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National Occupational Classification

National Occupational Classification

NOC 2021: Changes to Canadian Immigration and Foreign Worker Eligibility

As of November 16, 2022, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has transitioned to using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system. This update has an impact on eleven economic class immigration and work permit programs in Canada.

The NOC is a system used to classify and organize occupations in Canada based on skill types and levels. It provides a standardized framework for understanding and categorizing different job roles and requirements in the Canadian labor market.

The transition to NOC 2021 affects various immigration and work permit programs, including those related to economic class applicants. These programs assess applicants based on their skills, work experience, and qualifications to determine their eligibility for immigration or work permits in Canada.

The impact of NOC 2021 on these programs means that applicants will need to align their work experience and job offers with the updated NOC codes and descriptions. It is important for applicants to review the NOC 2021 system and ensure that their occupations and related information are accurately represented under the new classification.

The transition to NOC 2021 aims to ensure that the Canadian immigration system remains up to date with current labor market needs and occupational requirements. By aligning with the new system, the IRCC aims to improve the accuracy and relevance of the assessments conducted for economic class immigration and work permit programs.

For detailed information about how NOC 2021 impacts specific programs, it is advisable to refer to the Canada Visa page provided by the IRCC. This page will provide comprehensive explanations and guidance regarding the specific changes and requirements under the updated NOC system for the affected programs.

Overall, the transition to NOC 2021 by IRCC affects eleven economic class immigration and work permit programs in Canada. It is important for applicants to familiarize themselves with the updated NOC codes and descriptions to ensure accurate representation of their occupations and to meet the requirements of the programs they are applying for.

NOC 2021 refers to the 2021 version of the National Occupation Classification system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to categorize and classify occupations for immigration purposes in Canada.

As of November 16, 2022, IRCC and ESDC started using the NOC 2021 system to assess the occupations of skilled worker permanent residence and work permit applicants. This change affects various Canadian immigration and work permit programs, including Express Entry, Atlantic Immigration Program, Provincial Nominee Program, Caregivers Programs, and more.

The NOC 2021 system introduces a new Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categorization, which replaces the previous skill types and levels. The TEER categories range from TEER 0 to TEER 5, representing different levels of training, education, experience, and responsibilities required for specific occupations.

The eligibility criteria for Express Entry programs, including Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), have also been adjusted with the introduction of NOC 2021. Changes include requirements related to language skills, type and level of work experience, job offers, and education.

NOC 2021 also brings changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points and selection factors for the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP). Points for “arranged employment” and other selection factors now align with the updated TEER categories and skill levels.

Candidates in the Express Entry system who have not yet submitted their profile, as well as those who have already submitted but not received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), are required to update their profiles according to NOC 2021. This involves finding and submitting the appropriate occupation code and TEER category based on the new classification system.

It’s important to note that this information is based on the knowledge cutoff in September 2021, and there may have been further updates or changes to the NOC system since then. It is always recommended to consult official government sources or an immigration professional for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding immigration and the NOC system in Canada.