IMMIGRATE TO CANADA

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The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the categories under the Canadian federal Express Entry system, which has been the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective immigration pathway to Canada.

The CEC is suitable for international students with Canadian educational backgrounds and overseas individuals holding work permits in Canada. The core requirements include at least one year of work experience in Canada and language proficiency. Applicants who meet the requirements of the CEC category enter the Express Entry system and are assigned Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. If the score exceeds the cutoff, they can receive an invitation to apply for immigration.

Requirements:

• The applicant resides in a federal province other than Quebec.
• The primary applicant is 18 years of age or older.
• At least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time work experience (30 hours/week, 1560 hours/year) in an NOC (National Occupational Classification) category TEER 0,1,2, or 3. within the last three years.
• The applicant's work experience must be authorized and recognized by relevant Canadian authorities.
• If the applicant completed studies outside of Canada, they need to undergo educational credential assessment by a recognized Canadian education assessment organization (ECA).
• For TEER O and 1 category occupations: English language proficiency at CLB 7 level (equivalent to IELTS 6 in each category). For TEER 2 and 3 category occupations: English language proficiency at CLB 5 level (equivalent to IELTS 5 in speaking and listening, and 4 in reading and writing).
• The applicant and accompanying family members must meet the medical and security clearance requirements (no criminal record).

The Canadian Federal Skilled Worker program is suitable for applicants who do not have Canadian education or work experience but have high educational qualifications and proficiency in English or French. The FSW scoring system has a maximum score of 100, with scoring factors including age, education level, work experience, possession of a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, language proficiency, and adaptability in Canada. To enter the Express Entry candidate pool through the FSW program, applicants must achieve a minimum of 67 points or more on the Federal Skilled Worker scoring grid, demonstrating eligibility to submit an Express Entry application and be screened by the immigration authorities. After submitting the Express Entry profile, applicants must also meet the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirements, and the immigration authorities will issue invitations based on high scores.

Application requirements:

• Have at least one year of continuous full-time paid work experience within the past ten years in a single National Occupational Classification TEER 0/1/ 2/ 3  category, without any breaks or accumulating the same work experience through different jobs.
• The job position must fall under TEER 0/1/ 2/ 3  categories.
  • TEER 0/1: Management positions, such as supervisors, managers, department heads, involving managerial duties. This occupational category has the highest education and language requirements. If the occupation is classified under NOC 0, applicants must have a high level of proficiency in English or French and at least a bachelor's degree or higher education level.
  • TEER 2: Professional positions that require specialized knowledge, such as doctors, dentists, involving professions with specific knowledge requirements. Language requirements vary depending on the nature of the occupation, and the education level generally requires a bachelor's degree or higher.
  • TEER 3: Technical positions that require professional training, such as chefs, electricians, involving positions that require professional training. Language and education requirements are relatively lower, usually requiring post-secondary education or equivalent technical training.
• Demonstrated language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all language abilities (listening, speaking, reading, writing), with valid scores within the past two years.
• Completion of Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credentials (certificate, diploma, or degree), or foreign educational credentials assessed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
• Meet the minimum score of 67 points on the Federal Skilled Worker assessment grid.
• Proof of sufficient funds to support the applicant and their family's living expenses in Canada or proof of current legal employment in Canada or a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
• Applicants must be accepted by Canada and intend to reside in a region other than Quebec.

The Federal Skilled Trades program under the Canadian immigration system has been accepting applications since January 2, 2013. This program has a limited quota and only receives 3,000 applications per year. Within a total of 43 designated trades, certain occupations have additional quotas.

Requirements: The qualification assessment for Federal Skilled Trades is divided into qualified and unqualified categories. To be deemed qualified, applicants must meet the following four requirements:

• Have a valid job offer for at least one year from one or two Canadian employers in NOC skill level B occupations, or hold a professional certificate issued by a provincial or territorial regulatory authority in Canada.
• Provide sufficient language proficiency evidence demonstrating proficiency in either of Canada's official languages. The minimum language requirements are:
  • Speaking and listening: CLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French).
  • Reading and writing: CLB 4 (English) or NCLC 4 (French).
• Have 24 months of work experience in a skilled trade within the past five years (if applicable).
• Meet the job description and job requirements specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for Canadian skilled trades.

Most Skilled Trade occupations requires a Job Certification  to prove that a person is qualified to work in a certain skilled trade in Canada. Occupational certification in Canada is regulated by each province, which defines regulated professions and establishes regulatory authorities where applicable. Obtaining provincial-level certification from outside Canada is generally challenging. Therefore, this program is most advantageous for individuals with a job offer from a certified employer or those already working in Canada as temporary foreign workers in skilled trades.

On February 8, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced that eligible individuals from Hong Kong can apply for a 3-year Open Work Permit (OWP) to work in Canada. 

After gaining one year of work experience and meeting the eligibility requirements, they can apply for permanent residency (PR) through the second phase of the Lifeboat Stream B program. This program provides an additional option for Hong Kong residents in need to immigrate to Canada. The two-year OWP program has now been extended until February 7, 2025.

The eligibility criteria for the first phase of the Open Work Permit (OWP) are as follows:

• Hold a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport or British National Overseas (BNO) passport.
• Graduated within the past ten years and obtained a post-secondary education diploma or degree from a Canadian or equivalent foreign institution (completed no more than 10 years before submitting the application).
  • The post-secondary diploma program must have a duration of at least two years.

※ Open Work Permit duration: February 8, 2021, to February 7, 2025.

The second phase of the Lifeboat Stream B immigration program: Stream B application criteria: 

• Hold a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport or BNO.
• Must be in Canada at the time of application and obtaining permanent residency.
• Hold a valid temporary resident visa.
• Intend to settle in regions other than the province of Quebec.
• Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 5 in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
• Graduated within the past five years and meet one of the following conditions:
  • Completed a diploma/degree program at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  • Completed a certificate program at a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
  • Completed an equivalent program overseas, such as a Canadian college diploma program (minimum duration of two years), post-degree diploma or certificate program (minimum duration of one year), or Canadian degree.
• Worked full-time for at least 12 months or equivalent part-time hours (at least 1,560 hours) in Canada within the three years before the application.

※ Lifeboat Stream B application deadline: August 31, 2026.

There is also the Lifeboat Stream A immigration program available in the second phase. 

In addition to working in Canada for one year through the Open Work Permit (OWP) to meet the application criteria for Lifeboat Stream B, many Hong Kong residents choose the Stream A program. Stream A is specifically for international students who have graduated in Canada within the valid period from a designated learning institution (DLI), including two-year diploma programs, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. After graduation, they can directly apply for permanent residency with the Canadian government. Stream A has relatively fewer age restrictions compared to Stream B.

Stream A application criteria:

• Hold a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport or BNO.
• Must be in Canada at the time of application and obtaining permanent residency.
• Hold a valid temporary resident visa.
• Intend to settle in regions other than the province of Quebec.
• Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 5 (IELTS 5 or above).
• Graduate from a Canadian government-recognized institution (DLI) (both public and private) within the past three years.
  • Must meet one of the following:
    • Diploma program (minimum duration of two years).
    • Degree program (bachelor's/master's/doctorate).
    • Graduate/post-graduate diploma/certificate program (minimum duration of one year).
  • Must complete at least 50% of the program within Canada.

※ If applying with a post-graduate diploma or certificate, the applicant must have obtained a degree from a university within five years from the start of the post-graduate diploma or certificate program in Canada.

※ Lifeboat Stream A application deadline: August 31, 2026.

Canadian citizens or permanent residents (referred to as sponsors) can sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, and dependent children (referred to as applicants or sponsored persons) to immigrate to Canada. Sponsors can sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or children residing outside Canada through the Family Class, or their spouse or common-law partner residing in Canada through the Spouse and Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.

Advantages of the program include:

• Relatively lenient requirements with no income or language requirements for both partners.
• Fast processing times, with the current average processing time given by immigration authorities as 12 months, whether the sponsored person is residing in or outside Canada. This speed is faster than the majority of economic class and family sponsorship immigration programs.
• No concerns about losing permanent resident status for the sponsored spouse, as they will retain their permanent resident status regardless of the continuation of the marital or common-law relationship.
• After successful immigration, the entire family obtains Canadian permanent resident status, enjoying equal treatment and benefits with citizens, except for the right to vote and be elected. However, they must meet the residency obligation, which requires being physically present in Canada for at least 730 days within a 5-year period to maintain permanent resident status.
• After residing in Canada for a continuous period of 3 years within the first 5 years of obtaining permanent resident status, individuals can apply for Canadian citizenship.
• Education below high school level is free for children (excluding kindergarten), and university education is treated as domestic student status, allowing for eligibility to apply for loans, scholarships, and the ability to work part-time during studies. Compared to international students, they have access to better universities and programs at approximately one-fourth of the cost. They also receive healthcare benefits as residents, while international students need to purchase expensive medical insurance.

Requirements:

Sponsors need to meet the following conditions:

• Sponsors must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents residing in Canada.
  • If the sponsor is a citizen, they are not required to be residing in Canada at the time of application.
  • If the sponsor is a permanent resident, they must be residing in Canada at the time of application.
• Sponsors must be 18 years of age or older.
• Sponsors must provide financial support to the applicant(s) (written documentation is required):
  • Spouses and partners need to provide support for 3 years.
  • Dependent children need to be supported for 10 years or until they reach the age of 25, whichever comes first.
• If the sponsor obtained permanent residence through spousal or common-law partner sponsorship, they can sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for immigration only after reaching 5 years of permanent residency. Even if the sponsored person becomes a Canadian citizen during this 5-year period, they are still subject to the 5-year sponsorship limitation.
• The above criteria only apply to sponsors who became permanent residents on or after March 2, 2012. Permanent residents before this date are not affected. If the sponsor previously sponsored a spouse or partner for immigration, they can sponsor someone else only after being a permanent resident for 3 years. If the applicant is currently residing in Quebec, additional requirements specific to Quebec must be met.

The following individuals cannot be sponsored:

• Individuals under the age of 18.
• During the marriage, either the applicant or the sponsor entered into a marriage with someone else.
• If the couple has been separated for more than 1 year, and one of the partners enters into a common-law partnership with another person.
• If the sponsor did not provide information about a spouse they were married to at the time of applying for permanent residence.

Sponsored persons need to meet the following conditions:

• The sponsored person can be a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.
• Both same-sex and opposite-sex common-law partners are recognized, and it must be proven that they have lived together for at least 12 months (temporary separations due to business travel or family visits are allowed).
• Both same-sex and opposite-sex conjugal partners are recognized, and it must be proven that they have a dependent relationship and are unable to live together due to specific reasons.

Compared to other immigration programs, the Canadian Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program has relatively simple sponsorship requirements for applicants. However, the annual quota and the methods of obtaining these spots can vary. Applicants need to be well-prepared when deciding to sponsor their parents for immigration.

Application Requirements: 

Sponsor Eligibility

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old.
• Must reside in Canada (outside of Quebec).
• Must meet the income requirement based on taxable income for three consecutive years, with the income level determined by the number of family members, including the parents being sponsored.

Sponsored Person Eligibility

• Parents, stepparents, adoptive parents, and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Upon successful application, the sponsored person becomes a Canadian permanent resident.
• Children under the age of 22 of the parents being sponsored can accompany them.