Apr 24, 2024 | Business Immigration, Canadian Experience Class, Citizenship, Complete Representation, Federal Skilled Trades, Humanitarian & Compassionate, Permanent Residency, Processing Times
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a standardized system used to classify and categorize occupations in Canada. This system is used for various purposes, including immigration, labor market research, and wage reporting. For immigrants to Canada, the NOC is an essential tool for understanding their eligibility for certain immigration programs and for finding work in their field.
What is the NOC?
The NOC is a five-tiered hierarchical structure that classifies occupations based on their skill level, education, training, and experience requirements. There are 10 broad occupational categories, 45 major groups, 89 minor groups, 162 minor groups, and 516 unit groups. Each unit group is assigned a unique four-digit NOC code.
How is the NOC used for immigration?
The NOC is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess the eligibility of applicants for certain immigration programs, such as the Express Entry system. The NOC code of an applicant’s occupation is one of the factors that is used to calculate their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. A higher CRS score means that an applicant is more likely to be invited to apply for permanent residency.
How can I find my NOC code?
There are a few ways to find your NOC code. You can search for it by job title using the NOC website: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/find-national-occupation-code.html, or you can browse the NOC structure by occupational category. You can also find your NOC code in job postings.
What are some tips for using the NOC for immigration?
- Make sure you are using the correct NOC code. The NOC was updated in 2021, so make sure you are using the most recent version of the code.
- Choose a NOC code that is closely related to your occupation. If you are not sure which NOC code to choose, you can contact an immigration consultant or job counselor.
- Be prepared to provide evidence of your work experience. When you apply for an immigration program, you will be asked to provide evidence of your work experience. This may include job letters, transcripts, and references.
The Most Common NOC Classifications for Immigrants to Canada
The following table shows the most common NOC classifications for immigrants to Canada in 2021:
Please note that this is just a small sample of the many NOC classifications that are relevant to immigrants to Canada. The best way to find the NOC code that is right for you is to search the NOC website or to contact an immigration consultant.
Additional tips for using the NOC for immigration
- Consider your skills and experience. When choosing a NOC code, it is important to consider your skills and experience. What are you good at? What experience do you have? Choose a NOC code that is a good match for your skills and experience.
- Research the job market. Once you have chosen a NOC code, it is important to research the job market for that occupation. Is there a demand for workers in that occupation? What are the average salaries for that occupation?
- Be prepared to adapt. The Canadian job market is different from the job market in many other countries. Be prepared to adapt your skills and experience to meet the needs of the Canadian workforce.
Conclusion
By understanding the NOC and how it is used for immigration, you can increase your chances of successfully immigrating to Canada and finding work in your field.
Mar 12, 2024 | Business Immigration, Canadian Experience Class, Citizenship, Complete Representation, Federal Skilled Trades, Humanitarian & Compassionate, Permanent Residency, Processing Times
Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence Canada (ITA)
If you are interested in becoming a Permanent Resident of Canada, you will need to be invited through an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This ITA is a document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). After receiving an ITA, applicants will have the chance to apply for Canadian permanent residence and bring their accompanying family members, such as their spouse or common-law partner and any dependent children, along with them.
Step-by-step process of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to immigrate to Canada:
1. Create an Express Entry profile to enter the Express Entry pool.
The first step involves submitting information about your skills, language ability, education, and work experience. If you meet the criteria for immigration to Canada, you will be placed in the Express Entry pool.
2. Receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score.
You will then be given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on the information in your Express Entry profile. The CRS score is used to rank candidates based on their skills and other factors.
3. Boost Your CRS Score
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) assigns points based on your human capital factors like skills, education, age, language proficiency, and work experience. A higher score increases your chances of receiving an ITA. Consider these strategies:
- Improve Language Skills: Aim for high scores on English or French language tests like IELTS or CELPIP. Strong language abilities are essential for integrating into Canadian society and the workforce.
- Gain Work Experience: Relevant Canadian or international experience boosts your score. Look for opportunities in fields listed in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) for additional points.
- Pursue Higher Education: A Canadian degree, diploma, or relevant post-secondary qualification can be advantageous. Consider Canadian institutions or programs approved by Canadian education credential assessment services.
- Secure a Valid Job Offer: A job offer from a Canadian employer with LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) approval adds significant points and demonstrates your employability in Canada.
- Provincial Nomination: Receiving a nomination from a Canadian province/territory can significantly increase your CRS score. PNPs target skilled workers to address specific labor market needs. Research programs offered by provinces that align with your skills and experience.
4. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) if your score is above the cut-off threshold score.
IRCC regularly conducts draws inviting candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. The cut-off score for each draw varies depending on the number of applications received by IRCC.
