Canadian Experience Class (NOT the IEC)

TedDiBiase

Hi all,

Just wondering what to do here. I'm currently doing my own paperwork for the CEC and am debating whether to get a lawyer or not. I've been working in a professional environment for over 2 years, have fluent english and have a degree.

What are the benefits to getting legal representation? How long does the process take when comparing an independant application submission to a lawyers?

If anyone can provide some details on this, I'd greatly appreciate it. Also, for anyone that was successful with the application on their own submission, how long are the waiting times realistically? I see a 15 month period has been quoted on the CIC website. My NOC Code is 2282 if anyone would like to comment on that, that's what's been used on all of my LMO applications at least.

Many thanks again!

TedDiBiase

Anyone?

retalivity

I have applied for the IEC, but will more than likely fail, so have been exploring other options. I dealt with an immigration lawyer who spelt out what I could do.
Basically, I can get a work permit for the next while, as my gf/common law partner has an international student visa, but I can also begin my application for a permit under the CEC. I thought that you needed 2 years experience in canada, but he informed me theres another one which can be applied for after 1 year (I will have one years experience in Canada by June).
He requested information about my job, education history, work experience, etc, and fed it into a points calculator which gives a rough indication of whether I will be successful or not. I too have a degree (in I.T.), 7-8 months work experience in Canada, and 4+ years before that, and was informed that I have enough points to apply and probably be successful. I was also told that while an application is in, applicants would be on implied status, which would allow them to continue to work.

This is a discussion I only had on tuesday, and I need to gather documents and decide what course of action I'm going to take. I've also not been quoted a price yet, which is something I will look at when I decide what to do. However, I understand that the whole thing is in 100's and not 1000's. And I don;t mind paying that if it means that I can pass the headache onto someone else

FreeAnd..

Relativity...will you keep us updated on this...could potentially be something I'm interested in too...not eligible for a second IEC and may be looking at staying (just for an extra few months though) so not sure if this would be worth it...to be honest I havent looked into it at all

Helix

retalivity wrote: »

he informed me theres another one which can be applied for after 1 year (I will have one years experience in Canada by June).

IEC/USIT visas don't count towards that time spent in canada. if you were there on either of those schemes, you cant use that time served towards this

i got that direct from a particularly high up business immigration lawyer here last year

sure im almost 3 years here now and i still dont qualify for that yet

Jimmmy McNulty

Helix wrote: »

IEC/USIT visas don't count towards that time spent in canada. if you were there on either of those schemes, you cant use that time served towards this

i got that direct from a particularly high up business immigration lawyer here last year

sure im almost 3 years here now and i still dont qualify for that yet

Don't think you are correct on that one Helix. Are you saying that the years spent in Canada working are not counted as 'Canadian work experience'?

Colmfatcamp

I agree with Jimmy, I've never heard that time spent on IEC visa doesn't count as experience. Quite sure it does.

Helix

Jimmmy McNulty wrote: »

Don't think you are correct on that one Helix. Are you saying that the years spent in Canada working are not counted as 'Canadian work experience'?

if they're on USIT and IEC visas, then yes, they're not counted

if you get an LMO or are working for a canadian company directly, with a visa that says as much, then it counts

otherwise id be entitled to PR in august, which im not

Jimmmy McNulty

Helix wrote: »

if they're on USIT and IEC visas, then yes, they're not counted

if you get an LMO or are working for a canadian company directly, with a visa that says as much, then it counts

otherwise id be entitled to PR in august, which im not

I'd look into that a bit further if I were you and get a second opinion. Your call.

Helix

Jimmmy McNulty wrote: »

I'd look into that a bit further if I were you and get a second opinion. Your call.

makes no odds to me, i marry a canadian this summer anyway

but i was told that student travel schemes, which both of those fall under, do not count towards things like this

Jimmmy McNulty

Helix wrote: »

if they're on USIT and IEC visas, then yes, they're not counted

if you get an LMO or are working for a canadian company directly, with a visa that says as much, then it counts

otherwise id be entitled to PR in august, which im not

http://www.itc-canada.com/Canadian_Experience_Class_FAQ.htm

Read the last question.

Jimmmy McNulty

Helix wrote: »

makes no odds to me, i marry a canadian this summer anyway

but i was told that student travel schemes, which both of those fall under, do not count towards things like this

The information you provide here might make a difference to somebody elses decisions with regard to immigration.

