NOC 2021: Changes to Canadian Immigration and Foreign Worker Eligibility
As of November 16, 2022, IRCC adopted the NOC 2021 classification system. This page outlines how the shift to NOC 2021 affects eleven economic immigration and work permit programs in Canada.
Table of Contents
What is NOC 2021?
What is NOC 2021?
Since 1992, IRCC has relied on different versions of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system to organize and classify occupations for immigration purposes.
Beginning on November 16, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) started using the 2021 edition of the NOC system to evaluate occupations for skilled worker permanent residence and work permit applications.
The introduction of NOC 2021 affects Express Entry and several other key immigration and work permit programs in Canada.
Programs Affected by NOC 2021
The NOC 2021 update changes eligibility requirements across several immigration and work permit programs in Canada. In total, it affects 11 key programs, including:
- Express Entry pathways such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Caregiver immigration streams
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Programs for out-of-status construction workers
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- International Mobility Program
This change applies broadly across both permanent residence and temporary work pathways.
Matching NOC 2016 with NOC 2021 and the TEER System
One major update introduced with NOC 2021 is the shift from the previous classification structure used in National Occupational Classification 2016. Under the older system, Express Entry applicants needed work experience categorized under skill levels 0, A, B, C, or D.
With the introduction of NOC 2021, this framework has been replaced by the TEER system, which stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. It divides occupations into six distinct categories based on skill requirements and job duties.
The following table provides a comparison between the NOC 2016 skill levels and the updated NOC 2021 TEER categories, along with examples of job types that fall under each classification.
| 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 | Short-term work demonstration and no formal education | Landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers; Delivery service drivers |
Find your NOC
NOC 2021 is changing all occupation codes from four to five digits. If you are wondering what your new NOC is, use this Government of Canada tool to find your NOC 2021 code and TEER category today, according to your job title.
Changes to Express Entry Eligibility Criteria
Express Entry is one of Canada’s primary pathways for attracting skilled immigrants. With the introduction of NOC 2021, the eligibility requirements for all three programs under Express Entry are being adjusted. Note: CLB refers to the Canadian Language Benchmark, which measures English language proficiency levels.
| 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 required. |
New occupations eligible for Express Entry
With the introduction of National Occupational Classification 2021, several occupations have been added as eligible under Express Entry.
The following 16 job categories are now included:
- 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 service workers
- Pest control workers and fumigators
- Other repair and service technicians
- Truck drivers
- Bus drivers, subway operators, and other transit operators
- Heavy equipment operators
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
Occupations no longer eligible under Express Entry
With the rollout of National Occupational Classification 2021, a small number of occupations are no longer eligible under Express Entry.
The following three job groups have been removed from eligibility:
- Other performers
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness
- Tailors, dressmakers, furriers, and milliners
Although these occupations are no longer accepted under Express Entry, they may still qualify under other immigration routes that have wider occupational criteria, including certain streams within Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs.
Will NOC 2021 affect CRS scores?
With the introduction of National Occupational Classification 2021, the way points are awarded under the Comprehensive Ranking System has been updated to align with the new TEER structure.
Under the revised system, points for “arranged employment” are now based on TEER categories instead of the previous NOC skill levels.
For instance, candidates who previously qualified for 50 CRS points under Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B in the NOC 2016 system will continue to receive the same points if their job falls under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 in NOC 2021.
Will NOC 2021 affect FSWP scoring?
With the adoption of National Occupational Classification 2021, the points used for selection factors under the Federal Skilled Worker Program have been updated to align with the TEER system.
This update replaces the older NOC skill level structure with TEER categories for evaluating factors such as arranged employment.
For example, applicants who previously received 10 points for arranged employment under Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B in NOC 2016 will continue to earn the same points if their occupation falls under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 in NOC 2021.
Updating Express Entry profiles after the switch to NOC 2021
After the transition to National Occupational Classification 2021, different actions are required depending on a candidate’s stage in the Express Entry process.
Applicants who have not yet created an Express Entry profile and are applying on or after November 16, 2022 must use the updated NOC 2021 system, selecting the correct five-digit occupation code and TEER category.
Those who already submitted a profile but have not yet received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) must update their existing profile to reflect the NOC 2021 classification, using the new TEER system and updated occupation codes from the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) list.
However, candidates who received an ITA before November 16, 2022 can proceed with their application using the NOC 2016 code provided at the time of invitation, without needing to switch to NOC 2021.
