Canadian Experience Class
Eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for skilled workers with Canadian work experience who want to become permanent residents.
Minimum Requirements
To be eligible, you must meet these minimum requirements:
Canadian Skilled Work Experience
- Have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada (or equivalent part-time experience) within the last three years.
- Your work experience must be obtained while authorized under temporary resident status in Canada.
- You must have performed the duties outlined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), including all essential and most main duties.
- The experience must be **paid work** (wages or commission); volunteer work and unpaid internships do not qualify.
Ineligibility Conditions
- You are a refugee claimant in Canada.
- You are working without authorization.
- Your work experience was gained without temporary resident status in Canada.
Note: Self-employment and work experience gained while a full-time student do not count.
Exemption for Physicians
Physicians invited to apply on or after April 25, 2023, with work experience in publicly funded medical services are eligible even if self-employed. Do not mark “Self-employed work” when creating your Express Entry profile.
Language Ability
- Take approved language tests for writing, reading, listening, and speaking.
- Meet the minimum required scores.
- Enter your test results in your Express Entry profile.
- Language test results are valid for 2 years and must be valid when you apply for permanent residence.