If your CRS score is higher than the cut-off threshold score for that specific Express Entry draw, you will receive an ITA.
5. Submit a complete application for permanent residence (APR) in your online account.
Once you receive an ITA, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence (APR) in your online account. This involves providing documents such as passport, language test scores, job offer letter, and more.
Read more about: GCKey: Apply Online For Canada Immigration and Visa
6. Receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and/or a Permanent Residence Visa.
After your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and/or a Permanent Residence Visa.
7. Live and work in Canada as a Permanent Resident.
Finally, once you have your permanent residence visa, you can travel to Canada and live and work as a Permanent Resident.
National Occupational Classification (NOC) and Express Entry
The NOC is a system used by the Canadian government to categorize jobs based on skill level, type of work performed, and educational requirements. When creating your Express Entry profile, you’ll need to identify the NOC code that best reflects your primary work experience. Occupations in higher NOC skill levels (typically NOC 0, A or B under NOC 2016 or TEER levels 3, 4 or 5 under NOC 2021) are generally eligible for Express Entry.
Here’s how the NOC can influence your Express Entry profile:
- Eligibility: Choosing the correct NOC code ensures your work experience aligns with eligible occupations for Express Entry.
- CRS Points: Certain NOC codes may award more points under the CRS compared to others. Jobs requiring higher skill levels or those in high demand by Canadian employers tend to receive more points.
Research the NOC carefully and choose the code that most accurately reflects your main work duties. A mismatch can affect your eligibility or CRS score. You can find the NOC list and descriptions on the Employment and Social Development Canada website: Find your National Occupation Classification (NOC).
What Should You Do After You Receive an ITA
If you have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have only 60 days to put together and submit all of your required supporting documents. To ensure that you’re ready to apply and make the most of the two-month period, it is important to begin collecting and organizing the necessary documents ahead of time.
In case you are unable to submit your application within the 60-day period, you will have the option to re-enter the Express Entry pool and start the process over.
How to Get an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence
To receive an ITA, you must first be eligible to immigrate by meeting the minimum requirements for the Express Entry pool. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is used to assess a candidate’s eligibility.
The CRS score ranks an individual based on:
- Skills
- Education
- Language ability
- Work experience,
- and other factors.
Invitations to apply (ITA) will be given to those with a minimum CRS score or higher of that specific Express Entry draw.
Read more about: Changes in Express Entry in 2023
Documents you will need to apply for Permanent Residency
You will need the following documents to apply for a Canadian Permanent Residence:
- Passport
- Language Test score results
- Birth Certificate
- Work experience documentation
- Police Verification report
- Upfront medical receipt
- Medical report
PNP programs may require additional documents, including:
- Education Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Proof of Funds
- Offer letter from a Canadian employer
- Provincial Nomination Certificate or territorial certificate of nomination
- Marriage certificates or divorce certificates (if applicable)
- Your Personal reference code
- Express Entry Profile Number
- Job seeker validation code
- Letter of recommendation from previous employers.
Not Getting an ITA?
If you don’t receive an ITA in this round, don’t be discouraged. Consider these options:
- Re-entering the Express Entry pool: Keep your profile updated and look for ways to improve your CRS score. Aim to gain more work experience, improve your language proficiency, or pursue further education.
- Exploring Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Research targeted provincial nominations that align with your skills and experience. These programs can boost your CRS score and provide a direct path to permanent residence in a specific Canadian province.
We Can Help You Determine Your Eligibility! Talk to an adviser today! (Click here)
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Nov 7, 2022 | Canadian Experience Class, Featured, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, New Immigration Programs, Permanent Residency, Working In Canada
Start-up Visa Program For Entrepreneurs
What is the Start-Up Visa Program?
Canada’s Start-up Visa Program targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build innovative businesses in Canada that can create jobs for Canadians and compete on a global scale.
Want to dive deeper into this program? Find out more here.
Why choose Canada?
There are many reasons why Canada is the best place to build your business as an entrepreneur. Canada’s advantages include:
- A strong economy
- Low taxes and low business costs
- Excellence in research and innovation
- High quality of life
In addition, there are more than 50 Canadian venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators designated to participate in the program.
Last but not least, entrepreneurs who participated in the program in the first 3 years received over $3.7 million in investment capital from designated entities to help them grow their businesses in Canada.
What are the requirements of this visa for entrepreneurs?
There are four requirements you need to meet to be eligible for a Canadian start-up visa:
- Prove your business is supported by a designated organization
- Meet ownership requirements: You must hold at least 10% of the voting rights attached to all shares of the company. Together with the designated organization, you must hold at least 50% of the voting rights attached to all shares of the company.
