Canada is overhauling its National Occupational Classification (NOC) system and introducing new 2021 NOC codes. The new 2021 NOC codes will be implemented in late 2022 and will likely affect Express Entry and PNP candidates, especially those with occupations at NOC Skill Level B.

Applicants to these Canadian immigration programs need to identify which occupation, or NOC code, their work falls under. Making the correct choice of NOC is therefore a crucial part of a successful move to Canada.

Once the new NOC codes are implemented, likely in late 2022, applicants for immigration to Canada, as well as temporary work permit applicants, will need to use the new five-digit 2021 NOC codes structure, which will replace the four-digit structure in the 2016 versions of the classification. The new 2021 NOC codes add a new categorization for each occupation’s TEER category — referring to the degree of Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) required by the occupation.

The “TEER Category” will replace the “Skill Level” classification under the previous 2016 NOC. Instead of occupations being classified as Skill Level A, B, C, or D, under the 2021 NOC codes, occupations will classified at TEER Category 0-5:

The 2021 NOC codes use of TEER Categories could have major impacts for hopeful Express Entry candidates with occupations at Skill Levels “B” and “C”. As there will be six TEER Categories (as opposed to four Skill Levels), occupations previously listed at NOC Skill Level “B” will be redistributed — with some moving into TEER Category 2 and some moving into TEER Category 3.

For example, in the 2016 NOC codes, administrative assistants were classified as NOC 1241 — a Skill Level B occupation. In the 2021 NOC codes, administrative assistants have been reclassified as NOC 13110 — a TEER Category 3 occupation. You can look up how your NOC is changing using the table below.

The question remains: Which TEER Categories will be eligible for Express Entry?

If Express Entry restricts eligibility to those with occupations at TEER Category 0, 1, and 2, then all those with Skill Level B occupations that have been redistributed to TEER Category 3 may no longer be eligible for Express Entry. However, there’s also the possibility that Express Entry could expand eligibility to include more TEER Categories — or even adopt a new method entirely for assessing eligibility of work experience.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has not released any details about how the new 2021 NOC codes will impact immigration, including which TEER Categories may be eligible for Express Entry. As the new 2021 NOC codes likely won’t be implemented until late 2022, it could be months before IRCC announces how Express Entry will accommodate these changes. If you want to be the first to find out when new information is released — create a free Moving2Canada account and sign up for the newsletter.

What is my new 2021 NOC code?

Find out what your new NOC code will be by entering your four-digit code from the 2016 NOC codes:

You can also look up your 2021 NOC code by using this Government of Canada tool.

2021 NOC codes: Other important changes

In addition to the TEER Categories, there are many occupation name changes and new occupations within the 2021 NOC codes.

For example, software engineers and designers currently applying under NOC code 2173 will in the future need to apply under the 2021 NOC code 21231, which retains the occupation name “software engineers and designers”, or they’ll apply under the new NOC code 21211 for data scientists — an occupation that has not had its own NOC code until this 2021 NOC overhaul.

Which NOC code a particular applicant may need to apply under will depend on their work duties to date. The Government of Canada calls these newly-minted 2021 NOC codes “emerging items”, and there are many instances similar to the data scientists example, including: Cybersecurity specialists, business systems specialists, web designers (now distinct from developers), occupational health and safety specialists, financial advisors, production logistics workers, public and environmental health and safety professionals, nurse practitioners (distinct from allied primary health practitioners), general building maintenance workers and building superintendents.

Other 2021 NOC codes have been merged, split off, or transferred.

What is Canada’s NOC system?

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a classification of occupations used by the Government of Canada for a range of purposes, including immigration. The Government states that the hierarchical NOC system “provides a standardized framework for organizing the world of work.”

The basic principle of the NOC is the kind of work performed. Occupations are divided into unit groups. A collection of similar jobs or positions fall within each occupation. For example, the jobs ‘simulation software design engineer’, ‘specialist, telecommunications software’, and ‘artificial intelligence designer’ all fall within the occupation ‘software engineers’ (NOC 2173 under the current NOC structure).

The 2021 structural revision to the NOC system is the first major overhaul since 2011, reflecting changes in the labour market over the past decade.

How do the 2021 NOC codes work?

The 2021 NOC codes are five-digit codes. Each digit corresponds to a different category or group number. Here are the categories and groups that correspond to each digit of the 2021 NOC codes.

2021 NOC codes: Broad occupational categories

The 10 broad occupational categories (BOC) of the 2021 NOC code determines the first digit of your five-digit NOC code.

2021 NOC Codes: TEER categories

The TEER category determines the second digit of your five-digit NOC code.

The new “TEER” categorization defines occupation requirements by considering the type of training, education, and experience required, as well as the complexities and responsibilities typical of an occupation. As a general rule, more complex occupations require more formal education and training, previous experience, and on-the-job training.

From the Broad Occupational Categories and TEER Categories above, you can start to piece together a specific 2021 NOC code. For example, software engineers fall under BOC 2 for Natural and applied sciences and related occupations, and software engineers also typically require a university education or experience and expertise in the field — this gives us the first digit ‘2’ and second digit ‘1’ of the 2021 NOC code for software engineers: 21231.

New for NOC 2021: Sub-major groups

Another new feature of the NOC 2021 hierarchy is sub-major groups, which affect the third digit of your five-digit NOC code.

An example of a sub-major group is 212: Professional occupations in applied sciences.

2021 NOC codes: Minor groups

The fourth digit of your five-digit NOC code under the 2021 revision comes from the minor group.

An example of a minor group is 2123: Computer, software and Web designers and developers.

The NOC unit group

Finally, the unit group or occupation encompasses the minor group, sub-major group, TEER Category, and Broad Occupational Category described above. This makes up the fifth digit of your five-digit NOC code.

An example of a unit group is 21231 for — you guessed it! — software engineers.

When do the 2021 NOC codes come into effect?

The Government of Canada expects to begin using the 2021 NOC codes in the second half of 2022. Until then, Canadian immigration and work permit applicants should continue to use the existing NOC hierarchy, which was last updated in 2016.

Why is this NOC update important?

Choosing the correct NOC is a crucial step in a move to Canada. Whether you’re applying to come to Canada through an economic immigration program such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program of Express Entry, or through a temporary program such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program — your approval hinges largely on a correct choice of NOC code.

If you are confused by the NOC system or concerned that you may select the wrong NOC code, help is available. We have a short list of recommended immigration consultants here — any of these experienced and regulated experts will be able to assist you in choosing the appropriate NOC code and setting you on your way to Canada!

Source: Government of Canada