NOC Code Canada 2026: Complete TEER Lookup, Immigration Eligibility, and How to Find Your Occupation Code

NOC Code Canada 2026: Complete TEER Lookup, Immigration Eligibility, and How to Find Your Occupation Code

As of September 25, 2026.

Every Canadian work permit, Express Entry profile, Provincial Nominee Program application, and Post-Graduation Work Permit decision rides on one identifier: the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code that you assign to your job. Choose the wrong code and your file gets refused or returned. Choose the right code and you can qualify for category-based draws and PNP streams you might otherwise miss.

Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) maintain the official National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. The current version is NOC 2021 (National Occupational Classification 2021) Version 1.0, which the ESDC NOC site lists as current and which IRCC has used since November 16, 2022. Statistics Canada plans to release NOC 2026 in December 2026. This guide walks through what NOC codes are, how the TEER system works, how to look up your code, common immigration NOCs with their TEER levels, and the eligibility rules that flow from them.

Written by Rami Mamar, RCIC-IRB (License #R515110), regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.

Acronyms used in this guide: NOC (National Occupational Classification), TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities), IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada), CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System), PNP (Provincial Nominee Program), CEC (Canadian Experience Class), FSW (Federal Skilled Worker), FST (Federal Skilled Trades), LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit), CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark), ECA (Educational Credential Assessment), CICC (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants).

What Is a NOC Code and Why Does It Matter for Canadian Immigration?

The NOC is jointly maintained by Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). It is the official taxonomy for every job in the Canadian labour market. The federal government uses it to publish labour-market statistics (Statistics Canada labour data), to set wage thresholds for hiring foreign workers via ESDC, and to determine immigration eligibility.

For immigration applicants, the NOC code does three things:

1. It determines your skill level (the TEER category, explained below).
2. It controls which immigration programs you qualify for. Express Entry, for example, requires work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. TEER 4 and 5 work generally does not qualify for federal economic streams (limited exceptions exist in some PNPs).
3. It triggers category-based draws. IRCC's current Express Entry categories are French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians with Canadian work experience, senior managers with Canadian work experience, researchers with Canadian work experience, and skilled military recruits. Every category except French is defined by a list of NOC codes.

Choosing the wrong NOC is one of the most common causes of refusal (see IRCC NOC guidance on canada.ca) we see in our Toronto office. A "Project Coordinator" title is not tied to one code: "construction project coordinator" is listed under NOC 70010 Construction managers (TEER 0), while "administrative coordinator" and "non-technical project manager" are listed under NOC 13100 Administrative officers (TEER 3). Same job title; very different immigration outcomes.

How Are NOC Codes Structured?

The full structure under NOC 2021 Version 1.0, per Statistics Canada:

The 10 broad categories (first digit) under NOC 2021:

Important change from NOC 2016 to NOC 2021: The old system used 4-digit codes with skill levels (0, A, B, C, D). NOC 2021 introduced 5-digit codes and replaced skill levels with TEER. If you have any application or document referencing a 4-digit NOC (e.g., 2173 instead of 21231), it is using the old NOC 2016 system. IRCC switched from NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 on November 16, 2022.

The Government of Canada maintains the authoritative NOC structure at noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/Matrix. Always cross-reference your assumed code against the official matrix before submitting any immigration application.

What Is the TEER System and How Does It Work?

The TEER level is the second digit of your 5-digit NOC code. NOC 21232 is TEER 1 (the "1" is the second digit). NOC 64100 is TEER 4. This is the fastest way to read TEER from any NOC code at a glance. The phrase TEER code commonly refers to this second digit; strictly speaking it is the TEER level inside your NOC code, not a separate code.

The previous skill-level system mapped to TEER as follows:

The biggest practical change is that the old "Skill Level B" was split into TEER 2 (longer training) and TEER 3 (shorter training). Some occupations that were skill-level B under NOC 2016 are now TEER 3 under NOC 2021, which changes their immigration eligibility under specific programs.

How Do I Find My NOC Code?

Step 1: Start with Job Bank's NOC Search

The Government of Canada provides a free occupation search at noc.esdc.gc.ca. Enter your job title (in English or French) and the tool returns matching NOC codes ranked by relevance.

