Since 2008, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) has supplied a key route to permanent residence for those who have worked in Canada. The CEC is a popular choice for temporary foreign employees and international students who want to work in Canada. The CEC is one of three programs within the Express Entry system in Canada. This informative Total Visa Immigration article has all of the details you’ll need about the CEC.

Introduction: Canadian Experience Class
In 2008, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide a specialized skilled worker route to temporary international workers and graduates seeking permanent residency.
The CEC now has grown to be among Canada’s most prominent immigration routes for qualified individuals, and it is universally regarded as a tremendous success by governments, communities, companies, and immigration applicants alike.
Furthermore, candidates with Canadian experience are eligible for extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points under Express Entry. This improves their chances of being granted permanent residency.
Third, CEC candidates who are selected through Express Entry normally receive permanent residence status within six months.
A fourth key advantage of the CEC is that, unlike all the other two Express Entry programs, applicants who succeed in the CEC are not required to show IRCC that they have adequate settlement money to sustain themselves financially after they have acquired permanent residence.
Criteria For Eligibility Of CEC
You must satisfy the following requirements to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
- Within 36 months of the date of application, have gotten at least one year of skilled, expert, or technical career experience in Canada; and For NOC B occupations, achieve or exceed a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 ("beginning intermediate") or CLB 7 ("sufficient intermediate proficiency") for NOC skill levels 0 and A jobs.
- Have expectations of living and working outside Quebec's borders (individuals with work experience in Quebec and who intend to take up residence in Quebec may apply to the Quebec Experience Class).
- In Canada, one year of work experience (or 12 months) is associated with approximately 1,560 hours of skilled work. Full-time and/or part-time work could be used to complete the 1,560 hours.
- Applicants are permitted to stay in Canada for the entirety of the application procedure. Individuals who are no longer in Canada can apply for the Canadian Experience Class as long as they present their application within three years after leaving their profession in Canada.
- The criteria for the Canadian Experience Class are evaluated on a pass/fail basis. The candidate is qualified to enter the Express Entry pool if the minimum criteria are met.
- Self-employment and professional experience acquired while a full-time student (for example, during a co-op working time) do not credit toward the CEC.
The CEC's Involvement In The Immigration Process:

IRCC uses Express Entry to administer skilled worker applications for three programs, including the CEC. You may be a strong contender for the CEC if you have previously stayed in Canada and earned qualified work experience. You may also be qualified for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program if you have a background in trade.
First, you need to meet the CEC or one of the other Express Entry programs’ qualifying requirements. If you fulfil the criteria, you must complete an Express Entry profile on the IRCC website. IRCC organizes Express Entry lotteries every two weeks, awarding permanent residency offers to candidates with the highest CRS scores.
The CRS scores are determined by various human capital variables, including age, education, language abilities, work experience, and Canadian experience. You must submit a completed application to IRCC within the given date if you get an invitation to apply (ITA) for resident status. The IRCC seeks to process applications within six months.
As an international student, the most popular way to gain permanent residence in Canada is through the Canadian Experience Class:
Step 1: Complete your study at an approved learning institution in Canada.
Step 2: Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit at IRCC (PGWP).
Step 3: Obtain at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B job using your PGWP.
Step 4: Pass an IRCC-approved English or French language test and meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standard (a CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A work experience and CLB 5 for NOC B work experience).
Step 5: Submit your application to the Express Entry pool. IRCC will try to expedite your permanent residency application within six months if you get an invitation to apply.
As a Temporary Foreign Worker, you can apply for the CEC. After one year of working experience in Canada, temporary foreign workers can apply for the Canadian Experience Class program.
Eligibility For CEC As A Temporary Foreign Worker
After one year of working experience in Canada, temporary foreign workers can apply for the Canadian Experience Class program. As a temporary foreign worker, the most typical means to get permanent residence in Canada is through the CEC:
Step 1: Obtain a work permit in Canada.
Step 2: Work in a NOC 0, A, or B position for at least 1,560 hours in Canada.
Step 3: Pass an IRCC-approved English or French language test and meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standard (a CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A work experience and CLB 5 for NOC B work experience).
Step 4: Join the Express Entry pool of applicants. IRCC will try to expedite your permanent residency application within six months if you get an invitation to apply.
About Total Visa Immigration
Total Visa Immigration is a Surrey immigration consultant and consists of a team of highly experienced lawyers, paralegals, and professionals who have wide expertise in immigration law.
The first step in applying for a visa is to fill out a free evaluation form if you want to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry or another skilled worker option. If you qualify for Canadian immigration, a member of Total Visa Immigration will contact you to assist you as much as possible
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