Helix

and its a canadian government business immigration executive who provided me with this information. tbh id be inclined to believe him, since everything else he advised on was bang on, such as the ease of an intra company transfer from ireland to canada

i explicitly asked him about the usit visa which i had used the previous year, and he said that student schemes were not deemed acceptable time spent in canada towards applying for new permits or permanent residency

Jimmmy McNulty

Helix wrote: »

and its a canadian government business immigration executive who provided me with this information. tbh id be inclined to believe him, since everything else he advised on was bang on, such as the ease of an intra company transfer from ireland to canada

i explicitly asked him about the usit visa which i had used the previous year, and he said that student schemes were not deemed acceptable time spent in canada towards applying for new permits or permanent residency

Are you talking about time spent or time worked in Canada? I have provided you with the answer. We'll agree to disagree on it then.

Helix

Jimmmy McNulty wrote: »

Are you talking about time spent or time worked in Canada? I have provided you with the answer. We'll agree to disagree on it then.

time worked on a student visa scheme

ive been working for the same company the 2 1/2 years ive been here like

Helix

Jimmmy McNulty wrote: »

http://www.itc-canada.com/Canadian_Experience_Class_FAQ.htm

Read the last question.

then you read the CEC website, which says:

International Graduates with Canadian Work Experience
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements. They must:

have successfully completed a program of study of at least two academic years at a Canadian post-secondary educational institution;

have obtained at least one year or equivalent of one year of full-time work experience in a skilled, professional or technical job;

have gained this experience in Canada with the proper study and work authorization;

have knowledge of English or French at a minimum level required by their occupation; and

apply while working in Canada or within one year of leaving job in Canada.

how many people on a 2 year IEC do you reckon have completed 2 years of post secondary study in canada?

FreeAnd..

Helix wrote: »

then you read the CEC website, which says:



how many people on a 2 year IEC do you reckon have completed 2 years of post secondary study in canada?

But isnt that if you apply as a forgien graduate and not as a skilled worker

In order to be qualified for Permanent Residence under the Canadian Experience Class, you must: - Be a foreign worker with a minimum of two years of full time skilled work experience in Canada, or an foreign graduate from an approved Canadian post-secondary educational institution with at least one year of skilled full-time work experience in Canada; -

so i think Jimmy is right...it says the IEC counts towards the 2 years (as per the last qquestion on his link)

Also -

Is it possible for me to qualify under the Canadian Experience Class without the education requirement?

Yes, provided that you have accumulated at least two years of full time skilled work experience in Canada.

Jimmmy McNulty

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/apply-who.asp

retalivity

I ran this past my immigration lawyer too, he said that although I am on a temporary work/holiday visa, I qualify as I'm working in a skilled position (noc 0,a,b).

I can't find anything online about applying with one year's work experience, will talk to him again next week and find out more info

Jimmmy McNulty

retalivity wrote: »

I ran this past my immigration lawyer too, he said that although I am on a temporary work/holiday visa, I qualify as I'm working in a skilled position (noc 0,a,b).

I can't find anything online about applying with one year's work experience, will talk to him again next week and find out more info

My lawyer said I would need 2 years as well but it would be great if it had changed to 1 for some reason. I doubt it though.

Colmfatcamp

That's the kind of good po-lice work I would expect from McNulty.

Tonto86

I'd say the person you talked to had his lines crossed Helix. If I've learned anythin over the years its that people in public service positions think they know everything... they dont

FreeAnd..

retalivity wrote: »

I ran this past my immigration lawyer too, he said that although I am on a temporary work/holiday visa, I qualify as I'm working in a skilled position (noc 0,a,b).

I can't find anything online about applying with one year's work experience, will talk to him again next week and find out more info

I think (as Helix pointed out) - to go with one years experience you must have 2 years Post Secondary Canadian study done...see above...otherwise 2 years work is required

Jimmmy McNulty

Colmfatcamp wrote: »

That's the kind of good po-lice work I would expect from McNulty.

I'm REAL po-lice!

Colmfatcamp

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit

decision

Jimmmy McNulty wrote: »

The information you provide here might make a difference to somebody elses decisions with regard to immigration.

I agree. Let's not turn this forum into a rumour factory.

decision

anyone know of a reliable, affordable immigration lawyer in toronto?

fat__tony

decision wrote: »

anyone know of a reliable, affordable immigration lawyer in toronto?

We use a chap called John Harrington.

