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Monday 24 September 2012

Immigration in Canada: from 1947 to 2017 Celebrating the past and projecting the future

according to CBC NEWS


Changes to Canada's immigration law aimed at reducing a backlog of applications have recently passed in the House of Commons, and could make the immigration minister much more powerful.


The amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act will give the minister greater 
selection powers to limit the number of new immigration applicants.
It will also allow the government to fast-track applications from the types of immigrants it wants, such as skilled workers, and freeze applications from others.
The Tories have argued the measures are necessary to reduce a current backlog of more than 900,000 immigration applications, which has created wait times of between three and six years for even those who meet all the requirements.
A group of immigrant service organizations has decried the Conservative government's proposed changes, saying the measures place too much power in the hands of the minister in charge.
Liberal deputy leader Michael Ignatieff said the government's change of one word in the existing legislation would give the minister the power to reject even those who meet all the visa requirements.
The proposed legislation says a visa or document "may" be issued to an applicant who has been ruled admissible by immigration officers, while the existing law says a visa or document "shall" be issued.
The Liberals abstained from the vote on the amendments because they were part of a budget implementation act, making it a confidence motion. Had the vote not passed, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government would have been brought down, forcing an election.
Minorities in Canada
In the 2001 census, the most recent ethnicity figures, 13 per cent of Canadians identified themselves as belonging to a visible minority.
But by 2017, if Statistics Canada projections hold true, that number could climb to between 19 and 23 per cent.
What's more, by Canada's 150th birthday, almost 95 per cent of visible minorities would live in metropolitan areas, with three-quarters living in Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal.
And about one-half of the people living in Toronto and Vancouver would belong to a visible minority by 2017.
According to the projections, the visible minority population of Toronto will range between 2.8 million and nearly 3.9 million within 12 years.
The main reason for this, Statistics Canada says, is an expectation of sustained immigration to Canada over the next 12 years, and the fact that a high proportion of immigrants are non-white.
Statistics Canada set up five different scenarios for future immigration rates and population growth. These scenarios predict that Canada's immigrant population could reach between seven million and 9.3 million in 2017.
It's a prediction that came to fruition in 2006, when one in five Canadian residents was born outside the country — the highest level in 75 years. That proportion grew substantially from 18.4 per cent of the population, just five years earlier.
Chinese and South Asians were the largest visible minority groups in Canada according to the 2001 census, and the projection doesn't see that changing. Roughly half of all visible minorities would belong to those groups by 2017.
Blacks would remain Canada's third-largest minority group, reaching a population of about one million.
In Toronto, about a third of visible minorities would be South Asians. Nearly half of the visible minority population in Vancouver would be Chinese. And in Montreal, blacks and Arabs would remain the largest visible minority groups, representing 27 per cent and 19 per cent of the minority population, respectively.

Canadian Experience Class Issues 20,000th Visa


Earlier this month, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) issued its 20,000th visa, a success for one of Canada’s most recent immigration programs.
Created as a way to attract and retain some of the world’s most valuable skilled workers, CEC presents a path to Permanent Residency for international students and workers already in Canada. It is recognized as the country’s fastest-growing immigration program.
“We are working hard to attract and retain the best and brightest students from around the world,” said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, speaking at a ceremony celebrating the occasion.
Attending the ceremony was Guarav Gore, an Indian national who became the 20,000th visa recipient.
“As a student, I saw the wealth of opportunities that are available in Canada,” said Mr. Gore. “I felt welcome. I wanted to stay, pusue a career here, and contribute to the economy as well as the country. I was happy to discover that it was possible through the CEC and that I could use my skills immediately upon graduating.”
Changes have recently been made to the CEC in order to make the program more responsive to labour market needs, as well as welcoming for applicants. These changes include reducing required Canadian work experience from 24 to 12 months in the past 36, as well as introducing a minimum threshold of language competency.

Thursday 20 September 2012

we congratulate our proud kababayan

on behalf of all filipinos around the world we are very proud to our youngest achiever who win a PEACE prize in netherlands for being a good example of a good samaritan to street children. his name is Cris "Kesz" Valdez, aged 13, here is the details of his achievement again congratulations cris...keep up the good work..


Desmond Tutu (R) shakes hands with Cris "Kesz" Valdez after awarding him with the Children's Peace Prize


Filipino street kid, 13, wins $100,000 

peace prize

A young Filipino who lived off a rubbish dump and slept in an open tomb has won a prestigious children's award in the Netherlands for his work to improve the rights of his fellow street kids.
Cris "Kesz" Valdez, aged 13, was handed this year's International Children's Peace Prize at a glittering ceremony in The Hague on Wednesday, where he received a 100,000 euro ($130,000) prize.
Valdez was chosen from three finalists for the work of his "Championing Community Children" charity which raises funds to hand out gift parcels to needy children in Cavite City, about 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of the capital Manila.
"You are wonderful," Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu, who handed over this year's prize, told Valdez at a press conference shortly after the ceremony, held in The Hague's historic Knight's Hall.
"My message to children around the world is not to lose hope" and to remember things like hygiene, said Valdez, who added that the prize would help him get an education and perhaps realise his dream of becoming a doctor.
Through his charity, Valdez has handed out more than 5,000 gifts to destitute children that included everyday articles like flip-flops, toys, sweets and clothes, said the KidsRights Foundation, the prize's initiator.
In all, he has helped some 10,000 children in his area on health, hygiene and children's rights, the foundation added.
Some 246,000 street children are, like Valdez was as a young child, subjected to abuse, violence and child labour in the Philippines, it said.
Asked about the prize money, KidsRights Foundation chairman Marc Dullaert said a committee was now to decide, together with Valdez, to which projects it would be donated.
Archbishop Tutu, the South African peace icon who won the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize is in the Netherlands for a nine-day visit.

MABUHAY KA CRIS

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Changes announced in Canada immigration programs



As per the Citizenship and Immigration Canada(CIC), the intake of Canada immigration applications for a selected categories of immigration programs will undergo changes.
This will be done in order to cut back the piling backlog of Canada economic immigration applications.
Changes in Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program—Canada immigration department maintained that the changes aim not just to reduce the backlog of Canada visa applications but also seek to reduce waiting times.
In order to be eligible for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program, aspiring immigrants should either possess minimum paid work experience of one year in any one of the total 29 occupations need to have an offer of valid job from any Canadian employer.
There will be no change in the list of 29 eligible occupations, revealed Canada immigration minister Jason Kenney, for the coming period of one year. The only change will be with regard to the number of Canada immigration applications to be accepted for processing.
500 Canada visa applications to be accepted under Federal Skilled Worker Program—Canada immigration department will accept a total of 500 applications for processing for each occupation. Hence, a total of 10,000 Canada immigration applications will be considered for the coming one yaear.
Meanwhile, those having a valid offer of job from any Canadian employer will not be affected by such limits.
Since, all open Canada occupations are likely to get filled soon, hence, applicants for Canada immigration are being encouraged to apply at the earliest.
Changes to Federal Immigrant Investor Program—The upper limit for applications to be received under Federal Immigrant Investor Program has been fixed to 700 for the coming one year. All applicants will have to furnish a copy of Canada passport, duly filled forms and processing fees to the Centralized Intake Office, Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Requirements for Federal Immigrant Investor Program are
  • A minimum of C$1,600,000 Canadian dollars;
  • Some prior business experience;
  • and willing to invest Canadian $800,000.

DO YOU WANT TO GO TO CANADA, Immigrate to Canada -The right way



Want to immigrate to Canada? Do so but in a legal way, cautions an official in the Canadian High Commission, Abuja.

It is quite true that Canada is, inevitably, one of most favored choice for immigration. It is the hot and happening place alluring immigrants from various corners of the world.
The reasons are galore. A multicultural nation, lots of interesting opportunities to live and work in Canada, high demand for skilled workers in certain categories, better living conditions and so on and so forth.
If you are also one of the aspirants for Canadian immigration, then you must take few factors into consideration before acting in haste--- 
• The first and foremost thing to be borne in mind is that although, there is a demand for foreign skilled workers in Canada keeping in view the recruitments by certain Canadian companies, but the picture is not as bright as it is apparently made to appear by the immigration agents.
• The next most important thing is that seeking services of any authorized immigration lawyer or immigration advisor can prove to be of great help in getting your application for Canada visa processed; but it is not, in anyway, considered compulsory. Any candidate can handle the entire process of Canada visa application on his own, if he feels competent to do so.
• If you want to hire the services of an immigration consultant for Canada immigration, then you should be very careful of whom to ask for such services. The CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) website has laid down the relevant information regarding the verification of any immigration advisor. Just check whether he is licensed to give you immigration advice or not.
• The forms as well as the information required to apply for a Canada visa can be obtained free of cost on the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
• Canadian government gives equal importance to all candidates seeking Canada visa irrespective of the fact whether any applicant is using the services of an immigration agent or not.


