What is Canada Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a federal immigration program that allows foreign workers with Canadian work experience to become Permanent Residents of Canada. The program was introduced in 2008, and applications began in 2013. 

To be eligible for the CEC program in 2023, you must meet all of the following criteria: 

• You must have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada in the 3 years prior to your application. 
• You must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or have received a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade in Canada. 
• You must demonstrate a sufficient level of English or French language proficiency.
• You must have completed a post-secondary education program in Canada of at least one year duration.
• You must have fulfilled all of your immigration requirements, such as medical exams and security checks.
• You must plan to live outside of the province of Quebec. • You must be aged 18 to 35 at the time of your application.
• You must meet the requirements of the selection criteria established by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. If you meet all these requirements, you may be eligible to apply for the CEC program in 2023.

What are the advantages of the Canadian Experience Class category?

1. Accelerated pathway to Canadian permanent residence: The Canadian Experience Class allows foreign nationals who have already gained work experience in Canada to apply for permanent residence. This is an accelerated pathway compared to other categories, and those who meet the criteria can receive a final decision within six months.
2. No requirement to have a job offer: Unlike many other categories of Canadian immigration, there is no job offer requirement for the Canadian Experience Class. This makes it easier for those with work experience in Canada to apply for permanent residence.
3. No language requirement: Unlike other categories of Canadian immigration, there is no language requirement for the Canadian Experience Class. This makes it easier for those who already have work experience in Canada to apply, even if they do not have strong language skills. 
4. Opportunity to bring family members to Canada: Those who qualify for the Canadian Experience Class may be able to sponsor family members to join them in Canada. This is an additional benefit for those who are able to obtain permanent residence through this program. 
5. Opportunity to become a Canadian citizen: Once an individual has obtained permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class, they may be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after the required period of residency.

What are the CEC program requirements?

• You must have obtained at least one year of full-time work experience (or its equivalent in part-time hours) within the last three years in one of the 38 eligible occupations.
• You must have a minimum language proficiency of CLB 7 in either English or French in all four language abilities (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
• You must have a completed Canadian post-secondary educational credential or a foreign educational credential that is equal to a Canadian one.
• You must have a minimum of 67 points out of 100 on the CRS point system.
• You must provide proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents you are accompanying to Canada.
• You must be admissible to Canada and meet all other eligibility requirements.

How to apply for a Canada PR Visa through CEC?

1. Gather the required documents: Before you can apply for a Canada PR visa through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you will need to have certain documents ready. These include a valid passport, language test results, educational documents, a valid job offer, proof of funds, and a police clearance certificate. 
2. Create a profile in the Express Entry Pool: Once you have gathered all the required documents, you will need to create an Express Entry profile. This will allow you to enter the Express Entry pool, where Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will assess you based on the criteria for the CEC. 
3. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): If your profile is selected from the Express Entry pool, you will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. 
4. Submit your application: Once you have your ITA, you will have a set amount of time (usually 60 days) to submit your complete application to IRCC. 
5. Wait for a decision: Once your application has been submitted, you will have to wait for a decision from IRCC. The processing time for CEC applications can vary, but it usually takes around six months.