Canadian Experience Class

What is Canadian Experience Class?

Since 2008, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) has offered a major alleyway for candidates who have worked in Canada and want to transition to permanent residence. The CEC is a prominent option for temporary foreign workers and international graduates who go on to gain Canadian work experience. The CEC is among the three programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry system.

Overview:

To provide temporary foreign workers and international graduates seeking permanent residence status with a dedicated skilled worker pathway, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program in 2008.
Since then, the CEC has expanded to become one of the most popular immigration routes in Canada for talented workers, and companies, communities, governments, and even prospective immigrants themselves consider it to be a huge success.

What advantages does the CEC offer?

The Canadian federal and provincial governments are working together to promote more international students and temporary foreign workers to Canada so they may further their careers here. One such initiative is the CEC. It is evident from research conducted by the IRCC, Statistics Canada, and academics that applicants with prior Canadian residency have a significant edge when it comes to reintegrating into the workforce as skilled workers. CEC immigrants are very successful in the labour market because they meet high human capital characteristics (e.g., being young and middle-aged, having high levels of education, job experience, and education), as well as because they have established social and professional networks in Canada.

Furthermore, applicants under Express Entry who have prior Canadian experience might earn extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. Their prospects of gaining permanent residency rise as a result.
Third, those who are successful candidates for CEC under Express Entry can often obtain their permanent residence status in less than six months.
The fact that applicants who are successful under the CEC do not have to prove to the IRCC that they have settlement money to sustain themselves financially after acquiring permanent residence is a fourth important advantage of the program. This contrasts with the other two Express Entry programs.

Eligibility Criteria:

You have to fulfill the following conditions in order to be qualified for the CEC:

Ø  Have obtained at least one year of skilled, professional or technical work experience in Canada within 36 months of the application date

Ø  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.

Ø  If you want to live and work outside of Quebec, you can apply to the Quebec Experience Class if you have job experience there and plan to stay there.

Ø  In Canada, a full year (or 12 months) of work experience is equivalent to at least 1,560 hours worked by skilled individuals. You can work full-time or part-time to accrue the 1,560 hours.

Ø  Candidates may stay in Canada for the duration of the application procedure. If they apply for the Canadian Experience Class within three years of quitting their Canadian work, those who are no longer in Canada are still eligible to enroll.

There is a pass/fail model for the Canadian Experience Class criteria. The candidate is qualified to join the Express Entry pool provided they meet the minimal requirements.

Note: Under the CEC, self-employment and job experience obtained during a full-time academic program—such as a co-op work term—do not qualify.

How the CEC facilitates the immigration process:

Applications for skilled workers are managed by the IRCC through Express Entry for three programs, including the CEC. Should you have previously resided in Canada and acquired qualifying work experience here, you could have a great chance of winning the CEC. Furthermore, you can qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and, if you have prior trade experience, the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Making sure you satisfy the requirements for the CEC, or any other Express Entry program is the first step. You fill out an Express Entry profile on the IRCC website if you are qualified. The IRCC organizes Express Entry lotteries every two weeks, in which individuals with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence. The human capital qualities of each candidate, such as age, education, language proficiency, job experience, and Canadian experience, are taken into consideration when determining their CRS score. You must send a completed application to IRCC by the deadline if you get an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Applications will be processed by IRCC in no more than six months.

Become a Foreign Student Eligible for the CEC:

The majority of those who obtain permanent residency through the CEC are foreign students who graduate from an approved educational program in Canada.

The following is the most typical path for an international student using the CEC to become a permanent resident of Canada:

Step 1: Finish your course of study at a recognized educational institution in Canada.
Step 2: Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) at the IRCC.
Step 3: Get at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B position using your PGWP.
Step 4: Pass the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) criterion (a CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A job experience and a CLB 5 for NOC B work experience) by taking an English or French language exam approved by the IRCC.
Step 5: Go into the pool for Express Entry. The IRCC will attempt to process your application for permanent residency within six months if you are granted an invitation to apply.

Become Eligible for the CEC as a Temporary Foreign Worker

Temporary foreign workers can become eligible for the Canadian Experience Class program after obtaining one year of professional work experience in Canada.

Here is the most common way to obtain Canadian permanent residence through 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.

Contact Visa Nexa for Immigration Assistance

Need Canadian immigration assistance? Visa Nexa Inc. is here to help. We can assess your eligibility and submit your application to the Canadian government. With over 10 years of expertise, Visa Nexa in Mississauga, Ontario has been helping clients achieve their dream of becoming Canadians. Our head offices are in Delhi (VISAWALK) and Chandigarh (The Mentors). Reach out to us today and take the first step toward your new life in Canada!

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