The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.
The CEC operates on a pass/fail basis, so candidates who meet the minimum requirements and are not found inadmissible will be accepted. Those who meet the selection criteria will gain permanent residency in Canada.
To be eligible for the CEC, applicants must:
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Have a minimum of 12 months of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within the 36 months preceding the application date;
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Have gained work experience by working in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work;
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Meet the required language levels needed for your job
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Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs or
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Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs
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Not plan to reside in Quebec (refer to the Quebec Experience Class);
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Provide proof of their work experience in Canada, such as pay stubs, tax documents, and reference letters, obtained with proper authorization from the Canadian government.
Applicants can apply for the CEC from within or outside of Canada, as long as their Canadian work experience was gained within the three years prior to submitting the application. If an applicant's temporary work permit is set to expire before their CEC application is processed, a "bridging open work permit" may be an appropriate option, allowing them to continue working while awaiting a decision on their permanent resident application.
International students should consider the CEC as a means to transition from student to permanent resident status in Canada. After graduating from a qualifying academic program at a designated Canadian learning institution, many international graduates become eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This open work permit enables graduates to work for any Canadian employer. With at least one year of skilled work experience, they may become eligible to apply for permanent residency under the CEC.
For CEC purposes, "skilled work experience" is defined as experience in:
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Managerial jobs (NOC skill type 0);
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Professional jobs (NOC skill type A); or
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Technical jobs and skilled trades (NOC skill type B).
Full-time work is considered to be at least 30 hours per week; however, applicants may apply if they have an equivalent amount of part-time work experience.
Canadian Experience Class
To enhance your application, consider the following tips:
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Improve your language proficiency: Higher language test scores in English or French can strengthen your application. Consider taking language classes or enrolling in a language improvement program.
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Gain additional work experience: Work experience in Canada is a critical factor in the CEC application. Ensure you have the required experience, and consider gaining more in your field to increase your competitiveness.
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Gather strong reference letters: Obtain reference letters from your employers, highlighting your skills, responsibilities, and achievements. Make sure the letters are detailed and specific to your work experience.
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Prepare all required documents: Ensure you have all the necessary documents to prove your work experience, including pay stubs, tax documents, and reference letters. Double-check that all documents are accurate and up-to-date.
By following these steps and adhering to the eligibility requirements, applicants can increase their chances of success in obtaining permanent resident status in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class program.