Canadian Experience Class for International Graduates (2026)

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is the Express Entry program most international graduates use to get permanent residence: you need at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of paid, authorized skilled work in Canada in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job within the last 3 years, plus a language test at CLB 7 (TEER 0 or 1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2 or 3). Work done while you were a full-time student, including co-op terms, does not count, so for most graduates the clock starts on a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Meeting CEC rules only puts you in the pool; you still need a CRS score high enough for an invitation.

Last checked: 20 October 2026, against IRCC pages on canada.ca, including the official Express Entry rounds data.

Canadian Experience Class: key facts

What work counts, and what does not

IRCC’s CEC eligibility page says you can reach the 1,560 hours through one full-time job, equivalent part-time work, or several jobs combined. Remote work counts only if you were physically in Canada and working for a Canadian employer.

These do not count:

• Work done while studying full-time, including co-op work terms.
• Self-employment (with a narrow exception for some physicians).
• Volunteer work or unpaid internships.
• Work you were not legally allowed to do in Canada.

So the part-time job you held during your degree, and your co-op placement, will not move you toward CEC. See our guides to off-campus work hours and the co-op rules for how those work.

From PGWP to CEC: how the path works

1. Graduate and apply for a PGWP within 180 days, ideally while your study permit is still valid. Our PGWP application guide covers this step by step.
2. Get a job in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation. Check the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code of your actual duties, not just your job title.
3. Work at least 1,560 paid hours in that skilled job. Full-time at 30 hours a week takes 12 months; part-time takes longer.
4. Take an approved language test and reach CLB 7 (TEER 0 or 1) or CLB 5 (TEER 2 or 3) in all four skills. A higher score adds many CRS points.
5. Create an Express Entry profile. IRCC gives you 60 days to complete and submit it once you start, and a profile stays in the pool for 12 months.
6. Wait for an invitation to apply (ITA) in a CEC or other round that your score clears.
7. Submit the full PR application within 60 days of the invitation, with documents and fees.

Timing matters. Your PGWP length is fixed and you can get only one. If your PGWP is one year long (for example after a one-year college certificate), there is very little room to build a year of skilled work and get invited before it expires. Many graduates also look at provincial programs in parallel; see our guide to PNP streams for international graduates.

Recent CEC draws (official IRCC data)

These are the latest Canadian Experience Class rounds published on IRCC’s Express Entry rounds of invitations page:

Every CEC round from August to mid-October 2026 needed a score between 516 and 523. That is a high bar for a new graduate with one year of work, which is why language scores, a second year of Canadian work, or a provincial nomination often make the difference. For all round types and how cut-offs have moved, see our Express Entry CRS cut-off tracker for 2026.

New CRS points from 3 November 2026

On 16 October 2026 IRCC announced changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations, taking effect on 3 November 2026:

• Candidates with at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience in a high-wage occupation (TEER 0 to 3, gained in Canada within the previous 10 years) can earn 20, 40 or 70 extra CRS points, depending on whether the occupation’s median wage is 1.3, 1.5 or 2 times the Canadian median.
• A qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation can earn 50, 70 or 100 points, and will no longer need an LMIA. You get whichever of the two options gives more points, not both.
• Existing profiles will be rescored automatically. IRCC says this may take up to two weeks and rounds will be paused during that time. Candidates who want job offer points must update their profile before 3 November.
• IRCC says extra points do not guarantee an invitation.

IRCC’s announcement did not change CEC eligibility itself. How these points will shift CEC cut-offs is not known yet.

For Nepali graduates

• Your Nepal degree can add points. CEC has no education requirement, but foreign credentials earn CRS points only with a completed credential and an educational credential assessment (ECA). Our WES evaluation guide for Nepali transcripts explains the process. Canadian credentials earn points without an ECA.
• Use a General Training-type test. IELTS Academic and PTE Academic are not on IRCC’s approved list; IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core are.
• No bank balance needed for CEC. IRCC says CEC applicants do not need proof of funds, but its system still asks for a document, so upload a letter explaining you are applying under CEC.
• Fees in rupees: CAD 1,590 for the principal applicant is about Rs 1.71 lakh (NRB selling rate, 17 Oct 2026). A spouse is another CAD 1,590, and each dependent child CAD 270.

Common mistakes

• Counting student part-time jobs or co-op terms toward the 1,560 hours.
• Choosing a NOC code that does not match your actual duties.
• Letting language results pass the 2-year limit before applying.
• Waiting until the PGWP is nearly expired to start planning.
• Counting self-employed or freelance work.
• Listing a job offer or work history you cannot prove with reference letters and pay records.

What to do next

• Look up the NOC and TEER of your current or target job on the official NOC site.
• Track your paid skilled hours from your first day on a PGWP.
• Book an approved language test and aim well above the minimum.
• Check your CRS with IRCC’s official tool, and compare it with recent CEC cut-offs.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours of work do I need for Canadian Experience Class?
At least 1,560 hours (1 year at 30 hours a week) of paid, skilled TEER 0 to 3 work in Canada within the 3 years before you apply.

Does co-op or part-time student work count for CEC?
No. IRCC says work done while studying full-time, including co-op work terms, does not count.

What CLB do I need for CEC?
CLB 7 in all four skills if your job is TEER 0 or 1, and CLB 5 if it is TEER 2 or 3.

What was the latest CEC draw cut-off?
Round #449 on 15 October 2026 invited 2,500 CEC candidates with a minimum CRS of 519, according to IRCC’s official rounds page.

Do I need proof of funds for Canadian Experience Class?
No. IRCC says CEC applicants do not need to show settlement funds, but you should upload a short explanation letter where the system asks for proof of funds.

Can I apply for CEC with a job in Quebec?
You can count work experience gained in Quebec, but you must plan to live outside Quebec and show proof of that.

Related guides

• Canada Health Insurance for International Students by Province
• PGWP Application Step by Step: Fees, Documents, 180 Days
• Off-Campus Work Hours in Canada for Students: 24-Hour Rule (2026)
• Canada Study Permit Application from Nepal: 2026 Steps

Sources

• Canadian Experience Class: who can apply – IRCC
• Express Entry language test requirements – IRCC
• Express Entry proof of funds – IRCC
• Express Entry rounds of invitations – IRCC
• Express Entry: create your profile – IRCC
• Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry – IRCC
• Changes to Express Entry for high-wage occupations – IRCC, 16 October 2026
• Canada refocusing Express Entry on top talent – IRCC news release, 16 October 2026
• IRCC fee list

Last checked: 20 October 2026. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.