CEC Eligibility Checker Canada 2026
- 2026 Express Entry target
- 109,000 admissions
Frequently asked questions
What counts as skilled work experience for CEC?
Work in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations qualifies. The experience must be paid, performed under valid work authorization in Canada, and gained within the last 3 years. Full-time means at least 30 hours per week for 12 months, or equivalent part-time hours totalling 1,560 hours. You can accumulate qualifying experience across multiple jobs as long as each is in a TEER 0-3 occupation.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Canadian Experience Class: Who can applyDoes my Post-Graduation Work Permit experience count for CEC?
Yes. Work experience gained on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) counts toward CEC eligibility, provided it is in a skilled occupation (TEER 0-3), paid, and gained within the last 3 years. PGWP holders are among the most common CEC applicants. Co-op work terms completed during your studies do not count, but post-graduation employment does.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) programWhat if I have 12 months of experience but in a TEER 4 or 5 occupation?
TEER 4 and 5 occupations (such as retail, food service, and general labour) do not qualify for CEC. Consider the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), some of which accept lower-skilled occupations. Alternatively, if you can transition to a TEER 0-3 role and accumulate 12 months of experience, you would then qualify for CEC. Use the PNP Score Estimator to explore provincial options.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Find your National Occupational Classification (NOC)Is there a minimum income or salary requirement for CEC?
No. CEC does not have a minimum income or salary threshold, and it also has no education requirement and no settlement funds requirement for applicants with a valid job offer. However, the work must be paid employment. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count. As long as you were employed in a TEER 0-3 occupation for at least 12 months within the last 3 years, the salary amount does not affect eligibility.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Canadian Experience Class: Who can applyCan I apply through CEC if I intend to live in Quebec?
No. CEC does not apply to candidates intending to reside in Quebec, as Quebec manages its own immigration selection programs. The closest equivalent is the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), submitted through the Arrima platform, which has its own scoring grid covering capital humain, Quebec needs, and adaptation factors. If you are currently working in Quebec, you can still apply through CEC if you plan to settle in another province.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) · Canadian Experience Class: Who can applyHow does this calculator work?
Enter your months of skilled Canadian work experience gained in the last 3 years. CEC requires at least 12 months in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. Select your occupation's TEER category and enter your CLB/NCLC level (minimum across reading, writing, listening, and speaking); the language minimum is CLB 7 for TEER 0-1 and CLB 5 for TEER 2-3. Indicate whether the experience is self-employed (self-employment does not qualify) and whether you intend to reside in Quebec (CEC does not apply to Quebec-bound applicants). The checker evaluates each requirement and shows a clear pass or fail result with explanations and next steps for any failed criteria.