IRCC’s transition to the NOC 2021 system: What you need to know?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be implementing the 2021 version of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system today. This change has been in the process since it was announced on July 27
Important information about selection factor points for the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
The points awarded for selection factors in the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) will now be based on the updated Skill Type/Level chart introduced with the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
As an example, the current NOC system (NOC 2016) requires that an Express Entry candidate have work experience classified under NOC skill types 0, A, or B. However, the transition to the NOC 2021 system will bring a shift to the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system.
Here is a comparison of the skill type categories in the current NOC system and the TEER categories in 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 eligibility 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 continuous within the last 10 years (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 required. You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education. | Not required. |
* Key groups of TEER 2 and 3 that are eligible for the FSTP include: Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers, excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers; Major Group 73, general trades; Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production; Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production; Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers; Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors; Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers, and; Unit Group 62200, chefs.
*CLB refers to Canadian Language Benchmark
Key factors about selection factor points for the FSWP
The points awarded for selection factors in the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) will now be based on the updated Skill Type/Level chart introduced with the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
For example, a candidate who previously would have received 10 points for arranged employment in Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B will still receive those points if their arranged employment is in the new NOC’s Skill Type/Level 0, 1, 2, or 3
The transition to the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system will result in changes to occupational eligibility for the Express Entry program.
As part of the transition to the 2021 NOC system, 16 occupations will become newly eligible for Express Entry while three will become ineligible. However, the three occupations that will no longer be eligible for Express Entry will still be eligible for certain programs with broader occupational eligibility criteria, such as some streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
16 newly 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
The transition to the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system will affect the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Similar to the changes mentioned above for the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), the points awarded for arranged employment in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will now be based on the updated Skill Type/Level chart introduced with the 2021 NOC system
For example, a candidate who previously 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 the new Skill Type/Level 0, 1, 2, or 3
Actions to take based on your current status in the Express Entry process
Depending on their current status in the Express Entry process, candidates will need to take different actions in relation to the transition to the NOC 2021 system as required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Firstly, Candidates who have not yet submitted an Express Entry profile but plan to do so on or after the switch to the NOC 2021 will need to use the new NOC codes when filling out their profile.
Meanwhile, Candidates who have already submitted an Express Entry profile but have not yet received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) will need to update their profile with the new NOC codes after the changes are implemented. This will involve searching the NOC 2021 list on the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website and updating their profile with their TEER category and five-digit occupation code.
Finally, Candidates who received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) prior to November 16 must submit their Express Entry application using the NOC codes provided at the time of their ITA, which will be based on the NOC 2016 system.