A regular question amongst aspirants has been when the CEC will draw resume? Just like them, we’re sure you’ve always wanted to know.
Well, you’re in luck, as this article gives you just that.
The journey toward your Canadian dream has been a rollercoaster of emotions as you navigate through uncertainties and await the announcement that will shape your future.
In this article, we will delve into the current status of the CEC draw and provide valuable insights for prospective candidates on how to prepare during this period of uncertainty, ensuring they are ready to seize the opportunity once the CEC draws resumes.
What Is CEC
Under the Express Entry system, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the immigration programs, which is the main pathway for skilled workers to become permanent residents of Canada.
The CEC is specifically designed for individuals who have obtained valuable work experience in Canada and wish to transition to permanent residency.
This program is also aimed at helping short-term foreign workers and non-native students to apply their Canadian work experience and education towards their Canada PR application.
The Canadian Experience Class encourages a smooth transition from a temporary to permanent status, considering the time that the international student or skilled worker stayed in Canada while contributing to Canadian society.
How Is The CRS Related To The CEC?
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is closely related to the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through the Express Entry system, which manages the federal economic immigration programs in Canada.
In order to rank immigration candidates, the government of Canada developed an advantaged-based points system that delegates a score to each applicant of the Express Entry pool.
This scoring system is known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and the score delegated to each candidate is called the CRS score.
Any person who gives in a profile to the Express Entry pool of applicants is assigned a CRS score out of 1200 points.
Approximately every two weeks, the Canadian government conducts an Express Entry draw, where they issue a round of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence to the highest-ranking candidates.
IRCC does not disclose information regarding the draw date, the number of ITAs that will be issued, or the minimum required CRS score before each draw.
The CRS plays a crucial role in determining which candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
The Canadian government regularly conducts Express Entry draws, and candidates with the highest CRS scores receive ITAs.
The CEC candidates have an advantage in the CRS scoring as they receive additional points for their Canadian work experience.
Also see: Canada Express Entry Application Guide
Key Points to Note About the CRS and CEC Relationship
1. Additional CRS Points
Candidates eligible for the CEC receive additional CRS points for their Canadian work experience.
This significantly enhances their CRS score, making them more likely to receive an ITA during Express Entry draws.
2. Separate Draws
While the CEC candidates may receive extra CRS points for their work experience, they compete in separate draws exclusively meant for CEC applicants.
These draws are distinct from those of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
3. No Job Offer Required
The CEC does not require candidates to have a job offer from a Canadian employer.
This differs from other Express Entry programs, where a valid job offer can significantly boost a candidate’s CRS score.
In summary, the CRS is a critical component of the CEC application process as it determines a candidate’s ranking in the Express Entry pool and plays a pivotal role in receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
Candidates with Canadian work experience, who qualify for the CEC, often have a competitive advantage due to the additional CRS points awarded for their experience, making the CEC an attractive option for skilled workers seeking Canadian permanent residency.
CEC Draw Date and CRS Cut-off
| S/N | Round no | Draw Date | Program Type | No. of Invitations Issued | CRS Cut-off |
| 1. | 237 | January 11, 2023 | No program specified | 5500 | 507 |
| 2. | 238 | January 18, 2023 | No program specified | 5500 | 490 |
| 3. | 239 | February 1, 2023 | Provincial Nominee Program | 893 | 733 |
| 4. | 240 | February 2, 2023 | Federal Skilled Worker | 3300 | 489 |
| 5. | 241 | February 15, 2023 | Provincial Nominee Program | 699 | 791 |
| 6. | 242 | March 1, 2023 | Provincial Nominee Program | 667 | 748 |
| 7. | 243 | March 15, 2023 | No program specified | 7000 | 490 |
| 8. | 244 | March 23, 2023 | No program specified | 7000 | 484 |
| 9. | 245 | March 29, 2023 | No program specified | 7000 | 481 |
| 10. | 246 | April 12, 2023 | No program specified | 3500 | 486 |
| 11. | 247 | April 26, 2023 | No program specified | 3500 | 483 |
| 12. | 248 | May 10, 2023 | Provincial Nominee Program | 589 | 691 |
| 13. | 249 | May 24, 2023 | No program specified | 4800 | 488 |
| 14. | 250 | June 8, 2023 | No program specified | 4800 | 486 |
| 15. | 251 | June 27, 2023 | No program specified | 4300 | 486 |
| 16. | 252 | June 28, 2023 | Category-based – healthcare | 500 | 476 |
| 17. | 253 | July 4, 2023 | No program specified | 700 | 511 |
| 18. | 254 | July 5, 2023 | Category-based – STEM | 500 | 486 |
| 19. | 255 | July 6. 2023 | Category-based – healthcare | 1500 | 463 |
| 20. | 256 | July 7, 2023 | Category-based – French | 2300 | 439 |
| 21. | 257 | July 11, 2023 | No program specified | 800 | 505 |
| 22. | 258 | July 12, 2023 | Category-based – French | 3800 | 375 |
When Will The Next Express Entry Draw Be?
