How does NOC 2021 system change will affect you?

IRCC will switch to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system on November 16, 2022. New TEER categories are updated.

IRCC will switch to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system on November 16, 2022. IRCC will update the eligibility criteria for Canada’s immigration programs using the NOC.

New changes include: the current NOC 2016 skill structure (NOC 0, A, B, C and D) will be replaced by a 6-category system representing the training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) needed to work in an occupation. And there will be 5-digit codes instead of 4-digit codes.

Background of NOC

The first edition of NOC was published in 1991/1992 by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Statistics Canada. Based on its 10-year review cycle, the NOC 2021 publication represents a significant structural modification of the NOC. To follow the changes in the labour market, Canada plans NOC structural adjustments every ten years while updating content every five years.

New TEER categories

The following table compares TEER categories to NOC 2016 skill types.

(Government of Canada Website)

You can find your occupation under the NOC 2021 list to determine to what TEER category it belongs.

TEER 0 Management occupations

TEER 1 Occupations that usually require a university degree

TEER 2 Occupations that usually require a college diploma, apprenticeship training of 2 or more years, or supervisory occupations

TEER 3 Occupations that usually require a college diploma apprenticeship training of less than two years or more than six months of on-the-job training

TEER 4 Occupations that usually require a high school diploma, or several weeks of on-the-job training

TEER 5 Occupations that usually need short-term work demonstration and no formal education

Programs will have updated eligibility requirements because of this change:

- Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program)

- Atlantic Immigration Program

- Provincial Nominee Program - caregivers programs

- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

- Agri-Food Pilot

- out-of-status construction workers

- International Mobility Program (LMIA-exempt work permit)

- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (LMIA and LMIA-supported work permits)

Summary of the NOC change

- Higher level structural changes

- Changes at the unit group level

- Creation and deletion of new classification items

- Combination of classification items

- Decomposition of classification items

- Transfer of classification items or their parts

- Virtual Changes

The classification file's content, which at the most detailed level includes leading statements, illustrative and sample job names, exclusions, inclusions, primary responsibilities, employment requirements, and supplementary information, may be affected by all changes—real or virtual—that are made.

Check for a complete list of all changes detailed at the unit group level (the most detailed level of the NOC structure).

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