AMS Immigration

Canadian Experience Class - Immigration via Express Entry

The Canadian Experience Class is a highly sought-after federal immigration program. Launched in 2008, the program aimed to extend more opportunities for international students and temporary foreign workers to secure permanent residence in Canada. The importance of this program has steadily grown over time, reflecting the rising number of international students and foreign workers in the country. From 2015 onwards, the Canadian Government has processed CEC applications through the Express Entry online system.

Canadian Experience Class program requirements

If you have accumulated a year of work experience in Canada, either as a foreign worker on a closed work permit or as an international student who studied and worked in Canada on an open work permit, you may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class program. Here are the essential requirements for this program:

• Proficiency in English or French at least CLB 7 if your profession is listed the training, education, experience, and responsibilities (TEER) 0 or 1 (this is equal to IELTS 6.0 in all skills or CELPIP 7 in all skills). CLB 5 if your profession is listed TEER 2 or 3 (this equals IELTS 4.0 in reading and 5.0 in the other three skills or CELPIP 5 in all skills).
   

• One year of work experience in Canada, acquired within the past three years, in an occupation falling under TEER skill level 0, 1, 2, or 3.
   

• To participate in the CEC program, securing sufficient Express Entry points is essential to obtain an invitation to apply for immigration to Canada.
  
  

The main advantages of the program

Since the main requirement of this program is the presence of Canadian work experience, applicants do not have to provide financial means. The Government believes that candidates in the CEC program are likely well-adjusted to the local labour scene, proficient in the language, and likely residing in Canada already. Notably, the program does not require a college degree. The primary requirement is to secure a qualifying score in Express Entry. Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker program, there is no need for a year of continuous work.