Canadian Experience Class

Individuals who have worked in Canada and wish to settle permanently with their accompanying dependents may qualify for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class. The Canadian Experience Class program recognizes the benefits to Canada of candidates who have spent significant amounts of time pursuing their studies and careers in the country. It recognizes their contributions to the Canadian economy and the creation of strong links to Canadian society.

Requirements for Canadian Experience Class

Eligibility for permanent residence under the CEC is assessed on a pass-fail basis where the primary criteria are the following:

• The candidate has acquired 12 months of full-time work experience in an occupation categorized as TEER categories 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC). Qualifying occupations are those of a managerial, professional, technical or skilled trade nature.
• The qualifying Canadian work experience was acquired within the 36 months immediately preceding the date of application;
• The candidate demonstrates sufficient proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages. The level of proficiency required is determined by the occupation in which the candidate gained qualifying Canadian work experience;
• The candidate is not inadmissible to Canada on medical, criminal or security grounds.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada manage skilled worker immigration under the Canada Express Entry system. The highest-scoring candidates in the Express Entry pool are issued with Invitations to Apply to one of the following programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker
• Canada Experience Class
• Provincial Express Entry Categories

Once an ITA has been issued, the candidate must complete a full application to the relevant program. The Federal Skilled Worker program uses its own points system according to various factors. It is designed to show if the applicant and dependents will successfully establish in Canada. Ideal applicants will possess skills and experience compatible with in-demand occupations. The selection rules favour applicants with government-approved job offers.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

Canada’s Federal Skilled Trades Program offers permanent residence to skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade. It is managed through the Express Entry system. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts draws aimed specifically at Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates. The following jobs qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program under the National Occupational Classification:

• Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers
• excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers
• Major Group 73, general trades
• Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
• Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production
• Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
• Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
• Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers
• Unit Group 62200, chefs