Canadian Experience Class Program

Canadian Experience Class Program Overview

To immigrate as a skilled worker under the Canadian Experience Class, applicants must meet two primary requirements: Canadian work experience and English or French language proficiency.

Minimum Requirement: Work in Canada

A foreign national must have at least one year of paid Canadian work experience within the three years prior to applying for immigration. This work experience must be obtained while the candidate was authorized to work in Canada, for instance, through a post-graduation work permit, an open work permit (including those issued under the International Experience Class program), or a work permit that is based on or exempt from a labour market impact assessment.

Canadian skilled work experience can be earned through 12 months of full-time work, equating to 30 hours per week or 1,560 hours per year. Alternatively, candidates can accumulate this experience over 24 months of part-time work, which equates to 15 hours per week or 1,560 hours over two years.

Managerial, professional, and technical positions, as well as skilled trades under the training, education, experience, and responsibilities (TEER) categories TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, and TEER 3, are eligible. Candidates must demonstrate that they performed all the main duties specified in their occupational description according to the selected NOC code.

Canadian work experience does not necessarily need to be continuous or within the same job. However, overtime hours cannot be counted towards meeting the time requirement. For instance, if a candidate accumulates 1,560 hours through overtime in eight months, they must still have worked full-time for one year to be eligible under the Canadian Experience Class stream.

To meet the experience requirements, candidates need to provide employment records for the period they claim, which include a reference letter from their employer, pay stubs, T4 statements, etc.

Self-employment or work while studying in Canada does not qualify for immigration under the Canadian Experience Class.

Minimum Requirement: Language Ability

To meet the language proficiency criteria for the Canadian Experience Class, applicants must reach specific benchmark levels in all four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scores depend on the candidate's job classification under the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system:

• For positions classified as TEER 0 or TEER 1, a minimum of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 is required.
• For roles in the TEER 2 or TEER 3 categories, the necessary score is CLB 5 or NCLC 5.

Applicants have the option to demonstrate their English or French language proficiency through the following assessments:

• CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (General) for English.
• IELTS: International English Language Testing System (General) for English.
• TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français for French.
• TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français for French.

Language test results must be no more than two years old at the time of application for permanent residence to be considered valid.

Other Factors

Education, while not a requirement, can add points to an Express Entry profile and increase a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Additionally, having Canadian relatives, a valid job offer, or proficiency in a second language can further enhance the score.

Proof of funds is not required under the Canadian Experience Class; however, candidates must be admissible to Canada. The CRS Calculator allows individuals to calculate their points and assess their eligibility to apply under this stream.

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Call us at +1-416-915-0808 or email us at info@leromlaw.com for additional information you need to begin the process.