Permanent Residence in Canada with Express Entry (outside of Quebec)

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for those who have had at least 12 months of work experience in Canada in the 3 years preceding their application. This work experience must be in what is known as a “skilled” occupation, i.e. in categories A, B, or 0 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). The CEC may be of particular interest to those who have acquired at least 12 months of employment experience in an occupation classified under one of these categories with a Working Holiday Visa (for French nationals), Young Professionals permit, or Francophone permit.

You can check if your occupation is listed in categories 0, A, or B by going to the Employment and Skills Development Canada website and looking for your occupation:

• Category 0: for occupations in the field of management. It is defined as follows: “This skill type category includes legislators and senior and middle managers. These occupations cover all skill types”.
  Examples: finance director, IT service manager, headteacher, agricultural manager…
• Category A: these occupations usually require a university education.
  Examples: financial analyst, human resources, professional, marketing, communications and public relations professional, biologist, landscape architect, computer analyst, occupational therapist, employment counsellor, archivist, curator…
• Category B: these occupations require a “college or vocational training or apprenticeship programme”.
  Examples: administrative assistant, documents management technician, insurer, ship broker, industrial instrument mechanic, computer network technician, early childhood instructor, graphic arts technician, graphic designer, chef, cook, butcher, baker, hairdresser, shoemaker, embalmer, boilermaker, welder, plumber, cabinetmaker, tiler, crane operator, driller…

There is also a minimum language requirement in French OR English for this category:

• If you were (or are currently) employed in a job classed as category A or 0, a CLB 7 proficiency level is required (in speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in English OR French.
• If you were (or are currently) employed in a job classed as category B, a CLB 5 proficiency level is required (in speaking, listening, reading, and writing) in English OR French.

There is no minimum education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class. However, you can earn more points for the Express Entry system by:

• obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
• having studied in Canada
• obtaining a certification in Canada

For more information on the Canadian Experience Class, here are some useful links from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada:

• Who is eligible for the Canadian Experience Class
• More information on the CLB language skill level
• Other available resources on the CLB skill level in French
• Other available resources on the CLB skill level in English