Canadian Experience Class
Express Entry Immigration System
Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class is a stream in which applicants can submit their application for permanent residency through the Express Entry system. This program is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.
You’re not eligible for the Canadian Experience Class if:
- You’re a refugee claimant in Canada
- You’re working without authorization
- Your work experience was gained without temporary resident status in Canada
Minimum Requirements
Language
Applicants must meet or surpass a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 5 (“initial intermediate”) or 7 (“adequate intermediate proficiency”), depending on the level of the job:
- Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs or
- Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for NOC B jobs
You must prove your language skills by taking an approved language test.
Your language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result and must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.
Work Experience
Applicants must have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last 3 years before applying, which could be met in a few different ways:
- Full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours)
- Equal amount in part-time work: for example, 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours). You can work as many part-time jobs as you need to meet this requirement.
- Full-time work at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
- This work experience must be gained by working in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work.
- Also, this work experience can be in 1 or more NOC 0, A or B jobs. You must show that you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.
Do note that your skilled work experience must be paid work including paid wages or earned commission. Volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count.
For part-time work, you can work more or less than 15 hours/week if it adds up to 1,560 hours. You can work more than 1 part-time job to get the hours you need to apply. Any hours you work above 30 hours/week don’t count.
Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (even if you were on a co-op work term) doesn’t count towards the minimum requirements for this program.
Education
There is no education requirement for the Express Entry profile registration under the Canadian Experience Class. Nevertheless, in order to improve your CRS score, it is imperative to obtain your ECA report, which was completed for immigration purposes from a designated organization.
Other Federal Skilled Programs
Federal Skilled Worker Program
For skilled workers with foreign work experience and must meet criteria for education and other factors
Federal Skilled Trades Program
For skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade and must have a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification
