The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system changes in 2021 will be going into effect from today, as announced on 27 July by IRCC. These Changes to NOC will affect Express Entry candidates. Many of Canada’s immigration programs, including Express Entry, will change eligibility as a result of this action.
Training Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) will be used to replace the current NOC system. Candidates for Express Entry would no longer be required to have work experience in NOC skill classes 0 or A.
Based on the skill type categories that exist in the existing NOC system, here is how the TEER categories of the 2021 NOC system correspond to them.
| NOC 2016 | NOC 2021 |
| Skill Type 0 | TEER 0 |
| Skill Level A | TEER 1 |
| Skill Level B | TEER 2 |
| Skill Level B | TEER 3 |
| Skill Level C | TEER 4 |
| Skill Level D | TEER 5 |
NOC 2021 Express Entry eligibility requirements updated
| Required eligibility | CEC – (Canadian Experience Class) | FSWP – (Federal Skilled Worker Program) | FSTP – (Federal Skilled Trades Program) |
| Required skills in French or English | For TEER 0 occupations CLB 7 is required. For occupations TEER 2 or TEER 3 CLB 5 is required. | CLB 7 | CLB 4 is required for writing & reading; and CLB5 is required for listening. |
| Experience level/Types | The following NOC TEER Categories’ specified professions—TEER 0, 1, 2, 3must have prior Canadian work experience. | TEER 0 – TEER 1 – TEER 2 – TEER 3 is a work experience category listed in a NOC TEER. | TEER 2 or TEER 3 skilled trade experience is required. |
| Experience in the field of work | In the past three years, you have spent at least one year working in Canada (whether full-time or part-time work). | Continuous employment in your primary occupation for a decade (part-time, full-time, or more than one job). | A period of two years (either full-time work or a combination of both) within the last five years |
| Job offer letter | Not required. | A valid job offer isn’t required, but it can earn you selection criteria (FSW) points. | A full-time job offer from an employer with a minimum one-year commitment is required, or you must possess a provincial, territorial, or federal certificate of certification for that specialized profession. |
| qualification | Not required. | An education beyond secondary school is required. Obtaining a postsecondary education will earn you more selection criteria (FSW) points. | Not required. |
FSWP selection factor points: A key note
In the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), points will be awarded for selection considerations based on the new Skill Type/Level chart that will be used with the NOC 2021 system.
When arranging employment in Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B, a candidate receives the same number of points as if they had arranged employment in TEER 0, 1, or 2.
NOC 2021 changes will affect Express Entry’s candidates and occupational eligibility
Changing to NOC 2021 results in the loss of eligibility for Express Entry for three occupations and the gain of eligibility for 16 new occupations. Some Provincial Nominee Program streams (PNP) still accept the newly disqualified jobs for programs with a more flexible occupational eligibility requirement.
This list now include 16 new occupations:
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
- Payroll administrators
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
- Assisting dentists and dental laboratory technicians
- Operators of heavy equipment
- Fumigators and pest controllers
- Drivers of buses, subways, and other transit vehicles
- Installers and service providers for residential and commercial properties
- Bailiffs and sheriffs
- Pest controllers and fumigators
- Drivers of transport trucks
- Professionals in the fields of aesthetics, electrologist, and related fields
- Others who repair and service
- Officers responsible for enforcing bylaws and other regulations
- Correctional service officers
There are three occupations that are no longer eligible:
- Performers from other countries
- Recreation, sport, and fitness program leaders and instructors
- Furriers, milliners, tailors, and dressmakers
Changes to NOC 2021 will affect CRS
In a similar manner to the most recent changes to the Federal Skills Workers Program (FSWP). The new Skill Type/Level chart introduced with the NOC 2021 system will now be followed by points based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which is similar to the revisions mentioned above.
NOCs in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 will still earn 50 points based on skill type/level 0, A, or B.
Your next step depends on your personal situation
IRCC’s requirements will vary depending on where an Express Entry applicant is in their process during the transition to NOC 2021.
The first step is to locate and submit your occupation’s code in accordance with NOC 2021 if you have yet to submit an Express Entry profile but intend to do so on or after today’s change.
In the absence of an Invitation to Apply (ITA), IRCC has different requirements. Express Entry candidates must have to updates their profile after NOC changes implemented. A person must update their profile on the Employment and Social Development Canada’s website with their five-digit occupation code and TEER category.
Finally, anyone who received an ITA before November 16 must use NOC 2016 to submit an Express Entry application. When receiving the package, use the NOC code provided.
