What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program?

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is the perfect way to permanent residency for foreign workers. If you have worked in Canada for at least a year, you can settle here through the CEC. The program is a stream under the Express Entry immigration system that allows skilled foreign workers to settle in Canada.

The immigrants under CEC are seen as valuable assets by the government of Canada. They contribute economically and culturally to the development of the country. The Canadian government recognizes such candidates and invites them to apply for permanent residency. 

Why Consider the Canadian Experience Class?

Applying to Express Entry under the CEC has a few distinct advantages. They include:

• CEC candidates have at least a year of work experience in Canada. This advantage lets you get extra points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) under Express Entry.
• You don’t need to submit too many documents to qualify for CEC. As a result, most applications are processed within 3 to 4 months. 
• CEC candidates don’t need to present any proof of settlement funds, unlike FSWC and FSTC. This can also go in your favour. 
• You don’t need to be in Canada to apply for CEC. If your work experience is within the last 3 years, you can apply from outside the country.

Are there any nuances of the CEC program you need to know before you start?

First, not that applying to CEC doesn’t automatically grant you entry to Canada. You still need to score the cut-off required to get the ITA. The cut-off score changes from time to time and is not fixed.

Second, note that CEC candidates can settle anywhere in Canada except the province of Quebec. The province runs its own skilled worker program known as QSWP. If you want to live in Quebec, you need to apply directly to the province.

How to Apply for the Canadian Experience Class in 7 Simple Steps

The whole process of application for CEC is quite simple if you know what to do. Let’s have a look at the main steps you would need to take.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

First of all, as for any other program processed under the Express Entry, you need to be eligible to enter the Express Entry pool.

To check if you meet these criteria, you may use our specially designed tool:

Then, you need to check if you meet the specific CEC requirements.

Work Requirements

• Minimum skilled work experience of 1 year (within last 3 years of application)
• You must have gained the experience by working in Canada legally

The work experience must be in: 

• Full-time work, or
• Part-time work (total time should be equal to a full-time job)

The work experience must be in jobs mentioned in the Canadian National Occupational Classification, and include: 

• Skill level 0: Managerial jobs
• Skill type A: Professional jobs
• Skill type B: Skilled trades and technical jobs

Your work experience can be in one or more categories mentioned above.

Language Requirements

Along with work requirements, you also need to meet the Canadian Experience Class language requirements:

Adding language skills also helps you score more on your CRS. 

Note: The language test results can be used only for 2 years after the date of the result (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF). And, according to Canadian Experience Class language requirements, the test must be valid when you apply for permanent residence. Most applications are processed within 6 months, so it shouldn’t be a matter of concern for most candidates.

Educational Requirements

Canadian Experience Class eligibility does not depend on the education you have. You don’t need to meet any education requirements for CEC. But submitting your educational qualifications do add some extra points to your profile under CRS. You can get points for:

• Completing a degree, certificate, or diploma from a Canadian institution (secondary and post-secondary)
• Completed foreign degrees

Note: If you have a foreign degree, you need to submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report. You can get it from any designated organization and prove your degree is equivalent to a Canadian institution.

Step 2: Consult an RCIC (optional)

You can take the assistance of registered consultants for professional guidance, and to save time and effort.

Step 3: Create Your Express Entry Profile

The process requires you to submit some personal information like history. Some information is self-declared, while for others like language abilities, you need to provide documentation.

Complete all information and create a strong profile to get a good CRS ranking. Here you may find some tips on how to strengthen your profile.

Step 4: Get your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

You should have a valid work permit for at least 4 months after you get your ITA. If it’s expiring before that, you have to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit. You can only do this after you submit your application for CEC.

Step 5: Prepare the Documents and Submit Your E-Application

The application should be submitted along with comprehensive work reference letters from your previous employers.

Also, CEC requires you to complete a medical and security check before you can get permanent residence. You will need to submit a medical report from an IRCC-approved panel physician.

You also need to provide a clearance certificate that proves you have completed a police background check. You will have to submit clearance certificates from each country you have resided in for a minimum of 6 months (after the age of 18).

Step 6: Get Confirmation of PR Status

Most candidates receive the COPR within 6 months or less. This means you have been granted permanent residence by the Canadian government.

Step 7: Get Your PR Card and Celebrate!

Congratulations!

CEC Outlook: 2021 and Beyond

Canada is planning to welcome more than 1.2 million immigrants between 2021 and 2023. And good news is that Canada plans to bring in more skilled workers who have experience working in Canada under the CEC. So, if you are looking to immigrate to Canada and have the required work experience, you can apply for CEC right away!

Can you immigrate with CEC this year?

It is possible to check if you can immigrate right now. You play with our tool to assess your eligibility:

Canada has issued 92,350 ITAs in 2020 making it a new record-breaking year for Express Entry. And the tendency seems to be continued.

The future looks bright for candidates who want to come to Canada under CEC in 2021 and beyond. You can enter yourself in the Express Entry pool and wait for the next draw to get your ITA (if you get the cut-off CRS score).

Canadian Experience Class: Commonly Asked Questions

Here we have answered some of the questions you may have regarding travelling and working with a Canadian Experience Class. Feel free to reach out to us and ask any questions you have – our team would be happy to help!