In 2008, the Canadian Experience Class was established as a method for newcomers with work experience in Canada to apply for permanent status.
For temporary foreign employees and international graduates who desire to become permanent residents of Canada, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a popular alternative. It's one of three economic-class immigration programmes administered by Express Entry.
What exactly is the CEC?
The CEC was created to make the process of becoming a permanent resident easier for persons who had already lived and worked in Canada. It is also possible for persons who have studied in Canada to obtain it if they take an additional step. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced it in 2008 with the hopes of encouraging temporary foreign workers and international students to stay in Canada.
Who may apply for the CEC?
CEC has the fewest qualifying requirements compared to other Canada Express Entry immigration programmes:
- Within the last three years, candidates must have spent one-year undertaking skilled labour in Canada.
- For employment in the NOC A category, candidates must score a 7 or higher on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), or a CLB 5 for positions in skilled trades.
As a foreign graduate, how can I apply for the CEC?
The CEC is designed for applicants who have worked in Canada. If an international student chooses to stay in Canada after graduation, there is one more step they must do to be eligible.
Post-Graduation Work Permits are available to graduates of qualifying Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) (PGWP).
You do not require a job offer to apply for an open permit, which permits you to work for any Canadian employer for up to three years, depending on the length of your study programme. This permit is frequently used by graduates to get the requisite one year of skilled work experience before applying for the CEC.
What should I do now that I'm eligible for the CEC?
Express Entry manages three economic immigration channels, one of which is the CEC. The Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program are the other two programmes (FSTP).
You may go to the IRCC website and establish a profile once you've determined if you're qualified for any of these three programmes. IRCC will assign you a CRS score based on human capital variables such as age, language skills, job experience, and education. CRS results are compared to those of other applicants in the pool, and those with the best scores are invited to apply for permanent residency. Every two weeks, Express Entry drawings are done, and if you are selected, you have 60 days to submit your permanent residency application to IRCC.
The CEC's Advantages
For people who have worked in Canada, the CEC provides a road to permanent residency. According to Statistics Canada, employment experience in Canada helps to sustain positive labour market results after permanent residency. In addition, the CEC has fewer qualifying requirements than the FSWP and FSTP. Candidates for the CEC, for example, are not required to provide evidence of funding or an Educational Assessment Credential.
Invitations to the CEC will resume in early July 2022.
Since September 2021, CEC drawings have been temporarily suspended to let IRCC address its Express Entry backlogs. However, the IRCC has stated that it would resume accepting new applications for all three Express Entry-managed programmes, including the CEC, in early July of this year. Over the next few years, Express Entry will become more popular. By 2024, Canada plans to welcome over 110,000 immigrants using Express Entry.
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