Did you know that past Canadian skilled work experience can earn you a permanent residency in Canada? Canada has been rated as one of the easiest countries to immigrate to and hence their top ranking in immigrants’ country of choice.
This is made possible by the numerous immigration programs/pathways available in Canada. Unlike most countries, Canada’s immigration programs can guarantee one a permanent residency as long as they are in a position to contribute to its labor market and economic needs.
Skilled workers are essentially the most favored group as they are targeted by most programs in the Express Entry. Among those is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) which we are covering today.
The Canadian experience class is an Express Entry-based immigration program that was specifically designed for people with skilled work experience in Canada. The program offers these people an opportunity to apply for permanent residency to live in Canada permanently with an opportunity of becoming Canadian citizens. This covers individuals like temporary foreign workers or international student graduates who have qualifying Canadian work experience.
The applicants are required to submit their profile under the Express Entry program and thereafter await an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for permanent residency once the draws are made. Since it is managed by Express Entry, the program is merit-based and only those who meet the set cut-off points receive an ITA for permanent residency in Canada. Additionally, only qualifying applicants who meet the minimum requirements can submit their applications.
Below are the 4 main requirements one must meet:
- Canadian work experience
- Language Skills
- Education
- Canadian Work Experience
This is one of the most important factors to consider while submitting your application for this program.
As of November 16th, 2022, applicants are required to have a minimum of 12 months of full-time Canadian skilled work experience or an equivalent part-time work experience. Similar to the FWS the Canadian experience class targets skilled workers in the occupations classified in the National Occupation Class (NOC 2021):
- TEER 0
- TEER 1
- TEER 2
- TEER 3
Note: The applicants’ work experience has to be within 3 years before the date of application is received.
Additionally, the applicant has to have met the two requirements below:
- Performed their roles per the description included in the lead statement for their occupations as set out in the NOC occupation description.
- Performed all the essential duties and a substantial number of the main duties of their particular occupation as set out in the NOC occupational description.
However, for foreign graduates, it is important to note that any period of employment, while you were engaged in full-time study, will not be included in the calculation of your qualifying work experience.
Any period of self-employment will not be included in the calculation of your qualifying work experience either. It is therefore important to note that applicants are required to demonstrate that their skilled work experience in Canada was acquired through authorized employment by a third party.
Documents required to demonstrate Canadian skilled work experience
- A copy of their most recent work permit unless the applicant is work permit-exempt. To view the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption codes you can visit the Canadian government website
- Copies of the applicant’s most recent T4 tax information slips and Notice of Assessment (NOA) that are issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). According to Canadian Laws, the employer is required to provide employees with a T4 tax information slip as evidence of deduction and remit of Canada Pension Plan (CPP) contributions, Employment Insurance (EI) premiums, and income tax remuneration and any other amounts that is paid to the CRA on behalf of the employee.
- Employer letters of reference for all the periods of qualifying work experience that the applicant claimed in their application.
Note: These are not the only documents that can be used to substantiate your qualifying Canadian work experience. In fact, applicants are under no obligation to submit their T4 tax information slip or NOA. Thus, other documents that can help substantiate your work experience can be submitted and this may include a letter of employment from your Canadian employer, work contracts, and pay stubs.
It is, therefore, the duty of the applicant to ensure that they meet the CEC criteria during their application and that substantial evidence is provided to prove this.
- Language proficiency
The applicants must meet the required language levels needed for all four abilities; reading, writing, listening and speaking. Proficiency in either of the Canadian official languages (English or French) or both are accepted.
Only specific language tests are accepted.
For English – either the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) – general Option or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – General Option is accepted.
Applicants claiming proficiency in French must have done either the Test d’évaluation de Français (TEF) or the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) tests as evidence of their proficiency.
The minimum language level for the CEC is:
- Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation or
- Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupation
- Education
Luckily, there is no education requirement for this program.
However, you can improve your points in the Express Entry pool if you prove that:
- You went to school in Canada and have either a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary institution or a post-secondary institution.
- You have completed foreign education and your credentials evaluated through the Education Credential Assessment (ECA) which proves it is equivalent to a Canadian secondary institution or post-secondary institution credential.
- Admissibility
You must be admissible to Canada.
- Where you can live
One must plan to live outside the province of Quebec as this province selects its own skilled workers.
Here at Milele Immigration Services, we are committed to helping you immigrate to Canada, Professionally, Authentically, and Honestly. You can book a consultation with us here and we will help you, maneuverer, this program with ease.
What can we do for you?
- We offer eligibility checks and this is crucial as it will help determine whether you are qualified for the program or not. If not we advise you on other programs you can apply for.
- We help you submit a profile for the Express Entry which increases your chances of being selected from the pool.
- We track your application and apply for PR on your behalf upon ITA
- Hold your hand and offer you peace of mind knowing that your application is being handled by professionals thus minimizing risks of mistakes and mitigating any legal issues that may arise.
- Guide you on the settlement process post PR.