The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration category for Canada’s foreign workers who wish to become permanent residents.

Temporary foreign workers are ideal candidates for Canadian immigration (permanent residence).

Having obtained Canadian work experience, these individuals have already settled into the Canadian society and established important networks in their communities and their careers.

Canadian Experience Class applications are processed through the Express Entry selection system for immigration to Canada. Eligible candidates must make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada, create an online Express Entry profile, and receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence before they may make an application.

Eligibility Criteria for CEC

To be eligible for the CEC, you should meet the requirements mentioning below:

Have obtained at least one year of skilled, professional or technical work experience in Canada within 36 months of the application date.
Meet or Higher 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.
Plan to live and work outside of the province of Quebec (individuals with work experience in Quebec and who plan to reside in Quebec may apply to the Quebec Experience Class).

One year (or 12 months) of work experience is defined as at least 1,560 hours of skilled work in Canada. The 1,560 hours can be obtained through full-time and/or part-time work.

CEC Applicants can remain in Canada throughout the application process. However, the Canadian Experience Class is also open to individuals who are no longer in Canada, provided that they submit their application within three years of leaving their job in Canada.

IF the Candiates meet minimum requirements, the applicant is eligible to enter the Express Entry pool.

Kindly Note: Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (for example, on a co-op work term) does not count under the CEC.

International Students

Most of the international graduates, the Canadian Experience Class may offer the fastest and very simple path to achieving permanent residence. After completing a program or course of study at a Canadian educational institution, many international graduates can remain in the country on post-graduate work permits. If during this time, a graduate obtains at least one year of work in a skilled, professional or technical field, they may then become eligible to enter the Express Entry pool under the Canadian Experience Class.

Additional Options for Foreign Workers

Step-by-step process for CEC applicaton.

Step 1: Check you meet the CEC’s eligibility criteria. CanadaVisa Point help you to do the assessemnt.
Step 2: If you meet the eligibility criteria of the CEC, you have to complete an English and/or French language test designated by IRCC. You may also need to get an Educational Credential Assessment. Canada Visa Point will assist you obtain the ECA Report.
Step 3: Create your Express Entry profile and submit.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Step 5: If you receive an ITA, complete your documentation and submit to IRCC. IRCC usually process applications within six months.

HOW CANADA VISA POINT CAN HELP?

Canada Visa Point offers end-to-end support to help make your application process smoother. Our services include

Immigration documents checklist
Complete application processing
Forms, documentation & application filing
Updates & follow up
Job search services
Relocation and post-landing support in Canada
Free IELTS Training*
24×7 Customer care support

Canada Visa Point has helped thousands of individuals work and settles abroad. Rely on our proven processes to help you through your Canada Federal Skilled Trades Program process.

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FAQ

Do you have Questions ?

What is the Canadian Experience Class?

What are the eligibility requirements under the Canadian Experience Class?

An individual applying for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class must be a foreign worker who has accumulated a minimum of one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada within the past 36 months. He or she must also intend to settle outside of the Province of Quebec. CEC applications are processed through the Express Entry immigration selection system, and applicants must receive an invitation to apply before they may make an application. Fill out a free assessment form to determine eligibility.

Can a candidate be invited to apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class if he or she intends to live in the Province of Quebec?

Can a candidate still qualify for the Canadian Experience Class if he or she is a temporary resident of Quebec?

Does a candidate's work experience have to be related to his or her education in order to be recognized?

For international graduates, work experience does not have to be related to education, as long as the candidate has accumulated the work experience after graduating from an approved Canadian post-secondary educational institution.

Is a candidate eligible to qualify under the Canadian Experience Class even if he or she has already returned to his or her home country?

Can a candidate still qualify for the Canadian Experience Class if he or she has acquired a one-year degree or certificate from an approved Canadian post-secondary educational institution?

When considering education, all candidates must have acquired at least two years of academic study in Canada and must have graduated from an approved Canadian post-secondary educational institution to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class. There is, however an exception to this rule. A candidate would still be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class in the event that he or she has completed a one-year Master’s degree after completing another program that is one year in length and from an approved Canadian post-secondary educational institution. The programs must be completed within two years.

Are English- or French-as-a-second-language courses counted towards education requirements under the Canadian Experience Class?

No, English- or French-as-a-second language courses do not count toward education requirements under the Canadian Experience Class. However, if a candidate’s education in Canada includes a second language component, that education can be counted provided that the second language component does not make up more than half of the course load.

Can a potential applicant apply directly for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class?

As of January 1, 2015, candidates who are eligible under the Canadian Experience Class must make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada permanently through the Express Entry immigration selection system. Candidates are not able to apply directly to the program. If they are selected from the Express Entry pool and issued an invitation to apply, they may then submit an application for permanent residence.

Canadian Experience Class Immigration Program