Requirement 1: Minimum Canadian Skilled Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one year of qualifying skilled work experience in Canada, equivalent to a minimum of 1,560 hours, within the three years before applying.

The work experience must satisfy the CEC requirements relating to occupation, payment, work authorization and the period during which the experience was obtained.

The experience may be accumulated through one eligible position or multiple eligible positions. However, only qualifying work can be included in the calculation.

IRCC counts a maximum of 30 hours per week toward the minimum requirement. Working additional hours does not allow an applicant to complete the required experience in less than 12 months.

Requirement 2: Eligible Occupation Under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3

The qualifying work experience must fall under an eligible occupation classified in one of the following National Occupational Classification categories:

• TEER 0: Management occupations.

• TEER 1: Occupations usually requiring a university degree.

• TEER 2: Occupations typically requiring a college diploma, apprenticeship training of two or more years, or supervisory responsibilities.

• TEER 3: Occupations typically requiring a college diploma, apprenticeship training of less than two years, or more than six months of on-the-job training.

Applicants must identify the NOC code that accurately corresponds to their actual employment duties. The job title alone is not sufficient to establish eligibility.

The employment reference letter and other supporting evidence should demonstrate that the applicant performed the activities described in the NOC lead statement and most of its main duties.

Official reference: Government of Canada – National Occupational Classification

Requirement 3: Qualifying Paid Employment

The work experience must be paid employment through wages or commission. Unpaid internships, volunteer work and other unpaid activities do not count toward the CEC minimum work experience requirement.

Self-employed work experience generally does not count toward the CEC requirement, subject to specific exceptions established by IRCC policy.

Applicants should ensure that their employment records demonstrate the nature of their working relationship, compensation and actual duties.

Requirement 4: Authorized Work in Canada

The qualifying work experience must have been gained while the applicant was authorized to work in Canada under the applicable immigration rules.

Employment performed without the required authorization generally cannot be counted toward the minimum experience requirement.

Applicants whose work history includes expired permits, maintained status, pending applications or changes in immigration status should carefully review the authorization applicable to each period of employment before claiming those hours.

Requirement 5: Minimum Language Proficiency

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French through an IRCC-approved language test.

The minimum language level depends on the TEER category of the qualifying occupation.

Applicants must meet the minimum in all four abilities. A strong overall score does not compensate for a result below the required level in an individual ability.

Accepted language tests

English:

• CELPIP-General

• IELTS General Training

• PTE Core

French:

• TEF Canada

• TCF Canada

Language test results must be less than two years old when the applicant submits their Express Entry profile and when they submit their permanent residence application.

Official reference: IRCC – Language tests for Express Entry

Requirement 6: No Minimum Education Requirement

The Canadian Experience Class does not require applicants to have a minimum level of education.

An applicant may qualify without a Canadian diploma, degree or certificate if all other CEC eligibility requirements are met.

However, education may contribute to the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Canadian education and eligible foreign education may improve an applicant’s ranking, subject to the applicable requirements.

Foreign educational credentials generally require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) when the applicant wants to claim the relevant CRS points.

Requirement 7: No Job Offer Required

A valid job offer is not a mandatory eligibility requirement for the Canadian Experience Class.

Applicants may qualify based on their Canadian work experience, language proficiency and other applicable requirements.

However, meeting CEC eligibility does not guarantee selection from the Express Entry pool. Candidates must still receive an invitation through an applicable invitation round before submitting a permanent residence application through Express Entry.

Requirement 8: Intention to Live Outside Quebec

Applicants must intend to live in a Canadian province or territory other than Quebec.

Canadian work experience gained in Quebec may count toward CEC eligibility, provided the applicant meets the other requirements and genuinely intends to settle outside Quebec.

Applicants should ensure that their stated settlement intentions are consistent with their actual circumstances.

Requirement 9: No CEC-Specific Proof-of-Funds Requirement

Applicants applying under the Canadian Experience Class are generally not required to demonstrate settlement funds under the program’s proof-of-funds rules.

This differs from the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program, where proof of funds may be required unless an exemption applies.

Applicants must still provide the documents required for their individual application and satisfy other applicable immigration requirements.

Requirement 10: Admissibility to Canada

Applicants must satisfy Canada’s applicable admissibility requirements. These may include criminal, security and medical considerations, depending on the circumstances.

Meeting the CEC work experience and language requirements does not remove the obligation to satisfy admissibility requirements or provide requested supporting documentation.