Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) pathway under the Express Entry system is an appropriate immigration stream for candidates who have gained Canadian work experience for at least one year in their CVs during the last three years from the date of filing visa applications. Canadian Experience Class eligibility, if fulfilled, keep applications for Canadian permanent residence status on fast-track mode. If applicants meet all eligibility criteria for CEC Canada, then Canadian PR Visa can be secured within six months.

CEC Canada - An Overview

By gaining Canadian work experience of at least one year, applicants can secure good points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scale. Applicants who achieve benchmark CRC points in the Express Entry pool receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw. Express Entry, managed by the office of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is an online system for managing applications for Canadian PR. It evaluates applications filed by foreign skilled workers and professionals in the Express Entry pool. Each application receives CRS points based on human capital factors such as age, education, skill, industry-specific training, Canadian work experience, language ability, a valid job offer letter, sufficient funds, adaptability, the willingness of applicants to settle in Canada, and so on.

The Eligibility Criteria for Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class eligibility has some guidelines and for this some of the norms are -

• Full-time experience of a permanent job and the work experience should be of at least one year in an occupation which is listed under the National Occupational Classification list of skill type O (Managerial occupation), A (Professional occupations) or B (Clerical or supportive jobs)
• The candidate should meet the minimum Language proficiency requirement for selection. The language efficiency can be in French or English language, the two official languages of Canada
• The candidate should create an online profile in the express entry program with full details of age, language efficiency, work experience, education, and other detailed information.
• The candidates should have either of three things in the application-
  • Letter from Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
  • Nomination from a province or territory
  • Registration with Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) job bank.

What are the Canadian Experience Class Requirements?

Interested applicants seeking immigration through CEC Canada must have at least 12 months of paid, full-time (or an equal amount of part-time) skilled work experience in Canada. The Canadian work experience should have been gained in the last three years from submitting the online profile in the Express Entry pool. It has been observed that many international graduates, students with Canadian work experience, or PGWP holders have transitioned to permanent residence through the CEC stream of Express Entry since its inception in 2008.

It is important to note that Canadian experience class eligibility should be understood and fulfilled by interested applicants to ensure a smooth Canadian immigration process.

Some of the basic Canadian Experience Class requirements are mentioned below -

• Canadian work experience of at least one year gained in the last three years from the date of filing the visa application students doing.
• Work experience must be related to occupations and skilled jobs listed in National Occupational Classification (NOC) code skill level 0, A, or B .
• Must be paid work experience in Canada.
• Must demonstrate required language proficiency.
• It is important to note that part-time paid work while pursuing full-time academic courses in Canada is not counted as ‘Canadian work experience.’ If the paid internship, pursued by international students, is not part of education in Canada, then it may be considered a Canadian Experience Class requirement. If international graduates and PGWP holders fulfill Canadian Experience Class requirements, they can apply for Canadian permanent residence from outside Canada.

The Canadian Experience Class requirements also do not include work experience gained through self-employment.

Through CEC Canada, applicants with language proficiency in both French and English can secure extra CRS points, which help them achieve a benchmark score in the Express Entry pool. The CEC applicants can appear in language tests like CELPIP General (English), IELTS General (English), TEF (French), and TCF (French).

The Canadian Experience Class requirements demand applicants gain Canadian work experience through a valid temporary work permit. Canadian work experience can be gained in one or more of the occupations listed in the NOC Code List. Mandatory paid work experience in skilled jobs can also be gained collectively under two different NOC codes.

The Canadian Experience Class requirement supports applications of candidates seeking a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based Canada work permit and securing a certificate through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Does CEC Canada Demand a Valid Job Offer?

Applicants applying through the CEC Canada stream do not require a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or organization.

What is the Cost of CEC Canada?

Applicants need to pay charges under different sub-heads as mentioned below -

• Right of permanent residence fee - CAD 500
• Fee for the primary applicant - CAD 475
• If the primary applicant is under 22 years of age and is not dependent - CAD 75
• A family member or dependent on the primary applicant (must be under 22 years of age or a common-law partner or spouse) - CAD 825
• A family member of the primary applicant who is under 22 years and is not a common-law partner or spouse - CAD 225

Benefits of CEC Canada

Some of the striking features and benefits of CEC Canada are:

• Canadian employers seek the Canadian Experience Class requirement.
• Applicants having Canadian work experience are preferred in in-demand occupations since they are familiar with work conditions and culture in Canadian industries and organizations.
• Canadian work experience enhances CRS points in the Express Entry pool.
• CEC Canada gave a boost to PGWP. The total number of PGWP holders in Canada rose from 10,300 in 2008 to 64,700 in 2018.
• Canadian Experience Class requirement requires less documentation compared to other immigration streams.
• CEC Canada application processing is generally kept on fast track mode since applicants are considered ideal candidates to fill gaps in Canadian industries and labor markets.
• CEC Canada addresses the issue of shortage of manpower in key Canadian industries and domains.
• CEC Canada applicants do not require to showcase sufficient funds compared to the other two streams - Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) - under the Express Entry system.

Seek Guidance from Signature Visas to Successfully Secure Immigration Through CEC Canada

One of the most notable and trustworthy immigration consultants in India, Signature Visas, provides holistic and apt guidance on things like the Canadian Experience Class requirement to immigration aspirants wishing to secure better work opportunities in Canada. The consultant also facilitates end-to-end services as well as counseling from professionals working in Canada to help candidates make informed decisions to carve out bright careers as skilled professionals in different industries. Call us at +91-9811648116.