In order to qualify to apply under the Canadian Experience Class, you need to meet all of the following criteria:

  • You have at least one year of continuous full-time (or an equal amount in part-time), paid work experience in Canada within the last three years in an 0, A or B occupation
  • You obtained your Canadian work experience while physically in Canada on a valid work permit
  • You have achieved a minimum of a CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities on an approved language test if your work experience is under NOC Skill Level 0 or A OR you have achieved a minimum of a CLB/NCLC 5 in all four abilities on an approved language test if your work experience is under NOC Skill Level B
  • You plan to live outside of Quebec

Qualifying work experience

Not all work experience which is obtained in Canada can be used to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class. Any work which was considered self-employment will not count towards the minimum requirement of one-year of Canadian work experience required under the Canadian Experience Class.

While many Canadian Experience class applicants use to be international students, any work experience gained while on a study permit in Canada will not be counted towards the minimum requirement of one-year of Canadian work experience required under the Canadian Experience Class.

Qualifying National Occupational Classification (NOC) Codes

Any work experience which is used to apply under the Canadian Experience Class needs to be under National Occupational Classification (NOC) Code 0, A or B. A NOC Code is a code assigned to an employment position. These codes are split into groups 0, A, B, C and D.

  • 0 level occupations are management positions
  • A level occupations are professional jobs and typically would require a university degree to work in
  • B level occupations are technical jobs and skilled trades jobs that would typically require a college diploma or training or apprenticeship
  • C level occupations are intermediate jobs
  • D level occupations are labour jobs

Some individuals will find that they may qualify under more than one eligible occupation code. Once you have selected a NOC code, ensure that you have conducted a majority of the main duties (51% or more) listed for that position and that you have carried out the actions described in the lead statement of that NOC code.

For those applying under the Canadian Experience Class, you do not need to have one year of continuous work experience in Canada. Your work experience can be broken up between different employers and in different positions, if all the work experience falls under NOC 0, A or B and totals the equivalent of one year of full-time paid work experience.