Canada welcomes newcomers: the Canadian experience class

If you have work experience in Canada, either as a temporary foreign worker or through work permit options available to graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions, you could qualify for permanent resident status in Canada through a new immigration category designed for people like you.

The new Canadian Experience Class (CEC) recognizes that you may already have the knowledge, skills and experience you need to succeed in Canada. The CEC allows temporary foreign workers and foreign students who meet certain requirements to apply to stay in Canada permanently.

You can apply under the CEC from within Canada, and you may be able to become a permanent resident without leaving Canada.

Whether you are studying in Canada or working here temporarily, this brochure will help you learn more about whether you may qualify and how to apply. Please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website at www.cic.gc.ca/cec for more detailed information, including all the forms and guides that will help you complete your application, free of charge.

Make your home in Canada — One of the best countries in the world!

If you have been working or studying in Canada, you already know why, year after year, Canada is consistently ranked as one of the best countries in the world to live. From a strong, stable economy to the beauty of its natural environment, Canada offers a quality of life unlike any other country on earth — and with the knowledge, skills and experience you have gained in Canada, you could qualify to make Canada your permanent home.

Who can apply

To apply for permanent resident status through the CEC, you must be:

  • a temporary foreign worker with at least two years of eligible work experience in Canada; or
  • a student who has graduated from an eligible post-secondary program in Canada with at least one year of eligible work experience in Canada after graduation.

You must also be able to communicate in one of Canada’s two official languages, although the expected level of ability in English or French will vary according to the type of work experience you have. For example, the language requirements for managerial and professional occupations are higher than the requirements for applicants who have been working in a technical occupation or in a skilled trade. You will find more information about the specific language requirements on the CIC website.

In addition, your experience in Canada must have been acquired while you had the proper study or work permits or authorizations. Please note that you cannot apply under the CEC if you are planning to live in the province of Quebec, which manages its own immigration program. Please visit www.cic.gc.ca/quebec for more information on living in Quebec. However, if you have worked or studied in Quebec but intend to settle elsewhere in Canada, that experience could help you meet the requirements of the CEC.

Immigration representatives, consultants and lawyers

There are people who offer immigration advice or assistance to visa applicants. They usually charge a fee for their services. You do not need to hire an immigration representative. If you do hire a representative, your application will not be given special attention. If you decide to hire an immigration representative, choose carefully, and make sure you hire one who is authorized by the Government of Canada. CIC will not deal with anyone who is not an authorized representative. There is more information about choosing an immigration representative on the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca/fraud.

Requirements for temporary foreign workers

Work experience

To apply for permanent resident status as a temporary foreign worker, you need at least two years of full-time experience as a skilled worker in Canada, or the equivalent in part-time work (full-time work means at least 37.5 hours per week). In addition, the two years of work experience must have been obtained within the three years preceding the date your application under the CEC is received.

Please see the “Skilled work experience” section of this brochure for more information on the type of work experience you need to meet this requirement. You can also find more information on the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca/work.

Educational requirements

There are no educational requirements if you are applying under the CEC as a temporary foreign worker.

Skilled work experience

Whether you wish to apply under the Canadian Experience Class as a temporary worker or as a student, your work experience in Canada must be in a job or an occupation that requires a specific level of skill, education or training. To qualify as skilled work, your experience must be in one of the following categories of Canada’s National Occupational Classification.

  • Skill Type 0
    • This includes senior management occupations and middle and other management positions.
  • Skill Level A
    • Occupations at this level usually require university education at the bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate level.
  • Skill Level B
    • Occupations at this level usually require education obtained at a college or vocational institute, apprenticeship training, or three to four years of secondary school followed by more than two years of on-the-job training, specialized training courses or specific work experience.

To find out if your work experience qualifies, check the National Occupational Classification website at www.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc.

Requirements for foreign students

Education

To qualify for the CEC, you must have:

  • graduated from an eligible full-time Canadian post-secondary educational program of at least two years; or
  • completed a one-year master’s program within two years of completing one year of eligible full-time post-secondary education in Canada.

It is very important to note that, to qualify for the CEC, your studies in Canada must be at a recognized post- secondary institution—for example, an accredited college or university or a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial law to grant degrees. For more information on eligible post-secondary institutions and acceptable academic credentials, please visit www.cic.gc.ca/study.

Work experience

Your two years of eligible study in Canada must be followed by at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada (full-time means at least 37.5 hours per week), or the equivalent in part-time work. Your year of work experience must have been obtained no more than two years before the date your application under the CEC is received. Please refer to the “Skilled work experience” section of this brochure for more information on the type of work experience that is required.

To work in Canada after graduating from an eligible post-secondary program, your best option is to apply for a post-graduation work permit. Information on obtaining a permit is available on the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca/study. These permits may be valid for up to three years. There are no restrictions on the type of work you can do or where you do it, but to qualify for the CEC, remember that at least one year of your work experience must be skilled work experience.

It is also important to note that work experience you may have acquired as part of your academic program, such as an internship or a co-op placement, does not qualify under the CEC. Part-time work you may have done during your studies also does not qualify. Your work experience must be obtained after you have graduated with a minimum of two years of eligible studies in Canada.

Fees

Whether you are applying as a temporary foreign worker or as a student, the fees are the same. The application processing fee for a single person is $550 in Canadian funds. There are additional fees if another member of your family is applying at the same time. The details of the fees are listed on the CIC website. The processing fees for you and your dependants must be paid when you submit your application.

Please note that processing fees cannot be refunded, so it is very important to understand the requirements of the CEC before you submit your application. You can find the detailed requirements for the program on the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca/cec.

You should also be prepared to pay separate fees to third parties for your medical examination. Most applicants will also need to pay for language testing to prove their ability to communicate in English or French at the required level.

You may also have to pay for a police certificate if you need one as part of your criminal and security check.

Entering Canada — The basic requirements

Whether you are coming to Canada to study, visit, work or live permanently, everyone must meet basic requirements. For example, you must not pose a threat to the health, safety or security of Canada. As well, any record of criminal activity could prevent you from being allowed to come to Canada. You also must not provide false information or fraudulent documentation, or withhold information that could be related to your application.

Contact us

In Canada: You can call the CIC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (toll-free) for more information. The automated voice response system can provide you with answers to general questions 24 hours a day. You can also speak to an agent during normal business hours. If you are hard of hearing and you use a text telephone, you can access the TTY service at 1‑888-576-8502 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. your local time.

Outside Canada: You can contact the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for your region.

Help us serve you better! Tell us what you think of this publication at www.cic.gc.ca/feedback.

© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2009
Cat No. C14-13/2009
ISBN 978-0-662-06599-9
C&I-1003-03-09