Guide 5609 - Application for Permanent Residence: Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Temporary Foreign Workers and Students who graduated with a Canadian educational credential, often have the qualities to make a successful transition from temporary to permanent resident status in Canada. They are familiar with Canadian society and can contribute to the Canadian economy.

If you are a Temporary Foreign Worker or a foreign graduate working in Canada, you may apply for permanent residence by using this application package. You should have knowledge of English or French and qualifying work experience.

Applications for Permanent Residence under the Canadian Experience Class can be submitted by:

Temporary foreign workers; or
Foreign graduates with a Canadian educational credential.

In addition, applicants must have work experience in a managerial, professional, skilled trade or technical occupation.

Note: Foreign nationals such as refugee claimants in Canada and workers without status (undocumented) are not eligible to apply under this category.

This application package is only for applicants in the Canadian Experience Class. If you think you may qualify to apply under a different class, consult the chart below.

If	Consult the guide:
You have been selected by the province of Quebec See: “Do you intend to reside in Quebec?” for more information	Guide for Quebec Skilled Workers
You have been nominated by a province under the Provincial Nominee Program	Guide for Provincial Nominees
You are interested in immigrating to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker	Guide for Federal Skilled Worker
You are interested in immigrating to Canada as an investor, entrepreneur or self-employed person	Guide for Business Class Applicants (Investors, Entrepreneurs, Self-Employed Classes)
A relative such as a parent, spouse or common-law partner would like to sponsor your application for permanent residence	Guide for Family Class Applicants (parents, grandparents, adopted persons or orphans) or Guide for Family Class Applicants (spouse, common-law or conjugal partner and dependant children)

Temporary Foreign Workers and foreign graduates who want to stay in Quebec do not qualify under the Canadian Experience Class. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration, Quebec establishes its own immigration requirements and selects immigrants who will adapt well to living in Quebec. If you intend to come to Canada as a Quebec-selected skilled worker, you must first contact the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (MICC) at: www.micc.gouv.qc.ca/fr/index.asp (in French only)

You may also consult our website for more information at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/quebec/index.asp

Selection criteria, requirements and other information for applicants can sometimes change. Please note that:

Applications will be processed according to the rules and regulations in effect at the time of the assessment. These may change at any time.
Our website contains the latest news, selection criteria updates and applications links. Check periodically for updated information.

All applicants must have:

temporary resident status during their qualifying period of work experience and any period of full-time study or training in Canada,
work experience in occupations that meet the minimum requirements for workers with Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupation Classification (NOC),
must have the qualifying work and study experience needed at the time the application is made,
knowledge of English or French (speaking, reading, listening and writing),
not engaged in work or attended school without authorization,
not remained in Canada after the time authorized to do so has expired,
not been found inadmissible to Canada on grounds such as health or security.

Applicants must also have:

Temporary Foreign Workers:

24 months of work Experience within the last 36 months.

Graduates:

12 months of qualifying work Experience within the last 36 months.
graduated from a recognized post-secondary educational institution and obtained the necessary Canadian educational credential.

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) is the official governmental classification system of occupations in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills, aptitudes, and work settings for occupations in the Canadian labour market.

Note: For the purpose of Canadian Experience Class applications, the “Employment Requirements” listed in the description of each occupation are not applicable.

The NOC 2006 can be accessed online at:
www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC-CNP/app/index.aspx?lc=e

Follow these steps to determine if your work experience is in an occupation that meets the minimum requirement to apply under the Canadian Experience Class:

STEP 1. Go to the NOC website at
www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC-CNP/app/index.aspx?lc=

STEP 2. Click on “To Search the NOC…”

STEP 3. If you have work experience in occupations that meet the minimum requirements for workers with Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B (management, professionals and skilled and technical occupations) of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) you are eligible to apply under the Canadian Experience Class category. Work experience in several occupations may also be used.

Each applicant must demonstrate that they meet the minimum language requirements according to their occupational skill level by providing evidence of their abilities in English or French (speaking, reading, listening and writing).

There are two ways to demonstrate your language abilities: taking a Third Party Language test or providing a written submission. For the purpose of language proficiency, your test results or written submission will be matched to the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens 2006 (CLB/NCLC). CIC uses the CLB/NCLC to determine your language proficiency.

Descriptions corresponding to the CLB/NCLC 5 and 7 can be viewed on our website at:

Language Benchmarks 7 at
www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/bench-7.asp
or
Canadian Language Benchmark 5 at
www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/bench-5.asp

Note: There is no Canadian Language Benchmark/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien test. The Canadian Language Benchmarks/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien are descriptions of language abilities. CIC visa officers use these descriptions to determine your language abilities based on the written evidence you provide.

If you have qualifying Canadian work experience at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A of NOC, your test results must match the CLB/NCLC below (see chart):
- 7 or higher for each of the language abilities, or
- 6 for any one of the language abilities, 7 or higher for any other two of those abilities and 8 or higher for the remaining ability,
If you have qualifying Canadian work experience at Skill Level B of NOC, your test results must match the CLB/NCLC below (see chart):
- 5 or higher for each of those abilities, or
- 4 for any one of those abilities, 5 or higher for any other two of those abilities and 6 or higher for the remaining ability.

