The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program was launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2008 to give temporary foreign workers and international graduates who have gained skilled work experience in Canada a dedicated pathway to permanent residency.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program is a popular pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers who have recently gained Canadian work experience, including temporary foreign workers and international graduates.
The CEC program is a fast and easy way for skilled workers with Canadian work experience to become permanent residents in just 3-4 months, making it one of the quickest immigration pathways in Canada.
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is a system that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers.
Candidates who are eligible for Express Entry create an online profile and are ranked in a pool based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS score is calculated based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language skills.
IRCC regularly holds Express Entry draws and invites the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.
In addition to the Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry includes the following programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) eligibility
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program was launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2008 to give temporary foreign workers and international graduates who have gained skilled work experience in Canada a dedicated pathway to permanent residency.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Requirements
- Your work experience must have been obtained in Canada within the three years prior to the date of submission of your electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
- Your work experience must be in one or more of the following National Occupation Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories:
- TEER 0
- TEER 1
- TEER 2
- TEER 3
- Your work experience must be lawfully obtained and paid.
- Work experience obtained while engaged in full-time studies in Canada does not count towards the CEC requirement.
Other CEC Eligibility Requirements
- Language:
- For NOC skill level 0 or A jobs, you must reach a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test.
- For NOC skill level B jobs, you must reach a CLB 5.
- Residence in Canada: You must intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.
Additional Information
- If you meet all of the CEC eligibility requirements, you will be eligible to create an Express Entry profile for the Canadian Experience Class program.
- However, you must also meet Canada’s basic admissibility requirements. Certain criminal offenses and medical conditions may make a person inadmissible to Canada.
How to Apply for the Canadian Experience Class?
Create a profile in the Express Entry system
This is a free online tool that allows you to create a profile and submit your information to IRCC. Your profile will be ranked against other Express Entry candidates based on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score
Your CRS score is calculated based on your age, education, work experience, language skills, and other factors. The higher your CRS score, the more likely you are to be invited to apply for permanent residence.
Be invited to apply for permanent residence
IRCC regularly invites the highest-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residence. If you are invited to apply, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application.
Submit the required documents
The required documents include a completed application form, a valid passport, medical exam results, police clearance certificates, proof of work experience, proof of education, proof of language skills, proof of funds, and any other supporting documentation required by IRCC.
Wait for your application to be processed
IRCC typically processes CEC applications within 6-8 months.
Receive confirmation of permanent resident status
Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation of permanent resident (COPR) document. This document will allow you to travel to Canada and become a permanent resident.
Apply for your PR card
Your PR card is a plastic card that proves you are a permanent resident of Canada. You will need to apply for your PR card after you arrive in Canada.
CEC program fees
The following are the current government fees for applying to the CEC program, in Canadian dollars (CAD):
- CAD $825 for the main applicant and spouse included on the application
- CAD $230 for each dependent child listed in the application
- CAD $515 Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) per adult
Required Documents for CEC Program Applicants
To apply under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program, you will need to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport or travel document
- Proof of your Canadian work experience, such as T4 tax slips, Record of Employment (ROE) forms, or employment reference letters
- Proof of your language skills, such as English or French test results
- Proof of education, such as diplomas or transcripts
- A medical exam report
- Police certificates from any country where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 18
- Proof of funds, such as bank statements or investment statements
You may also need to submit additional documents depending on your individual circumstances. For example, if you have any dependent children, you will need to provide proof of their relationship to you.
How long do CEC applications take to process?
According to IRCC’s estimated processing times, CEC applications normally take 6 months to process from the time a complete application is received by IRCC. This does not include the time it takes for the Express Entry profile to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