One title can point to several codes. "Data analyst" titles, for example, appear under NOC 21211 Data scientists ("big data analyst"), 21221 Business systems specialists ("business data analyst"), 21223 Database analysts and data administrators ("data analyst - informatics and systems") and 41402 Business development officers and market researchers and analysts ("marketing data analyst"). The duties decide which one is yours.

Step 2: Read the Lead Statement and Main Duties

For every NOC unit group, the ESDC site publishes:

• Lead statement; one paragraph describing what people in this occupation do
• Example titles; the job titles commonly used for this occupation in industry
• Main duties; bulleted list of the typical responsibilities
• Employment requirements; typical education, certification, or experience required
• Additional information; career mobility notes, related occupations

Your actual job duties must match the main duties of the NOC you claim. Not just your title; the actual day-to-day work. This is the single most important verification step. If the main duties for NOC 21231 (Software engineers and designers) say things like "research, evaluate and synthesize technical information to design, develop and test computer-based systems" and your real job is configuring SharePoint sites, you are not a software engineer. You might be NOC 22220 (Computer network and web technicians) or NOC 22221 (User support technicians) instead.

Step 3: Cross-Reference Against the Official Matrix

The full NOC 2021 Version 1.0 structure is at noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/Matrix. The matrix shows every unit group organized by broad category and TEER level. Use it to see related occupations and pick the best fit.

Step 4: If You're Migrating from NOC 2016, Use the Concordance Table

If your old immigration application, ECA report, or employment record references a 4-digit NOC 2016 code, ESDC publishes a concordance table that maps old codes to new ones, and Statistics Canada publishes the NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 correspondence table. For example:

• NOC 2016 2173 (Software engineers and designers) → NOC 2021 21231 (same title), with part of the old group split off into the new 21211 Data scientists
• NOC 2016 3012 (Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses) → NOC 2021 31301 (same)
• NOC 2016 0631 (Restaurant and food service managers) → NOC 2021 60030 (same)

Step 5: Confirm via the Job Bank's Occupational Outlook

Job Bank also publishes per-NOC wage reports (low, median and high wages by region) and employment outlooks that estimate job prospects over the next 3 years, both updated yearly. See jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.

What Are the Most-Searched Immigration NOC Codes?

This list is not exhaustive; NOC 2021 Version 1.0 contains 516 unit groups. Most software and IT codes (21211, 21221 to 21234, 22220, 22221) are not on IRCC's 2026 STEM list, which covers architecture and science managers, cybersecurity specialists, several engineering and engineering-technology codes, and insurance agents and brokers. Always verify against the official ESDC matrix and IRCC's current category lists.

Which TEER Levels Qualify for Express Entry?

The three current Express Entry programs and their TEER eligibility:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW; eligibility at canada.ca)

• Eligible TEER: 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Work experience: At least 1 year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time, 1,560 hours) skilled work within the past 10 years, in the same NOC
• Where it can be earned: Inside Canada or outside Canada
• Language: Minimum CLB 7 in all four abilities (listening, reading, writing, speaking)
• Education: Canadian secondary diploma OR foreign education with ECA showing Canadian-equivalent secondary or higher

Canadian Experience Class (CEC; eligibility at canada.ca)

• Eligible TEER: 0, 1, 2, or 3
• Work experience: At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled Canadian work experience in the past 3 years
• Where it can be earned: Canada only
• Language: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 occupations
• Education: No mandatory minimum (though education adds CRS points)

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP; eligibility at canada.ca)

• Eligible NOC: Major Groups 72 (except Sub-Major Group 726), 73, 82, 83, 92 and 93 (except Sub-Major Group 932), plus Minor Group 6320 (cooks, butchers and bakers) and Unit Group 62200 (chefs)
• Work experience: At least 2 years of full-time skilled trades work (3,120 hours) in the past 5 years
• Job offer: A valid job offer of full-time employment for at least 1 year, or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
• Language: CLB 5 for speaking and listening; CLB 4 for reading and writing

For all three programs, claiming the wrong TEER on your work history is the fastest way to get refused. If you spent 3 years as a retail salesperson (NOC 64100, TEER 4) but claim it as retail sales supervisor (NOC 62010, TEER 2) experience, IRCC checks your duties against the NOC main duties and can refuse the file, or find misrepresentation.

How Does Each Provincial Nominee Program Use NOC Codes?

