Skilled workers who have at least one year’s full-time work experience in Canada can apply for permanent residency under the Canadian Experience class (CEC) of the Express Entry program. The program was launched in 2008 and allows a candidate’s employment experience in Canada to be considered a key factor in the immigration application.The program was originally designed to facilitate permanent residency in Canada for temporary foreign workers in Canada and foreign graduates who fulfill the eligibility conditions of Canadian work experience.
The Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian government’s immigration policies aim to welcome skilled workers as permanent residents of the country. To this end, every year, nearly 50% of all immigrants are skilled workers who achieve permanent residency under various economic programs that come under the Express Entry program. These are:
- Federal Skilled Worker Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Class
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nomination Class
The program is aligned with departmental and government objectives, priorities,responsibilities and in consistency with federal roles. It is designed to be a response to the requirement for a simple, swift avenue for skilled workers and those with study experience in Canada, with a view to retaining them. It capitalizes on their demonstrated ability to integrate economically (and socially) into the Canadian environment.
Eligibility criteria for this class include:
- Admissibility to Canada
- Age above 18
- Minimum level of language ability in English and/or French
- Plan to live anywhere in Canada
- If you have plans to live in Quebec you need to apply through a different program
- One year’s full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada
- Legal status while working/studying in Canada
- CEC application must be made within 3 years of obtaining the Canadian work experience
- There is no minimum educational qualification requirement
Certain medical conditions and criminal offenses make a candidate inadmissible in Canada.
Language ability is based on approved test results in reading, writing, listening and speaking. For NOC 0 or A jobs, they must meet CLB 7, and for NOC B jobs, they must have attained CLB 5. If you have language proficiency in both French and English, it gives you additional CRS points.
“Skilled work experience” according to the Canadian NOC (National Occupational Classification) refers to managerial level jobs (skill level 0), professional employment (skill type A), technical jobs and skilled trades (skill type B). Candidates can demonstrate experience that has been obtained legally in any one or more of these jobs.
The experience certificate must show that the candidate has performed all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed in the job description provided by the NOC. However, some jobs in the categories mentioned above are not eligible for entry into this program. You need to check this before you apply.
This does not include self-employment or student work experience. However, work experience on a post-graduation student work permit is considered valid.
Though there is no minimum required level of education, it can have an impact on your CRS ranking in the Express Entry pool. If you attended a full-time secondary/post-secondary education program in Canada for a minimum 2 years at least, or provide an ECA (Education Credential Assessment) for a foreign educational secondary/post-secondary qualification, you will be allotted extra points. This can improve your CRS rankings.
ECA reports are valid only if they are provided by one of the five organizations that are authorized to verify and certify them.
If you have educational qualifications from a Canadian institution, you do not need to submit an ECA report.
All this information has to be backed by valid documentation. Hence, it’s important to keep your documents and certificates ready before you start the application process.
The CEC Application Process
This is a step by step process and ensuring that you follow each one meticulously enables the submission of a clear, accurate application.
- It’s vital to get a Canadian work permit that allows you to work legally in Canada. Open work permits are available for spouses/common-law partners of international students or foreign workers. Otherwise, employers can issue a closed (employer-specific) work permit that is usually issued for intra- company transfers or with a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- Candidates must complete a minimum of one full year of working in Canada. This time-limit is fixed. This is a good time to get your language test results and ensure that you get a good score.
- If you meet all the other eligibility criteria, you can create an online Express Entry profile on the Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
- If your application is selected in the fortnightly Express Entry draw, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- You must respond within the prescribed time limit.
- While waiting for the ITA, you can complete your medical and police background checks in every country that you have lived in since the age of 18.You will also require work-experience certificates from previous employers.
- Nearly 80% of CEC applications are processed within 6 months.
Important Points To Keep In Mind
Time is extremely important in ensuring that you achieve a successful outcome. There are deadlines and time-limits at every stage in the application process and missing them can be disastrous.
Your documentation must be thoroughly checked. Almost every item on your Express Entry profile has to be backed by valid and recognized documents. Ensure that all fees and charges are paid and you have valid proof in the form of receipts.
While creating the profile, make sure that you have got a good CRS ranking. In case you feel that you could get a better one, re-take your language tests and provide valid proof of your educational qualifications. This can boost your CRS score by a maximum of 250 points.
If you have completed additional work experience, this can give you additional points. Try your best to get a provincial nomination, as this can significantly ramp up your CRS score and rank.
An experienced, well-established and reputed immigration consultant can help you with the paperwork and give you the right advice and assistance.
