If you are a resident of Canada and you are trying to obtain the status of a permanent resident, so you can live and work anywhere, get access to Canada’s universal healthcare and social services, get your children to study for free, and ultimately, become a Canadian citizen, or you desire to be knowledgeable in this aspect, you will most likely find the information shared here helpful.
You will learn more about the following as we proceed.
- Why you need to undertake the Canadian Experience Class program.
- What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
- What is Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)?
- Eligibility criteria for CEC application.
- Application Processes of Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- How Much Does It Cost To Get A Permanent Residence Application Done For Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
- Which age range is most sought after in Canada under the Canadian Experience Class?
- Which age range is least sought after in Canada under the Canadian Experience Class?
- After applying, can I be withdrawn from the program?
Since 2008, the government of Canada has been providing immigrants with the opportunity to become permanent residents. But this can only happen after the immigrant (already a resident) has fulfilled the righteousness of keeping to the nation’s virtues. One of these includes how to apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
You may probably be a resident of Canada and have lived working for a good number of years. You may have all the documents required to be a resident of the nation. Still, without undergoing this program, it may be impossible to obtain a permanent residence status.
What is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)?
Immigrants move to Canada for various reasons, including educational and medical reasons or due to the growing economy. Firstly, it may be about these reasons, however, there may come the decision to settle down there, thereafter. To fulfill the demands of this decision, it would be necessary for such interested immigrants to apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a federal economic program designed to change immigrants’ status from temporary residents to permanent residents within six months of application.
It is one of the programs specifically designed by the government under the Express Entry Programs to help two sets of dedicated; skilled workers build a future in Canada: the temporary foreign workers based in the country and the international graduates. The goal of this program is to see them move from being foreign residents to obtaining permanent residence status as they apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
Now, this is not just for you to enjoy the dividends of the country; In contrast, the country provides you with a permanent residence and an end of the bargain is expected of you, too, and that contributes positively to the workforce and thriving economy of the nation. This gives you the opportunity to gain as much work experience as possible. This itself is one of the foremost requirements when applying for a CEC. It is, therefore, important to show this commitment before the CEC application and display it on IRCC’s website. Otherwise, the application to the program (CEC) may be rejected. Keep reading to learn more about how to apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
What is IRCC?
Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a government department in Canada that is responsible for issuing invitations to apply (ITA) to applicants who registered for CEC and worked their way up to high CRS scores. This makes the application for permanent residence possible.
In 2024, the department issued 3,000 ITAs to applicants in the Canadian Experience Class, and they are expected to release another in June. This means that 3,000 immigrants (out of the pool) have been allowed to apply to be permanent residents of Canada. However, to qualify for an ITA, you need to pay attention to your CRS score as you apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
The Comprehensive Ranking System is a system used to rank skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry. This ranking system determines the success rate of applicants based on several criteria as they apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for this program, you need to meet the following:
Age
Young talents aged 20 – 29 stand a better chance of being eligible to apply for the Canadian Experience Class. According to Comprehensive Ranking System points, this age range stands at a solid 100 points, while the age range from 45 and above stands at 0
Work Experience
1. Have a Temporary Resident Stature.
2. Have a skilled, professional, or technical Canadian work experience of at least 1,560 hours in a year, part-time or full-time. The higher your work hours and experience, the higher your score on CRS will be, and the more you may get an invitation to apply by the government.
3. Provide a lead statement of your performance of the occupational description provided in the National Occupation Classification (NOC).
4. Volunteering roles or unpaid internships are not classified as work experience. Also, as a student, work experience and self-employment gained while studying full-time do not count as work experience.
Language Benchmark
When you apply for the Canadian Experience class, there are two official languages in Canada: English and French. You need to meet the minimum score in all four required language abilities, including Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
For NOC TEER (Training, Education, Experience, Responsibility) category 0 or 1 jobs, meet or surpass with a minimum level of CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) 7 for English language and NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien) 7 for French, and CLB 5 and NCLC 5 for English and French respectively, for NOC TEER category 2 or 3 jobs.
Education
No education is required to apply for the Canadian Experience class. But you stand a chance of racking up higher points in your application process if you attended or are attending school in Canada, be it High school, University, or post-tertiary.
There is also a provision if you did not go to school in Canada. You can either;
- Submit a completed education credential or assessment that shows that your certificate is equal to a completed certificate or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.
- Obtain educational credentials and educational credentials assessment reports from designated organizations in Canada, such as;
- Comparative Education Services (CES), University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.
