IRCC is switching to the new NOC 2021 system today
The transition was announced on July 27 and since then there have been works to ensure a smooth change. As of November 16, candidates applying through the Express Entry system have to use new occupational TEER codes. The TEER categorization defines the requirements of the occupation by considering the type of training, education and experience required for entry, as well as the complexities and responsibilities typical of an occupation. Instead of being classified as Skill Level A, B, C, or D, jobs are now classed as TEER Category 0-5 under the new NOC codes.
| TEER Category 0 (formerly, skill type 0) | Occupations in management |
| TEER Category 1 (formerly, Skill Level “A”) | A university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate); like financial advisors, software engineers. |
| TEER Category 2 (formerly, Skill Level “B”) | Completion of a two- to the three-year postsecondary education program at a community college, the institution of technology, or CEGEP; or completion of a two to a five-year apprenticeship training program; or occupations having supervisory or major safety duties (police officers and firefighters); like computer network and web technicians, medical laboratory technologists. |
| TEER Category 3 (formerly, Skill Level “B”) | Completion of a two-year postsecondary education program at a community college, institute of technology, or CÉGEP; or apprenticeship training that lasts shorter than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training, training courses, or particular professional experience with a high school diploma; like bakers, dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants. |
| TEER Category 4 (formerly, Skill Level “C”) | Secondary school graduation; or several weeks of on-the-job training combined with a high school diploma; like home child care providers, retail salespersons and visual merchandisers. |
| TEER Category 5 (formerly, Skill Level “D”) | There are no formal schooling prerequisites and only a brief job demonstration. Like landscaping and grounds maintenance labourers, delivery service drivers and door-to-door distributors. |
Only certain skill levels (now TEER levels) are eligible for specific immigration programs. Previously, eligibility for Express Entry programs required at least NOC Skill Level B or above. With NOC 2021, the eligibility cut-off for Express Entry will become TEER 3. This will result in 16 new occupations becoming eligible and three becoming ineligible.
- Payroll administrators (NOC 13102, previously NOC 1432)
- Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (NOC 33100, previously NOC 4311)
- Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates (NOC 33102, previously NOC 3413)
- Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants (NOC 33103, previously NOC 3219)
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100, previously NOC 4413)
- Sheriffs and bailiffs (NOC 43200, previously NOC 4421)
- Correctional service officers (NOC 43201, previously NOC 4422)
- By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers (NOC 43202, previously NOC 4423)
- Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations (NOC 63211, previously NOC 6562)
- Residential and commercial installers and servicers (NOC 73200, previously NOC 7441)
- Pest controllers and fumigators (NOC 73202, previously NOC 7444)
- Other repairers and servicers (NOC 73209, previously NOC 7445)
- Transport truck drivers (NOC 73300, previously NOC 7511)
- Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators (NOC 73301, previously NOC 7512)
- Heavy equipment operators (NOC 73400, previously NOC 7521)
- Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors (NOC 93200, previously NOC 9521)
As of November 16, 2022, the three occupations are ineligible for Express Entry. However, these occupations will remain eligible under some Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams:
- Other performers (NOC 55109, previously NOC 5232)
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (NOC 54100, previously NOC 5254)
- Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners (NOC 64200, previously NOC 6342).
