National Occupational Classification or NOC is Canada’s system used to classify jobs.
Such system is used by many of Canada’s immigration programs to determine if a job or occupation is eligible to apply. As an example, an applicant should check the NOC to see which occupation types are classified as “skilled” (those under Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B).
Skill Type 0 – management jobs.
Examples:
- restaurant managers
- mine managers
- shore captains
Skill Level A — professional jobs. Such occupations usually require university degrees.
Examples:
- doctors
- dentists
- architects
Skill Level B — jobs that require technical skills and skilled trades. Such occupations usually need a college diploma or receive training as apprentice to perform these jobs.
Examples:
- chefs
- electricians
- plumbers
Skill Level C — intermediate jobs. Such occupations require high school education and job-specific training.
Examples:
- truck drivers
- butchers
- food servers
- baristas
Skill Level D — labour jobs. Such occupations are often given on-the-job training.
Examples:
- cleaners
- oil field workers
- fruit pickers
As a skilled immigrant applying through Express Entry program, your job must be in either type 0, A or B. The Express Entry system manages applications for permanent residence if you want be considered:
- as a Federal Skilled Worker,
- under the Federal Skilled Trades Program,
- or under the Canadian Experience Class.
If your job is skill level C or D:
- you may be able to come to Canada as a provincial nominee, as long as it is not in a program for skilled workers, or
- you may be able to work here for up to two years.
People who come to work on a temporary basis are not permanent residents. However, some go on to immigrate here on a permanent basis.