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The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is designed as a pathway to permanent residency for individuals who have gained skilled work experience within Canada. Aimed at supporting temporary foreign workers and international graduates, the CEC recognizes the valuable Canadian work experience these individuals have acquired.

Eligibility Criteria 

To qualify for this program, there are key criteria you must meet related to your work experience in Canada and your ability to use English or French.

Canadian Skilled Work Experience

For your application to be considered, you must:

• Have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. This can be full-time or an equivalent amount in part-time.
• Have earned this experience legally in Canada with the proper work authorization.
• Have performed the duties outlined in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for your job, covering all essential tasks and most of the other responsibilities.

Your work must fall into one of the NOC categories, specifically TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3, and it should be paid employment. Volunteer positions and unpaid internships don’t qualify.

Restrictions

You cannot apply if:

• You have made a refugee claim in Canada.
• You worked in Canada without legal authorization.
• Your work experience was gained without being a temporary resident in Canada.

Note that self-employed individuals and work done as a full-time student (including co-op work terms) do not meet the work experience criteria.

Special Note for Physicians

A temporary policy is in place for foreign-trained physicians who provide publicly funded medical services in Canada and are self-employed. This experience may now be considered valid Canadian work experience for the Express Entry profile, provided it doesn’t get classified as “self-employed work” in the application.

Language Skills

You must:

• Take approved tests in English or French that assess your abilities in writing, reading, listening, and speaking.
• Achieve the minimum scores required in these tests.
• Include these test results in your Express Entry profile.

Language test results are only valid for two years and must be valid on the day you submit your application for permanent residence.

Education

There’s no educational requirement for this program. However, if you’re looking to improve your position in the Express Entry pool, here are two ways to do it:

• Canadian Education: Points can be awarded for having a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary institution.
• Foreign Education: You can earn points with a completed foreign educational credential and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report. The ECA must show your education is equivalent to the same level of education in Canada.

Note: Please note that the criteria for this program are subject to change at any time. It’s important to stay updated with the most recent information by checking official sources or consulting with a qualified immigration professional to ensure you meet all current requirements.

Choosing Where to Live in Canada

You need to intend to reside in a province or territory outside of Quebec, as Quebec has its own system for selecting skilled workers. If Quebec is your desired destination, you should look into the Quebec-selected skilled workers program for specifics.

When creating your profile, you’ll be asked about your preferred location in Canada. However, it’s worth noting that you’re not obligated to live in the province or territory you initially choose.

Becoming a Permanent Resident Through the Canadian Experience Class as a Temporary Foreign Worker

Temporary foreign workers looking to transition to permanent residency in Canada can do so through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. This process requires gaining one year of skilled work experience in Canada. Below is a simplified guide on achieving permanent residence status as a temporary foreign worker:

Secure a Canadian Work Permit: Your first step is to legally obtain a work permit to work in Canada.

Accumulate Skilled Canadian Work Experience: You need to work for at least 1,560 hours in roles classified under NOC categories 0, A, or B. This equates to one year of full-time employment.

Meet Language Requirements: Successfully pass an English or French language test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). You should achieve at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs and CLB 5 for NOC B jobs.

Apply Through Express Entry: Once you meet these requirements, you can submit your profile to the Express Entry pool. If you receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency, IRCC aims to process your application within six months.

Is there an age restriction for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program?

There isn’t an age cutoff for eligibility in the CEC program. However, it’s important to note that older applicants may receive fewer points for age in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). To compensate, these applicants should aim to achieve higher scores in other criteria to improve their overall CRS score.

We Can Help You – Scope Immigration 

At Scope Immigration, we specialize in guiding clients through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. Our services are tailored to boost your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, emphasizing areas like language proficiency and Canadian work experience.

We understand the nuances of the CEC application process and are committed to optimizing your profile for the best possible outcome. With Scope Immigration, you receive dedicated support to enhance your chances of achieving permanent residency in Canada.