Don’t lie in your Canada immigration application

Do you know that any lie in your Canada immigration application can put a question mark on your chances of immigration?

Well, it is true.
While providing detailed information in your application for Canada immigration, you must provide a true and authentic detail of various facts about yourself. Giving any false information can hinder not only yours but also the chances of your family members seeking immigration to Canada.
Why should you abstain from providing false information in your Canada visa application---
• Giving untrue information in your application is regarded a legal crime under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
• It renders you ineligible to immigrate to Canada either for studying in Canada, working in Canada, going to Canada on a Canada visitor visa or seeking permanent immigration to Canada;
• It reduces the chances of your family members for Canada immigration;
• It shows your disrespect towards rules of laws and makes you suspicious in the eyes of the Canada immigration officials regarding the disrespect you might show towards Canadian laws after your immigration to Canada.
• Immigration fraud is considered to be a big threat to the security and integrity of the immigration system of Canada and anyone caught to be misrepresenting the facts is likely to be denied any chance to immigrate to Canada.
• The introduction of ‘The Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act’ on June 8, 2010 is another proof of the fact that anyone found to be involved in fraud either directly or under the influence of any crooked immigration consultants to gain Canada citizenship or Canada visa will not be spared by Canada immigration department.
• The government of Canada has introduced several measures to ensure that immigration consultation services in Canada are provided only by notaries, lawyers or registered members of CSIC (Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants).
• Anyone giving false information about persecution for making refugee claims is likely to face severe punishment as per the Canada immigration laws.
Remember, honesty is, undoubtedly, the best policy if you want to successfully immigrate to Canada and even a small lie might make you pay a heavy price for your mistake.


Procedure to apply for Off Campus job permit while studying in Canada

A student can work off the campus while studying Students moving to Canada have to bear huge expenditure of their tuition fee, living cost and other maintenance. In doing so, the money which they get from home does not suffice. Hence to stay happily and to meet all the costs they start looking for a job off the campus.
Such students can work in the nation while studying only if they obtain “Off campus Work Permit”.

Eligibility and procedure for applying

• An applicant must be a full time student enrolled at a post-secondary institution. This institution can be either publicly funded or privately funded with the courses approved.
• A publicly funded institution is one which receives at least 50% of their financing for all their operations from the government. Such institutes should have signed an off campus work agreement with the provincial or territorial government.
• Publicly funded Institutes are those which have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
• Never start working before you get the permit to work.
• The work permit gives you the authority to work for at least 20 hours per week when your session is going on.
• During holidays like winter and summer vacations you can work full day.
• Remember that obtaining a work permit is no guarantee of getting a job. You will have to look for one on your own.
• Also if your academic performance is not up to the mark or you’re not a full time student then your work permit will be taken away from you.

Students coming from abroad gain a lot from this system of “working off the campus” while one is still studying further. Most of the foreigner students come here to get a higher degree which is most of the times unaffordable in terms of cost.
The universities and Institutions provide bets of the facilities hence the cost gets appreciated. Working off the campus gives a great opportunity to the students to earn pocket money. Sometimes, they get such a beautiful job that they don’t have to depend on their family for supporting them.
Apart from earning money they get a good exposure and practical experience of studying and working in Canada. These who plan to stay back get a first-hand experience of working with the locals; in fact if the work is related to their own study field then the working experience they gain is unparalleled.

Exploited Immigrants can seek help on the foreign land

Legal and Illegal immigrants can both seek help from police when exploited Several hundreds of immigrants move to countries like USA and Canada every year. They all have one aspiration of doing well, working hard and earning a good amount of money for their families back home in their native countries.
However, when they land up on the foreign soil they experience things which they had never thought of.
The extent of exploitation
There are people who take up a job as nanny, after a certain period of time their employers stop paying them. In fact, they start exploiting them and asking them to do things which are supposedly far away from their work area.
They are tortured in various ways like they are not allowed to use the rest room and are asked to release themselves in an open area.
When they report the on-going exploitation to their head, in turn they are exploited further by asking for a handsome amount of money for providing them proper immigration papers.
Such a story of exploitation continues with both legal and illegal immigrants. Those come illegally to a foreign land are in more trouble of being victimized as she or he is caught in a wrong foot. They want to come out of the problem and desperately want to return back to their own country, in the process they are exploited further.
They are scared of approaching police as they know that the prices and punishment would be as severe as they can think of.
Can they still save themselves?
The immigrants who are caught in such traps still have a chance to save themselves. If they are legal immigrants they can always approach the cops and immigration officials and put their point across. There instances when the employers who harassed their immigrant employees are facing charges of committing conspiracy and extortion and are imprisoned.
The police have found a safer place for the immigrants to live and work further.
Immigrants can also try and obtain U-visa and safeguard themselves and approach police for help. If they do so they will be standing against the odd employers and teaching them a lesson.
Illegal immigrants also have the constitutional right to stay safely like any other citizen. On approaching the cops, it is their responsibility to provide protection to an illegal immigrant too if someone is found to be exploited.
Experts always suggest that you should consult a legal and authorized immigration consultant so that you are employed for a genuine job and not the kind which will let you get exploited.

Wage scales and professions in high demand in Canadian provinces

Canada, 14th September: Canada job market is still strong although the global economy is passing through a rough phase.


Jobs are available for those possessing right skill-sets and experience. And the best part is that the federal government is doing its best to encourage high-skilled professionals to come and work in their chosen field of expertise in Canada.
Canada welcomes those who have right skills/knowledge, experience to become part of Canada labor market.  
Skills in big demand in Canada—As per latest official figures, there are a total of 29 skills included on the list of in-demand areas.
These are mentioned below—
•Restaurant and Food Service Managers
• Primary Production Manager (Except Agriculture)
• Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management
• Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
• Biologists and Related Scientists
• Architects
Specialist Physicians
• General Practitioners and Family Physicians
• Dentists
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Head Nurses and Supervisors
• Registered Nurses
• Medical Radiation Technologists
• Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Chefs • Cooks
• Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
• Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
• Electricians (Except Industrial and Power Systems)
• Industrial Electricians
• Plumbers
• Welders and Related Machine Operators
• Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
• Crane Operators
• Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction
• Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling Service
Wage level, employment rate and unemployment rate in different Canadian Provinces--
1. Alberta –Minimum wage rate-$9.75. Employment rate 61.7 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 7.3 percent.
2. British Columbia-- Minimum wage rate-$10.25. Employment rate 60.8 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 6.7 percent.
3. New Brunswick-- Minimum wage rate-$10.00. Employment rate 56.7 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 10.4 percent
4. Manitoba--Minimum wage rate-$10.00. Employment rate 65.2 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 5.4 percent
5. Newfoundland-Minimum wage rate--$10.00. Employment rate 53.6 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 12.7 percent
6. Nova Scotia—Minimum wage rate--$10.15. Employment rate 58.5 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 9.7 percent
7. Ontario—Minimum wage rate--$10.25. Employment rate 61.0 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 8.0 percent
8. Quebec—Minimum wage rate--$9.90. Employment rate 60.0 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 7.6 percent.
9. Saskatchewan—Minimum wage rate--$9.50. Employment rate 66.7 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 4.4 percent.
10. PEI—Minimum wage rate--$10.00. Employment rate 59.8 percent (August 2012). Unemployment rate 11.7 percent.

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION NEW UPDATES

Easier rules for Canada experience class

Canada, 17th September 2012: Canada announced its decision to simplify rules for immigrants under Canada experience class.

As per new proposals, Canada is going to change tough requirements for immigrants under its experience class program.
Simpler rules for Canada experience class—Earlier rules required applicants in Canada to possess a minimum of two years work experience as an eligibility for Canada Experience Class. However, the federal government plans to offer easier and faster route to gain Canada permanent residency for such immigrants.
Speaking about the issue, Canada immigration minister Jason Kenney said Canada feels proud to welcome its 20,000th permanent resident under Canada Experience Class program.
Reforms to Canada Experience Class are a good way to increase nation’s global competitiveness since it aims to attract and retain world’s best talent to Canada. It offers a legal route to Canada permanent residency for those who have studied and worked in Canada.
Canada Experience Class--This immigration program was launched by the nation nearly four years ago and is a popular immigration scheme to welcome newcomers possessing high-skills from the world over wanting to live in Canada.
Under Canada Experience Class, highly skilled immigrants can come to Canada easily and stay here without having to move back to their respective nations after successful completion of their studies in Canada. Foreign students having work experience can submit application for gaining Canada permanent residency.
Each year, nearly 300,000 including 200,000 temporary skilled workers and around 100,000 foreign students come to Canada in search of better prospects.
Targets the ‘most likely to succeed’--Temporary foreign workers who are already staying in Canada are the focus of Canada Experience Class. In addition, foreigners having graduated from Canadian universities or Canadian colleges are also welcomed under Canada Experience Class.
All such foreigners are deemed to be a good fit in Canada labor market as well as Canadian society and way of life.
Canada proudly welcomed an Indian named Gaurav Gore, who recently passed a master’s degree in business administration from Canada’s University of Toronto. Coincidentally, he happens to be the 20,000th Canada permanent resident allowed into Canada under Canada Experience Class.

