IRCC to hold occupations based draws as per proposed Changes to Express Entry System

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has propose key amendments to the federal Express Entry system. As per the proposed changes to amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act the IRCC to hold occupation-based Express Entry draws.

The immigration department of Canada has proposed the amendments under Bill C-19, providing the immigration minister more liberty concerning inviting foreign skilled worker candidates in the Express Entry pool.

Occupations Based Express Entry Invitations

Amendments once implemented will provide Immigration Minister with the authority to recognise a definite economic goal and invite applicants, who would support the fulfilment of that goal, based on some key aspects, i.e. education, work experience, or language ability, etc. This will enable IRCC to hold draws targeting specific NOC (National Occupational Classification) codes.

Transitioning to a new NOC system

With the rearrangement of NOC system, sixteen new occupations will become eligible for Express Entry. As per ministerial memorandum, on February 21, 2022 indicates jobs containing truck and bus drivers, orderlies, teaching assistants and dental assistants are to be chosen under the selection scheme. As per the memorandum, the IRCC will complete the switch from NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 in November 2022. Visas Avenue posted the news regarding the NOC switch in October 2021.

Also read- Canada has Introduced NOC 2021- How new Classification of Occupations will impact the immigrants

New NOC (National Occupational Classification) 2021 Version 1.0

The NOC 2021 Version 1.0 overhauls the "Skill Level" arrangement by offering a new classification representing the degree of Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) essential for an occupation.

Currently, Canadian immigration department, i.e. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as well as various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), use NOC 2016 to evaluate eligibility for skilled worker immigration programs. Now, the NOC 2021 Version 1.0 introduces a new 5-digit hierarchical structure, in comparison of the 4-digit hierarchical structure in the previous versions of the classification. The NOC 2021 introduces a TEER system, which has six categories: TEER category 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

An projected comparison is as follows:

16 new occupations to be added in NOC 2021

As per NOC 2016, occupations be eligible for Express Entry from Skill Level B and above. Under NOC 2021, TEER 3 and above will be eligible. It suggests, the following occupations will be added:

1. Payroll administrators
2. Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
3. Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
4. Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
5. Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
6. Sheriffs and bailiffs 
7. Correctional service officers 
8. By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers 
9. Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations 
10. Residential and commercial installers and servicers 
11. Pest controllers and fumigators 
12. Other repairers and servicers 
13. Transport truck drivers 
14. Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators
15. Heavy equipment operators
16. Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors.

On the other hand, 3 other occupations, which are eligible for Express Entry under NOC 2016 will be disqualified under NOC 2021. These occupations are as follows:

• Other performers
• Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
• Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners.

What is National Occupational Classification (NOC)?

The NOC or National Occupational Classification is the national mention on occupations in Canada. It includes nearly 30,000 job titles collected into 500 unit groups, ordered according to 4 skill levels and ten broad occupational categories. The NOC established as part of a combined partnership between Employment and Social Development Canada and Statistics Canada. The classification of occupation is used for economic immigration programs, i.e. Express Entry, PNP, Atlantic Immigration Program, etc.

For further clarification regarding new NOC system and EE draws, you may call Visas Avenue Canada migration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com. Visas Avenue is a leading and registered Visa Consultancy Company in India.

- Rajneesh Kumar