Canadian Experience Class Process
Since January 1, 2015, Canadian Experience Class applications have been processed through through the Express Entry selection system for immigration to Canada.
The following steps outline the process of immigrating to Canada permanently through the Canadian Experience Class.
Make an Expression of Interest in Immigrating to Canada, by Creating an online Express Entry profile
Candidates for Canadian permanent residence who are eligible for the Canadian Experience Class make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada by creating an online Express Entry profile. You provide information about your skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other personal information.
Once your eligibility has been confirmed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), you are placed in a pool of candidates who are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System . If a candidate does not already have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial nomination, he or she must register with Canada's Job Bank.
It is important that the information provided is accurate, as providing false information could disqualify an applicant from re-entering the pool for a number of years.
Improve your Profile and Ranking in the CRS system
Eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System, which ranks eligible candidates for immigration to Canada through Express Entry under the following components:
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core human capital factors;
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accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors;
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skill transferability factors; and
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factors relating to a provincial nomination or a qualifying offer of arranged employment.
The highest-ranked candidates are issued invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence when the government of Canada performs regular draws from the pool. Therefore, it is in candidates’ best interests to strive to improve their scores in order to increase their chances of receiving an invitation to apply.
Though Canadian Experience Class candidates do not necessarily need to prove their level of education in order to be eligible under the program, they may find that they would be awarded a significant number of points under the Comprehensive Ranking System if they obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), if their education was done outside Canada. Once the ECA is completed and added to an Express Entry profile, scores can increase significantly.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence in Canada
An Invitation to Apply is offered to any candidate in the Express Entry pool who has been selected to apply for immigration to Canada by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) through the Express Entry immigration selection system. Invitations to Apply are issued on a priority basis when CIC performs a draw from the Express Entry pool, which is made up of candidates who have made an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada.
The original profile information will remain for 60 days after the Invitation to Apply is issued. Candidates will have this length of time to submit a complete and accurate application along with all supporting documents. The submission of the complete application is considered the acceptance.
Once all portions of the document checklist are uploaded and complete, applicants are given the option to submit an application. The option to submit is not available until after all fields are accounted for. An Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) will be automatically issued once the file is submitted. CIC will review the application and determine whether or not it is both complete and eligible. CIC aims to complete this process within six months of the applicant having submitted his or her application.
Complete a Medical, Submit Police Clearances, and submit your e-application
All Canadian immigration applicants are required to undergo medical examinations. These examinations are intended to detect any conditions, which may affect the health of the Canadian public, or which may result in excessive demands being placed upon Canadian health or social services. The medical examination includes a standard physical examination, blood tests, urine tests, and X-Rays.
Each medical case is analyzed individually, taking into account your full medical history. If the disease or disorder poses health risks to Canadians or places excessive demands on the Canadian health care system, it may result in medical inadmissibility.
The medical examination is given around the world by designated medical practitioners (DMP). Regardless of the Canadian Immigration Visa Office to which the application is submitted, the services of a designated medical practitioner in any part of the world may be used.
A Police Clearance / Security Certificate is required for each country that you have lived in for more than 6 months since the age of 18.
Your application will be reviewed by a Canadian Immigration Officer
A Canadian Immigration Visa Officer will make a detailed analysis of all the information contained in the e-application and all the supporting documents, and assess the application against the current selection criteria.
A request for your Passport and Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) will be made
The Canadian Immigration Visa Office will request the Right of Permanent Resident Fee (RPRF) payment and your passport for the purpose of issuing a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa. Note that submitting passports is no longer required if the applicant is from a Visitor Visa-exempt country.
Issuance of your Canadian Immigration Permanent Residence (PR) Visa
Your Canada Immigration Visa will have an expiry date, by which time you and your accompanying family members must enter Canada.
To find out if you are eligible to apply for any of the CEC programs, please complete an assessment asap.