Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – Beginner’s Guide

You should read this if:

You are currently has any work permit issued by IRCC (not co-op or self-employed)
You currently have a Post Graduate Work Permit(PGWP) 
You are currently studying in a Canadian university or college  
 You want to know what’s the best way to apply for PR for international students

There are many ways to apply for permanent residency in Canada, one of the most common streams that offers a great chance of success is the Canadian Experience Class.

Requirements:

In order to apply for Express Entry, you need to meet the requirement for CEC first and then you will be allowed to create an account on Express Entry.

To qualify for the CEC you must have:

Work Requirements:

12 months of Canadian work experience in 0, A or B category jobs according to the Canadian National Occupation Classification (NOC).

(Most applicants need to study in Canada in order to obtain a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), therefore, studying in Canada is the fastest way for international students to apply for PR.

English Requirements:

Applicant needs to achieve a score of at least 5.5 in each band (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) for IELTS General. The test result must not be older than 2 years on the day you apply for PR otherwise you must retake the test.

Study Requirements:

• At least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last three years (before you apply). The work was:

  • full-time OR

  • an equal amount in part-time

• gained your work experience in Canada with the proper authorization

• meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability

writing

Rreading
listening
speaking

• • writingreadinglisteningspeaking

• planned to live outside the province of Quebec

*Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (such as on a co-op work term) doesn’t count under this program.

Note: The province of Quebec does not use Express Entry. They select their own skilled workers. See Quebec-selected skilled workers to find out more.

(Applicant who has degree back home + work experience + 2 years college)

Anna came from Beijing, China. She holds a degree in business and she is single. Upon receiving her 2 year Diploma from Seneca College, she obtained a 3 year work permit. Since then she has worked in a bakery shop as a baker for 2 years.

• Age = 110 (23 years)

• Level of education = 120 (Degree in China + 2 years college in Canada)

• Study in Canada = 15 (2 years study)

• Official Languages = 116

• • English = 116 (IELTS Speaking:7 Reading:7 Writing:7 Listening:7)

• Canadian work experience = 53 (2 years work experience in 0, A or B positions)

• Skill transferability factors

• A) Official Language proficiency and education = 13

• B) Canadian work experience and education = 25

Skill Transferability Factors:

The Canadian government will give you extra points based on your work experience + Canadian Language proficiency. Taking Anna’s case as an example, you can tell she scored 7 in all respective modules of her language score with 1 year of work experience thus, EE rewards her extra points.

Subtotal Skill transferability factors = 38

Anna qualifies for CEC (2 years work experience + 2 years studies experience)

And because of her 2 years work experience + 2 years studies experience) that gave her additional XX points making her stand out in the pool.

(Applicant who has a degree back home + 2 year college + 1 year back home work experience + 1 year Canadian work experience)

Juan is from Columbia and has a university degree*. He worked as a chef there for 1 year.  He came to Canada studied the 2 year Accounting Program at Seneca College. After graduating, Juan got a Post Graduate Work Permit and worked as a junior accountant for 1 year. He also has an older sister who is a permanent resident in Canada.

*Education Credential Assessment that states his education is equivalent to a Canadian Bachelor of Commerce degree