CEC Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Application for Workers and Students


If you have worked or studied in Canada, you may be able to qualify for Canadian Permanent Residence under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) application steam. The benefit of CEC applications is that they can be filed from within Canada rather than from an Embassy from outside of Canada. Further your experience in Canada is what gives you the edge for qualifying for Canadian Permanent Residence.
While the CEC Application procedure has its advantages, there are many difficult aspects to the application that must be addressed in order to have a successful case. The application forms, procedures, documentation and must be handled perfectly from start to finish.
Our immigration law firm has been handling Canadian Permanent Residence applications for over 15 years. Let our immigration law firm perform a comprehensive assessment of your CEC application to ensure your case is prepared properly to ensure your case is put in the best possible light.

Requirements for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Application

The Canadian Experience Class is a new immigration program aimed to help temporary foreign workers and foreign students to use their managerial, professional, technical or trade work experience towards their applications for residency. The time that International students and skilled workers spend in Canada while contributing to Canadian society will now assist in their eligibility to stay permanently.
Specifically, the Canadian Experience Class will allow the transition from temporary residence to permanent residence for:
International Students with
  1. At least two years post secondary education in Canada and
  2. One year full–time Canadian skilled work experience in specific job categories and
  3. Language proficiency (English or French) needed for occupation.
Temporary Foreign Workers with
  1. At least two years of recent [in the last 3 years] full-time Canadian skilled work experience in specific job categories and
  2. Language proficiency (English or French) needed for occupation.

CEC Application Procedures

Applicants can remain in Canada throughout the application process, or apply from elsewhere within one year of leaving their job in Canada. Selection will be based on a pass/fail system. Applicants will be selected if they meet the parameters noted above, have legally come to Canada to work or study, have valid temporary status in Canada at the time of application, and have moderate official language proficiency.
At Niren and Associates we can help you determine if the Canadian Experience Class is the right immigration program for you.

Updates for Canadian Experience Class Applications

On December 4th, Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) published a major update to a chapter of its Canadian Experience Class category. The chapter that was updated involves the processing of applications for permanent residency in the Canadian Experience Class, and includes the criteria that must be met by applicants and how refusals are handled.


canadian experience class or CEC updates


Canada Experience Class (CEC) Requirements Updated

New Requirements For Canada Experience Class

On December 4th, Citizen and Immigration Canada
 (CIC) published a major update to a chapter of its 
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. The chapter 
that was updated involves the processing of applications 
for permanent residency in the Canada Experience Class, 
and includes the criteria that must be met by applicants
 and how refusals are handled.
The Canada Experience Class was implemented in
 September 2009, and allows the experience in Canada 
to be a primary factor for workers and students with professional, managerial and skilled work experience 
when immigrating to Canada. It is a permanent resident 
category for workers or graduates with Canadian work 
experience who are familiar with Canada’s society and 
job market, have knowledge of English or French and have 
the skills to make a successful transition to temporary 
and permanent residence in Canada.

