CEC Express Entry - Make a Solid EE Profile (2021)

Canada’s Express Entry (EE) program is the fastest and most popular pathway for newcomers seeking a new life. EE organizes and processes applications for people who wish to immigrate to Canada and obtain a Permanent Residence (PR).

Applying for Express Entry is a two-step process. The first step is submitting language test results, an educational credential assessment report, and valid passport or travel documents. After submission, you will receive an invitation to apply for Canada permanent residence, requiring a substantial application. You will need reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and results of a medical examination.

Once you are eligible for any of the following three programs, you can also apply for the Express Entry program.

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)

• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Today we shall take an in-depth look at the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) immigration program and understand the nuances involved in the application process. However, we first need to understand the Express Entry process better. In general, to be eligible to apply for EE as a skilled worker, you need to have at least one year, in the last 1o years, of continuous full-time work experience in a skilled occupation. You need to obtain a minimum score on a Canadian Language Benchmark-approved language test, and you can test in English or French.  You are also required to complete post-secondary education that is assessed against Canadian standards with an Educational Credential Benchmark.

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the fastest routes to Canadian permanent residence and takes as little as four months to process. Candidates who have a minimum of 12 months of full-time skilled work experience in Canada can apply for the CEC program.  The Canadian work experience should have been acquired within the previous three years from the date of the application.

CEC immigration is managed under the Express Entry system and uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank interested candidates. If you have a competitive CRS score, you will be eligible to receive invitations to apply for Canadian PR.

A mentioned earlier, you need to have 12 months of full-time work experience in Canada to qualify for CEC. Following are additional points to keep in mind:

• The work experience must be obtained in Canada within the 36 months before the date of submission of the electronic Application for PR (ePR)

• Your employment duties in Canada fall under the NOC Code Skill Level 0, A, or B – so be sure to check

• The work experience should be paid and should have been obtained lawfully.

• Express Entry CEC is not for foreign nationals who do not have recent Canadian work experience

• Work experience obtained while engaged n full-time studies do not count

In addition to the Canadian work experience requirement, Express Entry CEC has several other eligibility criteria that must be met to apply. Following are the conditions:

• Language – You need to obtain a level 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)  in either French or English for NOC skill level 0 or A. CLB level 5 is required to NOC B.

• Residence in Canada – You intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.

If you meet the above requirements, you can confidently go ahead and submit an application for CEC under the Express Entry program. There are a few requirements by law that you need to fulfill, such as no criminal offenses and a clean bill of health. These, however, are minor details that need to be taken care of before applying. Best of Luck!