The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the three Programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry System. It provides a skilled worker pathway to temporary foreign workers and international graduates who want to obtain PR in Canada.
The skilled worker candidates who have previously lived in Canada have an advantage of integrating into the Canadian Job Market.
Candidates with Canadian experience are able to obtain more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points under Express Entry System.
This increases their chances of obtaining PR.
CEC candidates who succeed under Express Entry System are usually able to get their PR status within six months.
Unlike the other two Express Entry programs, candidates who succeed under the CEC do not need to demonstrate to IRCC that they have settlement funds to support themselves financially for obtaining PR.
Eligibility Criteria:
The candidate must meet the following requirements to become eligible for CEC:
- Have obtained at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within 36 months of the application date; and
- Meet or surpass a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 (“initial intermediate”) for NOC B jobs or CLB 7 (“adequate intermediate proficiency”), for NOC skill level 0 or A jobs.
- Plan to live and work outside of the province of Quebec (individuals with work experience in Quebec and who plan to reside in Quebec may apply to the Quebec Experience Class).
12 months of work experience, is defined as at least 1,560 hours of skilled work in Canada.
The 1,560 hours can be obtained through full-time and/or part-time work.
Applicants can remain in Canada throughout the application process. However, the CEC is also open to individuals who are no longer in Canada, provided that they submit their application within three years of leaving their job in Canada.
The Canadian Experience Class requirements are based on a pass or fail model. If the minimum requirements are met, the applicant is eligible to enter the Express Entry pool.
CEC Process:
- At the very first step candidate needs to find out if he meets the FSWP’s eligibility criteria.
- After that submit your Express Entry profile on the IRCC website.
- IRCC holds Express Entry draws every two weeks. So the candidate needs to wait for an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence.
- If you receive an ITA, you have to submit the completed PR application to IRCC. After IRCC completes the processing of the application, the candidate can migrate to Canada.
The most common way to obtain Canadian PR through the CEC as an International Student:
Step 1: Complete your educational program at a Canadian designated learning institution.
Step 2: Go to IRCC and apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Step 3: With your PGWP, obtain at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B job.
Step 4: Take an English or French language test designated by IRCC and obtain the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirement (a CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A work experience and CLB 5 for NOC B work experience).
Step 5: Enter the Express Entry pool. If you secure an invitation to apply, IRCC will aim to process your permanent residence application within six months.
Eligible for the CEC as a Temporary Foreign Worker
Step 1: Get a Canadian work permit.
Step 2: Obtain at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B job.
Step 3: Take an English or French language test designated by IRCC and obtain the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirement (a CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A work experience and CLB 5 for NOC B work experience).
Step 4: Enter the Express Entry pool. If you secure an invitation to apply, IRCC will aim to process your permanent residence application within six months.
Language Requirement for CEC:
The language requirements depend on the type of job you are working under to be eligible for the CEC. You need to meet the requirements across all four abilities evaluated through your language test (reading, writing, listening, and speaking):
A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least 7 across all four abilities is required if you work in a NOC skill level job of 0 or A.
A CLB of at least 5 across all four abilities is required if you work in a NOC skill level job of B.
NOC 0, A, and B jobs under the CEC
The Canadian NOC defines the jobs as follows:
- Skill Level 0: Managerial Jobs
- Skill Type A: Professional Jobs
- Skill Type B: Technical Jobs and Skilled Trades
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