CEC canadian experience class

OP 25
Canadian Experience Class
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 1
Updates to chapter .......................................................................................................................... 2
1. What this chapter is about ...................................................................................................... 4
2. Program objectives ................................................................................................................. 4
3. The Act and Regulations......................................................................................................... 4
3.1. Forms ............................................................................................................................... 4
4. Instruments and delegations ................................................................................................... 5
5. Departmental policy ................................................................................................................ 5
5.1. Canadian Experience Class requirements ...................................................................... 6
5.2. Fees ................................................................................................................................ 6
5.3. Procedural fairness .......................................................................................................... 7
6. Definitions ............................................................................................................................... 7
6.1. National Occupation Classification (NOC) ...................................................................... 7
6.2. Family members .............................................................................................................. 8
6.3. Full-time studies (education requirement) ....................................................................... 9
6.4. Full-time work .................................................................................................................. 9
7. Processing .............................................................................................................................. 9
8. Procedure: Receiving the application ..................................................................................... 9
8.1. Receiving the application ................................................................................................. 9
8.2. Putting an application into process ................................................................................ 10
8.3. Acknowledging receipt – procedures at Buffalo visa office ........................................... 11
9. Procedure: Assessing the application ................................................................................... 11
9.1. Selection criteria ............................................................................................................ 11
9.2. Temporary resident status ............................................................................................. 11
9.3. Official language proficiency .......................................................................................... 11
9.4. Evidence of language proficiency .................................................................................. 12
9.5. Language test results .................................................................................................... 12
9.6. Designated testing organizations .................................................................................. 13
9.7. International English Language Testing System (IELTS).............................................. 14
9.8. Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) ............................................................................... 15
9.9. Written evidence ............................................................................................................ 16
9.10. Integrity concerns on language proficiency during an interview .................................... 17
9.11. Work experience ............................................................................................................ 18
9.12. Education requirement for Post-Graduation Stream ..................................................... 18
10. Procedure: Membership in the class ................................................................................. 20
10.1. Pass/Fail test ................................................................................................................. 20
10.2. Use of interviews ........................................................................................................... 20
11. Procedure: Approving the application................................................................................ 21
12. Procedure: Refusing the application.................................................................................. 21
Appendix A – Sample refusal letter ........................................................................................... 22
Appendix B – Sample scenarios – Who would and would not qualify under CEC .................... 24
Edited by the Operational Manuals, Operational Bulletins and Business Process Maps
Unit, OIMD, OMC, CIC
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 2
Updates to chapter
Listing by date:
Date: 2011-06-22
Section 5.1 – Updated this section to include Ministerial Instructions.
Section 6.2 – Updated this section on Family Members.
Section 9.5 – Updated the text in this section with respect to availability of language tests;
updated note in this section to reflect that language test results must not be older than
two years at time of application.
Section 9.9 – Updated text in this section to reflect that language test results must not be
older than two years at time of application.
Date: 2010-08-20
Section 5.1 – Updated this section on Canadian Experience Class requirements.
Section 8.1 – Updated this section and added requirement of the results of the principal
applicant’s English or French language test from a designated testing agency.
Section 9.3 – Updated this section to include requirement to submit English or French
language test results from a designated testing agency.
Section 9.4 – Updated this section to include requirement to submit English or French
language test results from a designated testing agency.
Section 9.4 – Updated the note in this section to state that test results will be used as
conclusive evidence of language proficiency and that other written evidence will not be
considered.
Section 9.5 – Added note to this section to state that language test results must not be
more than one year old at the time of application.
Section 9.6 – Updated the note in this section to state that only General Training test
results are accepted for CIC purposes.
Section 9.8 – Amended to English acronym CLB instead of NCLC.
Section 9.9 – Updated this section to state that applications received on or after June 26,
2010, must be accompanied by the principal applicant’s English or French language test
results. Test results will be used as conclusive evidence of language proficiency. Other
written submissions will not be accepted.
Section 9.9 – Updated the table in this section.
Section 9.10 – Updated the table in this section.
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 3
Date: 2010-04-09
Section 9.9 – updated to reflect administrative change in language assessment.
Date: 2009-12-04
 Section 3 – updated to include reference to the Canadian Experience Class in
paragraph 87.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
 Section 5.1 – updated this section on requirements of the class.
 Section 5.2 – renamed and updated this section called Fees.
 Section 6.2 – updated the definition of family members.
 Section 6.4 – updated the definition of full-time work experience.
 Section 8.1 – updated this section on receiving the application.
 Section 8.2 – updated on putting an application into process.
 Section 8.3 – updated on acknowledgement of receipt of applications in Buffalo.
 Section 9.2 – updated this section and the term to temporary resident status.
 Section 9.3 – updated the title of this section to official language proficiency.
 Section 9.6 – renamed this section Designated testing organizations and included in
the note that both the General and Academic IELTS test results for reading and
writing are acceptable.
 Section 9.10 – updated the table to include note on authority of IPM to make a
determination under A40(1)(a) of the IRPA.
 Section 10 – updated the title of this section to Procedure: Membership in the class.
 Section 10.1 – updated the pass/fail table in this section.
 Section 11 – updated this section on approving the application.
 Appendix A – updated to include reference to A11(1) of the IRPA.
Date: 2009-05-04
 Section 9.7 was updated to reflect changes to the test score equivalency for the
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Canadian Language
Benchmarks effective February 15, 2009.
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 4
1. What this chapter is about
This chapter describes the processing of applications for permanent residence submitted
by applicants in the Canadian Experience Class. This includes:
 how to process permanent residence applications;
 what criteria must be met by applicants;
 how to handle refusals.
Note: Information on processing federal skilled workers, Quebec skilled workers and provincial
nominees is provided in OP 6, OP 7a and OP 7b, respectively.
2. Program objectives
Section 3 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) lists several objectives
with respect to foreign nationals. Those related to workers with Canadian experience are:
 to permit Canada to pursue the maximum social, cultural and economic benefits of
immigration;
 to enrich and strengthen the cultural and social fabric of Canadian society, while
respecting the federal, bilingual and multicultural character of Canada;
 to support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy, in which
the benefits of immigration are shared across all regions of Canada;
 to support, by means of consistent standards and prompt processing, the attainment
of immigration goals established by the Government of Canada in consultation with
the provinces.
3. The Act and Regulations
Provision Act and Regulations
Application, form and content A11, R10
Place of application for visa R11
Return of an application R12
Production of supporting documents R13
Visa issuance by officer A11, R70(1)
Economic Class A12(2)
Canadian Experience Class R87.1
3.1. Forms
The forms required are shown in the following table:
Form title Form number Completed by
Application for Permanent Residence in Canada IMM 0008EGEN Principal applicant
Schedule 1 - Background/Declaration IMM 0008E –
Schedule 1
Principal applicant,
spouse or commonOP
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2011-06-22 5
law partner, and
each dependent
child over the age of
18
Schedule 8 - Economic Classes - Canadian
Experience Class
Schedule 8 Principal applicant
Additional Family Information IMM 5406E Principal applicant,
spouse or commonlaw
partner, and
each dependent
child over the age of
18
4. Instruments and delegations
Refer to the appropriate annexes in Designation of Officers and Delegation of Authority
(IL 3), listing the delegations.
5. Departmental policy
The Canadian Experience Class is a permanent resident category for individuals with
experience in Canada. It was developed for temporary foreign workers or graduates with
Canadian work experience who:
 are familiar with Canadian society and Canada’s job market;
 have knowledge of English or French; and
 have additional abilities that assist them in making a successful transition from
temporary to permanent residence in Canada.
Ministerial Instructions
The Ministerial Instructions issued on June 26, 2010 introduced a change to the
requirements of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The full text of the Instructions
can be found at
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-06-26/html/notice-avis-eng.html.
Requirement for CEC
CEC applications received on or after June 26, 2010, by the designated Citizenship and
Immigration office must be accompanied by the results of the principal applicant’s
English or French language proficiency assessment from a designated testing
organization in order to be considered for processing. Language test results must not be
older than two years at the time of application.
The visa office will review applications for completeness pursuant to section 10 of the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). Applications received on or
