The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program for individuals who have worked in Canada for 1 year and want to become a permanent resident of Canada. CEC is considered a part of Canada’s Express Entry immigration system. 

Advantages of Canadian Experience Class

• One becomes eligible to work, live and stay anywhere in Canada.

• You can sponsor family in Canada, including having a spouse who can legally work anywhere in Canada

• Qualify to apply for Canadian citizenship after residing in Canada for a period of three years, granting you the coveted Canadian passport and all associated benefits.

Eligibility of Canadian Experience Class

• You will need a full-time experience of about 12 months in Canada in the last three years. 

• Planning to live outside the Quebec province 

• Meet the language levels required for the job for each of the language abilities, which includes speaking, reading, listening, and writing. 

How Can You Apply For the Canadian Experience Class?

• Get the Canadian Work Permit

Having the right to work in Canada is an important prerequisite under this program. 

• Get One Year of Work Experience in Canada

You would probably need a year of experience under your belt in order to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class.

• Ensure that You Meet Other Eligibility Criteria

You need to get the language test done. For English, the candidates can take the IELTS or CELPIP test. For French, the TEF and TCF are the options which are available. 

• Create a Profile for Express Entry

You can complete this on the IRCC website. You would need to provide some personal information for the same 

• Improve the Profile and Ranking Under the CRS

You need to improve your profile & ranking under the CRS by providing proof of education 

• Get an Invitation to Apply

This is the step that brings the most joy as you get to submit an application for permanent residence. From this point, you will have about 60 days to submit a complete application. 

    • Complete Medical, Provide the Security Background Checks, and Submit an E-application

All Canadian Experience Class applicants are examined for potential medical and criminal inadmissibility. With your application, you will need to show that you have finished a medical exam with an IRCC-recognized panel physician.

In addition, you have to provide a police background check from each country you have lived in for at least six months since the age of 18. 

Further, you need to submit the e-application within 60 days of receiving an ITA, which also includes detailed work reference letters from the previous employers.

• The E-application is Eeviewed

A Canadian immigration officer will review the e-application that you submitted and let you know if anything else would be needed. 

• Receive Confirmation of Permanent Resident Status

It is known that about 80 percent of applications that are submitted under the Canadian Experience Class are processed within the span of less than six months. So, when a person is approved, he or she receives a confirmation of the COPR document. 

• Get the PR Card

Once you get the status confirmation, then you can apply for your PR card. If you travel outside Canada, then you can use this card as proof of your status in Canada.