National Occupational Classification (NOC) Codes

A NOC code (National Occupation Classification) in Canada is a number that classifies a job type. This is important for:

• temporary foreign workers and international students in Canada who want to apply for permanent residency
• applicants outside of Canada who are applying for permanent residency as an economic immigrant

Why do I need to know my NOC code?

Your NOC code helps the government determine your eligibility for certain immigration programs or jobs based on your skills and experience. If the NOC code you select does not match your actual work experience, your immigration application may be refused, even if you have submitted all required documents. You must be able to show that the NOC code you've selected accurately describes your job.

Will a better NOC code give me more points for my PR application?

The more training and experience that your job requires, the more points it is worth in a permanent residency application. The second digit of your NOC code corresponds to the TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) category. Positions that require more education and training are categorized as TEER numbers such as 0, 1, or 2.

• For Express Entry programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class), only jobs classified as TEER 0, TEER 1, or TEER 2 are eligible.
• Other immigration programs like the Provincial Nominee Programs may also accept occupations classified as TEER 3 or TEER 4.
• Occupations classified as TEER 5 are generally not eligible for most economic immigration programs.

How do I find a job with a NOC code that will give me more points for PR?

Using our NOC Code finder tool, you can copy and paste a job description from the internet and our AI tool will tell you some NOC codes that could apply to the job description. This will help you decide what jobs to apply for to maximize your chances of getting PR. Try it out here: NOC Code Finder!