Express Entry – CEC

What is Canadian Experience Class Program?

The Canada Experience Class program is a permanent resident category for people with skilled work experience in Canada. It was introduced in 2008, for temporary foreign workers and foreign graduates with qualifying Canadian work experience, as well as to increase Canada’s labor market responsiveness and global competitiveness in attracting and retaining highly skilled workers and international graduates who had demonstrated their ability to integrate into the Canadian labor market.

The program was originally comprised of two streams (a student and a worker stream), but underwent regulatory changes in 2013, which harmonized the two streams.

Currently all CEC applicants are required to have 12 months of Canadian work experience, within 36 months prior to applying, in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) level 0, A or B occupation, as well as meet the language requirements associated with the respective occupational levels.

CEC is becoming a popular program for those international students who are staying in Canada and on the basis of their post-graduation work permits have gained one year of full time experience in any skilled field can apply for Canadian Experience Class and get permanent residency in Canada.

Who is Eligible for Canadian Experience Class?

For applying under Canadian Experience Class program; candidate should meet following requirements:

• You must have at least 12 months of full time or equal amount of part time skilled work experience in Canada at the time of application
• Your visa status in Canada during this time period should be valid and should allow you to work
• Quebec is not included in the province for this program
• You must have skilled work experience within three years from applying in either NOC 0, A or B
• Full time work experience in Canada amounts to 30 hours per week
• Minimum language proficiency Canadian Language Benchmark Level (CLB) level 7 for NOC code 0 and A and CLB level 6 for NOC code B
• Managerial jobs (NOC skill level 0)
• Professional jobs (NOC skill type A)
• Technical jobs and skilled trades (NOC skill type B)

For Canadian Experience Class candidates, there are various advantages under Express Entry:

• Canadian Experience Class candidates have built up at least one year of Canadian work experience. This is a highly-valued factor under the CRS, and, as such, gives these applicants access to CRS points for their Canadian experience.
• Because the required documentation is minimal, Canadian Experience Class applications are processed quickly, often within three to four months.
• Applicants under the Canadian Experience Class are not required to show proof of settlement funds, as FSWC and FSTC candidates are.

How Do I Apply under the CEC?

If you are eligible to apply under the CEC category, you may submit your profile to Express Entry. Express Entry is a new online application system for economic immigration categories, such as the CEC.

Our Director, Mr. Santosh Ramrakhiani is Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) and an active member of ICCRC. We give one stop solution to our clients right from counseling, visa application and other services.

How to Apply for Permanent Residence under Canadian Experience Class?

Following are the steps to apply under the Canadian Experience Class:

Step 1: Obtain a Canadian Work Permit.

Having the right to work in Canada is an important prerequisite under this program.

Step 2: Complete a year of work in Canada.

Eleven and a half months will not be enough- you need at least a year of work experience (or more, if part time).

Step 3: Ensure to meet the eligibility criteria.

Get your language test done. For English, candidates may take IELTS test. Candidates with some ability in both English and French can be awarded additional points for ability in their second language.

Step 4: Create an Express Entry Profile.

This step is completed on the IRCC Website. You will be asked to provide some personal information, some of which must be supported with documentation (such as your proof of language).

Step 5: Improve your profile and ranking under CRS.

Add education and work experience levels to your profile, which will increase your chances of scoring more points.

Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply.

This is arguably the step that brings the most joy, as it allows you and your family, if applicable, to submit an application for permanent residence. From this point, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application.

Step 7: Complete a medical, provide security background checks, and submit an e-application.

With your application, you will need to show that you have completed a medical exam with an IRCC-recognized panel physician.

Step 8: Your e-application is reviewed

A Canadian immigration officer will review the submitted e-application and let you know if anything else is required.

Step 9: Receive confirmation for permanent residence status and complete your landing.

When a person is approved, he or she receives a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) document. An officer at a Canadian port of entry or at a IRCC office signs and dates this document when permanent residence is granted.

Step 10: Get your PR card.

Once you have your confirmation of status, you may then apply for your PR card. If you travel outside Canada, you may use this card as proof of your status in Canada.