Last Updated on March 25, 2016

Individuals who have worked or studied in Canada and who wish to settle permanently in Canada with their accompanying dependants may qualify to apply for Permanent Residence under the Canadian Experience Class.

This program recognizes the benefits to Canada by candidates who have spent significant amounts of time pursuing their studies and working careers in Canada. It recognizes their contributions to the Canadian economy and the creation of strong links to Canadian society. This strengthens the permanent residence programs to Canada.

The program is geared towards two categories of candidates: Temporary foreign workers and foreign graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Temporary Worker Stream

In order to qualify for permanent residence under the Temporary Foreign Worker Stream, the candidate must have accumulated 24 months of suitable paid full-time work experience in Canada within the 36 months preceding the lock-in date of the application. The candidate is also required to demonstrate an appropriate command of French or English.

Qualifying work experience must be full time and skilled. “Full-time” refers to 37.5 hours per week. Part time work will be considered, but only on a pro-rata basis. For example, 6 months in a part time skilled position at 18 hours per week will count as three months towards the required 24. Multiple concurrent part time jobs can also be used to meet the experience requirement.

The suitable work experience must also be considered “skilled”. This refers to occupations that are categorized as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupation Classification . Qualifying occupations are those of a managerial, professional, technical or skilled trade nature.

 

Foreign Graduate Stream

To qualify under the Foreign Graduate Stream, a candidate must have completed a program of at least two years at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution, and subsequently accumulated 12 months of paid full-time skilled work experience in Canada. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient knowledge of one of Canada’s two official languages.

Qualifying work experience must have been gained within the 24 months preceding the application, however the time elapsed between completions of the educational program and applying for permanent residence is of no importance. Any skilled work experience accumulated during the program of study will not be considered.

The “full-time” and “skilled” attributes of the work experience are assessed using the same criteria as described above for the Temporary Foreign Worker Stream.

The post-secondary program of study completed by the applicant must meet certain requirements to qualify. The applicant must have:

• been enrolled as a full-time student in a program of at least two academic years. The full-time nature of studies is determined by the post-secondary institution attended;
• been physically present in Canada while studying.
• obtained a diploma, degree, or trade/apprenticeship credential from a public, provincially recognized university, community college, Cegep, trade or technical school. Degrees, diplomas or trade credentials from some private and semi-private post-secondary institutions may be recognized;

Graduate level credentials issued upon completion of a one year study program also qualify, if they are obtained within two years of having received a first diploma, degree or trade credential from a qualifying Canadian institution.

Distance learning completed outside of Canada does not qualify, nor does any program of study where English or French as a second language represents more than half the curriculum. Finally, any studies in Canada pursued under an award or Government sponsored exchange program which stipulates that the recipient return to their home country upon completion will not be considered.

Conclusion

The Canadian Experience Class is an ideal program for individuals who have become familiar with life in Canada and who wish to resettle here. For qualifying candidates, it is an expedient and secure option for obtaining permanent residence, with objective criteria. Moreover, the application can be made from within Canada, while the candidate has appropriate temporary status. In short, it allows a seamless transition from temporary to permanent status in Canada.

*The Canadian experience class does not apply to foreigners wishing to establish themselves in the Province of Quebec; however education and work experience accumulated in that province are valid to meet Quebec program requirements.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.