What is CEC? Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) Explained
What is the Canadian Experience Class?
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program for people who have worked in Canada and want to transition to permanent residence. CEC is one of three programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry Immigration System. Admission Hub provides you with everything you need to knows about the CEC.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an electronic system to manage skilled worker applications for three programs including the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). If you have lived in Canada before and gained eligible work experience here, you may be a strong candidate for the CEC. In addition, you may also be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and if you have a trades background, the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
If you are eligible for the CEC program or one of the other Express Entry programs, you will get a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS awards point based on skilled work experience, education, age, official language skills, and other factors.
IRCC holds regular rounds of invitation, issuing Invitations to Apply for permanent residence to the highest-scoring candidates.
After you submit, an IRCC immigration officer will make a decision on your application. If you are approved, the last step is to complete the landing process and officially immigrate to Canada.
What are the benefits of the CEC Program?
The CEC program is encouraging more temporary foreign workers and international students to build their life in Canada. Skilled workers and international students can:
- Stay, work, and live anywhere in Canada.
- Sponsor their family in Canada, their spouse can legally work anywhere in Canada.
- Apply for Canadian Citizenship after spending three years in Canada and get a Canadian Passport
- Have the same benefits as other Canadian Permanent Residents or citizens, including medical benefits
- Study in Canadian universities if they or their children choose to.
What are the requirements of CEC?
To be eligible for the CEC, applicants must:
- Have obtained at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within 36 months of the application date; and
- Meet or surpass 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.
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.
The Canadian Experience Class requirements are based on a pass or fail model. If the minimum requirements are met, the applicant is eligible to enter the Express Entry pool.
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.
How to become a permanent residence through CEC as an International Student?
International students who go on to graduate from an eligible educational program in Canada are the main group of individuals who gain permanent residence through the CEC. Here is the most common way:
Step 1: Complete your educational program at a Canadian designated learning institution.
Step 2: Go to IRCC and apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Step 3: With your PGWP, obtain at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B job.
Step 4: Take an English or French language test designated by IRCC and obtain the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirement (a CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A work experience and CLB 5 for NOC B work experience).
Step 5: Enter the Express Entry pool. If you secure an invitation to apply, IRCC will aim to process your permanent residence application within six months.
How to become a permanent residence through CEC as a temporary foreign worker?
Temporary foreign workers can become eligible for the Canadian Experience Class program after obtaining one year of professional work experience in Canada. Here is step-by-step how to become a permanent residence as a temporary foreign worker:
Step 1: Get a Canadian work permit.
Step 2: Obtain at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B job.
Step 3: Take an English or French language test designated by IRCC and obtain the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirement (a CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A work experience and CLB 5 for NOC B work experience).
Step 4: Enter the Express Entry pool. If you secure an invitation to apply, IRCC will aim to process your permanent residence application within six months.
About Canada Admission Hub
Admission Hub is one of the largest International Student Immigration Firms based in Toronto & Vancouver. Currently, it operates in the following markets: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, Europe, Vietnam, and India.
Our parent company CVH Immigration Ltd. Admission Hub is helping and supporting International Students around the world to Study, Work, and Immigrate to Canada. If you want to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry or another skilled worker pathway, the first step is to complete a FREE CONSULTATION with Admission Hub’s Consultant. If you are eligible for Canadian immigration, our consultant will reach out to provide you with as much assistance as possible.
Latest Blogs
We have a team of experts who speak over 13 languages
We understand the challenges and needs of international students, and we can communicate with you in your preferred language. We can guide you through every step of the process, from choosing the right college, applying for admission, obtaining a study permit, extending or changing your visa status, to settling in Canada.
