To qualify, applicants must have completed at least 12 months of full-time—or equivalent part-time—skilled work in Canada within the past 36 months. This experience must fall under the TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
Work completed while holding a study permit, such as during co-op programs or part-time jobs, is not eligible. Similarly, self-employment and unauthorized work will not be counted and may result in inadmissibility.
IRCC officers verify eligibility by reviewing documentation such as employer reference letters, work permits, pay stubs, and, when available, T-4 tax slips. Experience gained under maintained status (previously known as implied status) may be accepted, provided the applicant continued working under the same conditions.
Applicants do not need to be employed at the time of application, but must prove that all qualifying work was completed with proper authorization and under a valid temporary resident status.
The CEC remains one of the fastest immigration streams, with most applications processed within six months after receiving an Invitation to Apply.