- Meet the minimum language requirements (CLB 5 in all areas) in English or French; and
- Show sufficient funds to settle in Canada.
Not sure if you qualify? Don’t know where to start?
If you are still in doubt that whether the Start-Up Visa Program in Canada is for you, take our free online assessment to determine your eligibility. .is super important
Or contact us today! One of your licensed immigration consultants will be happy to help you.
Apr 15, 2021 | Canadian Experience Class, Featured, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, New Immigration Programs, Permanent Residency, Working In Canada
New Immigration Programs Pave Way for Health Care and Essential Workers
Exciting news! The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino on on April 14th, 2021 announced that there will be a focus on new pathways for temporary workers in healthcare, essential workers, and international graduates who are already residing in Canada.
“The pandemic has shone a bright light on the incredible contributions of newcomers. These new policies will help those with a temporary status to plan their future in Canada, play a key role in our economic recovery and help us build back better. Our message to them is simple: your status may be temporary, but your contributions are lasting—and we want you to stay.” Says Mendicino.
Effective May 6th 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will launch 6 new pathway streams for permanent residency for over 90,000 health care, essential workers and international graduates who have been actively contributing to Canada’s economy. Including the French-speaking temporary residents, these workers and graduates who are already in Canada possesses the skills and experienced needed to fight through the pandemic and to accelerate Canada’s economic recovery. These new streams will pave the way for thousands of new immigrants to receive Canadian permanent residence status.
IRCC will be accepting applications through the following 3 streams:
- 20,000 applications for temporary workers in health care
- 30,000 applications for temporary workers in other select essential occupations
- 40,000 applications for international students who graduated from a Canadian institution
To be eligible for the three new streams announced, temporary workers must have at least one year of Canadian work experience in a health-care profession or in select essential occupations. International students must have completed an eligible Canadian post-secondary education within the last 4 years, no earlier than January 2017. All workers and graduates will need to meet the language proficiency of at least CLB 4 in English or French and the test results must be no less than two-year-old when application is received.
To promote Canada’s official languages, three additional streams with no application cap for healthcare workers, essential workers and international graduates who are French-speaking or bilingual in English and French. Candidates will need to meet the same requirements for the health-care, essential occupations and graduates in addition to French language proficiency of at least CLB 4 and the evaluation must be no less than two years old when the application is received.
The 6 new streams will remain open until November 5th, 2021, or until they have reached their application cap (not including the French-speaking or bilingual candidate applicants). The announcement of these new streams aims to help achieve Canada’s 2021 immigration Level’s plan, which is expected to welcome 401,000 new permanent residents. The plan will help create jobs and drive long-term growth in Canada. We have already seen the historical federal drawing which invited all 27,332 candidates in the Canadian-Experience Class Express Entry pool. Canada has welcomed over 50,000 new permanent residents thus far.
Need help or want to find out if you qualify?
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Nov 27, 2019 | Blog, Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Featured, Federal Skilled Trades, In the News, Skilled Workers
Every few weeks, the government of Canada holds an Express Entry draw, inviting thousands of qualified applicants to apply for Canadian permanent residence (PR). In the most recent Express Entry draw, held on Wednesday, November 27, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent out invitations to 3,600 candidates in the Express Entry pool with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 471 or more. Individuals who have a profile in the Express Entry pool and meet the minimum CRS cut-off score should have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for immigration to Canada.
This is the second draw to occur this month, continuing the trend of two draws a month by IRCC. The previous draw, held on November 13th, had a cut-off CRS score of 472, just one point more than the most recent draw. The same number of candidates received ITAs in the last draw as in this recent one, bringing the total number of invitations to 7,200 for the month of November. In total, 78,900 invitations have been sent out so far this year. In 2018, a record-breaking 89,800 candidates received ITAs and with just one more month left in 2019, it is unclear whether that record will stand. It’s still possible for this record to be broken in the final month of the year, depending on the number of draws held and the size of the draws.
Did you receive an ITA?
First of all, we want to congratulate those who received an invitation this week. If you are among the individuals who received an ITA in this week’s draw, now is the time to start preparing your permanent residence application. Keep in mind that you must submit your complete application with all required documents within 60 days of receiving your ITA. Often, these applications can be confusing and even the smallest of errors could result in your application being delayed or even refused. If you have a spouse, common-law partner, and / or dependent children, whether or not they will accompany you to Canada, it is necessary to include these family members in your application. If you wish to bring your spouse, partner, or dependent children with you to Canada, this can make the application process all the more complex. To prevent delays or refusal of your application, it is important that you prepare your application accurately and completely. Our immigration consultants can help you to determine what information is required and what documents you need to provide. We will guide you throughout the process and be with you every step of the way to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family. If you need help preparing and submitting your permanent residence application or if you are interested in entering the Express Entry pool before the next draw, contact us to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
How to apply for Express Entry
Individuals who wish to enter the Express Entry pool to possibly receive an ITA in the next draw will need to first determine that they are eligible for one of the three current economic programs. The first step to determine your eligibility is to complete our free online assessment. Our team of consultants will review and assess your qualifications to determine if you meet the requirements for an Express Entry application. This assessment will rank you based on various factors – including language, work experience, education, and others – to determine whether you meet the minimum requirements for one of Canada’s economic immigration programs. If you are found to be eligible, you may then proceed with the next step in the application process.
