The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a category of the Canadian immigration system designed for individuals who have gained valuable work experience in Canada and wish to become permanent residents. This program is one of the pathways under the Express Entry system, which is the primary method Canada uses to manage applications for its main economic immigration programs.

Key features of the Canadian Experience Class include:

1. Work Experience Requirements:
   • Applicants must have at least 12 months of full-time skilled work experience (or an equal amount in part-time) in Canada within the three years preceding their application.
   • The work experience must be acquired in Canada and must be in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
2. Language Proficiency:
   • Applicants must meet the required language proficiency levels in either English or French. This is typically assessed through standardized language tests like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for English or the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) for French.
3. Express Entry Profile:
   • Candidates need to create an Express Entry profile and be eligible for one of the three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or the Canadian Experience Class itself.
4. Express Entry Pool Ranking:
   • Eligible candidates are entered into the Express Entry pool and are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other criteria.
5. Invitation to Apply (ITA):
   • The highest-ranking candidates in the Express Entry pool are invited to apply for permanent residence during regular draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
6. Application for Permanent Residence:
   • Once invited, candidates have a limited time to submit a complete application for permanent residence. This includes providing supporting documents and undergoing medical and security checks.
7. Permanent Residence Status:
   • Successful applicants are granted permanent residence status in Canada, allowing them to live, work, and study anywhere in the country.

The Canadian Experience Class is particularly advantageous for individuals who have already established themselves in the Canadian labor market, as their work experience in the country is considered valuable in the immigration process.