For the Canadian Experience Class, qualifying work experience includes any skilled work (classified under NOC 0, A, or B) accumulated in Canada on a valid work permit. You must have at least one year of full-time (or an equivalent in part-time) work experience within the last three years. Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (such as co-op terms) do not count.

The duration can vary depending on several factors including the completeness of your application, the current processing times at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and your promptness in responding to any requests for additional information. Typically, the process can take from six months to over a year once your Express Entry profile is submitted and you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Yes, you can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in your application for permanent residency under the Canadian Experience Class. It’s important to ensure that all family members included in the application meet the admissibility requirements, such as medical, criminal, and background checks.

If your profile is not selected from the Express Entry pool within 12 months of submission, it will expire, and you will need to submit a new profile. However, during this period, you can improve your profile by updating any increase in work experience, improved language scores, or any other new qualifications to increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and enhance your chances of receiving an ITA.