Express Entry - Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Embassy required
- Processing time
- 6 months from Invitation to Apply
- Fee
- CAD $1,525 (processing) + $575 (RPRF) = CAD $2,100 per principal applicant
- Validity
- Permanent residence
- Entry
- Single entry
Permanent residence pathway for skilled workers with Canadian work experience. Must have gained experience while authorized to work in Canada. No education requirement or minimum funds requirement for CEC. Ranked through Express Entry CRS system alongside FSW and FST applicants.
Eligibility
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Employment
Must have at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 within last 3 years. Work must have been authorized.
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Criminal record
Must not be inadmissible to Canada. Police certificates required from all countries of residence.
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Health
Must pass immigration medical examination by designated panel physician.
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 0
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Employment letter
Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.
Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes
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Police clearance
Countries required: All countries where applicant lived 6+ months since age 18; Validity months: 12
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Biometrics appointment
Booking url: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/biometrics/where-to-give-biometrics.html; Location: Visa Application Centre or Application Support Center
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Health exam
Panel physician required: Yes, must use IRCC-designated panel physician; Validity months: 12
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Language test score
Accepted tests: IELTS General Training, CELPIP General (English); TEF Canada, TCF Canada (French); Minimum score: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs
How to apply
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Document gathering
Take approved language tests, gather Canadian employment reference letters with detailed job duties and hours, and collect identity documents.
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Online application
Create Express Entry profile with Canadian work experience details and language scores. System calculates CRS score.
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Document submission
Submit complete application within 60 days of ITA with all supporting documents, police certificates, and medical exam results.
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Fee payment
Pay CAD $1,525 processing fee plus CAD $575 RPRF per adult applicant.
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Processing wait
Processing target is 6 months from complete application submission.