There is no definitive schedule for when Express Entry draws take place or the Express Entry next draw date.
IRCC only says that draws are held “about every 2 weeks”.
But, looking at previous rounds of invitations, draws are normally held two weeks apart on a Wednesday.
Every Express Entry Draw in 2022 was on a Wednesday, in fact.
If we’re trying to predict the Express Entry’s next draw date in 2023, things haven’t been as structured towards the end of 2022 and into 2023.
There were no draws in December 2022 at all, and when draws resumed on January 11, 2023, another was held the following week on January 18, 2023.
The pause in December is potentially down to system changes to implement the new National Occupation Classification (NOC 2021) on November 16, 2023.
And in the first week of February, we had a PNP on one day, followed by an FSW draw the next day.
The next two draws were PNP, and now we’re back to an “all-programs” draw.
The draw held on March 23 was completely out of step, only one week after the previous draw.
And more recently, June’s draws have been unique, with four draws being held on consecutive days.
So there isn’t a convention for 2023 that we can use to predict the next draw.
But, we should still expect a draw or draws on consecutive days for different immigration programs to take place every two weeks (broadly).
We can’t predict which Express Entry immigration program will be included in the draw.
7 Key Features of the Canadian Experience Class
1. Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the CEC, candidates must meet the following basic requirements:
- Have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years before applying.
- Meet the required language proficiency levels in English or French.
- Plan to live outside the province of Quebec (Note: Quebec has its own immigration programs).
2. Express Entry System
The CEC operates within the framework of the Express Entry system.
Candidates interested in applying for permanent residency through the CEC must first create an online Express Entry profile and enter the candidate pool.
The ranking of candidates is based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which considers various factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.
Express Entry federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Both non-native graduates and short-term foreign workers must have work experience in Canada to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class draw.
All the Canadian Experience Class requirements are based on a fail-or-pass model.
The applicant can apply to this program if the minimum requirements are met.
Also see: How to Get Points For a Job Offer For Express Entry
3. CRS Score and Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Regularly, the Canadian government conducts Express Entry draws where candidates with the highest CRS scores are issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
Candidates with Canadian work experience and higher CRS scores have a significant advantage in receiving ITAs through the CEC-specific draws.
4. No Job Offer Required
Unlike some other immigration programs, the CEC does not require candidates to have an accredited job offer from a Canadian employer.
However, having a job offer or Canadian work experience in a skilled occupation may positively impact the candidate’s CRS score.
7. Permanent Residency
Successful candidates who receive an ITA through the CEC can proceed with their application for permanent residency.
Once granted, they and their immediate family members can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.
Moreover, CEC candidates often have established networks and familiarity with Canadian society, which may facilitate their integration as permanent residents.
The Canadian Experience Class is an excellent option for individuals who have worked in Canada and have become familiar with Canadian society, making them valuable contributors to the Canadian economy and communities.
As immigration policies and regulations may change over time, prospective candidates should always refer to the official Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the most up-to-date information and requirements.
Seeking professional advice from authorized immigration consultants or legal experts is also advisable for a smooth and successful immigration process.
How is Canadian Work Experience Calculated
Your skilled work experience must be paid work, including the paid wages or the earned commission.
Both volunteer work and unpaid internships are not counted.
For a part-time job, you can work more than or less than fifteen hours per week as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours.
You can work more than one part-time work to get the hours you need to apply!
