NOC 99999: Canada’s pseudo-NOC for open work permits

Martina is a citizen of Argentina. Her common-law partner recently secured a work permit in Canada. Marina wants to apply for an open work permit accordingly. Therefore, she hired an immigration consultant. Martina’s consultant informs her that IRCC will use NOC 999999 for her work permit. She wonders what this code is and how it will affect her future applications in Canada.

What is NOC?

Before discussing NOC 99999, let’s focus on the concept of NOC. This acronym reflects the National Occupational Classification in Canada. The Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is the organization that classifies all jobs under a coding system. Each job classification consists of a five-digit code. Here are some examples:

• NOC 00015 – Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities
• NOC 21100 – Physicists and astronomers
• NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses

The NOC system is helpful for the immigration process in Canada. It could assist the authorities in realizing the usefulness of a person’s work experience or job offer for Canada. Some immigration options focus on specific NOC codes and invite potential immigrants accordingly. Here are some examples:

• Ontario Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream
• Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand
• Nova Scotia Occupations in Demand

I have another article that explains NOC in more detail. If you are not familiar with this concept, consider reading that article.

What is NOC 99999?

Formerly known as NOC 9999, this code mostly covers open work permits. Specifically, you may find the traces of this code in work permit options under the following programs:

• Humanitarian reasons [R208 – H81 and H82]
• Applicants with no other means of support [R206 – S61 and S62]
• Spouses and common-law partners of study permit holders – [R205(c)(ii) – C42]
• Experts on a mission working for a United Nations office in Canada [R205(a) – C10]
• Work related to a research, educational or training program – exemption codes C31, C32 and C33
• Yukon Community Pilot – Open work permits (R205(a) – A75)
• Open work permits for applicants under the Interim Pathway for Caregivers
• Public policy for the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class or family class applicants to apply in Canada [R205(a) – A74]
• Family members of WP holders who are Economic Class PR applicants or chosen by a province [R205(c)(ii) – C49]
• Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) holders currently outside Quebec [R205(a) – A76]
• Bridging open work permits for certain economic class permanent residence applicants [R205(a) – A75]
• Family members of foreign nationals authorized to work in low-skilled occupations (TEER 4 or 5) [R205(c)(ii) – C47 and C48]
• Family members of foreign nationals authorized to work in high-skilled occupations (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) [R205(c)(ii) – C41 and C46]
• International Experience Canada [R205(b) – C21]
• Open work permits for vulnerable workers [R207.1 – A72]

The R20x refers to the section of the Immigration Regulations that applies to each option, and the code next to it refers to the LMIA exemption code. This code is the product of an agreement between ESDC and IRCC. NOC 99999 does not exist under regular NOC codes. Consequently, we could call this code a pseudo-code or a synthetic code. Don’t try to locate it on the NOC website.

What is the TEER level of NOC 99999?

TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) is a new categorization system introduced in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, replacing the former skill level structure to better categorize jobs based on their requirements​.

Since NOC 99999 does not exist on the NOC website, you may not identify its TEER level. However, if the applicant later works in Canada, their work experience defines the TEER level of their experience in Canada.

Where do you use this code?

The simple answer is nowhere (unlike NOC 88888). The code 99999 indicates the work permit is open and doesn’t go beyond this. Moreover, it doesn’t have any positive or negative implications. However, holding an open work permit could help you gain Canadian work experience and potentially qualify for an immigration option such as the CEC or a PNP option.

Let us help!

I have practiced as an immigration consultant since January 2011. Moreover, I have had tens of clients who applied for a work permit under NOC 99999 and later applied for PR. Please book a consultation session for official immigration advice. If you face complexities, you may alternatively fill out the following form.