Express Entry — Canadian Experience Class vs EU Blue Card

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to what you have right now. The Canadian option rewards existing work experience in Canada and uses a points system to rank your profile. The German option requires a job offer upfront but gets you permanent residency faster and costs significantly less to apply.

1. 01

   Canadian work experience

   Pick CEC

   Pick CEC if you already have 1+ years of Canadian work experience to leverage.

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick EU Blue Card if you're starting fresh or lack Canadian work history.

2. 02

   Job offer requirement

   Pick CEC

   Pick CEC if you prefer applying without securing an employer sponsorship first.

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick EU Blue Card if you have or can obtain a confirmed job offer from a German employer.

3. 03

   Education level

   Pick CEC

   Pick CEC if you have high school or some post-secondary but no bachelor's degree.

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick EU Blue Card if you hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

4. 04

   Speed to permanent residency

   Pick CEC

   Pick CEC if you can wait 3-6 months processing plus time to accumulate points.

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick EU Blue Card if you want permanent residency in roughly 2 years from approval.

5. 05

   Application cost

   Pick CEC

   Pick CEC if budget allows USD 1,570 in application fees.

   Pick §18g AufenthG

   Pick EU Blue Card if you want to minimize upfront costs (only USD 120).