Below is a summary of the Canada Experience Class.

 

Note this is a new program so we cannot be responsible for changes, errors or omissions.

This information is meant for general guidance only.

 

Speak with a knowledgeable professional.

 

The program was launched September 17, 2008.

 

There are two streams - temporary workers, and recent graduates of post secondary institutions in Canada.

 

The program is pass/fail - not points rated.

 

There are three criteria:

 

- Education in Canada

- Work experience in Canada

- Knowledge of English or French

 

Requirements must be met at the time of application.

 

Only NOC [National Occupations Classification] occupations ‘0’, ‘A’ or ‘B’ are recognized. vNOC ‘C’ and ‘D’ occupations do not qualify.

 

Temporary foreign workers must have two years of continuous work in Canada in a three year period.

 

Graduates must have a Canadian credential based on two years of studies plus one year of experience.

 

It is possible for a graduate to qualify with, for example completing one year of study in Canada resulting in a Bachelor’s Degree, plus a one year Master’s Degree could qualify.

 

Not all schools in Canada qualify.

 

Self employment experience does not count.

 

Graduates must obtain the year of experience AFTER their studies.

 

It is possible to have left Canada and yet qualify - see the program requirements for education and experience.

 

Language - unless you come from a country where English [or French] is the language of home and work - plan on submitting IELTS results.

 

NOC ‘0’ and ‘A’ occupations require Level 7 of Canadian Language Benchmarks [note this is not an IELTS score - it equates to an IELTS score]

 

NOC B - Level 5 of Canadian Language Benchmarks

 

All applications will be processed at the Canadian Consulate in Buffalo.

 

Some individuals may qualify without having been on an employment permit because of an exemption - e.g. clergy.

 

There is no ‘substitutive evaluation’ for this program [note this is a technical term defined in the Immigration Act for some other types of application.]

 

Processing times - the visa office in Buffalo has a target to assess 80% of applications within eight months.

 

Co-op work experience does not count.

 

Interviews - the visa office will ask for your Notice of Assessment, T4 slips etc.

Telephone interviews ‘may’ take place.

Interviews will not take place at Immigration offices in Canada.

If you cannot get a visa - they may move the visa to another visa office - some of this will require flexibility.

 

The Immigration Act has a requirement that you submit an application at a visa office where you reside. If someone is applying after he or she leaves Canada - how will this work?

Answer: The individual will submit the application to the visa office where he or she lives - for example New Delhi. It will be identified as a CEC application and the application will then be transferred from Delhi to Buffalo for processing.

 

For individuals in Canada and they are awaiting a decision from Buffalo, with their status in Canada running out can they get an extension? The processing centre will never give a blanket ‘yes’ but they have committed to sympathetically review most applications. Note this is an extension as a visitor - not as a worker.

 

Will an individual accepted in Buffalo be able to go to his or local immigration office in Canada for his or her permanent residence visa - YES - you will be able to make an appointment and a trip to the border will not be necessary.

 

November 10, 2008

 

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With offices in downtown Vancouver I offer over 26 years of experience with the Canadian Immigration Program.

 

Questions to ask yourself:Is this person qualified to help me?As the former manager of an Immigration Canada office and with over 14 years of experience with Immigration Canada I have worked with both simple and the most complex of cases.

 

As manager of an office and as a consultant I worked with some of the most complex cases anyone has worked with. From the simple to the complex you can rest assured that if I don't know the answer I know where to find it in the maze of immigration policy.Is this person honest and reputable?I am a fully licensed member of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, , a requirement for consultants to provide assistance to the public.

 

All members must pass both an ethics and a knowledge test as well as a regular requirement to keep knowledge current. Will this lawyer or consultant be there for me?I work directly with my clients. I handle the file - it is not shuffled to a clerical person after you sign our agreement. I have found the best way to understand my clients' situations is to look at all of the facts that immigration will be presented with - and there are no shortcuts. I make myself available to my clients on the phone or in person. The best wayto make your application successful is for me to know you. My preferred areas of practice:

 

1. The new Canadian Experience Class

 

2. Spouses of Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents

3. Federal Skilled Workers

4. Provincial Nominee Applicants

5. Humanitarian and Compassionate Applications

6. Visitor, Student and Foreign Worker Applications [including NAFTA].

7. Criminal Rehabilitation

If you would like to consult with me about your case, e-mail me at: visa@newroots.ca