Canada Immigration Update: TEER Occupational Classification Codes replaces NOC Code System

Canada currently classifies occupations for immigration and temporary residency applications using NOC 2021. The modifications are already in force and have significant ramifications for those applying for permanent residency, work permits, and Express Entry profiles.

There are three major shifts occurring:
  • A new system with six categories called Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories will replace the old system with five categories.
  • Now, all four-digit occupational codes are five-digit codes.
  • All programs that use the NOC now use NOC 2021 to decide who is eligible.  
The following tables demonstrate how the new NOC skill levels equate to the new TEER system and the criteria for each of the six new categories.
NOC 2016 NOC 2021
Skill Type 0 TEER 0
Skill Level A TEER 1
Skill Level B TEER 2
TEER 3
Skill Level C TEER 4
Skill Level D TEER 5
 
TEER Categories Occupations
TEER Category 0 Management
TEER Category 1 Completion of a degree (bachelor's, master's, or doctorate); OR prior experience and proficiency in subject matter knowledge from a relevant occupation as listed in TEER 2. (When applicable).
TEER Category 2 Completion of a 2-3 year post-secondary education at a college, CÉGEP or institute of technology; OR Completion of a 2-5 apprenticeship training; OR Occupations with supervisory or significant safety responsibilities (e.g., firefighters and police officers); OR Several years of experience in a associated occupation from TEER 3; OR (when applicable).
TEER Category 3 Completion of a less than two-year post-secondary education program at a college, CÉGEP or institute of technology; OR Completion of a less-than-two-year apprenticeship training program; OR training courses, 6+ months of on-the-job training, or specific work experience with secondary school education; OR few years of experience in a associated occupation from TEER 4.
TEER Category 4 Secondary school completion; OR Several weeks of on-the-job training with secondary school education; OR TEER 5 Experience in a Related Occupation (when applicable).
TEER Category 5 Occupations that typically require only a short period of work demonstration and no formal education
 

Implications of NOC 2021 for Express Entry

According to the IRCC website, Express Entry candidates who got an Invitation to Apply (ITA) prior November 16, 2022, must apply for permanent residence using NOC 2016.

Those who receive an ITA in the next Express Entry lottery and thereafter must now apply using NOC 2021

With the new TEER categories, 16 vocations become eligible for Express Entry, while three are no longer eligible.

The following occupations are now eligible for Express Entry:
  • Payroll administrators
  • Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  • Patient service representatives, orderlies, and nursing assistants
  • Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
  • Sheriffs and bailiffs
  • Correctional service officers
  • By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
  • Estheticians, electrologists, and related occupations
  • Residential and commercial installers and servicers
  • Pest controllers and fumigators
  • Other repairers and servicers
  • Transport truck drivers
  • Subway operators, bus drivers, and other operators of public transit
  • Heavy equipment operators
  • Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
     
The following three occupations are no longer eligible for Express Entry:
  • Other performers
  • Program leaders in recreation, sport & fitness
  • Tailors, dressmakers, furriers, and milliners
     
These three occupations are still eligible for programs that require more work experience, such as some streams of the Provincial Nominee Program(PNP).

NOC 2021 changes just which occupations are eligible for Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) or Federal Skilled Worker Program selection factor points, not how they are computed.

This table illustrates how the TEER categories alter the eligibility requirements for each Express Entry-managed program.
 
Criteria for Eligibility Canadian Experience Class Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Language skills English or French skills
  • CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations/jobs
  • CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations
English or French skills
CLB 7
English or French skills
  • CLB 5 for speaking and listening
  • CLB 4 for reading and writing
Type/Level of work experience Work experience in an occupation listed in 1 or more of these NOC TEER Categories:
  • TEER 0
  • TEER 1
  • TEER 2
  • TEER 3
Work experience in an occupation listed in 1 or more of these NOC TEER Categories:
  • TEER 0
  • TEER 1
  • TEER 2
  • TEER 3
Work experience in a skilled trade under key groups of TEER 2/ TEER 3:
  • Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers, and controllers, omitting Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers
  • Major Group 73, general trades
  • Major Group 82, supervisors on natural resources, agriculture, and allied production supervisors
  • Major Group 83, jobs in natural resources and related manufacturing
  • Major Group 92, manufacturing, processing, and utility supervisors, and utility operators and controllers
  • Major Group 93, process operators, central control and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
  • Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers, and bakers
  • Unit Group 62200, chefs
Number of work experience 1 year in Canada in the last 3 years (either combo of full-time or part-time work) 1 year continuous within the last 10 years (a combo of part-time, full-time, or more than 1 job in your primary occupation) Two years within the last 5 years (either combo of full-time or part-time work)
Job offer Not required. Not required.
But you can get selection criterion (FSW) points for having a genuine employment offer.
Required:
  • a valid job offer with a minimum one-year duration or
  • a skilled trade qualification certificate issued by a Canadian territorial, provincial, or federal authority
Education Not required. Secondary education is required.
For your postsecondary education, you can earn more selection criteria (FSW) points.
 

If you are already in the pool, you must update your Express Entry profile with the new five-digit code for your occupation.

The government website can help you find your new TEER code. You can alter your principal occupation and job history on your Express Entry profile once you've found your new code.

To receive an ITA, your profile must be up to date. If IRCC continues to hold rounds of invites every two weeks, the next draw is scheduled for November 23.

If you are unsure how to update your TEER code or need assistance choosing a 2021 TEER code or TEER category, feel free to contact our Immigration Consultant at 8595338595 or [email protected].

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