IRCC will complete transition to NOC 2021 in November: Check the affected programs
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will switch to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), on November 16, 2022. This means that:
- the current NOC 2016 skill type and skill level structure (NOC 0, A, B, C and D) will be replaced with TEER Categories,
- the 4-digit occupation codes will become 5-digit codes, and
- IRCC will also update the eligibility criteria for all programs that use the NOC.
About the National Occupational Classification
National Occupational Classification or NOC is a system of classifying all jobs in Canada. ESDC or Employment and Social Development Canada is the organization in charge of developing NOC. Of course, to keep NOC meaningful and relatable, ESDC reviews NOC every five years. Consequently, they may make changes on how they classify jobs and how they organize the NOC system.
NOC 2021 is the latest version of NOC. While it shows many changes, the most prominent one is replacing the old skill levels with TEER categories. In the following article, Al Parsai explains in detail the TEER categories in NOC 2021 and how they compare with skill levels in NOC 2016 and the older versions: TEER Categories replace Skill Levels in NOC 2021.
You can also read ‘Everything you Need to Know About the NOC 2021 Version 1.0‘.
Affected programs
– Express Entry
| Eligibility criteria | Canadian Experience Class | Federal Skilled Worker Program | Federal Skilled Trades Program |
| Language skills | English or French skills – CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations – CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations | English or French skills CLB 7 | English or French skills 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 1 or more of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, TEER 3 | Also, work experience in an occupation listed in 1 of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, 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 3 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 1 job in your primary occupation) | Two years within last 5 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. | Required: – a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or – a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority. |
| Education | Not required. | Secondary education is required. You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education. | Not required. |
– Atlantic Immigration Program
Visit IRCC’s website if you’re applying for a job offer on or before November 15, 2022. However, if you’re applying for a job offer on or after November 16, 2022, you should use the NOC 2021 page.
<<Also Read: List of occupations that will shift to TEER 3 and become eligible for Express Entry>>
– Provincial Nominee Program
If a province or territory will get your application on or after November 16, 2022, you must use the 2021 version of NOC. Information about what to do if you receive an ITA through the Express Entry process on or after November 16, 2022, will be available in September.
– Other affected programs
- caregivers programs
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
- Agri-Food Pilot
- out-of-status construction workers
- International Mobility Program
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Find a job title, code and TEER
You can visit IRCC’s website and use its table to find the NOC 2021 information that best matches your job. You just have to enter your job title or numeric code in the “Filter items” field. Or, you can also go to the NOC website and search for your NOC using the title or numeric code.
Let us help!
Let’s say TEER categories confuse you, but you still want to immigrate as a skilled worker. In this case, fill out the following form. Of course, you may alternatively book a consultation session with Al Parsai or fill out our assessment form.
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