after June 26, 2010, that are not accompanied by English or French language test results
from a designated testing organization will be considered incomplete and will be returned
to the applicant with fees.
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5.1. Canadian Experience Class requirements
The CEC is prescribed as a class of persons who may become permanent residents on
the basis of their Canadian experience and who:
 intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec;
 maintained temporary resident status during their qualifying period of work
experience as well as during any period of full-time study or training in Canada.
Note: Work experience accumulated in Canada without valid temporary resident status does
not qualify as Canadian work experience (i.e. foreign nationals such as refugee claimants in
Canada and undocumented workers).
There are two streams available:
Temporary Foreign Worker Stream
Under this stream, an applicant must have acquired, in Canada, within the 36 months
before the date the application is made, at least 24 months of full-time work experience,
or the equivalent in part-time work experience, in a NOC type 0, or level A or B
occupation (i.e., managerial, professional, or skilled and technical) (see Section 9.11 for
more details).
Post-Graduation Stream
Under this stream the applicant must have:
 completed a required program of study in Canada and obtained a Canadian
educational credential (e.g., degree, diploma, or certificate);
 been enrolled full-time in this program of study or training for two years (see sections
6.3 and 9.11 for more details);
 acquired, in Canada, at least 12 months of full-time work experience, or the
equivalent in part-time work experience in a NOC type 0, or level A or B occupation,
within the 24 months before the date the application is made. (see Section 9.11 for
more details).
Both streams require applicants to demonstrate that they have met the minimum
language requirements for their abilities to speak, listen, read and write. They must
provide the results of their English or French language test from a designated language
testing agency.
For applications received before June 26, 2010, applicants may also provide other
evidence in writing of their official language proficiency. The minimum-required language
levels must correspond to benchmarks in Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 (for
English) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens 2006 (for French). See
sections 9.3–9.10 for details.
5.2. Fees
Applicants are required to pay two fees:
 the cost recovery fee;
 the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).
Cost recovery fee
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Regulations prescribe fees payable for processing an application for a permanent
resident visa (PRV). R295 specifies who must pay the cost recovery fees and what the
fees are.
The cost recovery fee must be paid only for persons who intend to immigrate to Canada.
This includes the principal applicant and any accompanying family members.
The cost recovery fee is payable at the time the application is made. An applicant may
withdraw an application and receive a refund of the cost recovery fee any time before
processing of the application begins. Once processing has begun, the cost recovery fee
is not refundable.
Note: Processing starts with the initial evaluation of the application. In order to receive a refund
of the cost recovery fee, an applicant must request a withdrawal before this evaluation has
started. If an applicant requests a change in category at any time, a new application and new
fee must be submitted. An applicant may have more than one application in process, but only
one application can be finalized with visa issuance. Any additional applications must be
finalized as withdrawn or refused.
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)
R303 specifies that RPRF fees are payable for the principal applicant and their spouse or
common-law partner.
Payment of the RPRF is required before issuance of permanent resident visas.
Applicants may make their RPRF payment at any time during the immigration process.
Most visa offices encourage payment to be made after all statutory requirements have
been met.
RPRF refunds
Successful applicants who decide not to use their visas must return them to the issuing
visa office in order to obtain an RPRF refund.
Unsuccessful applicants who have paid the RPRF should be informed, as part of the
refusal letter, that they are entitled to a refund and should be given an approximate time
frame for its receipt.
In the case of files transferred from one visa office to another, the visa office that finalizes
the case is responsible for processing any RPRF refund (see Section 8.2).
5.3. Procedural fairness
See OP 1, Section 8, for details on procedural fairness.
6. Definitions
6.1. National Occupation Classification (NOC)
The National Occupation Classification is the official governmental system of classifying
occupations in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills, aptitudes, and work
settings for occupations in the Canadian labour market. Occupations that meet the
minimum requirements for workers with Canadian experience are those at Skill Type 0 or
at Skill Level A or B of the NOC.
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The NOC 2006 can also be accessed on-line at:
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/
Note: For the purpose of Canadian Experience Class applications, the "Employment
Requirements‖ listed in the description of each NOC occupation are not applicable
6.2. Family members
Please refer to R1(3) for the definition of family members.
Note: The age of accompanying dependent children is locked in on the date the application is
made (OP 1, Section 5.24), but dependence is not. If a child is under the age of 22 on that
date, but 22 years of age or older when the visa is issued, they may still be included as part
of the parent’s application as an accompanying dependent if they are still not married or not
in a common-law relationship, or if they are financially dependant due to full-time studies
[R2(b)(ii)], or due to a physical or mental condition [R2(b)(iii)]. If a child over the age of 22 is
considered a dependant on the date of application by virtue of R2(b)(ii) or R2(b)(iii), then the
child must still meet the requirements of these provisions at the time of visa issuance in order
to be included in the parent’s application. See OP 2 section 5.23 for more information on who
qualifies as a dependent child.
The principal applicant and all the persons described above must be determined to be
admissible, even if they have no intention of accompanying the principal applicant, in
order for visas to be issued to the principal applicant and any accompanying family
members.
All family members, accompanying or not, are required to be examined during the
processing of an application unless a properly delegated officer has determined that they
were not required by the Act or the former Act, as applicable, to be examined. Normally,
an inadmissible family member, whether accompanying or not, would render the principal
applicant inadmissible [A42, R23]. There are, however, two exceptions described in R23.
The first is the separated spouse of the applicant. The second is a child of the applicant
in the legal custody of someone other than the applicant, or an accompanying family
member of the applicant (or where someone other than the applicant, or accompanying
family member of the applicant, is empowered to act on behalf of that child by virtue of a
court order or written agreement, or by operation of Law).
If an applicant’s separated spouse or an applicant’s children in the custody of someone
else are inadmissible, this would not render the applicant inadmissible. However, as
separated spouses can reconcile and custody arrangements for children may change,
examination is required in order to safeguard the future right to sponsor them in the
Family Class. If these family members are not examined, they are excluded from the
Family Class in the future pursuant to R117(9)(d). See OP2 sections 5.10, 5.11 and 5.12
for more information on non-accompanying family members.
Family members can be added to the application at any time during the process,
including after the visa is issued but prior to obtaining permanent resident status.
Applicants should be counselled to inform the visa office immediately if their family
composition has changed. Please see OP 2 Section 7.7 for more information on adding a
family member during processing.
To include adopted children, spouses, or common-law partners as family members, the
relationship with the principal applicant must be bona fide. Pursuant to subsection 4(1) of
the Regulations, the principal applicant may not include a spouse or common-law partner
in their application if their relationship was entered into primarily to acquire any status or
privilege under the Act or is not genuine. Similarly, in accordance with subsection 4(2) of
the Regulations, the principal applicant may not include an adopted child if the adoption
was entered into primarily to obtain any status or privilege under the Act or it did not
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
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create a genuine parent-child relationship. Refer to section 12, 12.1 and 12.2 of OP 2 for
further information on assessing the relationship between the sponsor and a spouse or
common-law partner and section 5.8 of OP 3 on assessing the relationship between
adoptive parents and an adopted child.
If family members are added to the application, they must be examined, not be
inadmissible and meet the requirements of the Act, before the principal applicant can
become a permanent resident.
6.3. Full-time studies (education requirement)
For the purposes of CEC, and to allow for greater flexibility, full-time studies are not
explicity defined within the Regulations, and therefore the definition that will apply is the
one used by the post-secondary institution which issued the educational credential.
6.4. Full-time work
―Full-time work‖ is defined in R87.1(3)(a) as requiring at least 37.5 hours of work per
week. For the Canadian Experience Class full-time equivalence, or 1,950 hours of paid
employment over a period at least of 12 months will also be considered.
The full-time work experience requirement may be met by the equivalent in part-time paid
work experience, e.g. more than one part-time job held simultaneously or one or more
part-time jobs held over the equivalent of one year of full-time work. Experience can be
calculated by adding up the number of weeks of full-time work, i.e. 37.5 hours per week
in one job or a total of at least 37.5 hours per week in more than one job, in one or more
of the NOC categories.
7. Processing
Processing Canadian Experience Class applications involves a series of steps, including
an assessment against some proficiency criteria (pass/fail test). The elements of the
process are discussed in greater detail in the following sections of this chapter:
 Receiving the application, Section 8;
 Assessing the application, Section 9;
 Determining eligibility – pass/fail test and interviews, Section 10;
 Approving the application, Section 11;
 Refusing the application, Section 12.
8. Procedure: Receiving the application
8.1. Receiving the application
All applications for permanent residence under the CEC are processed at the visa office
in Buffalo. However, in cases where applicants have left Canada, they may no longer be
eligible to submit their applications in Buffalo, pursuant to section 11 of the Immigration
and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). As a result, they will submit their
applications to another visa office.
Applications received at a visa office will first be reviewed for completeness pursuant to
R10, including the following required forms, fees, information and documents:
 a signed and completed IMM 0008EGEN, containing the name, date of birth,
nationality, current marital status, and current immigration status of the principal
applicant and all family members (whether accompanying or not);
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 the results of the principal applicant’s English or French language test from a
designated testing agency (see section 9.6);
 properly completed Schedule 1’s for the principal applicant, his or her spouse or
common-law partner and all dependent children aged 18 and older listed on the IMM
0008
 a properly completed Schedule 8 for the principal applicant;
 evidence of payment of the applicable fees;
 the visa, permit or authorization being applied for;