A few examples of how PNPs treat NOC code eligibility differently from Express Entry, checked on each province's site on September 25, 2026:

The single biggest practical mistake we see: applicants assume that if they qualify for one PNP stream they qualify for all. A TEER 4 retail salesperson living in Alberta on a valid work permit might qualify for Alberta's Rural Renewal Stream but be ineligible for BC's Skills Immigration Skilled Worker stream, which requires TEER 0 to 3. Read each program's eligibility rules carefully.

For full coverage of 2026 PNP allocation changes, see our Canada PNP 2026 guide.

Do PGWP Language Requirements Depend on Your TEER Level?

This is one of the most common PGWP misunderstandings. IRCC's PGWP eligibility page sets the rules, and the IELTS General Training equivalents come from IRCC's PGWP language table:

IRCC accepts CELPIP General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada, and results must be less than 2 years old when you submit the application.

For complete PGWP rules including the field-of-study restrictions for college graduates (per IRCC PGWP guidance on canada.ca), see our PGWP Canada 2026 guide and the detailed PGWP language requirements article.

How Do LMIA Wage Floors Connect to Your NOC Code?

The high-wage versus low-wage split is set at a provincial hourly wage threshold equal to the provincial median hourly wage plus 20%. For LMIAs received from July 17, 2026, it is $36.92 an hour in Ontario, $38.40 in British Columbia and $37.50 in Alberta (ESDC threshold table). If the wage offered for your NOC in your work location is at or above the threshold, your file goes through the high-wage stream. Below it, it goes through the low-wage stream, which carries (ESDC low-wage requirements):

• Advertising for at least 8 consecutive weeks within the 3 months before the LMIA application
• Mandatory recruitment efforts aimed at youth, plus at least 2 more recruitment methods aimed at under-represented groups
• A 10% cap on low-wage temporary foreign workers at a work location (20% in some sectors, with temporary measures for some rural areas)
• A refusal to process low-wage LMIAs for work locations in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher
• Employer-paid round-trip transportation, suitable and affordable housing, and private health insurance until provincial coverage starts

Look up your NOC's prevailing wage per province at Job Bank's wage report tool.

For full coverage of the new April 2026 LMIA rules, see our LMIA Changes April 2026 guide.

What Are the Most Common NOC Code Mistakes?

In rough order of frequency at our Toronto office:

1. Claiming a higher TEER than actual duties support. A supervisor who oversees cashiers is usually NOC 62010 Retail sales supervisors (TEER 2), not NOC 60020 Retail and wholesale trade managers (TEER 0). A sales associate is NOC 64100 (TEER 4) and a cashier NOC 65100 (TEER 5). IRCC checks duties against the NOC main duties. Misalignment triggers refusal and a 5-year misrepresentation ban under IRPA Section 40 is possible if IRCC concludes the misclaim was intentional.

2. Picking the NOC by job title without reading the duties. Two "Project Coordinator" jobs can fall under different NOCs depending on the work: NOC 2021 lists "construction project coordinator" under 70010 Construction managers (TEER 0) and "administrative coordinator" under 13100 Administrative officers (TEER 3). Always read the main duties.

3. Mixing NOC 2016 and NOC 2021 codes. A four-digit code (e.g., 2173) is the old NOC 2016 system. IRCC has used NOC 2021 (five-digit) since November 16, 2022. If an ECA report or employment letter cites a 4-digit code, find the NOC 2021 equivalent through the ESDC concordance table.

4. Ignoring the lead statement. Each NOC unit group has a one-paragraph lead statement describing the typical work. If your job description does not match the lead statement, the NOC is almost certainly wrong even if the title matches.

5. Assuming one NOC carries the same eligibility everywhere. TEER 4 NOC 64100 (Retail salespersons) does not qualify for Express Entry but may qualify for Alberta's Rural Renewal Stream. NOC 73300 (Transport truck drivers) is not in IRCC's 2026 transport category, which covers aircraft and automotive mechanics and pilots, yet Saskatchewan runs capped intakes for truck drivers. Programs change; verify before applying.

Is There a New NOC Version in 2026?

What Statistics Canada has published about NOC 2026 so far (report updated October 28, 2025):

• 165 unit groups are affected by real or content-only changes.
• 18 unit groups have real (structural) changes, including new unit groups in broad categories 4 and 6 and occupations moved between unit groups.
• 147 unit groups have content-only changes, such as clearer titles, lead statements and example job titles. For example, the title and lead statement of 21211 Data scientists were updated to clarify how data analysts are coded.

