Express Entry: NOC TEER Codes

Let me guess! You have started your immigration journey but getting confused by all the NOC TEER codes? In that case, you have landed on the right page. Here, we will explain these codes to you in detail.

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) is a categorization system used by the Canadian immigration authorities where every job available in the market is linked with a code and description.  For this, the Canadian government uses the NOC matrix that is nationally recognized by the Federal and all provincial governments. This data is also used by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for research and administrative purposes to signal changes in the Canadian labor market.

Now, all that makes sense but why are NOC TEER codes important for you as an immigration applicant? That is because another organization that uses these codes extensively is the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The IRCC uses these codes to assess the value of every applicant’s work experience. Every NOC TEER code is linked to a job title, lead statement, and list of major responsibilities for that particular role.

In your immigration application, wherever you need to provide details about your work experience, you will need to choose a NOC TEER code that best fits your profile and work responsibilities. Do not focus on matching your job title to the code. Instead, you need to match your work experience to the lead statement defined by the NOC TEER code. What that means is that it is important that you have performed most of the responsibilities that are listed in the description of the code.  If you declare an NOC TEER code that doesn’t tie in with your actual work experience, your application may be refused. Also, remember that you should be able to provide suitable documentation to prove your claim.

It is very important that you take special care when deciding what NOC TEER code you will use in your application. In fact, sometimes it so happens that particular economic immigration streams are only open to applicants with specific work experience related to only some definite NOC TEER codes. Many Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) also have special programs where they target specific NOC TEER codes to fill in the gaps in the labor market. A good example of this will be Critical Construction Worker Pilot for Nova Scotia PNP. The reverse is also true. Some programs also have restricted NOC TEER codes where immigration opportunities are not being offered currently. For example, Tailors, dressmakers, furriers, and milliners became ineligible for Express Entry when NOC 2021 came in effect.

There is no doubt that NOC TEER codes play a crucial role in getting your immigration application approved. Now, let’s look in detail at where are these codes used in the immigration application process.

1. Categorization of Work Experience: NOC TEER codes are a very good way to classify and categorize different jobs available in the labor market. The system is standardized across Canada and provides reliable data to the Canadian government. The data collected from this system helps the immigration authorities to understand what responsibilities are being performed by the applicants and how they will fit in the Canadian labor market.

2. Assessment of Skilled Workers: Most of immigration programs offered by Canada, like Express Entry and PNPs, use the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points system to assess an immigration application. When an application is assessed for work experience, CRS points are given based on the NOC TEER codes that act as an assessment factor in this situation.

3. Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): To hire foreign workers, employers in Canada are sometimes required to get an LMIA. Every job that is offered to an immigrant needs to be linked to an NOC TEER code. Here, these codes act as classification system that outlines exactly what qualifications an applicant will need to fill the role and what responsibilities are being offered in the job.

   
   

Remember, choosing the right NOC TEER code is one of the most important parts of your application. It can make or break your application. In the next post, we will look at understanding various NOC TEER codes and how they work. So, keep reading!

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Disclaimer:

The content available on this page is for informational purpose only. For professional advice, please book an appointment with our licensed immigration consultants through our website.

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