 the class in which the application is being made;
 a signed declaration to the effect that the information provided is complete and
accurate;
 any information and documents required by the Regulations, as well as any other
evidence required by the Act. This includes proof of official language proficiency in
the form of the results of a language test by a designated testing agency or for
applications received before June 26, 2010, other evidence in writing (see Section
9.3); proof of work experience, and proof of a qualifiying Canadian educational
credential where applicable (see Section 9.12 [link]).
For more information on what constitutes a complete application, see OP 1.
If it is determined that… Then the officer will…
The application meets the
requirements of section R10,
as outlined above
 Date-stamp the application with the applicationreceived
date
 Proceed to Section 8.2
The application does not
meet the requirements of
section R10, as outlined
above
 Return the application to the applicant
 Neither create a file, nor keep a record until a
complete application, as outlined above, has been
made
8.2. Putting an application into process
All applications for permanent residence under the CEC are processed at the visa
office in Buffalo regardless of where the application was submitted.
After a positive completeness check at visa offices other than Buffalo the visa office staff
will:
 date stamp the application;
 create a miscellaneous (MISC) file in CAIPS;
 enter CEC in the STATUS field;
 cost recover the processing fee and enter this in CAIPS notes;
 write the MISC file number on the paper file;
 print out and attach the MISC file and notes to the paper file;
 send an acknowledgment of receipt letter to the applicant informing them that their
file has been transferred to Buffalo and placed into processing;
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 transfer the paper file to Buffalo by courier, in line with existing file transfer policies
(diplomatic bag may take a significant amount of time to reach Buffalo).
Note: On receiving the transferred file, the visa office in Buffalo will create a B-file number,
maintaining the application received date from the initial visa office and process to
conclusion. The application received date at a visa office is also the lock-in date.
After a positive completeness check at the visa office in Buffalo the visa office staff will:
 date stamp the application;
 create a B-file in CAIPS;
 cost recover the processing fee and enter this in CAIPS notes.
8.3. Acknowledging receipt – procedures at Buffalo visa office
When an application is put into process by the Buffalo visa office, the officer will send an
acknowledgment of receipt letter to the applicant to:
 inform them that their file has been placed into processing;
 set out basic instructions for contact with the visa office;
 give them a brief outline as to future processing steps; and
 inform them that they can follow the progress of their file via CIC’s e-Client
Application Status web page.
9. Procedure: Assessing the application
9.1. Selection criteria
Selection factors are set forth in R87.1. Officers will assess the applicant in each of the
following areas, based on the information and documents provided in the application:
 temporary resident status (Section 9.2);
 English or French language proficiency (Section 9.3);
 work experience for Temporary Foreign Worker Stream or Post-Graduation Stream
(Section 9.11);
 education requirement, for Post-Graduation Stream only (Section 9.12).
9.2. Temporary resident status
To be eligible for CEC, the applicant must have had temporary resident status during the
period of work which qualifies them for CEC, as well as during any period of full-time
studies or training [R87.1(3)(c)]. Foreign nationals such as refugee claimants in Canada
and undocumented workers, whose work experience would be accumulated while they
have no temporary resident status in Canada, are not eligible for CEC.
Note: A temporary resident permit (TRP) confers temporary resident status and as such,
applicants who obtained their qualifying work experience or post-secondary credentials while
in Canada on a TRP are eligible to apply for CEC. These applicants are eligible as long as
their work and/or studies were authorized. Applicants who are inadmissible cannot be
granted permanent residence as members of the CEC class.
9.3. Official language proficiency
At the time of application, the applicant must demonstrate that they have met the
minimum language requirements by submitting English or French language test results
from a designated testing agency that correspond to the benchmarks set out below, using
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 12
the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 (for English) or Niveaux de compétence
linguistique canadiens 2006 (for French):
 For applicants with qualifying Canadian work experience at Skill Type 0 or Skill
Level A of NOC [R87.1(2)(b)(i)], they must obtain a benchmark of:
 7 or higher for each of those abilities; or
 6 for any one of those abilities, 7 or higher for any other two of those abilities and
8 or higher for the remaining ability.
 For applicants with qualifying Canadian work experience at Skill Level B of NOC
[R87.1(2)(b)(ii)], they must obtain a benchmark of:
 5 or higher for each of those abilities; or
 4 for any one of those abilities, 5 or higher for any other two of those abilities and
6 or higher for the remaining ability.
If an applicant has work experience in both NOC 0 or A and NOC B, the applicant must
satisfy the officer that they meet the minimum language requirement for the skill
type/level in which they have obtained most (i.e., more than half) of their work experience
[R87.1(3)(g)].
9.4. Evidence of language proficiency
For more information, see:
 Language test results, Section 9.5;
 Designated testing organizations, Section 9.6;
 International English Language Testing System, Section 9.7;
 Test d’évaluation de français, Section 9.8;
 Written evidence, Section 9.9.
 Integrity concerns on language proficiency during an interview, Section 9.10
Pursuant to R87.1(2)(b), the applicant must demonstrate proficiency in English or French
on the date the application is made based on language test results from a designated
language testing agency submitted with the application.
The application guide and website instructions make it clear that it is the responsibility of
the applicant to submit the results of an English or French language test from a
designated testing agency with the application.
Note: Test results will be used as conclusive evidence of language proficiency. Other written
evidence will not be considered.
9.5. Language test results
Pursuant to R87.1(2)(b), officers will make a pass or fail decision based on the results of
a language test from a designated testing agency. Testing agencies are designated by
the Director of Permanent Resident Policy and Programs Division (SSE), the Minister’s
delegate. Testing agencies will only be designated if they meet the following criteria:
 Validity: A test must be appropriate for CIC purposes by evaluating proficiency in the
four skill areas (i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in functional English or
French at all levels from basic to high proficiency.
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 13
 Reliability: A test must produce consistently similar scores among candidates with
similar language proficiency. The different versions of a test must be at the same
level of difficulty each time the test is written.
 Integrity/security: A designated testing agency must meet security standards with
respect to the logistics of preparing test sites, registering candidates, test writing and
marking, sending out results, etc. Sufficient anti-fraud mechanisms must be in place
for a test to be approved.
 Availability: A designated testing agency for CEC purposes should be able to make
tests available to applicants in all parts of Canada where there is sufficient demand
for third-party language testing.
Note: Language test results must not be more than two years old at the time of application.
9.6. Designated testing organizations
At the time of publication, designated testing organizations include the following:
English language testing organizations
 The University of Cambridge, Local Examination Syndicate;
 Education Australia; and
 The British Council;
All administer the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Note: IELTS offers ―General Training‖ and ―Academic‖ options. Only the ―General Training‖ test
results are accepted for CIC purposes.
French language testing organizations
 The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which administers the Test
d’Évaluation de Français (TEF).
Note: For CIC purposes, applicants must submit results for the following TEF modules:
compréhension écrite (reading); compréhension orale (listening); expression écrite (writing);
and expression orale (speaking). The lexique et structure (grammar and structure) test is not
required for Canadian immigration purposes, though test candidates take it as part of the
reading and listening modules.
R87.1(5) establishes these test results as ―conclusive evidence‖ of the applicant’s
proficiency in that language. Officers cannot:
 consider any claim made by the applicant that the test results are an inaccurate
reflection of their true abilities;
 override the test results and substitute their own evaluation of language abilities; or
 assess language based on the results of any language test administered by an
agency that has not been designated by CIC.
For applications received before June 26, 2010, non-designated test results may only be
considered as one part of an overall written submission and are not considered to be
conclusive evidence.
Second-language experts established the equivalencies between Canadian Language
Benchmarks 2000/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien 2006 and the results of
the language tests listed above. Thus, officers should assess language based on the
appropriate equivalency chart.
Note: If an officer has reason to suspect the integrity of the designated test results, the visa
office is responsible for expressing their concerns to the local testing centre as well as to
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 14
International Region, Operational Coordination (RIM) and Immigration Branch, Permanent
Resident Policy and Programs Division (SSE). CIC Headquarters is in regular communication
with the designated testing agencies’ head offices and will follow up on concerns that indicate
widespread or systemic abuse.
9.7. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Test score equivalency chart (applications received or test reports dated after
February 15, 2009)
NOC CLB
Level
Test results for each ability
- - Speaking
Listening
Reading Writing
0, A 8 6.5 7.5 6.5 6.5
0, A 7 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
0, A, B 6 5.5 5.5 5.0 5.5
B 5 5.0 5.0 4.0 5.0
B 4 4.0 4.5 3.5 4.0
Note: Visa officers should also assess applications and test reports which pre-date the above
correlation table if it is to the applicant’s advantage, (i.e. resulting in more points for language
proficiency).
Test score equivalency chart (applications received and test reports dated before
February 15, 2009)
NOC CLB
Level
Test results for each ability
- - Speaking
Listening
Reading Writing
0,A 8 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0
0, A 7 6.0 6.0 6.0 6.0
0, A, B 6 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0
B 5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
B 4 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0
For applicants with qualifying Canadian work experience of Skill Type 0 or of Skill Level
A of the NOC [R87.1(2)(b)(i)]:
If CLB levels… Then…
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 15
 are all 7 or higher, or
 are 6 for any one ability, 7 or higher for any
other two, and 8 or higher for the remaining
ability
the applicant passes minimum required
language levels
 do not meet this requirement the applicant fails minimum required language
levels
For applicants with qualifying Canadian work experience of Skill Level B of the NOC
[R87.1(2)(b)(ii)]:
If CLB levels… Then…
 are all 5 or higher, or
 are 4 for any one ability, 5 or higher for any
other two, and 6 or higher for the remaining
ability
the applicant passes minimum required
language levels
 do not meet this requirement the applicant fails minimum required language
levels
9.8. Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)
Test score equivalency
NOC CLB Level Test results for each ability
- -
Speaking
(expression
orale)
Listening
(compréhension
orale)
