Canada has introduced NOC 2021 and the immigration system will incorporate the changes in 2022.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a major part of Canada’s immigration system. Skilled worker candidates and temporary foreign workers need to demonstrate their work experience corresponds with NOC requirements of the program they are applying to. For instance, Express Entry is the main way to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, and candidates need to demonstrate their work experience falls under NOC skill level 0, A, or B as one of the eligibility factors under Express Entry.

The NOC is Canada’s national reference for occupations. It categorizes employment activities in Canada to help understand the nature of the Canadian labour market, run government programs, promote skills development, conduct research, and help Canada manage its immigration and foreign worker programs.

Every ten years, the federal government conducts a major revision of the NOC. Changes to the NOC reflect changes to the Canadian economy and labour market.

In September, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) unveiled NOC 2021.

NOC 2021 is the final outcome of a major process that involved extensive research, analysis, and assessment of the Canadian economy.

Currently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), ESDC, and Canada’s provinces and territories use NOC 2016 to operate immigration and foreign worker programs. In an email to CIC News, IRCC explained that both it and ESDC will not implement NOC 2021 until the fall of 2022.

The reason for this is the federal government wants to give stakeholders, including immigration applicants, more time to learn about how NOC 2021 may affect them.