Canadian Experience Class
For skilled workers with Canadian work experience who want to become permanent residents through Express Entry.
Program Overview
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an Express Entry immigration program designed for skilled workers who already have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents. Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Program, CEC does not require foreign work experience or an Educational Credential Assessment — it rewards people who have already proven themselves in the Canadian labour market. CEC draws through Express Entry tend to have lower CRS cutoffs than general FSW draws, making it a strong pathway for those who have worked in Canada.
Minimum Requirements
You must meet all of the following requirements to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class:
Canadian Skilled Work Experience
At least 1 year of skilled work experience (1,560 hours total at 30 hours/week) in Canada within the last 3 years before applying. Experience must be in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. Your experience can be across more than 1 NOC. Work must have been performed while you were authorized to work under temporary resident status. If you worked remotely, you must have been physically in Canada working for a Canadian employer.
Paid Work Only
Work must have been paid by wages or commission. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count. Self-employment does not count. Work experience gained while you were a full-time student (including co-op work terms) does not count toward minimum requirements.
Language Ability
You must take an approved language test in English or French and meet the minimum score in all 4 abilities (speaking, listening, reading, writing). The minimum CLB level depends on your NOC: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs. Accepted tests: IELTS General Training, CELPIP General (English); TEF Canada, TCF Canada (French). Results must be less than 2 years old.
No Education Requirement
There is no education requirement to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class. However, claiming Canadian education or obtaining an ECA for foreign credentials can improve your CRS score and increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply.
Admissibility
You must be admissible to Canada. Security, criminal, or medical issues may affect your eligibility. All accompanying family members must also be admissible.
Province of Intended Destination
You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. Quebec selects its own skilled workers through a separate process. You can count work experience gained while living in Quebec as long as you can prove you do not plan to settle there.
Language Requirements by NOC
Unlike FSW, the minimum language requirement for CEC varies based on your NOC TEER category:
Minimum Language Scores — Canadian Experience Class
| NOC Category | Minimum CLB Required |
|---|---|
| TEER 0 or 1 | CLB 7 in all 4 abilities |
| TEER 2 or 3 | CLB 5 in all 4 abilities |
CLB = Canadian Language Benchmark. All 4 abilities must meet the minimum: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
CEC vs. Federal Skilled Worker — Key Differences
Many clients qualify for both programs. Here is how they compare:
| Factor | CEC | FSW |
|---|---|---|
| Work experience location | Must be in Canada | Canada or abroad |
| Work experience window | Last 3 years | Last 10 years |
| Minimum points grid | Not required | 67/100 required |
| Education requirement | Not required | Required |
| ECA requirement | Not required | Required for foreign credentials |
| Self-employment counts | No | Yes |
| Student work counts | No | Yes (if paid and continuous) |
If you qualify for both CEC and FSW, our RCIC will advise you on which program gives you the strongest profile and highest CRS score.
2026 Changes to CRS Points and Job Offers
As of November 3, 2026, IRCC is changing how Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points are awarded for Canadian work experience and job offers, and removing the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement for all Express Entry job offers.
The CRS has a new Labour Market Integration factor. It awards up to 150 points for either your Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer — whichever gives you more points. You cannot receive points for both.
Labour Market Integration Factor — Maximum 150 Points
| Score option | With spouse/partner | Without spouse/partner |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian work experience | 140 points (70 work-length + 70 high-wage) | 150 points (80 work-length + 70 high-wage) |
| Qualifying job offer | 100 points | 100 points |
IRCC compares both options and gives you whichever is higher — not both.
Canadian Work Experience — Work-Length Points
Work-length points are the same points awarded today for Canadian work experience in any TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation. The eligibility requirements for Canadian work experience are not changing.
| Canadian work experience | With spouse | Without spouse |
|---|---|---|
| None or less than 1 year | 0 | 0 |
| 1 year | 35 | 40 |
| 2 years | 46 | 53 |
| 3 years | 56 | 64 |
| 4 years | 63 | 72 |
| 5 years or more | 70 | 80 |
Canadian Work Experience — High-Wage Occupation Points
Extra points, on top of work-length points, for at least 1 year (12 months or 1,560 hours) of qualifying Canadian work experience in one or more eligible high-wage occupations. The experience can be continuous or not, full-time or an equal amount of part-time, and combined across more than one high-wage job.
| 12+ months of Canadian work in a… | Extra points |
|---|---|
| Level 1 — at least twice the average median wage | 70 |
| Level 2 — at least 1.5 times the average median wage | 40 |
| Level 3 — at least 1.3 times the average median wage | 20 |
| Less than 12 months in a high-wage occupation | 0 |
Job Offer Points
Job offer points are returning to the CRS. To earn them, your job offer must be valid under Express Entry and be for a position in an eligible high-wage occupation.
| Job offer in a… | Points |
|---|---|
| Level 1 — at least twice the average median wage | 100 |
| Level 2 — at least 1.5 times, but less than twice | 70 |
| Level 3 — at least 1.3 times, but less than 1.5 times | 50 |
| Not a high-wage occupation | 0 |
No More LMIA Requirement for Job Offers
Skills transferability points still use the length of your Canadian work experience only — high-wage points do not apply there. Your spouse or partner's Canadian work experience points are also unchanged.
IRCC will recalculate the scores of profiles already in the pool when the changes take effect. This can take up to two weeks, and invitation rounds are paused until it is complete.
IRCC's online profile system has not yet been updated to reflect the new job offer rules, so job offers without an LMIA must be entered in a specific way. If you have a job offer — or are not sure how these changes affect your score — contact our office and we will be happy to assist you.
Special Provision — Physicians
A special temporary public policy applies to foreign national physicians who were invited to apply through Express Entry on or after April 25, 2023 and have Canadian work experience providing publicly funded medical services (such as fee-for-service work). This work is counted as Canadian work experience even if it would otherwise be considered self-employment.
Government Processing Fees
IRCC Government Fees — Canadian Experience Class
| Applicant | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal Applicant | $1,525 CAD |
| Spouse or Common-Law Partner | $1,525 CAD |
| Dependent Child (per child) | $260 CAD |
Important: Government processing fees are payable directly to IRCC and are separate from Asteco's professional fees. Fees are subject to change by IRCC at any time. Asteco Immigration Consulting is not responsible for any changes to government fee schedules after the date of your quote.
How Asteco Can Help
Our RCIC team has extensive experience with CEC applications and Express Entry strategy. We assess your profile, optimize your CRS score, and manage the entire application process.
Quick Info
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Government fees and processing times are subject to change by IRCC. Please consult with our RCIC before making any immigration decisions.