NOC 21211 Data scientists and NOC 21220 Cybersecurity specialists are not new in 2026. Both were created in NOC 2021 Version 1.0, split out of the NOC 2016 information systems (2171), database (2172) and software engineering (2173) groups.

Until IRCC announces a switch, use NOC 2021 Version 1.0 codes (IRCC NOC guidance on canada.ca). If your file is in progress when a change happens, check your duties against both versions before you update anything.

Frequently Asked Questions About NOC Codes

How do I find my NOC code?

Use the official NOC Search tool. Enter your job title in English or French, then verify the result by reading the lead statement and main duties for the suggested NOC. Your actual day-to-day work must match the main duties for the code to be correct.

What is the difference between NOC 2016 and NOC 2021?

NOC 2016 used 4-digit codes and skill levels 0/A/B/C/D. NOC 2021 uses 5-digit codes and the TEER system (0 through 5). IRCC switched to NOC 2021 on November 16, 2022. NOC 2021 Version 1.0 is still the current version; Statistics Canada plans to release NOC 2026 in December 2026.

How do I know my TEER level?

The TEER level is the second digit of your 5-digit NOC code. NOC 21232 is TEER 1 (the "1" is the second digit). NOC 64100 is TEER 4.

Is TEER 4 eligible for Express Entry?

No. Express Entry requires work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. TEER 4 and 5 do not qualify. Some Provincial Nominee Programs accept TEER 4 occupations under conditions, for example Ontario's Workforce Priority stream, Alberta's Rural Renewal Stream for work permit holders living in Alberta, and Saskatchewan's Skilled Worker With Existing Work Permit stream for some work permits.

Does my NOC determine my CRS score?

Indirectly. Your NOC determines your eligibility for Express Entry (TEER must be 0/1/2/3) and which occupation-based category draws you qualify for (healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education, transport, physicians, senior managers and researchers with Canadian work experience, and skilled military recruits in 2026; the French-language category depends on your test results, not your NOC). Your specific CRS score depends on age, education, language, work experience years, and adaptability factors; but eligibility is gated by NOC and TEER.

Can I claim multiple NOCs in my Express Entry profile?

You list each job separately with its own NOC. If you held different positions, claim them under their respective NOCs. You can also claim the highest NOC you held continuously for the required period (typically 1 year for CEC).

How do I prove my NOC matches my job?

You submit an employment letter from each employer stating your title, dates of employment, duties, hours per week, salary, and signatory contact. The duties listed on the letter should match (but not necessarily copy verbatim) the main duties of the NOC you claim. IRCC verifies by reading the letter and calling the employer if needed.

Are any TEER 5 occupations eligible for Canadian PR?

Generally not through Express Entry, which excludes TEER 4 and 5. The caregiver pathway for TEER 4 home child care providers and home support workers is not taking new applications: IRCC paused intake for the Home Care Worker Immigration pilots on December 19, 2025, until further notice. Some provincial streams accept TEER 5 occupations under conditions, such as Alberta's Rural Renewal Stream for work permit holders living in Alberta and Ontario's Workforce Priority stream.

What happens if I claim the wrong NOC?

If your duties don't match the NOC main duties, IRCC refuses for either eligibility failure or misrepresentation. Misrepresentation under IRPA Section 40 carries a 5-year ban from any Canadian immigration application. If IRCC has concerns about your duties, it may send a procedural fairness letter before refusing, but it is not required to in every case.

Where do I look up NOC prevailing wages?

Job Bank's wage report tool publishes low, median, and high hourly wages for every NOC in every province and territory. ESDC uses the Job Bank median wage when it sets the prevailing wage for an LMIA. Whether the job is high-wage or low-wage depends on the provincial threshold (median plus 20%), not on the Job Bank figure.

Do I need a separate NOC for self-employment?

Yes. For Express Entry self-employed applicants under the FSW class, your self-employment in your declared NOC must meet the same skilled-work definition (TEER 0/1/2/3, minimum 1 year). Self-employment is harder to document; you provide tax returns, business registrations, client contracts, and bank statements showing business income. Self-employed work does not count toward the Canadian Experience Class, except for some physicians under a temporary public policy.

What is the TEER code in Canada?

