Eligibility and Application
Welcome to the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) page on VisaPlus.ca. Here, we’ll provide you with essential information for skilled workers with Canadian work experience who are seeking permanent residency.
Key Information
Minimum Requirements
As an applicant for the Canadian Experience Class, you should:
- Have required language levels for your job including writing, reading, listening, and speaking.
- Possess at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada, within the last 3 years before application. This can be achieved through full-time or part-time work, or a combination of both.
- Have gained your work experience in Canada under temporary resident status with authorization to work.
- Note that your skilled work experience must be paid work. Volunteer work or unpaid internships are not considered.
- Certain individuals are not eligible for the Canadian Experience Class, including refugee claimants in Canada, individuals working without authorization, and those whose work experience was gained without temporary resident status in Canada.
Education
- There are no specific education requirements for the Canadian Experience Class. However, if you have either Canadian or foreign education, you can gain additional points for immigration purposes.
Language Ability
As an applicant, you need to:
- Meet the minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs, or Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs.
- Take approved language tests for writing, reading, listening, and speaking, and report the results in your Express Entry profile.
- Your language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result and must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.

Admissibility
- You must be admissible to Canada.
Living Location in Canada
- You are expected to live outside the province of Quebec. Quebec has its own system for selecting skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, please consult Quebec-selected skilled workers for more information.
Application Procedure
To apply for the Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry), first ensure you meet all eligibility requirements, such as Canadian work experience and language proficiency. Create an Express Entry profile online, gather and submit necessary documents like passports, language test results, and educational assessments. Once submitted, you’ll enter a pool of candidates. If you meet the criteria, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Upon receiving an ITA, prepare and submit your complete application for permanent residence within 60 days, including all required documents. Respond promptly to any additional information requests from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). After a decision on your application, if approved, you’ll receive further instructions and/or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) document. This process can take several months and the specifics may vary based on individual circumstances, so check the official IRCC website or consult with a professional for up-to-date information.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Step 1: Determine Eligibility
- Step 2: Create Your Express Entry Profile
- Step 3: Gather Necessary Documents
- Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Step 5: Prepare Your Application
- Step 6: Submit Your Complete Application within timeframe
- Step 7: Respond to Additional Information Requests
- Step 8: Receive Your Decision
- Step 9: If Approved, Receive Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) Document
The Canadian Experience Class is an immigration category for foreign workers who have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada and wish to become permanent residents.
To apply, you must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, meet the required language levels for your job in English or French, and have gained your work experience while under temporary resident status with authorization to work.
The minimum language level is Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, or Benchmark 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs.
Work experience is calculated based on hours. Full-time work is considered as 30 hours per week. Therefore, one year of full-time work is calculated as 30 hours/week for 12 months, equaling 1,560 hours.
Yes, part-time work can be counted towards the one-year work experience requirement. The hours worked should add up to a total of 1,560 hours to be equivalent to one year of full-time work.
Yes, you can. The work experience can be obtained through full-time work at more than one job. As long as the total hours meet the requirement of 1,560 hours (equivalent to 30 hours/week for 12 months), you are eligible. Remember that your work experience should be in the TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job categories.
Express Entry is the online system used by IRCC to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. The CEC is one of the programs under which you can apply for immigration through Express Entry.
After you submit your profile, if you meet the criteria, you'll be placed in a pool of candidates. If you're one of the top candidates, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Once you've submitted a complete application after receiving an ITA, the processing time for most applications is usually within six months. However, processing times can vary and it may take longer in some cases.
If your application is approved, you'll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) document, which is your official proof of permanent resident status in Canada.
At VisaPlus, we specialize in assisting candidates navigate through the immigration process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. Here's how we can assist you:
Guidance: We provide clear, concise guidance throughout the entire process, from determining your eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), to preparing and submitting your application.
Documentation: We assist in gathering, organizing, and submitting the necessary documents for your application, ensuring that all requirements are met to avoid delays or rejections.
Application Review: Our experienced immigration consultants review your application thoroughly to minimize errors and increase the likelihood of success.
Updates and Notifications: We keep you informed about the status of your application and notify you promptly of any updates or additional information requests from the IRCC.
Post-Approval Assistance: Upon approval, we guide you on next steps, including how to use your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR).
Personalized Service: Every client has unique circumstances and goals, and we provide personalized service to cater to your specific needs and aspirations.
Remember, our ultimate goal at VisaPlus is to make your dream of living in Canada a reality.