Tips with a Canadian Experience Class Application

The Canadian Experience Class application is an extremely complicated application type with several things you, as the applicant, will need to consider. Aside from the basic requirements, there are six selection factors to be considered. Many of our clients come to us as a result of struggling with the right documentation to submit.

Akrami & Associates will guide you every step of the way with this.

If you intend to submit your application without the support of a representative, there are a couple of factors you should keep in mind.

CEC Language Requirement

Each applicant must demonstrate that they meet the language requirements according to their occupational skill level by providing evidence of their proficiency in English or French in all four of the following abilities: speaking, reading, listening and writing.

For the purpose of language proficiency, your test results will be matched to the Canadian Language Benchmarks/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (CLB/NCLC). CIC uses the CLB/NCLC to determine your language proficiency.

If you have a qualified Canadian work experience at Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC, you must have test results that meet or exceed the language proficiency threshold for your occupation skill level in each of the four language abilities.

CEC Qualifying Work

Important: the following six occupations are not eligible under the CEC:

• Administrative officers (NOC 1221)
• Administrative assistants (NOC 1241)
• Accounting technicians and bookkeepers (NOC 1311)
• Retail sales supervisors (NOC 6211)
• Food service supervisors (NOC 6311)
• Cooks (NOC 6322)

This work experience must have been acquired in Canada within the 36 months preceding the date your properly completed application is received by the CIO. You do not have to be employed at the time of your application.

Note, any periods of self-employment, unauthorized work, work in an ineligible occupation, and periods of employment during which you were engaged in full-time study (e.g. work experience gained on a co-op, off-campus or on-campus work permit) will not be included when calculating the period of qualifying work experience. You must have had temporary resident status during the period of work experience acquired in Canada.

If you are a student and graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution, you can gain the work experience required for CEC through the Post-Graduate Work Permit. If this applies to you, contact us for more information about what you should do next.

CEC Documentation

When considering the documentation to include in your application, aside from such documentation that would demonstrate your skills in an eligible profession, your biggest hurdle will be determining whether or not your occupation meets the requirements of the NOC National Occupational Classification. Here’s a tip, do not concern yourself too much with job titles – instead, refer to the duties. You will need your duties in the NOC to match up with the duties you perform to be classified as such. Be sure to make certain you are also using the most recent NOC matrix.