Canadian Experience Class

Overview

The Canadian Experience Class programme was introduced by the IRCC in 2008 with the goal of assisting foreign graduates and temporary foreign workers in obtaining permanent residency. By submitting an application for the CEC, skilled workers can take advantage of this major immigration pathway.

What are the benefits of the CEC?

Both foreign workers and international students can take advantage of the CEC's numerous advantages. Following is a list of some of them.

  • Building relationships: Through the CEC, immigrants can establish networks with other experts in their field, enhancing their success there. An applicant for a CEC who has already lived in Canada before will find it simpler to learn about the advantages of its market than a new immigrant.
  • Better Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): The CEC offers applicants the opportunity to achieve higher CRS scores than in other programmes, increasing their chances of becoming permanent residents more quickly.
  • Using the Canadian experience class, applicants have a better chance of receiving their PR status in six months without any hiccups.
  • Bypass the requirement for settlement funds: If you are submitting a permanent residency application through one of the other Express Entry options, you must provide settlement funds. But with the CEC, you are not required to demonstrate your financial stability.

Eligibility Criteria

Before you can be eligible to apply for CEC, you must fulfil the following requirements.

  • At least one year of work experience in Canada, obtained no more than 36 months prior to application
  • Plans to live elsewhere than in the province of Quebec, unless you're applying for a Quebec Experience class
  • must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark, which is set at 5 for NOC B jobs and NOC A or O jobs, as well as the CLB 7 minimum.

    • The minimum amount of work experience required is 1,560 hours, which can be obtained either part-time or full-time. There is no law prohibiting applicants from residing in Canada until their application is approved. Even if they are not in the country specified, applicants can still apply; however, they must do so no later than three years after leaving their current position. It's important to remember that you won't receive CEC based on your own business ventures or employment obtained while you were still in school. If you satisfy all the requirements, you can be certain that you will be added to the Express Entry pool because the CEC is based on those standards.

How does the immigration process work with the CEC

Possessing significant work experience in accordance with the eligibility requirements is one of the best ways to position yourself as a strong candidate for the CEC. Additionally, having a background in the trades will help you qualify for the FSWP.

It functions in a fairly simple manner. Before applying for the programme, first determine if you are eligible. When you are certain that you qualify, head over to the IRCC website to create an Express Entry profile. You can start the application process if your name is called and you are invited to submit an application for CEC.

Keep in mind that you will only be selected if you have a high CRS score based on factors like your education level, age, work history, language proficiency, etc. Additionally, the CEC application must be submitted within six months or it will be forfeited.

How international students can become eligible for the CEC

It is easier for international students who complete an educational program in Canada to gain permanent residence through the CEC.

To Obtain the permanent residence through this program, the international student needs to follow these steps below:

STEP 1

Graduate and receive a certificate from a Canadian institution

STEP 2

Apply for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) using the IRCC website

STEP 3

Go ahead to gain work experience of about 1,560 hours under the NOC A, B or O jobs

STEP 4

Obtain a minimum of CLB 7 for an any NOC A and O work experience or a CLB 5 for a NOC B work experience from the designated English or French test

STEP 5

Create a profile in the Express Entry pool and wait for an invitation to apply. If you are invited, proceed to use and make sure you complete the application before six months

How foreign workers can become Eligible for the CEC

If you want to obtain the CEC through the temporary foreign worker pathway, you need a minimum of 12 months of Canadian work experience.

To obtain that, follow these steps:

STEP 1

Obtain a Canadian work permit

STEP 2

Work for a minimum of 1,560 hours in either a NOC A, B or O job to gain the required experience

STEP 3

Write the test required by the IRCC to obtain the minimum Canadian language requirement. You have qualified in the language section if you get at least CLB 7 for any NOC A and O or a CLB 5 for a Noc B work experience

STEP 4

Create a profile in the Express Entry pool. If you get an invitation to apply, start your application and complete it within six months

FAQs

You will be eligible for CEC, provided you plan to live outside Quebec.

No, you don’t need to have similar work experience to be considered eligible for CEC. But the work experience you obtain must meet the criteria expected by CEC.

Yes, you will be eligible, provided you meet other criteria.

You don’t need to have proof of funds to be considered for a CEC, but you still need to obtain an immigration invitation.

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Work permit

A work permit is a legal document that enables a foreign national to work while present in Canada. About 500,000 temporary foreign workers receive work permits from Canada each year from all over the world.