A TEER code is the second digit of your 5-digit National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities, and the NOC has six TEER categories numbered 0 through 5. For federal economic permanent residence programs like Express Entry, your work experience must fall in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 to count as skilled.

Is TEER 3 eligible for PR?

Yes. TEER 3 work experience qualifies for Canada's federal economic permanent residence programs through Express Entry, alongside TEER 0, 1, and 2. TEER 4 and 5 work generally does not qualify for these federal streams, though some Provincial Nominee Programs accept selected TEER 4 occupations for targeted labour shortages.

Is a PSW TEER 3 or 4?

It depends on where you work. "Personal support worker - nursing care" is an example title under NOC 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates, which is TEER 3, qualifies for Express Entry and is on IRCC's 2026 healthcare and social services list. "Personal support worker - home support" is listed under NOC 44101 Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations, which is TEER 4 and does not qualify for Express Entry. Your duties and workplace decide the code; confirm it on the official Government of Canada NOC search tool.

What Are the Next Steps to Use Your NOC Code in Immigration?

If you're preparing an Express Entry profile, a Provincial Nominee Program application, a PGWP, or an LMIA-supported work permit, your NOC code is the single most consequential identifier on your file. Get it wrong and the rest of your application falls apart.

The verification workflow that catches most errors:

1. Search the official NOC tool at noc.esdc.gc.ca for your title.
2. Read the lead statement and main duties for the top suggested NOC.
3. Compare your actual day-to-day work against the main duties. They should match at least 70% to 80%.
4. Check the TEER level (second digit of the code) against your immigration program's eligibility.
5. Verify category eligibility if you're targeting Express Entry category-based draws.
6. Look up the prevailing wage at jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/search-wages if your application involves an LMIA.

Not sure which programs your NOC opens? The free assessment checks your occupation, TEER and experience against current programs. If you're uncertain after working through those steps, an RCIC review of your NOC choice typically takes 30 to 60 minutes and can help you avoid a refusal that costs months of processing and the non-refundable application fee. Book a consultation with our team if you want a written assessment of your NOC selection before you submit.

For broader Express Entry strategy under 2026 rules, see our How to Improve Your CRS Score guide, the Express Entry Category-Based Draws 2026 article, and the Federal High-Skilled Class proposal that IRCC is consulting on.

Sources

Primary government sources used in this article (checked September 25, 2026):

• ESDC National Occupational Classification: https://noc.esdc.gc.ca
• NOC 2021 Version 1.0 matrix: https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/Matrix
• NOC versions and concordance (NOC 2016 to NOC 2021): https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/Versions/VersionsOfTheNOC
• ESDC NOC Search: https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/Search/AdvancedSearch
• Statistics Canada, NOC 2021 Version 1.0: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects/standard/noc/2021/indexV1
• Statistics Canada, Revising NOC 2021 Version 1.0 to NOC 2026 Version 1.0: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/consultation/2024/noc/results-report
• IRCC, Find your National Occupational Classification (NOC): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/find-national-occupation-code.html
• IRCC, Express Entry category-based selection: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html
• Job Bank Trend Analysis (wages, outlook): https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis
• Job Bank Wage Report: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis/search-wages
• IRCC Express Entry, who can apply: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply.html
• IRCC Federal Skilled Worker Program: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-workers.html
• IRCC Canadian Experience Class: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/canadian-experience-class.html
• IRCC Federal Skilled Trades Program: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/who-can-apply/federal-skilled-trades.html
• IRCC PGWP eligibility: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html
• ESDC Temporary Foreign Worker Program: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.html
• ESDC Program requirements for low-wage positions: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/median-wage/low/requirements.html
• IRCC, Pausing Home Care Worker Immigration pilots application intake: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/pausing-home-care-worker-immigration-pilots-application-intake.html
• IRCC Forward Regulatory Plan, modernize the federal high skilled classes: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/acts-regulations/forward-regulatory-plan/list/modernize-federal-high-skilled.html

Written by Rami Mamar, RCIC-IRB (License #R515110), regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Last reviewed September 25, 2026 against NOC 2021 Version 1.0 and current IRCC and ESDC published guidance. Sources: Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada NOC structure at noc.esdc.gc.ca; IRCC Express Entry eligibility at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry; Job Bank wage reports at jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis; ESDC LMIA program updates at canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.