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5 Min Read
When considering Express Entry, most people automatically think of the Federal Skilled Worker and Trades programs, but the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is often overlooked.
This is potentially due to the fact that the main requirement is to have at least one year of Canadian work experience, which may seem unattainable from where you’re sitting right now. But what you may not know is that you can easily achieve this by gaining qualifying work experience on a Temporary Canadian work permit, and the requirements for the CEC are minimal.
In fact, you only need to meet three requirements to qualify for immigration to Canada through the CEC!
Ready to find out why this premium immigration program is hugely underrated, and how you can join 99,653 CEC applicants who’ve already received ITAs to apply for Permanent Residency (PR) in 2021?
5 Reasons to Seriously Consider the CEC
1. No Settlement Funds Required
That’s right! If you apply for PR status through the CEC, you won’t need to provide proof of funds to meet the minimum requirements. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) applicants usually have to submit proof that they have the following amount of funds available to support themselves and accompanying family members.
| Proof of Funds | |
|---|---|
| Number of Family Members | Funds Required (CAD) |
| 1 | $13,213 |
| 2 | $16,449 |
| 3 | $20,222 |
| 4 | $24,553 |
| 5 | $27,847 |
| 6 | $31,407 |
| 7 | $34,967 |
| Each additional family member | $3,560 |
The only time you would be able to omit the requirement to show proof of funds under the FSWP or FSTP is if you have a valid job offer and are authorized to work in Canada.
2. You Don’t Need a Job Offer
Finding a job in Canada, let alone any other country than your home country can be quite challenging, yet not impossible. The great news is, that when you apply for PR status under the CEC, you won’t have to stress about finding work in Canada to qualify.
Although you don’t necessarily need to have a job offer to qualify for the FSWP or FSTP either, it could help improve your chances of getting that golden ticket to apply for PR. By simply having a Canadian job offer, you could get an additional 200 CRs points!
The Express Entry system is a points-based system and applicants are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System based on their:
- Age;
- Language ability in English and/or French;
- Education and qualifications;
- Work experience;
- Ability to settle in Canada.
To receive an ITA through the CEC, you would need to score anywhere between 357 to 778 CRS points to be successful in your application. This depends on the CRS scores of the other applicants in your draw pool as a new average is calculated for each draw, which generally takes place every two weeks.
3. No Education Requirements
The CEC does not officially have any education requirements to qualify for the program. The only prerequisite to work in Canada in your specific occupations is that you meet the National Occupational Classification requirements laid out by Immigration Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
In a recent announcement, the IRCC stated that the NOC system had been updated and would be put into effect as early as fall 2022. The NOC system helps the government distinguish between different occupations and ensure that your qualifications, experience, and skills match those of Canadian standards.
Once again, although this is not a must, why miss out on being able to score up to 150 CRS points for your level of education, not to mention that you could score an additional 100 skills transferability points.
What are skills transferability points?
Skills transferability point refers to having a combination of strong skills that support one another. For example, if you have strong language skills or Canadian work experience coupled with a post -secondary degree, you could earn an extra 50 CRS points!
Below are some examples of how you could boost your CRS score by having multiple transferability factors.
| Skills Transferability Factors | |
|---|---|
| Education | Points per Factor |
| good/strong official languages proficiency and a post-secondary degree | 50 |
| Canadian work experience and a post-secondary degree | 50 |
| Foreign Work Experience | Points per Factor |
| good/strong official languages proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level 7 or higher) and foreign work experience | 50 |
| Canadian work experience and foreign work experience | 50 |
| Certificate or qualification (Trade occupations) | Points per Factor |
| good/strong official languages proficiency and a certificate of qualification | 50 |
4. Fast Processing Times
As one of three federal immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system, you can enjoy the same processing times as other EE applicants. That means that you could look forward to receiving your invite to apply for PR status in as little as six to eight months!
5. Minimal Documentation Needed
The CEC has the least amount of minimum requirements of all three federal immigration programs under the Express Entry system. In fact, you will need to meet just three minimum requirements to qualify, which means less paperwork to submit!
Below are the documents required to complete your Express Entry profile. You won’t need to upload these to create your profile, however, they may be requested at a later date when apply for permanent residency.
- a passport or travel document;
- Language test results
- Proof of education and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you want to earn more points
- Provincial Nomination (PN) if you have one;
- Written job offer (if you have one); or
- Proof of work experience/certificate of qualification in trade occupation.
What Do I Need to Qualify?
1. 1 year of Canadian work experience
The first and probably most important requirement that needs to be met for the CEC is to have at least one year of Canadian work experience
2. Language levels specific to your occupation
Depending on the skill level of your occupation and the immigration program you choose to apply through. You will need to meet certain language levels in four abilities:
- reading
- writing
- listening
- speaking
You will need to meet the minimum language level based on your National Occupational Classification (NOC code) as stated below:
- Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs; or
- Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for NOC B jobs
Your test results will only be valid if they are not older than 2 years on the day that you apply.
3. Work experience gained as a temporary worker
A great benefit of the CEC is that your temporary work experience could lead to permanent residency. To qualify you’ll need at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last three years before you apply in one of the following ways:
- full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours)
- equal amount in part-time work: for example 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1-year full time (1,560 hours)
- You can work as many part-time jobs as you need to meet this requirement.
- full-time work at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1-year full time (1,560 hours)
Ready to Experience Canadian Life?
All in all, the Canadian Experience Class offers a world of opportunity with very few requirements needed. By simply taking the plunge to work in Canada on a temporary basis, and gaining at least 1 year of work experience in the past 3 years, having the required language skills based on your occupation, in an NOC level 0, A, or B job.
Ready to put your experience to good use?
