VisaExplorer
🇨🇦
workPath to citizenship

Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Permanent residence pathway for skilled workers who already have Canadian work experience.

Estimated Cost

$2,138

Processing Time

~5 months

Validity

Permanent

Description

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is designed for temporary foreign workers and international graduates who have gained skilled work experience in Canada. Unlike FSWP, there is no education requirement and no points grid — applicants must simply meet minimum language and work experience thresholds. CEC applicants are ranked in the Express Entry pool by CRS score. CEC draws historically have some of the highest CRS cut-offs due to the premium placed on Canadian work experience.

Official informationLast updated: 2026-03-01

Timeline

Processing Time
5 months – 6 months

Average: 5 months

Visa Validity
0 months

Path to Residency

Path to Citizenship

~5 years

Eligibility

Experience:1+ years

Requirements

Cost Breakdown

FeeAmountType
Estimated Total$2,138