- International Qualifications Assessment Service ( IQAS).
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS).
- World Education Services (WES).
Admissibility
At the time of application, there must not be a case where you are not allowed to come into Canada. You must be admissible and plan to live and work outside Quebec.
The Canadian Experience Class is determined by the Comprehensive Ranking System criteria for Express Entry and calculated by points. Applicants are invited into the entry pool when they meet these requirements at minimum and/or surpass them.
After going through this stage and being found eligible, you can begin your application process. How do I apply for the Canadian Experience Class?
Application Processes of Canadian Experience Class
Step 1: Ensure you Meet the Eligibility Criteria
When you want to apply for a Permanent Resident as you apply for the Canadian Experience class, be sure to check out the eligibilities mentioned above and their point rate. They are age, work experience, education, language, and admissibility.
You can use the CRS calculator on the federal government’s website to determine your chance of success. The exercise will take about 15 minutes.
The total is a maximum of 1,200 points. If you find yourself below average after taking the assessment, finding the “point eaters” and committing to activities that boost them up is advisable.
This year (2024), candidates must have a minimum 522 CRS score to be considered for an invitation to apply.
Step 2: Create and Submit an Express Entry Profile on IRCC’s website
After completing the CRS calculator with a strong point, you can create your express entry profile and apply for the Canadian experience class.
When creating your profile, you will be required to provide some information from documents, such as your Passport or traveling document, language test result, proof of Canadian education or a Canada equivalent educational credential assessment report, proof of work experience, proof of funds, and NOC job title and code.
You are at liberty to exit your profile at any time. It is automatically saved to your account. However, you have to complete the profile registration within 60 days of inception or risk losing the saved information while trying to apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
After submission, we await your invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Related Articles:
Depending on the strength of your profile’s eligibility, processing time can take as short as two weeks and as long as one year.
Step 3: Get your Documents Ready
As soon as you get Invited To Apply, you have only 60 days to submit your application for Permanent Residence, after which the deadline will be closed.
So, while you await a response, arrange your documents for uploading and keep them up to date.
If the expiration date of your documents falls close, it is advisable to renew them at this time that you are in the pool. This is one of the things to note as you apply for the Canadian Experience Class.
Here are the documents you will need to upload: passport or traveling document, language test result, proof of Canadian education or a Canada equivalent educational credential assessment report, proof of work experience, medical report, Police certificate, and a few others that will be specifically required of you.
You can also use this time to improve your score and improve of chances of obtaining a Permanent Residence by;
- Working more hours for skilled, professional, or technical experience. The higher the work hour, the better the chance.
- Improving your language proficiency test score.
- Increasing your network to secure a provincial nominee program by recommendation or nomination.
Step 4: Apply for Permanent Residence
After being Invited To Apply, upload all updated and relevant documents and submit them to the website. This stage requires that you pay a certain fee within a specific deadline. After a successful transaction, you will receive an acknowledgment of receipt.
Step 5: Submit your Biometric and Wait for IRCC’s final decision
Register your Biometric when asked to do so. However, you should have done this earlier. Once your biometric is provided, stay patient until IRCC’s final decision is made. This waiting period takes an average of 6 months.
After successfully making it through this process, you will be contacted with a Confirmation of Permanent Residence. From here, you can visit the website and confirm your status of Permanent Residence.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Permanent Residence Application Done For Canadian Experience Class?
Applying for permanent residence in Canada will cost you a processing fee of $950 and the right of permanent residence fee of $575. In total, it will cost $1,525. An additional $260 will be included for each dependent child if you are applying with your family.
Which age range is most sought after in Canada under the Canadian Experience Class?
The age range 20 – 29 is the most sought-after for applying for the Canadian Experience Class. They stand at 100 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Which age range is least sought after in Canada under the Canadian Experience Class?
To apply for the Canadian Experience Class, the age range of 45 and above is the least sought-after. They have Zero points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
After applying, can I be withdrawn from the program?
Yes, you can be withdrawn from the program if your score makes you no longer eligible. You may also be removed from the program in cases of crime, medical issues, or breaching society’s rules and regulations.
Conclusion
Gone through the easy guide on how to apply for the Canadian Experience Class? The CEC offers skilled workers with Canadian work experience a promising pathway to permanent residency by simply understanding the eligibility criteria and the entire application process. With proper preparation and guidance, you are just a step away from Canada being your dream home to being your reality.