As postulated by the Canadian National Occupational Classification, skilled work experience simply means:
- Managerial jobs (skill level 0)
- Professional jobs (skill type A)
- Skilled trades and Technical jobs (skill type B)
Your work experience could be in one or more NOC 0, A, or B works.
Education Requirements for CEC Immigration
No educational requirement is needed for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Although if you wish to boost your CRS score, you could do that with your Education experience with these two options:
- If you are schooled in Canada, you could acquire some points for a certificate, diploma, or degree from a post-secondary institution or Canadian University.
- You could acquire some points for a completed foreign credential or an EAC report if you have foreign education.
How Many People Are Invited to Apply in Each Express Entry Draw?
The average number of people invited to apply in each “all-programs” draw since 2017 is 3,582 (2017 is when numbers started to be consistently high).
But looking more recently, if we take all the “all-program” draws from 2020 to 2022, the average number of people invited to apply was 3,846.
Keep in mind there were no “all-program” draws at all in 2021 due to the pandemic.
The range that IRCC seems to be targeting for “all-program” draws most recently (late 2022 and into 2023) seems to be around 5,000 ITAs issued, however.
What is Express Entry Draw?
The immigration pathway is based on an online system. You create your Express Entry profile online, and if you get enough score (CRS), you will be invited to apply for Canadian PR.
The application takes only six months to process. It consists of three immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Also see: How to Create Express Entry Profile
How Does the Immigration Process Work With the CEC?
IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) uses Express Entry to manage skilled worker applications for three programs, including the CEC.
If you have resided in Canada and acquired eligible job experience there, you may be an inviolable applicant for the CEC.
You may also be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and, if you have a trades background, the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
The first step is to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria of the CEC or one of the other Express Entry programs.
If you are eligible, submit an Express Entry profile on IRCC’s website.
Approximately every two weeks, IRCC holds Express Entry draws awarding permanent residence invitations to candidates with the highest CRS scores.
CRS scores are determined based on each candidate’s human capital characteristics, including age, education, language skills, work experience, and Canadian experience, among other criteria.
If you receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence, you must submit a completed application to IRCC within the specified deadline.
IRCC aims to process applications in six months or less.
How Can an International Student Become Eligible For the CEC?
International students who successfully graduate from any of the competent or acceptable educational programs in Canada are the main set of individuals who obtain permanent residence through the CEC.
Here are some of the most common ways to gain Canadian permanent residence by way of the CEC as an international student:
Step 1: Finish your educational program at a Canadian-assigned learning institution.
Step 2: Go to IRCC and seek a (PGWP) Post-Graduation Work Permit.
Step 3: With your PGWP, gain at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 work.
Step 4: Sit for an English or French language test assigned by IRCC and obtain the lowest Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) requirement (a CLB 7 for NOC TEER category 0 and 1 work experience and CLB 5 for NOC TEER category 2 and 3 Job experience).
Step 5: Undertake the Express Entry pool.
If you seal an invitation to apply, IRCC will endeavor to process your permanent residence application within six months.
How Can a Temporary Foreign Worker Become Eligible For the CEC?
As a temporary foreign worker, you can become eligible for the Canadian Experience Class program after gaining one year of professional job experience in Canada.
Here are some of the most common ways to acquire Canadian permanent residence by way of the CEC as a temporary foreign worker:
Step 1: Obtain a Canadian work permit.
Step 2: Get at least 1,560 hours of Canadian work experience in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 work.
Step 3: Sit for an English or French language test assigned by IRCC and get the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) prerequisite (a CLB 7 for NOC TEER category 0 and 1 work experience and CLB 5 for NOC TEER category 2 and 3 work experience).
Step 4: Undertake the Express Entry pool.
If you seal an invitation to apply, IRCC will aim to process your permanent residence application within six months.
Also see: New Changes To Express Entry CRS Points For French-Speakers
Conclusion
As hopeful applicants eagerly await the resumption of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw, the timeline’s uncertainty may be disheartening.
However, it is crucial to remember that immigration policies are subject to change based on government priorities and external factors.
Staying informed through official channels and proactively enhancing one’s profile will undoubtedly prove beneficial once the draw is recommenced.
The CEC remains an enticing pathway for skilled workers to establish themselves as permanent residents in Canada, and with preparation and patience, aspiring candidates can position themselves optimally for success.
Good luck!
