while waiting for PR
- You lost your job after an invitation or after applying: what happens to your application
- You realize the NOC code you claimed is wrong: fix, decline or proceed
Check your language level with the CLB calculator (CLB 7 for TEER 0–1 jobs, CLB 5 for TEER 2–3).
FAQ
Does PGWP work count for the CEC?
Yes, if it is paid work in a TEER 0–3 occupation. Work in TEER 4 or 5 jobs on a PGWP does not count, even though the PGWP allows it.
Can I combine two part-time jobs?
Yes. Hours from multiple jobs are added together, up to a maximum of 30 hours a week.
Do I need a job offer for the CEC?
No. A job offer is not required to be eligible.
Does work while studying part-time count?
IRCC excludes work done while you were studying full time. If you were a part-time student, the work can count if it meets all other requirements.
