When filing for immigration, it’s important to choose the right NOC code based on your job history, as different NOC codes correlate to eligibility for different immigration streams. Let’s understand why choosing the right NOC is important for your profession.

Selecting the wrong NOC code might have detrimental effects, such as raising the possibility of being charged with deception. In the context of immigration, misrepresentation is seen as a kind of fraud and has serious legal ramifications. Even inadvertently providing a false or misleading NOC code could result in the denial or revocation of an applicant’s immigration application. To mitigate these dangers, it is crucial to make sure that one’s professional activities and experience are appropriately reflected in the NOC code.

Understanding the NOC

The official system for classifying and categorizing different vocations in Canada is the National Occupation Classification (NOC) Code system. The NOC system was updated in 2021 to include a new element known as TEER, meaning training, education, experience, and responsibility. The goal of this TEER categorization is to more accurately represent the range and depth of abilities required to carry out particular tasks.

Moreover, a NOC code is given to each occupation according to the necessary degrees of education, training, experience, and responsibility. The TEER system employs a scale from 0 to 5, where positions needing the greatest level of formal education or training are represented by TEER 0 and those requiring the least amount are represented by TEER 5. As well as, with this revised method, jobs are categorized more accurately based on their degrees of expertise and responsibility.

Each TEER level and the corresponding requirements for education, training, and experience are listed in the table below:

  • TEER 0: Management positions.
  • TEER 1: Jobs typically requiring a university degree.
  • TEER 2: Roles usually needing a college diploma, apprenticeship training of 2+ years, or supervisory experience.
  • TEER 3: Jobs generally requiring a college diploma, apprenticeship training of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training.
  • TEER 4: Positions usually needing a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training.
  • TEER 5: Jobs typically requiring short-term work demonstrations, with no formal education needed.

Choosing the Right NOC for Your Profession

Because the NOC system is so large, it might be difficult to find the appropriate code for a given profession. Thankfully, there are services available from the Canadian government to make this process easier. The IRCC advises doing the following actions to find your NOC code:

1. Navigate to the table at the bottom of the relevant webpage.

2. Enter your job title in the “Filter items” field at the top of the table.

  • If the exact job title is not listed, try a close approximation (e.g., use “accountant” instead of “forensic accountant”).

3. Copy both the TEER number and the NOC code number for the job result that best matches your profession.

4. To verify the code:

  • Visit the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) webpage.
  • Click on the “Search by NOC Code” tab.
  • Enter the previously copied NOC code into the search bar.

5. Examine the information provided for that occupation, focusing on the “main duties” section.

  • Ensure that the duties listed align closely with those of the occupation you are investigating.

Steps to Take When Your NOC Code Is Missing

An immigration candidate may attempt the following actions if the previously described method does not work to locate their NOC:

  • Go to the search page on ESDC’s NOC website.
  • Choose NOC 2021 Version 1.0 and search by either job title or NOC code.
  • Find the closest match from the results, making sure the primary duties align with the tasks you perform in your job. If they don’t match, look for a different job title that accurately reflects your responsibilities.
  • Once you find the correct NOC, note down the numeric code and job title. Enter the code in the “Filter items” field of the original table, and take note of the TEER level shown in the first column.

What to Do After Finding the Right NOC Code

After determining the appropriate NOC code, you must make sure that the primary tasks and responsibilities indicated under that code closely correspond to your previous work experience. For immigration purposes, this is quite important because misalignment may affect how your application is processed. You will require this information to complete your Express Entry profile and other immigration documents, so after the match is confirmed, note the NOC code, job title, and matching TEER level for your records.

CWR Visa Immigration, your trusted guide to Canadian immigration, offers personalized solutions and expert guidance for your journey to Canada. Connect with us today to embark on your path to a brighter future in Canada.