Canada’s immigration system is all set to switch to the NOC 2021 version from the current NOC 2016 system. Here’s all you need to know about the effects the transition would bring.

Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada’s immigration department is geared to switch to the 2021 version of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. The NOC 2016 system which was in implementation has been replaced with the new NOC 2021 system, which has come into implementation on, November 16 this year. The new NOC is likely to bring in differences concerning eligibility for a few of Canada’s Immigration programs, including Express Entry.

As per the NOC 2016, for a candidate to be eligible for Express Entry he or she needs to have experience countable under the NOC skill types i.e., 0, A, B, C, and D respectively, adhering to the guidelines of the NOC 2016. The now-implemented NOC 2021, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to determine work experience eligibility has incorporated the new system i.e., Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system.

National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021

The table below illustrates the shift or comparison of skill types under NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 TEER categorization.

What are the Instructions to Express Entry Candidates?

IRCC, through its web portal, has shared the new instructions needed to be followed by the candidates. Given that you have submitted your entry already, and are waiting for an Invitation to Apply (ITA), still you would have to update your profile according to the NOC 2021 TEER category on or after November 16, 2022.

For you to make the changes successfully there are a set of steps you would need to follow:

Step 1: Search for NOC 2021 list, on the website Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Step 2: Scan through the TEER category for your occupation code.

Step 3: Update your Express Entry profile with the correct TEER Category and 5 – digit Occupation code.

Step 4: Submit

Given that you have already received your Invitation To Apply (ITA) before November 16, then you can go ahead and submit your application as per NOC 2016 skill types. You do not need to follow the process of updating your application as per the New NOC 2021.

Updated Eligibility criteria as per NOC 2021 for Express Entry

*CLB refers to Canadian Language Benchmark

Implications on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The comprehensive ranking system (CRS) would now follow the Skill Type/Level Update Chart for arranged employment, which has been introduced by NOC 2021 system.

To understand it further with an example, given that a certain candidate A has received X points for arranged employment in Skill type/Level 0, A, or B. Now, with the implementation of the NOC 2021 system, candidate A would be scoring the same number of points i.e., X points in the TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 as well.

Selection factor points for the Federal Skilled Workers Program FSWP

The points gained by selection factors concerning the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) will now be following the Updated Skill Type/ Level Chart as per the updated NOC 2021 system.

To understand it further with an example, given that a certain candidate A has received N points for arranged employment in Skill type/Level 0, A, or B. The candidate would be entitled to get the same points for the arranged employment in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 as well.

Which occupations’ eligibility is likely to be affected by this new implementation?

With the implementation of NOC 2021, a total of 16 occupations will gain eligibility under the express entry, and three occupations lost eligibility. The newly ineligible three occupations however would remain eligible for programs with broader occupational eligibility criteria of other streams like the Provincial Nominee Program PNP.

16 newly eligible occupations includes:

1. Dental assistants & Dental laboratory assistants

2. Nurse, orderlies, patient service associate

3. Pharmacy assistants and Pharmacy technical assistant

4. Elementary and Secondary school teacher assistants

5. Payroll administrators

6. Correctional service officers

7. Sheriffs and Bailiffs

8. By – law enforcement and other regulatory officers

9. Estheticians, Electrologists, and related occupations

10. Commercial and residential installers and services

11. Other repairers and servicers

12. Truck drivers

13. Pest controllers and fumigators

14. Bus drivers, subway, and other transit operators

15. Heavy equipment operators

16. Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors

3 newly ineligible occupations are:

1. Program leaders & instructors in sports, fitness, and recreation

2. Other performers

3. Dressmakers, tailors, furriers, and milliners

What could be your next steps?

The next step is dependent on the candidates individually concerning the Express Entry journey. Based on your stage, Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada IRCC would require you to fulfill the requirement in accordance with the implementation of NOC 2021.

If we categorize the applicants into three categories, namely

1. Yet to Submit

If you belong to this category, while you have not yet submitted or planning your submission today or in near future, you would have to follow the process of finding and submitting the occupation codes according to the NOC 2021 when filing your applications.

2. Submitted but waiting for an Invitation to Apply

If you are among the candidates who are yet to receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA), then Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would want you to update your submitted Express Entry profile with their TEER category and Five-digit occupation Code.

3. Received an Invitation to Apply

If you are among the people who have already received their Invitation to Apply (ITA) prior to November 16, you would have to submit your applications as per the NOC 2016 (i.e., NOC code provided at the time of receipt).

Conclusion:

The NOC transitioning to 2021 which has come to enactment after November 16, 2022, disposing off the NOC 2016 system has, however, brought a shift for 100+ immigration programs in Canada including the Express Entry. You might have to put in a bit of research to locate your occupation listing and the new five-digit code.

Stay tuned!! For more such latest updates with respect to Canada Immigration.