Every year, Canada invites a huge number of Skilled Immigrants through different Express Entry Programs. Among those programs, Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) are the best and popular pathways to get Canada Immigration.Both of these programs are the best options to get Canada Permanent Residency, but these programs differ in target applicants, evaluation criteria and eligibility. Let us understand these programs so you will get help to choose which is the correct stream for you to achieve long term goals in Canada.
Overview
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is especially designed for those foreign nationals who have international skilled work experience just outside Canada and want to get Canada Permanent Residency. This program assesses candidates on a point based system which covers a number of different factors like adaptability, work experience, language ability, and education.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
On the other hand, The Canadian Experience Class graduates and temporary workers and graduates who have Canadian Skilled Work Experience. It identifies the value of language adaptability, integration into Canadian society and local experience.
Key Comparison Between FSWP and CEC
As both of these programs function under the Express Entry system, their evaluation method and requirements differ substantially.
1. Employment History
- FSWP: Under this program, candidates need at least one year of full-time skilled work experience just outside Canada in the last10 years in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- CEC: Whereas in the CEC program, applicants must have at least one year of skilled work experience inside Canada in the last three years, under the same NOC levels.
2. Language Proficiency
- FSWP: In FSWP, applicants need to score Minimum CLB 7 in French or English for all parts like Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
- CEC: But in CEC, language requirements depend on job category:
- CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs
- CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs
3. Education Criteria
- FSWP: In FSWP, it is mandatory that applicants must haveCanadian education credentials which should have been assessed by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- CEC: In this category, No formal schooling is required, despite the fact that Express Entry CRS score can improve your higher education criteria.
In FSWP, if you are having a strong academic background you will get a Comparative Advantage .
4. Eligibility Criteria
- FSWP: This program has 100-point selection grid which is basically based on six different factors like:
- Adaptability
- Job Offer
- Age
- Work experience
- Language proficiency
- Education
- To Qualify, must score at least 67 points out of 100.
- CEC: Whereas, CEC doesn’t need such a scoring grid. Eligibility only depends on Language Proficiency Scores and Canadian work experience.
5. Offer of Employment Requirement
- None of these programs need a job offer, but:
- In the Express Entry System, a valid job offer helps to get a hike in CRS score.
- Whereas, FSWP applicants generally depend on International Work Experience and strong education credentials.
6. Financial Proof
- FSWP: You need to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family too except if you are having a valid Canadian Job Offer.
- CEC: No Financial Proof is required, this step makes things easier for those applicants who are already working and well settled in Canada.
7. Processing Time
Both of these programs are managed through the Express Entry System, and time duration varies depending on the number of applications. On average:
- FSWP: This program takes nearly 6–8 months once after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- CEC: This program is processed a little bit faster as compared to the FSWP, as documentation in CEC is easier to verify in Canada.
Advantages of Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class
Federal Skilled Worker Program
- This program is open to international skilled professionals throughout the world.
- Best for those applicants who don’t have Canadian experience.
- CRS System Comprehensive points system identifies adaptability, language and education.
- Before arriving in Canada, this program offers a direct route to Canada PR.
Canadian Experience Class
- This category is best for those workers who are temporary and foreign graduates with Canadian work experience.
- No Financial Proof is required.
- Has faster processing times.
- Has high success rates comparative to FSWP due to the proven merging into Canadian society.
Which Program is best to choose for you?
Which program do you want to choose completely depends on your professional and personal background:
Aspect | Suitable Program |
Already living, working or studying in Canada | CEC |
Thinking about direct immigration from abroad | FSWP |
Canadian Experience but Lower language scores | CEC |
Strong language Proficiency in English/French along withHigher education | FSWP |
Canadian Work Experience | CEC |
No work experience in Canada | FSWP |
Wrapping Up
Both the FSWP and the CEC are different and open beneficial pathways to get Canadian permanent residence, if applied through the Express Entry.
FSWP is the best option for those applicants who have good international professional experience, and gives a chance to get Canadian Permanent Resident totally based on education and global skills.
Next is CEC, this option is the best option for those who studied in Canada and want to build their career in Canada, so CEC identifies those applicants and transmits these applications to get Permanent Residency.
