CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) provides a streamlined pathway for individuals who have gained work experience in Canada and aspire to transition into permanent residency, thereby encouraging foreign workers and international students to establish their futures in Canada.
BENEFITS:
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Integration into the Canadian job market is facilitated for candidates who have previous work experience in Canada.
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Candidates with Canadian work experience often achieve higher scores in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), thereby enhancing their prospects of obtaining permanent residency.
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Typically, CEC candidates, under the Express Entry system, can obtain permanent residency within six months.
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Qualifying under the CEC exempts candidates from the requirement to demonstrate settlement funds to support themselves financially upon obtaining permanent residence.
ELIGIBILITY:
To apply under the CEC, candidates must meet the following criteria:
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Accumulate at least one year or 1,560 hours of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within 36 months preceding the application date. These hours can be obtained through full-time and/or part-time work.
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Attain or surpass a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 for NOC TEER category 2 or 3 jobs, or CLB 7 for NOC TEER category 0 or 1 jobs.
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Intend to reside and work outside the province of Quebec (individuals with work experience in Quebec and who plan to reside in Quebec may apply to the Quebec Experience Class).
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Applicants can apply while residing in Canada or if they are no longer in Canada, provided they submit their application within three years of leaving their job in Canada.
The requirements for the Canadian Experience Class are based on a pass or fail model. If the minimum requirements are met, the applicant is eligible to enter the Express Entry pool.
PREPARATION FOR CEC AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
International students who graduate from an eligible educational program in Canada can pursue permanent residency through the CEC.
Preparation steps for CEC as an International Student:
Complete an eligible educational program at a Canadian designated learning institution.
PREPARATION FOR CEC AS A TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER
Temporary foreign workers can become eligible for the Canadian Experience Class program after acquiring one year of professional work experience in Canada.
Preparation steps for CEC as a Temporary Foreign Worker:
Obtain a Canadian work permit.
FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER PROGRAM
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a part of the Express Entry program, which manages applications for economic immigration programs and is designed for skilled individuals seeking to become permanent residents of Canada.
Preparation steps for FSWP:
Determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for the FSWP.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, applicants must meet specific criteria related to work experience, language proficiency, education, and obtain a minimum of 67 points on the program's 100-point grid.
The minimum requirements include:
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Accumulating at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience within the past decade in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
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Demonstrating language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all language abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
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Holding a Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or a foreign credential accompanied by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
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Achieving a minimum of 67 points on the FSWP grid.
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Meeting the settlement funds criteria to demonstrate financial sufficiency upon arrival in Canada.
Once deemed eligible, applicants can enter the Express Entry pool.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Upon receiving an Express Entry invitation to apply for permanent residence, applicants are required to submit the following supporting documents:
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Completed and signed application forms
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Proof of payment for Canadian government processing fees
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Identity documents
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Travel documents and passports
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Evidence of education, training, and professional qualifications
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Documentation verifying work experience
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Language test results (English or French)
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Canadian educational credential assessment
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Proof of Arranged Employment, if applicable
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Evidence supporting claimed points under the adaptability factor (if eligible)
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Police clearances
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Proof of settlement funds
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Upfront medical information tracking sheet
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Photographs of the principal applicant and family members
Note: Various Canadian Immigration Visa Offices may have specific document requirements that must be adhered to in order to prevent application rejection, delays, or refusals.
FEDERAL SKILLED TRADE PROGRAM
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is an initiative led by federal and provincial governments to attract a greater number of skilled trades workers to Canada, aimed at mitigating labor shortages within trades occupations. With a growing dependence on immigration to bolster its labor force and fuel economic expansion, the skilled trades sector emerges as a focal point of critical demand.
Preparation steps for FSTP:
Assess Your Eligibility.
Upon receiving an ITA, submit your completed permanent residence application to IRCC within the specified deadline.
IRCC aims to process most permanent residence applications in six months or less.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR FSTP:
To qualify for the FSTP, applicants must:
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Hold valid job offers of continuous, paid, full-time employment (minimum 30 hours per week) from up to two employers in Canada for at least one year, OR possess a certificate of qualification from a provincial or territorial body.
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Provide proof of basic language proficiency from a designated language testing organization, meeting the minimum thresholds set by IRCC which is CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing.
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Have acquired two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work) in the skilled trade within the five years preceding the application.
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Demonstrate the skills and experience necessary to perform the essential duties of the occupation.
Skilled work experience for the FSTP falls under specific categories of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) which includes industrial, electrical, construction trades, maintenance and equipment operation trades, supervisors and technical roles in natural resources, agriculture, and related production, processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors, chefs, cooks, butchers, and bakers.