By Lesley Love » The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a new permanent resident category introduced for foreign nationals who have gained work and/or educational experience in Canada. Implemented in November 28, 2008, the CEC may be used by Canadian employers to shift temporary foreign workers to permanent residency.

This new class allows certain temporary foreign workers and students to apply for permanent residence.

The CEC benefits both Canadian employers and foreign workers. It was created by the Federal Government in response to the challenges that employers face in losing valuable foreign workers in whom they have invested, and that foreign workers face in obtaining permanent resident status. Additionally, the CEC is beneficial as it assists Canada in keeping foreign workers already here.

The program focuses on two groups:

➢ Those who have one year of skilled work experience (NOC 0, A or B) in Canada and who have completed two years of post-secondary studies in Canada

➢ Those who have at least two years of experience in Canada, working in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A or B).

Benefits of the new CEC program include faster processing times and applicants will not be required to leave Canada in order to adjust their status from temporary to permanent. CEC applications have been processed in as little as six months.

The CEC recognizes that a person who is working in Canada has already illustrated their ability to enter the Canadian labour market and contribute to the Canadian economy. It may help attract foreign workers and students to Canada, as they will be know that their time in Canada will help them to eventually become permanent residents of Canada.

Please feel free to contact the author with any questions about the Canada Experience Class.

• Lesley Love is an Associate with Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Barristers & Solicitors. She can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it