CEC

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a permanent resident category for individuals who had already established themselves as skilled workers in Canada. CEC program opens the door to Canada for foreign students and foreign workers. For many international graduates, Canadian Experience Class may be fastest option for achieving Canadian permanent residence. One of the objectives of the CEC is to increase the supply of skilled workers in Canada. Please note that any work experience acquired in Canada without valid work authorization will not be considered. Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (such as on a co-op work term) doesn’t count under this program.  CEC application will take some time to process. If you are currently working in Canada and you have applied for permanent residence under CEC class, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit if your work permit will expire in four months or less. This means you can keep working while IRCC makes a decision on your permanent resident application.  

To qualify for the CEC through Express Entry, you must have:

● at least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last three years (before you apply). The work was: full-time OR an equal amount in part-time.

● gained your work experience in Canada with the proper authorization.

● take approved language test and meet minimum requirements.

● planned to live outside the province of Quebec.

To be eligible for the CEC, you need to have Canadian skilled work experience within three years of applying. According to the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC), skilled work experience means work experienced gained in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job categories. Your work experience can be in 1 or more of these categories.

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:

◦ 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

◦ 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than one job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

● If your experience doesn’t meet the duty and job description requirements set in the NOC, IRCC may not accept your application.

Education:

There is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class. If you want to improve your rank in the Express Entry pool for immigration purposes, there are 2 ways you can do this.

● If you went to school in Canada, you can get points for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian: secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution

● If you have foreign education, you can get points for:

◦ a completed foreign credential, and

◦  an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for immigration purposes from a designated organization showing that your education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:

■ secondary institution (high school) or

■ post-secondary institution

Language Ability:      

You must meet the minimum language level of: Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs or Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs

Your language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result and must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.