NOC 2021: Changes to Canadian Immigration and Foreign Worker Eligibility
November 16, 2022, IRCC has transitioned to NOC 2021.
This page on themillenniumimmigration.com outlines the effects of NOC 2021 on the eleven economic class immigration and work permit programs impacted by this update.
Table of Contents
- What is NOC 2021?
- Affected Canada Immigration Programs
- Matching your NOC 2016 to NOC 2021
- Find your NOC
- Changes to Express Entry eligibility criteria
- New jobs eligible through Express Entry
- Jobs ineligible through Express Entry
- Impact on Express Entry CRS scores
- Impact on the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
- Next Steps: Updating online Express Entry profiles
What is NOC 2021?
Since 1992, IRCC has utilized various versions of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system to categorize and classify occupations for immigration purposes.
As of November 16, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) have adopted the 2021 version of the NOC system for evaluating the occupations of skilled worker permanent residence and work permit applicants.
This update affects Express Entry and numerous other key Canadian immigration and work permit pathways.
Programs Affected by NOC 2021
NOC 2021 affects the eligibility criteria for the following eleven programs:
Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Caregivers Programs
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
Agri-Food Pilot
Out-of-Status Construction Workers
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
International Mobility Program (IMP)
Matching NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 and understanding the new TEER system
One significant change with NOC 2021 is the shift from the previous NOC system (NOC 2016), which required Express Entry candidates to have work experience classified under NOC skill types 0, A, B, C, or D. The new NOC 2021 employs a six-category Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system.
The table below will correlate NOC 2016 skill types/levels with the NOC 2021 TEER categories, along with examples of occupation types that correspond to each TEER category.
| NOC 2016 | NOC 2021 | Occupation Types | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skill Level 0 | TEER 0 | Management occupations | Advertising, marketing and public relations managers; Financial managers |
| Skill Level A | TEER 1 | Occupations that usually require a university degree | Financial advisors; Software engineers |
| Skill Level B | TEER 2 | Occupations that usually require
| Computer network and web technicians; Medical laboratory technologists |
| Skill Level B | TEER 3 | Occupations that usually require
| Bakers; Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants |
| Skill Level C | TEER 4 | Occupations that usually require
| Home child care providers; Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers |
| Skill Level D | TEER 5 | Occupations that usually need short-term work demonstration and no formal education | Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers; Delivery service drivers and door-to-door distributors |
Find your NOC
NOC 2021 is transitioning all occupation codes from four to five digits.
If you’re curious about your new NOC code, you can use this Government of Canada tool to find your NOC 2021 code and corresponding TEER category based on your job title.
Express Entry eligibility criteria changes
Express Entry is a key pathway for skilled immigrants to come to Canada. With the implementation of NOC 2021, all three programs under Express Entry will experience changes in their eligibility criteria.
*Note: CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmark.*
| Eligibility Criteria | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English or French skills | CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations. | CLB 7 | CLB 5 for speaking and listening; CLB 4 for reading and writing. |
| Type/Level of work experience | Canadian work experience in an occupation listed in one or more of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3. | Work experience in an occupation listed in one of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3. | Work experience in a skilled trade under key groups of TEER 2 or TEER 3.* |
| Amount of work experience | One year in Canada in the last three years (either combination of full-time or part-time work). | One year continuous within the last 10 years (combination of part-time, full-time or more than one job in your primary occupation). | Two years within last five years (either combination of full-time or part-time work). |
| Job offer | Not required. | Not required but you can get selection criteria (FSW) points for having a valid job offer. | A valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority. |
| Education | Not required. | Secondary education required. You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education. | Not re |
New jobs eligible for Express Entry
Under NOC 2021, the following 16 occupations have now become eligible through the Express Entry system:
Payroll administrators
Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
Sheriffs and bailiffs
Correctional service officers
By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
Estheticians, electrologists, and related occupations
Residential and commercial installers and servicers
Pest controllers and fumigators
Other repairers and servicers
Transport truck drivers
Bus drivers, subway operators, and other transit operators
Heavy equipment operators
Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
Jobs now ineligible for Express Entry
Under NOC 2021, the following three occupations have become ineligible for the Express Entry system:
Other performers
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness
Tailors, dressmakers, furriers, and milliners
These newly ineligible occupations may still qualify for other immigration pathways that have broader eligibility criteria, such as certain streams within the 11 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) across Canada.
Will NOC 2021 impact CRS scores?
With the introduction of NOC 2021, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points awarded for ‘arranged employment’ will now align with the updated Skill Type/Level chart.
For instance, a candidate who previously earned 50 points for ‘arranged employment’ under Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B (NOC 2016) will still receive those points if their new NOC falls within TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (NOC 2021).
Will NOC 2021 impact scoring for the FSWP?
Under NOC 2021, points awarded for ‘selection factors’ in the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) will now correspond with the updated Skill Type/Level chart.
For example, a candidate who previously received 10 points for ‘arranged employment’ in Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B (NOC 2016) will continue to earn those points for ‘arranged employment’ if their new classification is in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (NOC 2021).
Updating Express Entry profiles after switch to NOC 2021
As Canada transitions to NOC 2021, different actions will be required from candidates at various stages of their Express Entry process.
1. For candidates who have not yet submitted an Express Entry profile: Those planning to submit on or after November 16, 2022, must find and use their occupation code according to NOC 2021 when completing their profile.
2. For candidates who have submitted a profile but have not received an Invitation to Apply (ITA): They will need to update their profiles once the transition to NOC 2021 is official. Candidates should check the NOC 2021 list on the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website and revise their profiles with the new TEER category and five-digit occupation code.
3. For candidates who received an ITA before November 16: They can submit their Express Entry application using the NOC 2016 system and the corresponding NOC code from their ITA. In this case, the transition to NOC 2021 does not affect their application process.
Contact the Milleenium Immigration for Assistance
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Launched in 2013, themillenniumimmigration.com serves as the online platform for The Millennium Immigration, establishing itself as one of the most reliable resources for Canadian immigration information. If you’re considering immigrating to Canada through Express Entry or another skilled worker pathway, your journey begins by completing a free assessment form on themillenniumimmigration.com. If you qualify for Canadian immigration, a member of The Millennium Immigration team will contact you to provide comprehensive support.