Change that will affect all immigration programs
What to expect?
On November 16, Canada will transfer to a new occupational classification for immigration programs.
The country uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC), which assigns a code to each profession. It shows the field of work and the skill level needed to work in the specialty. Canada now uses the NOC 2016 classification, but a new NOC was announced in 2021.
The transition to NOC 2021 will entail changes to all immigration programs, as the system has undergone significant modifications. The main one is the change in skill levels. In the previous NOC, all occupations were divided into 4 skill levels based on what skills or education are required. The new NOC has 6 levels, and instead of "skills levels" they are now called "TEER categories".
Let's say an immigration program is for professionals in managerial, skilled and trades occupations. Such programs include, for example, the Federal Skilled Worker Program. In the NOC 2016, skill levels 0, A, and B were eligible. In the new NOC it is no longer 3, but 4 categories: TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3.
Some occupations have been revised and moved from one skill level to another TEER category. Some occupations used to belong to one NOC code but have now been split into several.
In the future, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, as well as the provinces of Canada will update the occupation requirements in the programs. If you plan to apply for permanent residency before November 15, 2022, you need to enter your profession under NOC 2016. But starting from November 16, you will need to use the 2021 version. If you create a profile in Express Entry before November 15, you must update it on the 16th.
You can define your specialty code in the new NOC with our free tool by selecting version NOC 2021.
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