The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a permanent resident category for people who had previously made a name for themselves in Canada as competent employees. Foreign workers and students can enter Canada under the CEC program. The Canadian Experience Class might be the most expedient route to Canadian permanent residence for many foreign graduates. Increasing the supply of skilled people in Canada is one of the CEC’s goals. Please be aware that any work experience obtained in Canada without a valid work visa will not be taken into account.

This program excludes self-employment and work experience that was acquired while you were a full-time student (such as during a co-op work period).  CEC application will take some time to process. If your work permit expires in four months or less and you are actively employed in Canada and have applied for permanent residence under the CEC class, you may qualify for a bridging open work permit. This means you can keep working while deciding on your permanent resident application.

Foreign nationals will be chosen using the Express Entry System as of January 1, 2015, and must wait to apply until they have an invitation. Candidates are permitted to stay in Canada while submitting their applications. However, those who have left Canada are also eligible for the Canadian Experience Class if they apply within three years of quitting their job there.

You need to have the following to be qualified for the CEC through Express Entry:

• ● You must have Canadian skilled work experience within three years of applying. The work was: full-time OR an equal amount in part-time

• ● Gained your work experience in Canada with the proper authorization
• ● Take an approved language test and meet the minimum requirements
• ● Planned to live outside the province of Quebec.

To be eligible for the CEC, you need to have within three years of applying, skilled employment experience in Canada. According to the  Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC), skilled work experience means:

• ● Managerial jobs (NOC skill level 0)
• ● Professional jobs (NOC skill type A)
• ● Technical jobs and skilled trades (NOC skill type B)

Your experience must be at least

• ● 12 months of full-time work: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours), OR
• ● Equal amount in part-time hours, such as:
  1.     • 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1-year full-time (1,560 hours)
  2.     • 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than one job = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours)
• ● If your experience does not meet the duty and job description requirements set in the NOC, IRCC may not accept your application.

Please note Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) require that applicants submit government application processing fees for most of their applications.

Speak to a licensed immigration consultant to find out, if you’re eligible to proceed with a CEC application under Express Entry or a bridging open work permit by booking a consultation.