Canada’s Express Entry pool is open to all individuals who meet the minimum requirements of any one of the following economic programs:
In addition to these three programs, certain Provincial Nominee Programs also allow candidates to apply through the Express Entry pool. You may be required to enter the pool before or after receiving a nomination, depending on the requirements of the provincial program. If you meet the requirements of a Provincial Nominee Program, we can assist you in the process of entering the Express Entry pool and submitting an application to the province of your choice.
How to get an ITA
Individuals who meet the requirements of one of the above listed economic immigration programs will need to first create an online profile in the Express Entry pool. Once you’ve entered, your profile will remain in the pool for 12 months. If, after that 12-month period, you have still not received an invitation, you may submit your profile to the pool again. IRCC will select the most qualified applicants from the pool to invite so it’s important to make sure you meet the minimum selection criteria. For example, having a job offer is not a requirement to enter the pool but those with job offers will receive more points, making them more likely to be selected and receive an ITA. Other factors that impact your score include age, education level, work experience, and language ability. If you did not receive an ITA this time around, you may want to work on some of these factors. Increasing your language ability will result in a higher score, improving your chances of being invited in the next draw. Applicants who receive a nomination from a province will receive 600 CRS points, all but ensuring that they will receive an ITA in the next round of invitations. In total, there are 1200 CRA points that one can acquire. Our immigration consultants can assess your situation and assist you in determining which areas you may be able to improve in order to earn more points and possibly receive an ITA in a future draw.
Jul 17, 2017 | Blog, Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Federal Skilled Trades, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program, Skilled Workers
July 12, 2017 – The most recent Express Entry draw invited 3,202 candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residence. As was expected, the cut-off score of 440 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points is lower than the score of the last draw, made on June 28th. This recent draw is the second one since changes to the Express Entry system were made. These changes gave more points to candidates in the pool who have siblings in Canada and those who had French language skills. As a result of these changes, we saw the CRS cut-off score increase slightly between the May and June draws. In addition to the updates, there was a 3-week delay between these two draws, which likely resulted in more candidates with higher CRS scores entering the pool. While the current score is still higher than the draws we saw earlier in the year, we can expect the scores to continue to decrease in upcoming draws. Note that this most recent score is nine points lower than that of the last draw.
The Express Entry system has become the most popular method of applying for economic immigration to Canada. So far this year, a total of 54,487 candidates have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. This number is larger than the total number of ITAs issued in all of 2016. Individuals who are interested in applying for permanent residence to Canada should definitely look into the Express Entry system.
Individuals who wish to enter the Express Entry pool to possibly receive an ITA in the next draw will need to first determine that they are eligible for one of the current economic immigration programs. The first step to determine your eligibility is to complete our free online assessment. Our team of consultants will review and assess your qualifications to determine if you meet the requirements for an Express Entry application. If you are eligible you will be able to proceed with the next step towards making an application. This assessment will rank your minimum language requirement, skilled work experience and education level.
Candidates who meet the minimum requirements of the following economic programs may make an application to the Express Entry pool:
Certain Provincial Nominee Programs allow candidates to apply through the Express Entry pool. You may be required to enter the pool before or after receiving a nomination, depending on the requirements of the provincial program. If you meet the requirements of a Provincial Nominee Program, we can assist you in the process of entering the Express Entry pool and submitting an application to the province of your choice. Applicants who receive a nomination from a province will receive 600 CRS points, increasing their chance of obtaining an ITA in the next round of invitations.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool with a score of 440 or higher should have received an ITA after this recent draw. After receiving your invitation, you have ninety days to submit your completed application for permanent residence. To prevent delays or refusal of your application, it is important to prepare your application thoroughly and accurately. Our immigration consultants can help you determine what information is required and what documents you need to provide.
If your score is lower than 440, it may be possible to improve your score. We can help you discover ways to improve your score and increase your chances of receiving an ITA in an upcoming draw. Take our free online assessment to determine your eligibility and we will contact you to discuss your options moving forward.
If you need help preparing and submitting your permanent residence application or if you are interested in entering the Express Entry pool before the next draw, contact us to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
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