Reading
(compréhension
écrite)
Writing
(expression
écrite)
0,A 8 349 280 233 349
0, A 7 309 248 206 309
0, A, B 6 271 217 181 271
B 5 225 180 150 225
B 4 181 145 121 181
For applicants with qualifying Canadian work experience of Skill Type 0 or of Skill Level
A of the NOC [R87.1(2)(b)(i)]:
If CLB levels… Then…
 are all 7 or higher, or
 are 6 for any one ability, 7 or higher for any
other two, and 8 or higher for the remaining
ability
the applicant passes minimum required
language levels
 do not meet this requirement the applicant fails minimum required language
levels
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
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For applicants with qualifying Canadian work experience of Skill Level B of the NOC
[R87.1(2)(b)(ii)]:
If CLB levels… Then…
 are all 5 or higher, or
 are 4 for any one ability, 5 or higher for
any other two, and 6 or higher for the
remaining ability
the applicant passes minimum required
language levels
 do not meet this requirement the applicant fails minimum required language
levels
9.9. Written evidence
Applications received on or after June 26, 2010, must be accompanied by the principal
applicant’s English or French language test results. Test results will be used as
conclusive evidence of language proficiency and must not be more than two years old at
the time of application. Other written submissions will not be accepted as evidence of
language proficiency.
For applications received before June 26, 2010 if the applicant provides a written
explanation and supporting documentation in lieu of test results, officers must assess it
against the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 or Niveaux de compétence
linguistique canadiens 2006 (see sections 9.7–9.8 above).
Note: See also www.language.ca for Canadian language benchmarks.
For each proficiency level in each ability (speaking, listening, reading, and writing), the
Benchmarks set out the following descriptions:
 global performance descriptors;
 performance conditions;
 abilities of the applicant;
 examples of tasks and texts; and
 performance indicators.
With these detailed descriptors, officers will assess whether or not the applicant’s
evidence in writing satisfies the minimum requirements in English or French.
If the material submitted… Then the officer will…
satisfies the officer that the applicant has met the
minimum required language levels set out in
Section 9.3
 pass the applicant on the language
criteria
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 17
satisfies the officer that the applicant has
demonstrated some language proficiency but
has not met the minimum required language levels
 inform the applicant in writing that they have
not demonstrated compliance with the
benchmarks at the levels required; and
 for applications received before April 10,
2010, offer the applicant the opportunity to
take a language test from a designated
agency and submit the results within a
certain time period;
 if the applicant chooses not to take the test,
the officer should fail the applicant on the
language criteria;
 for applications received on or after April 10,
2010, do not offer the applicant the
opportunity to take a designated language
test;
 the officer should fail the applicant on the
language criteria.
demonstrates that the applicant has not met the
minimum required language levels
 fail the applicant on the language
criteria
The onus is on the applicant to satisfy the officer that they meet the required language
proficiency.
Given the detailed nature of the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 and Niveaux de
compétence linguistique canadiens 2006, it should be clear in most cases, that the
following types of evidence are not conclusive:
 self-serving declarations;
 third-party testimonials; or
 other claims not supported by detailed and objective evidence.
9.10. Integrity concerns on language proficiency during an interview
The interview is not intended to be a means of evaluating language proficiency.
However, if an applicant is interviewed for any other reason and significant discrepancies
become evident between claimed and actual language proficiency, there may be an
integrity issue. See Section 10.2 for information on the fairness requirements for officers
during interviews.
The following options are available after designated test results have been submitted:
If… Then the officer will…
 the officer has verified test scores and
integrity of testing procedures for the
case in question with the local testing
agency
 accept the test score
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
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 the officer is satisfied that there is no fraud
or malfeasance in the testing procedures
 accept the test score
 the officer is not satisfied, but there is
insufficient evidence to establish fraud
or malfeasance or to substantiate a
refusal for misrepresentation
 inform the applicant of concerns and,
in coordination with the testing agency,
provide an opportunity for a retest at
the testing agency’s expense and with
visa office supervision or;
 if the applicant refuses the third-party
language testing option, refuse the
application given the discrepancy
between the test scores and the actual
language abilities,
 the officer is satisfied that there is sufficient
evidence to establish fraud or malfeasance
in the testing procedures
 refuse the case for misrepresentation
 Note: Only the Immigration Program
Manager (IPM) has the delegated
authority to make a determination
under A40(1)(a) of the IRPA.
9.11. Work experience
For the Temporary Foreign Worker Stream, the applicant must have 24 months of fulltime
equivalent Canadian skilled-work experience at NOC 0, A or B acquired in Canada,
within the 36 months preceding the date their application is made.
For the Post-Graduation Stream, the applicant must have obtained 12 months of fulltime
equivalent Canadian skilled-work experience within the 24 months preceding the
date of application [R87.1(2)(a)(i)-(ii)]. This experience must be acquired after they have
completed the required program of study and obtained a Canadian educational
credential. (Work performed under the Off-Campus Work Permit Program or on a co-op
work term does not count).
The applicant does not have to be employed at the time of application, but they must
have temporary status during the period of work experience [R87.1(3)(b)].
Any periods of self-employment or unauthorized work will not be included in calculating
the period of work experience [R87.1(3)(b)].
9.12. Education requirement for Post-Graduation Stream
Definitions for ―full-time studies‖ can be found in Section 6.3.
Note: The minimum requirement for the education criterion is obtaining a qualifying Canadian
educational credential.
To qualify the applicant must have:
 been enrolled full-time in a program of study or training with a duration of at least two
years (i.e., two academic years of at least eight months excluding scheduled breaks,
such as summer holidays);
 studied at a Canadian institution located in Canada and must have been physically
present in Canada for at least two academic years [R87.1(3)(d)];
 obtained one or more of the following educational credentials:
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 19
 A diploma, degree, or trade/apprenticeship credential from a public, provincially
recognized Canadian university, community college, CEGEP, or trade/technical
school, or
 A diploma or trade/apprenticeship credential from a private Quebec postsecondary
institution, that operates under the same rules and regulations as
public institutions and receives at least 50% of its financing for overall operations
from government grants, subsidies or other assistance—at this time, only private
CEGEPs qualify, or
 A degree from a Canadian private provincially recognized post-secondary
institution.
Exception: Applicants whose length of study in Canada is less than two academic years may
be eligible if their credentials are for a graduate program (at least eight months) and a previous
qualifying post-secondary educational credential (at least eight months), within the two years
preceding the completion of the graduate program [R87.1(2)(a)(i)(D)]. See the example below.
Excluded studies
 Any full-time program of study or training where the study of English or French as a
Second Language amounted to more than half of the program [R87.1(3)(e)];
 Studies in Canada taken under an award which stipulates that the recipient return to
their home country to apply their knowledge and skills [R87.1(3)(f)], including:
 All awards from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA); and
 The following awards from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International
Trade (DFAIT):
 Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program – Student Exchange
Program (only);
 Government of Canada Awards Program – Student Exchange Program
(only);
 Canada-China Scholars Exchange Program;
 Equal Opportunities Scholarship Program, Canada-Chile;
 Organization of American States Fellowships Program.
 Distance learning, including on-line programs, completed outside Canada.
Examples of acceptable study
Generally, an applicant would meet the education requirement for CEC in the following
situations:
 A student gets any qualifying educational credential of at least two years (e.g.,
university diploma, technical diploma from a qualifying college, general CEGEP
diploma).
 A student gets a one-year qualifying credential (e.g., college diploma), and then gets
another one-year graduate credential (e.g., master’s, MBA or post-baccalaureate), no
more than two years after graduating with the first credential. Note that the student
may leave Canada between both graduations, as long as no more than two years
separate the graduations.
Note: Please refer to Appendix B for examples of who would and would not qualify under CEC
based on education and work requirements.
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 20
10. Procedure: Membership in the class
10.1. Pass/Fail test
Membership in the class will be based on a pass/fail system where applicants must meet
the minimum qualifying requirements for each criterion to be approved.
For all applicants:
 proficiency in English or French;
 maintainance of temporary resident status during periods of work experience used to
qualify for CEC as well as any period of full-time study or training in Canada.
For Temporary Foreign Worker Stream:
 qualifying Canadian skilled-work experience.
For Post-Graduation Stream:
 qualifying Canadian skilled work experience;
 qualifying Canadian educational credential.
If… Then the officer will…
the applicant passes all of the requirements
needed (i.e., those required by all applicants
and those required for their stream)
approve the application (Section 11)
the applicant fails to meet any one of the
requirements needed
refuse the application (Section 12)
the officer is unable to make a decision,
due to lack of information or documentation,
or there are serious doubts as to the
legitimacy of the documents submitted
 request, in writing, specific information or
documentation to clarify; or
 refuse the application; or
 Consider a personal interview (Section
10.2).
10.2. Use of interviews
Membership in the class is clearly defined, and eligibility can easily be assessed in
straightforward cases. In most cases, officers should be able to determine membership
— either to approve or refuse applications — from the documentation provided. However,
in some cases, an interview may be necessary.
Any concerns officers have regarding the accuracy or authenticity of information or
documentation should be communicated to the applicant, whether these concerns are
raised as the result of site visits, telephone checks, or other means. Concerns can be
communicated to the applicant in writing or at the interview.
Officers may conduct interviews with applicants to:
 ensure that information submitted on the application is truthful and complete;
 detect and deter fraudulent information and documents;
 clarify specific information; and
 conduct quality control.
Officers may not conduct interviews to assess language abilities.
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 21
Note: Other visa offices may be called upon to conduct interviews for the Buffalo visa office
should the need arise. These interviews may be required to confirm aspects of the client’s
eligibility, including the need to interview family members as part of the application process.
Note: Visa offices will be expected to undertake both targeted and random verifications to
detect and deter fraud. The number and percentage of cases subject to verification should be
