The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program that allows individuals who have worked in Canada for at least one year to immigrate permanently. CEC is a part of Canada’s Express Entry immigration system.
The government of Canada recognizes the deep pool of talented workers already working in Canada, and wants them to become permanent residents. These are individuals and families who have set down roots and made plans for the future in Canada.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry allows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to invite eligible candidates to make an application for permanent residence.
These candidates have all made a formal ‘Expression of Interest’ to settle in Canada by creating an online Express Entry profile. Eligible candidates have their profiles accepted to the Express Entry pool where they are given a score and ranked under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) based on the personal information they provided.
In addition to the Canadian Experience Class, the pool contains candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) and Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC). IRCC then invites candidates to apply during its Express Entry draws from the pool.
CEC Canada advantages
For Canadian Experience Class candidates there are three distinct advantages, and one possible disadvantage, under Express Entry.
Advantages:
- Canadian Experience Class candidates have built up at least one year of Canadian work experience. This is a highly-valued factor under the CRS, and, as such, gives these applicants access to CRS points for their Canadian experience.
- Because the required documentation is minimal, Canadian Experience Class applications are processed quickly, often within three to four months.
- Applicants under the Canadian Experience Class are not required to show proof of settlement funds, as FSWC and FSTC candidates are.
Potential disadvantage:
- Even if you are eligible to apply under the Canadian Experience Class, there is no guarantee that you will receive an invitation to apply. If your CRS score is below the cut-off required to receive an invitation, consult our guide on how to increase your CRS score.
Let’s go over the eligibility requirements for the Canadian Experience Class, because it is not enough just to have one-year of Canadian work experience.
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