What is the NOC and NOC Code in Canada?
If you are applying to work in Canada on either a temporary or permanent basis, you will be required to identify a NOC code as part of your immigration application. The NOC code is a unique four-digit code assigned by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to every occupation in the Canadian labour market. It is a standardized way for the IRCC to evaluate applications and candidate eligibility. In order to identify your NOC code, however, it is important that you can identify the job group and job description that best fits your qualifications. These factors are also classified by the NOC and are based on job duties and the work a person does.
How Job Groups are Categorized under NOC
The main job groups classified under the National Occupation Classification system are the following, as defined by the Government of Canada:
- Skill Type 0 (zero): management jobs such as restaurant managers, mine managers, shore captains (fishing)
- Skill Level A: professional jobs that usually call for a degree from a university, such as doctors, dentists, architects
- Skill Level B: technical jobs and skilled trades that usually call for a college diploma or training as an apprentice, such as chefs, plumbers, electricians
- Skill Level C: intermediate jobs that usually call for high school and/or job-specific training, such as industrial butchers, long-haul truck drivers, food and beverage servers
- Skill Level D: labour jobs that usually give on-the job training, such as fruit pickers, cleaning staff, oil field workers
Jobs will NOC Skill Type 0, A or B are considered “skilled” jobs.
Program Eligibility Based on Skill Type
The skill level of the job or jobs you have had in the past will play a big part in determining what programs fit your eligibility. The following are examples of programs an applicant may be interested in, and the skill type requirements for each one:
- Express Entry: If you want to come to Canada as a skilled immigrant under Express Entry, the job or jobs you have held in the past must be skill type 0, or skill level A or B to qualify. This is an opportunity for permanent residence, and pertains to those who may qualify under a Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class.
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot: If you want to come to Canada as a skilled immigrant under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, your past work experience must be skill type 0, or level A, B, or C.
- Provincial Nominee Programs: Depending on the labour needs of each particular province, individuals whose past work experience falls under any skill type or level (0, A, B, C, or D) may be eligible to apply. The skill types/levels qualified will vary based on roles needed.
- Temporary Work Visa/Permits: Individuals whose past work experience falls under any of the skill types/levels may be able to work in Canada for up to two years initially.
Determining Your NOC Code
Determining your accurate NOC code while filling out your application is crucial to finding success in the immigration process. You must first find the NOC title that best fits your work experience. Make sure the main duties listed are consistent with what you did in your previous job. If they do not match, continue searching for the job title that better does. This title will correlate with a skill level or type, as well as a NOC code. This code is what you will use in your application. If you have had multiple positions in the past that match multiple NOC codes, you will generally select one NOC code as your primary and list the others that match other previous jobs.
Remember that it is extremely important to claim the NOC code that matches your work experience. If it does not, your application may be refused or returned to you. You must also provide supporting documentation in the form of an employer reference letter. This will help the visa officer reviewing your file to be confident in your eligibility.
Note: When looking up your NOC code, make sure to use the 2016 version of the NOC as of June 2018.
Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer?
An immigration lawyer can be of great help in any immigration case. This holds especially true in regard to choosing a NOC code to claim in your application. Not only can an immigration lawyer help ensure the NOC code you choose best reflects your work experience, but they can also help you decide which NOC code to use if you have multiple that apply to your previous jobs. For certain programs, for example, one code that fits your experience may make you a more attractive candidate than another. An immigration lawyer can help determine what will give you the greatest chances of success.
Here at VisaPlace, we have had years of experience helping clients apply for programs that require NOC codes. If you are interested in hiring an immigration lawyer, we welcome you to book a consultation with us! If you are unsure of your immigration needs, feel free to fill out our free online assessment. It will help us determine how we can best help you!
