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This category is open to students who have graduated from select Canadian post secondary institutions which require at least two years of study and one year of recent full time Canadian experience at the NOC O, A, or B level. This category is also open to temporary workers in Canada who possess a secondary school diploma, or trade certificate or apprenticeship plus two years of Canadian work experience at the NOC O, A or B level.
Skilled workers looking to become permanent residents in Canada can do so through a variety of programs. One of these programs in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), one of three skilled workers programs available through the Federal Express Entry system, an online application processing system managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Temporary foreign workers already established in Canada are perfectly positioned to easily transition into permanent residents and eventually become citizens. The Canadian Experience Class selects candidates on the basis of their ability to become economically established in Canada. CEC considers a number of factors such as candidates’ age, education, language proficiency, and work experience to determine a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which is then used to rank applicants within the pool of Express Entry candidates.
The CEC program presents three main advantages:
The main drawback of the program, however, is that candidates are pooled in the Express Entry program. As a result, there is no guarantee of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency
Both the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class are managed by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through the Express Entry system.
Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates are assessed based on their work experience abroad. Their work experience has to be continuous for at least one year, and in one National Occupation Class. The Canadian Experience Class, on the other hand, looks at a candidate’s work experience completed in Canada and waives the requirement that the work be continuous. It is therefore possible to complete the require work experience in multiple occupations, but these occupations must still be classified as NOC skill level 0, A or B.
With the Express Entry system, the application processing time is accelerated and individuals and their families who wish to become permanent residents in Canada can do so in just a few months.
Although some work experience requirements differ between programs, candidates for both programs must have work experience in occupations listed as skill type 0, A or B in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) matrix and meet minimal language requirements.
Candidates for the Federal Skilled Worker Program must also meet education requirements and demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves and their family. The Canadian Experience Class, focused on graduates from Canadian institutions and candidates already settled and working in Canada, does not have education requirements or require proof of settlement funds.
The Canadian Experience Class is open to graduate students from select Canadian colleges and universities who have completed a minimum of 2 years of study, and to temporary foreign workers who already have skilled work experience in Canada
To qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Although the Canadian Experience Class program does not have strict educational requirements, candidates wishing to earn additional points for the Express Entry application can submit proof of:
Before applying, skilled workers must first determine whether they are eligible for the CEC (requirements are detailed above). If all criteria are met, candidates must gather all necessary documents to be able to provide the required proof of identification, education and language proficiency upon request. With documents in hand, candidates can then create a profile through the Express Entry program to be considered for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The creation of a profile does not guarantee that permanent residence will be obtained.
Applications made through the Express Entry system are pooled and ranked against one another using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a point system that assigns a numerical value to a range of factors: age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and more. The candidates with the highest CRS scores will then receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), giving them 60 days to submit a Permanent Residence application. All applicants are then screened for medical and criminal inadmissibility, and candidates will be asked to undergo a medical exam, provide background checks and include work reference letters to their profile. Once these steps are completed, applications are reviewed and, if all goes well, permanent resident status is granted
Work reference letters must be provided for every work experience listed on the application. IRCC requires that the letters be on official company letterhead and include the following information:
Unsure whether you can submit a profile for the CEC? Speak with our team of experienced immigration lawyers to get answers to all of your questions. We not only provide you with up-to-date advice, but we can also help you navigate the application process and increase your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence
