How To: Get permanent residency in Canada through CEC

The CEC, Canada Experience Class, is a new program to help a person who has held residency in Canada gain permanent residency status. The program realizes that, by going to school or living in Canada while working, many people have the skills necessary to make the transition to live in Canada permanently. To qualify for CEC, you must be a temporary worker living in Canada for at least two years with two years of skilled working experience. A second way you can qualify is by being a foreign graduate of a post secondary school with at least one year of full time skilled work experience. You must also plan to live outside the providence of Quebec, have had proper approval to gain your work experience, and you must apply for residency while living in Canada or within one year of leaving your job in Canada. You can use a service to make your application or you can do it on your own. If you choose to do it on your own, you will have to obtain a packet that contains a guide and the forms you need to submit. Read the guide carefully and fill out the forms. Next, you must pay your fee. The fee will vary depending on the number of dependents you are applying with. You must also have a medical examination, a police certificate, and if applicable, language testing. Mail your application to the appropriate office located in Buffalo, NY. The address is in the packet. If your application is approved, you will be asked to attend a meeting with an immigration officer. During the interview, the officer will ask to see your passport and check to see if you still meet the residency requirements. If you pass the interview, you will be granted permanent residents status, and your residency card will be mailed to you.