Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Candidates with recent Canadian job experience who wish to immigrate to Canada permanently should apply for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). CEC is one of the quickest paths to permanent residency in Canada, taking just a few months to complete. This Canadian Experience Class guide will give all the details needed for potential CEC applicants.
What is the Canadian Experience Class?
One of the top immigration questions is what exactly is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and what does it actually involve? The Canadian Experience Class is a category of immigration for foreign workers who want to stay in Canada permanently. International students and temporary foreign workers are both good prospects for this particular class of Canadian immigration.
Eligibility: Experience, Education, IELTS, overall score required
In order to be eligible for the CEC, candidates must:
1. Meet the required language levels needed for their job for each language ability including:
- Writing
- Reading
- Listening
- Speaking
This is at minimum a Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs or Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for NOC B jobs. This is equivalent to a score of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.
2. Have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last 3 years before they apply; this can be done in a few different ways:
- Full-time at one job: 30 hours a week for 12 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours)
- An equal amount in part-time work: for example 15 hours a week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours). A candidate can work as many part-time jobs as they need to meet this requirement.
- Full-time work at more than one job: 30 hours a week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
- Have gained their work experience by working in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work
3. Be admissible to Canada. Common reasons for being inadmissible are having a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
4. Not be planning to live in Quebec. Quebec has its own system to select skilled workers.
Selection Factors And The Point System
Canadian Experience Class points are the same as Comprehensive Ranking System points. This is a simplified way for decisions to be made on applications, with specific factors leading to higher rankings. Here’s a summary of the categories and the maximum points on offer:
Core / Human Capital Factors: 460 (with spouse) 500 (without spouse)
Spouse or Common-Law Factors: 40
Skill Transferability Factors: 100
Additional Points: 600
Total points available: 1200
If all is in order, you will be invited to apply for permanent residence. After you accept the invitation, you will receive additional instructions and forms that you must complete and follow carefully. You must obtain the relevant supporting documentation and submit everything within the Canadian government's deadline.
Application fees
Unlike some other immigration options, there’s no need for proof of funds to apply for CEC. But you will need to pay application fees. These can be broken down as follows.
How long it takes
Approximately 80 percent of all economic stream applications such as CEC are handled in less than six months. Current application processing times are publicly posted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
During the time of the 2020 pandemic and onward, there were some delays in processing times. Even so, the CEC class had an estimated time of six months. This includes the time that it takes for an applicant to give biometrics.
After an application has been made, the status can always be checked by logging into the Express Entry account online. It’s important to note, though, this time estimate is for complete applications. If your application is incomplete, it may be delayed or returned to you. Always make sure your contact information is up to date as well so that you can stay informed.