Details are below:


John Harrington,
Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant
Commissioner for Oaths
Fast Track Immigration Services
179 Carlton Street,
Toronto Ontario, M5A 2K3
(e): john@fasttrackservices.ca
(w): www.fasttrackservices.ca
(tel) +1 (416) 923-5333,
(fax) +1 (416) 923-5332
skpye: harrington.john


Whether he's affordable is all down to opinion.

He's good though which is all that should matter.

fat__tony

Poxy double post.

decision

Not taking a chance with a consultant. Friends of mine in Van had no luck with them and just ended up getting scammed. They're able to get their cert online sure. Better off with a lawyer if I were you.



Could anyone recommend a decent immigration lawyer?

fat__tony wrote: »

We use a chap called John Harrington.

Details are below:


John Harrington,
Certified Canadian Immigration Consultant
Commissioner for Oaths
Fast Track Immigration Services
179 Carlton Street,
Toronto Ontario, M5A 2K3
(e): john@fasttrackservices.ca
(w): www.fasttrackservices.ca
(tel) +1 (416) 923-5333,
(fax) +1 (416) 923-5332
skpye: harrington.john


Whether he's affordable is all down to opinion.

He's good though which is all that should matter.

Kimia

Helix wrote: »

IEC/USIT visas don't count towards that time spent in canada. if you were there on either of those schemes, you cant use that time served towards this

i got that direct from a particularly high up business immigration lawyer here last year

sure im almost 3 years here now and i still dont qualify for that yet

Sorry to drag up old thread but I seem to have found a definitive answer to the above concern:

Regarding proposed changes to the CEC - http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2012/2012-08-18/html/reg2-eng.html

The Canadian work experience requirement would be reduced from 24 months to 12 in the preceding 36 months, to allow faster transition for those who have already proven their employability in Canada’s labour market. Accumulating 12 months of authorized work within the preceding 36 is more flexible for applicants working in Canada under international agreements (e.g. International Experience Canada). Only applicants with NOC 0, A or B work experience would continue to qualify for the CEC.

silja

**** Moving from defunct US/ Canada Travel forum to new Canada forum ****

zweton

Sorry to drag up an old thread but i still cannot find out a definite answer to the below.

Can i apply through the CEC residency route after 1 year on the IEC visa?
More importantly have any of ye guys living there atm done it this way.

retalivity

I think you can. From the website you must:

plan to live outside the province of Quebec
have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in the three years before you apply,
have gained your experience in Canada with the proper authorization
meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing, and listening).

It says nothing about what your status for that year was, either on an IEC holiday visa or work permit.
Ive gone through most of the forms, and i havent found anything asking specifically if i already had a work permit, IEC etc.. apart from my Client ID which ive had since i got here

zweton

thanks man, will try look into it a bit further.

retalivity

Bumped as this is the most recent CEC thread...

So Ive sent away my CEC application today. its taken me about 3+ months to finally get all my documents together and cross all the t's and dot all the i's. Current waiting time is 13 months so i hope/expect residency next April/May.

Anyone gone through this process before? What are the steps during the next 13 months...can I expect much interaction between the CIC and myself over the next few months?

memaul

retalivity wrote: »

Bumped as this is the most recent CEC thread...

So Ive sent away my CEC application today. its taken me about 3+ months to finally get all my documents together and cross all the t's and dot all the i's. Current waiting time is 13 months so i hope/expect residency next April/May.

Anyone gone through this process before? What are the steps during the next 13 months...can I expect much interaction between the CIC and myself over the next few months?

Thinking about going down this route in a few months when I'm eligible.

Retalivity, have you any advice to offer on making the application. Are there any documents you had to get that take a while to sort?

retalivity

you need a criminal background check from every country youve lived in for more than 6 months, that can take some time although you can submit the application without these and send them on to the CIC at a later date.
you also need to do a certified english test (i know) and the waiting list to do it can be quite long. I booked mine in early January but only sat it on the 2nd mar.

zweton

retalivity wrote: »

you need a criminal background check from every country youve lived in for more than 6 months, that can take some time although you can submit the application without these and send them on to the CIC at a later date.
you also need to do a certified english test (i know) and the waiting list to do it can be quite long. I booked mine in early January but only sat it on the 2nd mar.

what scores did ya need?

retalivity

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/language-testing.asp

Depends on your job code. I did the celpip test & got 5 in everything except writing (4H). one of the guys i did the test with got the exact same.
tbh, it was a joke of a test, the questions seemed geared to foreign high school students. we had 3hrs to do it but out of the ~20 people doing the test, 6 were irish and there were a couple of english guys doing it too, and we were all done within 80 mins or so.

$300 for the privilege of doing it too