For prospective immigrants in Canada’s Express Entry system, understanding how work experience impact the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is vital.
In this case, unless they have a confirmed employment offer in Canada, the National Occupation Classification 2021 (NOC 2021) code relating to their work experience has no bearing on the CRS score. Find out how your Express Entry application takes job experience into account.
Despite the fact that NOC codes don’t directly affect the CRS score, they are nonetheless important for Express Entry. They have a significant impact on an applicant’s eligibility and selection for immigration to Canada in category-based draws and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). To successfully navigate the immigration procedure, one must be aware of NOC codes.
Read on to learn more about the workings of the Express Entry system and how selecting the right NOC code can improve your chances of completing a successful immigration process to Canada.
Introductory details about CRS scores
CRS scores play a pivotal role in Canada’s immigration system, specifically within the Express Entry framework. These scores serve as a ranking mechanism employed by the Canadian federal government to evaluate candidates applying for one of the three Express Entry-managed programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). The primary purpose of CRS scores is to establish a hierarchy among applicants, allowing authorities to issue invitations for permanent residency (Express Entry draws). Essentially, the CRS score determines an applicant’s standing in the pool, with higher scores enhancing their prospects of receiving an invitation.
It should be noted that in normal Express Entry draws, CRS scores are the main factor. Candidates are ranked in these drawings based on their CRS scores, and those who score higher than the cut-off score for a given draw are given ITAs for Canadian PR. This will be clarified further in this debate, but category-based Express Entry draws are exempt from this rule.
NOC code – An overview
Canada’s NOC system is the mechanism through which the Canadian federal government categorizes, describes, distinguishes, and delineates job roles based on their primary responsibilities, educational prerequisites, and other pertinent details. For classification purposes, the system assigns a distinct identification number to each occupation, commonly known as the occupation’s NOC code. Each NOC code is represented by a five-digit numerical sequence.
About NOC codes and standard Express Entry draws
A candidate’s NOC can significantly increase their chances of receiving an ITA for Canadian PR in the context of routine Express Entry lotteries. The Canadian government specifies in the CRS Additional Points section (Category D) that Express Entry applicants can receive an additional 50 or 200 CRS points for “Arranged Employment.”
Candidates will be awarded 200 extra points toward their CRS score if they have arranged employment (a work offer that was finalized before they arrived in Canada) in a profession that belongs to Major Group 00 of NOC 2021. On the other hand, applicants who have received a qualifying employment offer in any other profession outside NOC TEER 0, 1, or 3 will receive an additional 50 CRS points.
Depending on a candidate’s NOC, the extra CRS points can greatly improve their chances of being selected in the regular Express Entry lotteries for immigration to Canada.
In the NOC, Major Group 00 includes job categories identified as “Senior Management.” This category includes legislators, top government managers and officials, and senior managers in a variety of fields, including finance, communications, health, broadcasting, construction, and transportation.
Role of NOC codes in category-based Express Entry draws
The Canadian government is able to give priority to immigration applicants who have recent job experience in particular high-demand fields and fluency in the French language thanks to category-based Express Entry draws. This strategy can solve the most severe labor market shortages in the nation.
The five primary occupational sectors that Canada will concentrate on in 2023 are healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), transportation, trades, and agriculture/agri-food. As well as, these categories each include a variety of jobs, each with a different NOC code. Therefore, in addition to their usual Express Entry eligibility, individuals with recent work experience in an occupation listed under a particular NOC code may also qualify for immigration to Canada through category-based draws.
Canada has designated several occupational groups for Express Entry drawings in 2023. There are several acceptable vocations within each category. The following are some examples of jobs that fall within these categories:
- Healthcare: Dentists, Massage Therapists
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics): Architects, Engineering Managers
- Transport: Transport Truck Drivers
- Trades: Residential and Commercial Installers and Servicers
- Agriculture and Agri-Food: Butchers – Retail and Wholesale
Moreover, these examples illustrate the diverse range of eligible occupations within each category, and candidates with work experience in any of these professions may be considered for immigration to Canada through category-based Express Entry draws.
NOC Codes and their role in the provincial nominee program
The significance of a candidate for immigration’s NOC concerning their professional background lies in the distinct labor market requirements of many provinces. Provinces use their PNP to address particular skill demands and labor shortages. When a candidate’s work history matches a certain NOC, a province or territory is more likely to aggressively seek out talented professionals with that candidate’s specific professional background and skills. As a result, they are more likely to receive a nomination from the province, which is an important stage in the immigration process.
Introduction to Canada’s provincial nominee programs
The provinces and territories of Canada, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, all have active Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which play a significant role in the country’s immigration policy. Also, these initiatives act as region-specific immigration plans developed to address distinct economic and labor market issues. They actively look for foreigners who have the specific knowledge and credentials that are in demand in their locations today. Surprisingly, PNPs make up the majority of immigrants who enter Canada through the economic-class immigration categories. As well as each province or territory that takes part in these programs has the power to choose the qualified applicants and make offers of permanent residency. The main goal is to close significant skills shortages in the labor market and draw these people to settle in the regions that need their knowledge and economic support.
Furthermore, within each PNP, individual provinces and territories administer numerous streams tailored to accommodate foreigners with diverse professional backgrounds. To give an example, the following notable provinces—excluding Quebec—that will be the top destinations for new Canadian permanent residents in 2022 have specialized streams for professionals in a range of occupations:
- Under the Ontario Employer Job Offer, Ontario offers specialized streams for nurse assistants, transport truck drivers, and helpers/laborers in the construction trades. Stream of In-Demand Skills.
- Within the Skills Immigration: Healthcare Professional Category, British Columbia offers streams tailored for nurses, doctors, and psychiatric nurses.
- Alberta offers a farm stream that targets farm workers seeking to contribute to the province.
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