Express Entry Immigration Updates
New NOC Codes Effective Today
IRCC will be transitioning to the new 2021 version of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system today. This update will cause shifts for many immigration programs. This will include Express Entry, one of the most popular pathways to Canadian permanent residence.
How the NOC System Works
The NOC system is used to classify an applicant’s job to determine their eligibility for Canadian immigration programs. The system breaks down all occupations into codes. Codes are then grouped together based on the type of work, and the job duties that a person does.
When applying to Canadian economic immigration programs, candidates must select the NOC code that best matches their job. When choosing a NOC code, an individual should look at the main duties of the code, and how closely they correspond with the duties they perform in their job.
Replacing the Skill Types with TEER Categories
The first big change is replacing the current skill types. Currently the NOC system (NOC 2016) requires candidates to be classified under NOC skill types 0, A or B. The shift to 2021 NOC will see these skill types be replaced by the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories.
There are six TEER categories, an increase from the current four skill levels. In the NOC 2016 system, NOC skill level B has nearly a third of all occupations classified under it. However, many of these skill types vary greatly, which the new TEER system will aim to address with the six categories.
Here is how the skill type categories of the NOC 2016 system match up with the new TEER categories of the 2021 NOC system.
| NOC 2016 | NOC 2021 |
|---|---|
| Skill Type O ➔ | TEER 0 |
| Skill Level A ➔ | TEER 1 |
| TEER 2 | |
| Skill Level B ➔ | TEER 3 |
| Skill Level C ➔ | TEER 4 |
| Skill Level ➔ | TEER 5 |
Occupations Now Eligible for Express Entry
Most occupations from the previous NOC system will carry over the same eligibility for Express Entry. However, 16 previously ineligible occupations will become eligible for Express Entry based on their updated educational and experience requirements.
IRCC will add the following occupations with today’s switch to the new NOC:
- 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;
- Bylaw 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; and
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors.
In addition, three occupations will now become ineligible for Express Entry based on the updated requirements:
- Other performers;
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness; and
- Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners
Although the above three occupations will become ineligible for Express Entry as of November 16, they may still be eligible for other programs such as Provincial Nominee Programs.
Most significantly, candidates with experience in one of the above 16 occupations that were previously unable to submit an Express Entry profile may now become eligible to do so.
Next Steps
Depending on where each candidate is on their Express Entry path, IRCC requires different actions in accordance with the switch to NOC 2021.
For those who have not yet submitted an Express Entry profile, but plan to do so on or after today’s switch, will be required to use the new NOC 2021 system when selecting their occupation’s code.
On the other hand, candidates who have submitted a profile but have not received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) have to update their Express Entry profile. Candidates can update their submitted Express Entry profile any time after the changes have been implemented. Applicants will need to search the NOC 2021 list and update their profile with their TEER category and five-digit occupation code.
Finally, anyone who has received an ITA before November 16, 2022, must submit their application using NOC 2016.
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