On November 16, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is transitioning to the 2021 version of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. Here is what that change will mean for Express Entry candidates.

Firstly, the current NOC system (NOC 2016) classifies work experience under NOC skill types 0, A or B. As of November 16, IRCC will be using the new Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system.

According to IRCC, "most jobs will stay in the TEER category that is equal to their NOC skill level" (more on that below) but "some jobs may change to a different TEER category". Additionally, under the new TEER system, all occupation codes will be five digits instead of four.

This is how the skill type categories of the current NOC system match up with the TEER categories of the 2021 NOC system. 

• Skill Type 0 (NOC 2016) translates to TEER 0 (NOC 2021)
• Skill Type A (NOC 2016) translates to TEER 1 (NOC 2021)
• Skill Type B (NOC 2016) translates to TEER 2 (NOC 2021)
• Skill Type B (NOC 2016) translates to TEER 3 (NOC 2021)
• Skill Type C (NOC 2016) translates to TEER 4 (NOC 2021)
• Skill Type D (NOC 2016) translates to TEER 5 (NOC 2021)

Express Entry eligibility criteria based on NOC 2021’s TEER system

IRCC has updated the eligibility criteria for all three Express Entry programs — the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) — based on the NOC 2021.

Note: CLB refers to Canadian Language Benchmark

Occupational eligibility changes coming for Express Entry with move to NOC 2021

With the transition to NOC 2021, 16 occupations will become newly eligible for Express Entry, while three occupations become ineligible.

The three newly ineligible occupations will remain eligible for programs with broader occupational eligibility criteria, such as some streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

About selection factor points for the FSWP and scoring through the CRS

With the transition to NOC 2021, the points given for selection factors as part of the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) and the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points given for arranged employment will now follow an updated Skill Type/Level chart.

Presuming that a candidate's NOC 2016 Skill Type/Level code s with the appropriate new TEER system category, they will receive the same amounts of points after the change as they would have before.

Next steps

Depending on where an individual candidate is in their Express Entry journey, IRCC requires different actions in accordance with the switch to NOC 2021.

A. Express Entry hopefuls yet to submit an online profile (before November 16) must find and submit their occupation’s code in line with the NOC 2021 when filling out the profile.

B. Those who have submitted a profile but have not received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) will need to update their profile after November 16, making sure to add or alter their TEER category and five-digit occupation code in accordance with the NOC 2021 list on the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website.

C. Anyone who received an ITA prior to November 16 must submit their Express Entry application using NOC 2016 (using the NOC code provided at the time of receipt).