The Canada Experience Class Draw is one of the many Immigration programs through which foreign nationals can apply for residency in Canada. The question “what is Canada Experience Class Draw?” will be answered in this article, with the addition of other related information.

To have a deep knowledge of Canada’s Immigration programs, you should read one of our blog posts “Easy Ways To Migrate To Canada” where we discussed many ways to get residency in Canada.

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The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the easy ways to migrate to Canada. This immigration program is specifically for foreign students and workers who wish to apply their education and work experience.

Also, the Canadian Experience Class allows the attaining of permanent resident status. This is as a result of the fact that the foreign worker or student resided in Canada while also making a positive contribution to the country.

CEC is also among the fastest ways to obtain permanent residency since the processing duration is within 3 to 4 months. 

The CEC program is run under Express Entry. All applicants are ranked and selected based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Note that the candidates with the highest scores will receive a special Invitation To Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

1. Who is eligible for the Canadian Experience Class Program?

2. Requirements for Canada Experience Class Program.

• General requirements.
• Language requirements.

3. How to Apply for the Canadian Experience Class.

4. Frequently Asked Questions on CEC in 2024.

• Can I apply to the Canadian Experience Class program from outside of Canada?
• How many points do you need for the Canadian experience class?
• Will Canada’s CRS score come down in 2024?
• What is the score for Express Entry in Canada 2024?
• Is 438 a good CRS score?
• Is 420 a good CRS score?

Being a foreign worker and spending some time in Canada alone does not make a candidate eligible for CEC. An applicant must have full-time skilled work experience (minimum of 12 months). The work experience must have been within the last 3 years preceding the application.

An applicant needs to take the following requirements into consideration:

• A student applying for CEC can not count the work experience he/she acquired during full-time studies.
• A minimum of 12 months of work experience is required, and it must be within the last 3 years.
• The job must have been secured on merit only.
• The job must be a paid one. Unpaid internship and volunteer work experience is not counted.
• The applicant’s work activities must be within the NOC Code Skill Level 0, A or B.
• Some criminal offences convicted for in the past might make an applicant not eligible. Same also for some medical conditions.

• For jobs within NOC Code 0 or A, a Canadian language benchmark 7 is required.
• For jobs within NOC Code B, a Canadian Language Benchmark of 5 is required.
• The applicant must take language tests for writing, reading, speaking and listening. Also, the results must be described under the Express Entry profile.
• The language tests must be approved in Canada.
• A language test can only be valid for 2 years. As on the day of applying for the CEC program, the language test must still be valid.

Follow the steps below to apply for the CEC program.

• Get a Canadian work permit and also complete at least 12 months of work.
• Create your Express Entry profile. Here you will need to provide information on your education, income, language, work experience acquired in Canada, spouse (if any) and your age.
• Wait and receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA). This will make your application processing time not later than 6 months.
• Run a medical checkup, a background check and submit your application. You will also need a clearance certificate (also called a police background check). This must be provided for each country that you have resided in for more than 6 months after you clocked 18 years of age.
• Wait for confirmation of permanent residence and collect your PR card. The waiting period should not take longer than 6 months.

Yes of course. You can apply for the CEC program from any country so far you are qualified and meet all the requirements.

There is usually no fixed minimum CRS score. It changes based on the number of applicants that the government is willing to accept.

As of April 29, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited some applicants, and the minimum score was 400. However, it would be advisable to have a score of more than this.

For now, a minimum score of 450 is advised.

Yes. This is because Canada has increased the number of applicants that would be accepted in 2021 and 2024. This means we can expect a drop in the minimum CRS score.

If you are asking about the minimum score, it’s 67. You need at least 67 points before you can be eligible for Express Entry.

A CRS score of 438 is fair. However, it’s advisable to also process a nomination under a provincial immigration program.

Having a CRS score like 420 might not look good. However, there is hope for a decrease in the minimum CRS score, and that will surely increase the chances of being selected.