Express Entry
The NOC Changes Implemented Today Will Affect Express Entry Candidates
IRCC will be switching to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system 2021 today, an update that has been in the process since the announcement on July 27. The shift will cause changes in eligibility for Canada’s 100+ immigration programs, including Express Entry. As an example, while the current NOC system (NOC 2016) requires Express Entry candidates to have work experience classified in NOC skill types 0, A or B, IRCC’s shift to NOC 2021 will result in the shift to TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities).
Here’s how the skill type categories of the prevailing NOC system match up with the TEER categories of the 2021 NOC system.
| 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 |
Updated NOC 2021 Qualifying Criteria for Express Entry
| Eligibility criteria | Canadian Experience Class | Federal Skilled Worker Program | Federal Skilled Trades Program |
| English or French skills | CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations | CLB 7 | 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 one or more of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3. | Work experience in an occupation listed in one of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or 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 three years,(either combination of full-time or part-time work). | One year continues within the last 10 years (a combination of part-time, full-time or more than one job in your primary occupation). | Two years within last five 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. | A valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one 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. |
FSWP selection factor points keynote
With the introduction of NOC 2021, the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) will now follow the updated Skill Type/Level chart. For instance, if an applicant scores 10 points for arranged employment in skill type/level 0, A, or B, they will still get those points for arranged employment in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
As Express Entry Moves to NOC 2021, Occupational Eligibility Will Change
With the shift to NOC 2021, 16 occupations will be added to the list of newly eligible ones for Express Entry, while three occupations become ineligible. The three ineligible occupations will qualify for programs with broader occupational eligibility criteria, such as a few streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Here’s a list of 16 eligible occupations:
- Payroll administrators
- Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
- Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
- Sheriffs and bailiffs
- Correctional service officers
- By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
- Estheticians, electrologists, and related occupations
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers
- Pest controllers and fumigators
- Other repairers and servicers
- Transport truck drivers
- Bus drivers, subway operators, and other transit operators
- Heavy equipment operators
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
- Three newly ineligible occupations:
- Other performers
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness
- Tailors, dressmakers, furriers, and milliners
CRS will be Affected by the Transition to NOC 2021
Likewise, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points given for arranged employment will now follow the updated Skill Type/Level chart introduced with NOC 2021.
For instance: A candidate who would have received 50 points for arranged employment in Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B will still receive those points if their NOC is in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