high enough to act as a meaningful disincentive to those who would attempt such practices.
A40 makes material misrepresentation grounds for inadmissibility in its own right and
prescribes a two-year ban on those, directly or indirectly, involved in such practices.
Interviews, site visits, and telephone checks have proven to be the most effective ways to
detect and combat fraud. The information gained at interviews where fraud is detected
will help officers to identify current trends and patterns and to refine their profiles for
ongoing use.
11. Procedure: Approving the application
If officers approve an applicant who is living outside of Canada, they should send the
permanent resident visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) to that
address and direct them to present these to an officer at a Canadian port of entry
[R71.1(1)].
Pursuant to R71.1(2), if officers approve an application from a temporary resident in
Canada who is a member of a class referred to in R70(2)(a) or (b), they will:
 send their permanent resident visa and COPR to their address in Canada;
 inform the applicant that in order to become a permanent resident they have the
option of presenting the visa and COPR to an officer at a Canadian port of entry or
contacting the Call Centre to request an appointment at a local CIC office, with their
family members if applicable.
12. Procedure: Refusing the application
All refused CEC applicants, including those refused for non-compliance with processing
requirements, must be sent or otherwise provided a formal refusal letter. The letter must:
 inform the applicant of the categories or circumstances under which the application
was considered;
 fully inform the applicant why the application has been refused.
Note: The refusal letter should not indicate that the applicant has been made a member of an
inadmissible class as a result of their failure to qualify as a worker with Canadian experience.
Refer to sample refusal letter in Appendix A.
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 22
Appendix A – Sample refusal letter
INSERT LETTERHEAD
Our Ref.:
INSERT ADDRESS
Dear XX:
I have now completed the assessment of your application for a permanent resident visa
as a member of the Canadian Experience Class and have determined that you do not
meet the requirements for immigration to Canada.
According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, applicants in the
Canadian Experience Class are assessed on the basis of the pass/fail requirements set
out in subsection R87.1(2). The assessment of these criteria determines whether a
worker with Canadian experience will be able to become economically established in
Canada. The criteria are:
 knowledge of English or French,
 Canadian skilled work experience,
 Canadian educational credentials (for the Post-Graduation Stream only).
Your application was assessed based on the occupation(s) which you identified as part of
your skilled work experience in Canada: [ADD TITLE OF THE OCCUPATION AND NOC
CODE FOR EACH OCCUPATION IN NOC 0, A OR B WHICH THE APPLICANT HAS
DECLARED].
I am not satisfied that you meet the [CHOOSE ONE OR MORE: temporary resident
status, official language proficiency, skilled work experience, Canadian educational
credentials] requirement(s) because [PROVIDE REASONS].
Subsection 11(1) of the Act states that a foreign national must, before entering Canada,
apply to an officer for a visa or for any other document required by the Regulations. The
visa or document shall be issued if, following an examination, the officer is satisfied that
the foreign national is not inadmissible and meets the requirements of this Act.
Subsection 2(1) specifies that unless otherwise indicated, references in the Act to ―this
Act‖ include regulations made under it.
Following an examination of your application, I am not satisfied that you meet the
requirements of the Act and Regulations for the reasons explained above. I am therefore
refusing your application.
[IF THE APPLICANT HAS PAID THE RPRF, ADD]
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee that you have paid is refundable.
[ADD AS APPROPRIATE] You will receive a cheque from the [CHOOSE
APPROPRIATE] Embassy/High Commission/Consulate within a few weeks.
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 23
[OR] Please contact the Canadian [CHOOSE APPROPRIATE] Embassy/High
Commission/ Consulate in ………… for information concerning the method of
reimbursement and the date on which you can obtain the refund.
Thank you for the interest you have shown in Canada.
Yours sincerely,
Officer
cc: fee____
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 24
Appendix B – Sample scenarios – Who would and would not qualify under
CEC
Persons who would qualify for CEC
Note: It is assumed that all cases below meet the minimum language requirement.
Group Fictional cases Eligibility for CEC
1. Temporary foreign
workers with 2 years of
work experience* (in the 3
years immediately
preceding application)
* Work experience can be
part-time and noncontinuous
Pedro is a cabinetmaker (NOC B)
from Portugal. He came to Canada
as a temporary foreign worker and
worked for 1 year. He returned to
Portugal for 9 months before coming
back to Canada. He worked parttime
for 6 months before his
employer moved him up to full-time
status. He has been working full-time
for the past 10 months.
The sum of Pedro’s work
experience in Canada over
the last 3 years equals 25
months; therefore, he meets
the minimum requirement of
24 months.
2. Foreign graduates of a
Canadian post-secondary
educational institution
with at least 1 year of
qualifying Canadian work
experience
Maria earned a two-year diploma in
Hotel and Restaurant Management
from Assiniboine Community
College. She then obtained a Post-
Graduation Work Permit and worked
as a guest services agent (NOC C)
at a hotel in Whistler. Within a year
she was promoted to guest services
manager (NOC 0) and has been in
that position for 1 year.
Maria meets all the education
and work experience
requirements of the Graduate
stream of the CEC: 2 years
of study leading to a
Canadian educational
credential, and 1 year of
work experience (at NOC 0,
A, or B).
3. Cases where a 1-year*
post-graduate program
does count towards the
CEC graduate stream
requirement for a
minimum of 2 academic
years of study**
* An academic year is
defined as 8 months of fulltime
study
** For a period of study to
count towards the CEC,
that period of study must
always lead to a Canadian
educational credential
Aleksi earned a Certificate in Event
Management at Ryerson University.
This certificate took 8 months to
complete. He then decided to go on
and complete the 12-month MBA at
Ryerson University. Aleksi has been
working at a Toronto public relations
firm for the past year on a Post-
Graduation Work Permit.
The sum of Aleksi’s study
time leading to a Canadian
educational credential totals
20 months; therefore, he
meets the education
requirement of the CEC postgraduation
stream.
Critical factors in the case of
a 1-year graduate degree:
Certificate Program was at
least 8 months in duration
and was completed prior to
the 12-month graduate
degree.
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 25
Persons who would not qualify for CEC
Note: These scenarios do not include examples of refusals on language. It is assumed that all
cases below meet the minimum language requirement.
Group Fictional cases Eligibility for CEC
1. Applicants whose work
experience in Canada is
not classified as 0, A, or
B under the Canadian
National Occupation
Classification (NOC)
Code
Ingrid graduated from the University
of Ottawa with a BA in Psychology.
She applied for and received a Post-
Graduation Work Permit; however,
she has only been able to find clerical
work (NOC C) over the last 2 years.
Although Ingrid has earned
a Canadian degree and has
worked in Canada in the 2
years prior to applying for
CEC, she would not be
eligible because the work
experience was a NOC level
C.
Luis is a temporary foreign worker in
Canada. For two years he worked in
the kitchen of a Calgary hotel (NOC
C), and then he returned to Mexico.
But his employer decided to bring him
back, this time as a shift manager
(NOC 0). Luis has been back in
Canada for 6 months working as a
manager for the same Calgary hotel.
Although Luis has the
minimum 2 years work
experience (in the past 3
years), he would not qualify
because only 6 months of
that work experience is at
NOC 0.
Luis would need to work for
an additional 18 months as
manager to qualify for the
CEC.
2. Graduates whose work
experience in Canada
after graduation is less
than 1 year
David graduated from Dalhousie
University with a BSc in Biology.
David applied for and received a
Post-Graduation Work Permit after
graduation. He has worked in his field
as a medical technologist (NOC B)
periodically, on 5 2-month contracts
over the last 2 years. In the interim
periods he has been working in retail
(NOC D).
David would not be eligible
for CEC because his work
experience at NOC Level B
only totals 10 months, not
the required 12 months.
Asha earned a 2-year MSc from the
University of Toronto. During her
studies she worked part-time at a
private laboratory on an Off-Campus
Work Permit. Upon graduation she
applied for and received a Post-
Graduation Work Permit and has
been working at the same laboratory
full-time for the past 6 months.
Eligible work experience
under the Post-Graduation
Stream of the CEC must
occur after graduation.
Work performed on an Off-
Campus Work Permit
(during studies) does not
count under the CEC.
Asha would need to work
full-time for another 6
months before she will
qualify for the CEC.
3. Graduates whose work François graduated from Simon Although François does
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 26
experience in Canada
took place more than 2
years prior to the
application for CEC
Fraser University with a BSc in
Systems Engineering. Following
graduation, he worked as an engineer
in B.C. for 1 year. He returned to
France but decided after 3 years that
he preferred to pursue opportunities
in B.C. He has now been working for
a private engineering firm in Victoria
for 6 months on a temporary work
permit.
have a Canadian
educational credential and 1
year of work experience, he
would not be eligible under
the Post-Graduation Stream
since his post-graduation
work experience occurred
more than 3 years ago—not
in the 2 years immediately
preceding his application for
CEC.
To apply under the CEC
through the Temporary
Foreign Worker Stream,
François would need to work
for 18 more months to
qualify.
4. Graduates whose postgraduate
programs of
study* were shorter than
2 academic years (i.e.,
less than 16 months of
full-time study).
* For a period of study to
count towards the CEC,
that period of study must
always lead to a Canadian
educational credential and
have occurred prior to the
graduate degree.
Olga earned a Master of Public
Administration from Queen’s
University and has worked for a nonprofit
organization in Ottawa for 1
year.
Olga would not be eligible
under the Post-Graduation
Stream because her
master’s program only
required 10 months of fulltime
study.
Olga would need 1 more
year of work experience to
qualify under the Temporary
Foreign Worker Stream,
where the applicant needs
at least 2 years of work
experience, in the 3 years
immediately prior to the date
of application.
Deng earned an undergraduate
Business degree from Peking
University in Beijing. As part of this
degree, Deng spent 1 year as an
exchange student at York University.
Following graduation Deng decided to
complete a 12-month MBA at
Ryerson University. He has been
working in his field on a postgraduation
work permit for the past
year.
Deng would not be eligible
because the length of study
that led to his Canadian
educational credential was
only 12 months.
The 1 year he studied in
Canada at York does not
count under the CEC
because it did not result in a
Canadian educational
credential.
5. Graduates who attended
a Canadian university on
an award from the
Canadian International
Development Agency
(CIDA).
Lewis is from Ghana and has earned
a BComm from the University of
Alberta with the support of a CIDA
award.
Any graduates who studied
in Canada under an award
from any one of a variety of
programs offered by CIDA
or DFAIT (where a central
feature of the award is that
OP 25 – Canadian Experience Class
2011-06-22 27
the recipient returns to their
home county to apply their
knowledge and skills) is not
eligible to apply to the CEC
on the basis of that
educational credential.
Note: Some of these applicants may very well qualify under a PNP or as a Federal Skilled
Worker, particularly those with post-secondary educational credentials or arranged
employment.


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