At time of the application, you will need to:

submit language test results from a designated testing agency or
establish your proficiency levels through a written explanation and supporting documentation.

CIC strongly advises that you provide the results of a language test if English or French is not your first language. Written submissions are only recommended for applicants whose first language is English or French.

If you have some abilities in both English and French, decide which of the two you are more comfortable using; this will be considered your first official language and will be the one in which your abilities will be assessed against the minimum requirements.

Take a language proficiency test from a designated testing agency

Steps	Action
1	Make an arrangement for testing and pay the test costs. A list of designated testing agencies can be found at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/ cec/language-testing.asp Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is not a designated testing agency for applicants under the Canadian Experience Class.
2	Submit the assessment results with your application. Do not request that your (IELTS, TEF) language test result be sent directly to the Visa Office. Submit your original test result with your complete application.
3	Your test results must not be more than one year old at the time that you submit your application.

Steps

Action

1

Make an arrangement for testing and pay the test costs. A list of designated testing agencies can be found at:
www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/
cec/language-testing.asp

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is not a designated testing agency for applicants under the Canadian Experience Class.

2

Submit the assessment results with your application.

Do not request that your (IELTS, TEF) language test result be sent directly to the Visa Office. Submit your original test result with your complete application.

3

Your test results must not be more than one year old at the time that you submit your application.

Note: Test results will be used as conclusive evidence of your language proficiency.

Once you have taken a language test from a designated testing agency, you can determine if you meet the language requirements for CEC.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The CEC requirements for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are:

NOC	CLB Level	Test result for each ability
NOC	CLB Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing
0, A	8	6.5	7.5	6.5	6.5
0, A	7	6.0	6.0	6.0	6.0
0, A, B	6	5.5	5.5	5.0	5.5
B	5	5.0	5.0	4.0	5.0
B	4	4.0	4.5	3.5	4.0

Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)

The CEC requirements for the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) are:

NOC	CLB/ NCLC Bench- mark Levels	Test results for each ability
NOC	CLB/ NCLC Bench- mark Levels	Speaking (expression orale)	Listening (compréhension orale)	Reading (compréhension écrite)	Writing (expression écrite)
0,A	8	349	280	233	349
0, A	7	309	248	206	309
0, A, B	6	271	217	181	271
B	5	225	180	150	225
B	4	181	145	121	181

Establish your proficiency levels through a written explanation and supporting documentation

If you believe that you can clearly demonstrate your level of proficiency through a written submission, follow the instructions in the table below.

CIC strongly advises that you only choose this option if your first language is English or French.

Steps:	Results:
Your written submission must demonstrate your language proficiency in all four abilities: speaking, listening, reading and writing. Your written submission must clearly detail all of the following: Your education and training in English or French; Your work experience in English or French; and Any other contexts in which you may wish to provide details on your use of English or French (such as the language spoken in the home or in social situations). Gather documentation which supports the claims made in your submission and submit these documents with your immigration application. Supporting documents should include: Degrees, diplomas, certificates, transcripts of all education completed in English or French; Documentation that supports your work experience in English or French, such as letters from employers, pay stubs, samples of your work, etc.; and Any other evidence that proves that you have spent considerable time speaking, listening, reading and writing an English or French speaking environment.	A CIC officer will review the evidence you include with your application. Based on this evidence, the officer will make an assessment as to whether you meet the minimum language requirements for your skill level in all four abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing). CIC officers will not interview you to assess your proficiency levels. Your submission must satisfy the officer that your language skills meet the benchmarks for your skill level in all four abilities. Note: You will not know in advance of application whether you have satisfied the officer in meeting the minimum requirements. That is why this option is only recommended for those whose first language is English or French.

Steps:

Results:

Your written submission must demonstrate your language proficiency in all four abilities: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Your written submission must clearly detail all of the following:
- Your education and training in English or French;
- Your work experience in English or French; and
- Any other contexts in which you may wish to provide details on your use of English or French (such as the language spoken in the home or in social situations).
Gather documentation which supports the claims made in your submission and submit these documents with your immigration application. Supporting documents should include:
- Degrees, diplomas, certificates, transcripts of all education completed in English or French;
- Documentation that supports your work experience in English or French, such as letters from employers, pay stubs, samples of your work, etc.; and
- Any other evidence that proves that you have spent considerable time speaking, listening, reading and writing an English or French speaking environment.

A CIC officer will review the evidence you include with your application.
Based on this evidence, the officer will make an assessment as to whether you meet the minimum language requirements for your skill level in all four abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing).
CIC officers will not interview you to assess your proficiency levels.
Your submission must satisfy the officer that your language skills meet the benchmarks for your skill level in all four abilities.

Note: You will not know in advance of application whether you have satisfied the officer in meeting the minimum requirements. That is why this option is only recommended for those whose first language is English or French.

