Since 2008, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) has provided a key route to permanent residence for individuals who have worked in Canada. The CEC is a popular choice for temporary foreign employees and international grads who want to work in Canada. The CEC is one of three programs under the Express Entry system in Canada. Overview In 2008, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to provide a specialized skilled worker pathway to temporary foreign workers and international graduates seeking permanent residence status. The CEC has now grown to become one of Canada's most popular immigration routes for talented workers, and it is widely considered as a huge success by governments, communities, employers, and immigration candidates alike. What are the CEC's advantages? The CEC is part of a larger federal-provincial push to attract more temporary foreign workers and international students to establish their lives in Canada. According to IRCC, Statistics Canada, and academic research, skilled worker candidates who have previously lived in Canada have a significant advantage in integrating into the Canadian employment market. CEC immigrants are particularly successful in the labor market because they combine strong human capital characteristics (e.g., being young and middle-aged, having high levels of education, job experience, and education) with the ability to create social and professional networks in Canada. Furthermore, candidates with Canadian experience are eligible for extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points under Express Entry. This improves their chances of being granted permanent residency. Third, CEC candidates who are selected through Express Entry normally receive permanent residence status within six months. A fourth key advantage of the CEC is that, unlike the other two Express Entry programs, candidates who are successful in the CEC do not need to show IRCC that they have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves financially once they have obtained permanent residence. Criteria for Eligibility You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the CEC: • Within 36 months of the application date, have gained at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical employment experience in Canada; and • For NOC B occupations, achieve or exceed a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 ("beginning intermediate"), or CLB 7 ("sufficient intermediate proficiency") for NOC skill levels 0 and A jobs. • Plan to live and work outside of Quebec's borders (individuals with work experience in Quebec and who plan to reside in Quebec may apply to the Quebec Experience Class). In Canada, one year of work experience (or 12 months) is defined as at least 1,560 hours of skilled employment. Full-time and/or part-time work can be used to complete the 1,560 hours. Applicants are allowed to stay in Canada for the duration of the application procedure. Individuals who are no longer in Canada can apply for the Canadian Experience Class as long as they submit their application within three years after leaving their position in Canada. The criteria for the Canadian Experience Class are graded on a pass/fail basis. The candidate is qualified to enter the Express Entry pool if the minimum conditions are met. Self-employment and job experience obtained while a full-time student (for example, during a co-op work period) do not credit toward the CEC. The CEC's role in the immigration process: For three programs, including the CEC, IRCC uses Express Entry to administer skilled worker applications. You may be a strong candidate for the CEC if you have previously resided in Canada and earned qualified work experience. You may also be qualified for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program if you have a trades background. The first step is to make sure you meet the CEC or one of the other Express Entry programs' qualifying requirements. If you meet the requirements, you must complete an Express Entry profile on the IRCC website. IRCC organizes Express Entry lotteries every two weeks, offering permanent residency invites to candidates with the highest CRS scores. The CRS scores are based on a variety of human capital variables, including age, education, language abilities, work experience, and Canadian experience, among others. You must submit a completed application to IRCC within the given date if you get an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The IRCC seeks to process applications within six months. As an international student, you can apply for the CEC. The largest category of people who receive permanent residency through the CEC is international students who graduate from an eligible educational program in Canada. As an international student, the most popular way to gain permanent residence in Canada is through the CEC: Step 1: Complete your study at an approved learning institution in Canada. Step 2: Apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit at IRCC (PGWP). Step 3: Obtain at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B job using your PGWP. Step 4: Pass an IRCC-approved English or French language test and meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standard (a CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A work experience and CLB 5 for NOC B work experience). Step 5: Submit your application to the Express Entry pool. IRCC will try to expedite your permanent residency application within six months if you get an invitation to apply. As a Temporary Foreign Worker, you can apply for the CEC. After one year of professional work experience in Canada, temporary foreign workers can apply for the Canadian Experience Class program. As a temporary foreign worker, the most typical means to get permanent residence in Canada is through the CEC: Step 1: Obtain a work permit in Canada. Step 2: Work in a NOC 0, A, or B position for at least 1,560 hours in Canada. Step 3: Pass an IRCC-approved English or French language test and meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) standard (a CLB 7 for NOC 0 and A work experience and CLB 5 for NOC B work experience). Step 4: Join the Express Entry pool of applicants. IRCC will try to expedite your permanent residency application within six months if you get an invitation to apply.