What are the eligibility requirements for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?

For CEC, applicants need at least one year—about 1,560 hours—of authorized Canadian work experience in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation during the three years before applying. Experience must have been gained while authorized to work, such as under a PGWP. Many graduates begin in TEER 4 or 5 roles, such as retail or food-delivery work. That experience does not ordinarily help establish CEC eligibility, so it is important to plan an early job search toward work that meets the skilled-occupation definition.

What to verify

• Program completion, obtaining a PGWP, gaining qualifying work experience, entering a pool and receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence are separate stages.
• Each stage has its own deadlines and requirements for language, occupation, work experience, status and supporting documents.
• A PGWP generally cannot be issued again simply because it has expired, and a pending permanent-residence application does not automatically extend work authorization.
• Federal and provincial thresholds change with policy and invitation rounds; a past score or discontinued pathway is not a promise.

Planning advice

Build a timeline around program completion, the date of the final transcript or completion letter, study-permit expiry and the PGWP application deadline. Plan early for language testing, employment evidence and maintaining status. Seek advice from a licensed professional where appropriate.