Experience	Applicant’s requirements:
Work experience as a Temporary Foreign Worker	You must have obtained the equivalent of 24 months of full-time or full-time equivalent (one week is 37.5 hours of work) Canadian skilled work experience at NOC Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B. This work experience must have been acquired in Canada (within 36 months preceding the date the application is made). You do not have to be employed at the time of the application. Note:* Any periods of self-employment or unauthorized work cannot be included when calculating the period of work experience. You must have temporary resident status during the period of work experience.
Work experience as a Graduate	You must have obtained the equivalent of 12 months of full-time or full-time equivalent (37.5 hours a week) Canadian skilled work experience at NOC Skill Type 0, or Skill Levels A or B. This work experience must have been acquired in Canada (within the 24 months preceding the date the application is made). You do not have to be in employed at the time of the application. Note:* The experience must be acquired after you have completed the required study and obtained a Canadian credential (work performed under the Off-Campus Work Permit Program or co-op work terms do not count).
Education requirements for Graduates	You must have studied in a program of study or training with a full-time duration of at least 16 months (i.e. two academic years of at least 8 months excluding scheduled breaks, such as summer holidays, in the calculation). The definition of full-time studies is left to individual post-secondary institutions. Full-time studies could also include any period of training in the workplace that forms part of the course of study. You must have completed this program by studying full-time in Canada for at least 16 months and obtained: A diploma, degree, trade or apprenticeship credential from a public, provincially recognized Canadian university, community college, CEGEP, or trade/technical school, or A diploma or trade or apprenticeship credential from a private Quebec post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, and receives at least 50 percent of its financing for its overall operations from government grants, subsidies or other assistance — at this time only private CEGEPs qualify, or A degree from a Canadian private provincially recognized post-secondary institution. Note: You must have studied in a Canadian institution located in Canada. Distance learning, including online programs, does not qualify. Exception If the duration of your program of study in Canada is less than 16 months but one academic year (eight months of study or more), you are only eligible for CEC if your credential is for a graduate program (e.g. Masters) and you have also attained a previous qualifying post-secondary educational credential (length of study of 8 months or more) in Canada within the two years preceding the completion of your graduate program. Note: You must have temporary resident status during the period of full-time study or training.

Experience

Applicant’s requirements:

Work experience as a Temporary Foreign Worker

You must have obtained the equivalent of 24 months of full-time or full-time equivalent (one week is 37.5 hours of work) Canadian skilled work experience at NOC Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B. This work experience must have been acquired in Canada (within 36 months preceding the date the application is made*).

You do not have to be employed at the time of the application.

Note: Any periods of self-employment or unauthorized work cannot be included when calculating the period of work experience. You must have temporary resident status during the period of work experience.

Work experience as a Graduate

You must have obtained the equivalent of 12 months of full-time or full-time equivalent (37.5 hours a week) Canadian skilled work experience at NOC Skill Type 0, or Skill Levels A or B. This work experience must have been acquired in Canada (within the 24 months preceding the date the application is made*).

You do not have to be in employed at the time of the application.

Note: The experience must be acquired after you have completed the required study and obtained a Canadian credential (work performed under the Off-Campus Work Permit Program or co-op work terms do not count).

Education requirements for Graduates

You must have studied in a program of study or training with a full-time duration of at least 16 months (i.e. two academic years of at least 8 months excluding scheduled breaks, such as summer holidays, in the calculation). The definition of full-time studies is left to individual post-secondary institutions. Full-time studies could also include any period of training in the workplace that forms part of the course of study.

You must have completed this program by studying full-time in Canada for at least 16 months and obtained:

A diploma, degree, trade or apprenticeship credential from a public, provincially recognized Canadian university, community college, CEGEP, or trade/technical school, or
A diploma or trade or apprenticeship credential from a private Quebec post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions, and receives at least 50 percent of its financing for its overall operations from government grants, subsidies or other assistance — at this time only private CEGEPs qualify, or
A degree from a Canadian private provincially recognized post-secondary institution.

Note: You must have studied in a Canadian institution located in Canada. Distance learning, including online programs, does not qualify.

Exception

If the duration of your program of study in Canada is less than 16 months but one academic year (eight months of study or more), you are only eligible for CEC if your credential is for a graduate program (e.g. Masters) and you have also attained a previous qualifying post-secondary educational credential (length of study of 8 months or more) in Canada within the two years preceding the completion of your graduate program.

Note: You must have temporary resident status during the period of full-time study or training.

*The application is considered to have been made on the date a properly completed application package is received by the visa office.

Periods of study or training not included in calculating the education requirements:

Full-time program of study or training in English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL), or any program of study where ESL/FSL made up more than half of the hours of instruction/training;
Studies in Canada taken under an award from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA);
Studies in Canada taken under an award from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) programs including:
- Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program
- Government of Canada Awards Program
- Canada-China Scholars Exchange Program
- Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program, Canada-Chile
- Organization of American States Fellowship Program.
Periods of study spent outside of Canada.

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Application for permanent residence — Canadian Experience Class (IMM 5609)

Before you apply

Permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class

Who may use this application

Other classes

Do you intend to reside in Quebec?

Staying informed

What are the requirements?

National Occupation Classification (NOC)

Determining your NOC category

Language knowledge requirement

Proof of language proficiency

Option 1

Using your test results

Option 2

Experience requirements