On November 16, 2022, the Government of Canada replaced its National Occupation Classification (NOC) to the 2021 version. The new NOC system groups jobs into TEER categories training, education, experience, and responsibilities. This system is based on the type of job duties and the work a person does.
TEER Categories
Depending on the Express Entry program you are interested in, there are varying eligible occupation classification groups. To see if your job is listed within the eligible classification groups, prospective Express Entry applicants can find their job title, code and TEER category on the Government of Canada’s “Find your National Occupation Classification” website.
The table provided by the Government of Canada allows you to filter through related occupational fields. Once you find the title, code, and skill type that matches your occupation, the NOC website lists the main duties and any other requirements applicants need to show as part of the occupational description. Your job must fit within one of those categories and you must show that you performed the duties listed in the occupational description in the NOC website.
Basic Overview of the TEER Categories and Job Examples
| TEER Category | Occupation Type | Job Examples |
| TEER 0 | Management occupations |
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| TEER 1 | Occupations that usually require a university degree |
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| TEER 2 | Occupations that usually require either a college diploma or apprenticeship training of 2 or more years |
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| TEER 3 | Occupations that usually require either a college diploma, apprenticeship training of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training |
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| TEER 4 | Occupations that usually require a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training |
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| TEER 5 | Occupations that usually need short-term work demonstration and no formal education |
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How does the TEER system impact Express Entry Applicants?
The TEER system will alter eligibility criteria for Express Entry programs, this includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The new system allows candidates to move into certain higher TEER categories depending on their work experience, even if they do not have the correct educational qualifications. In those cases, long-term experience can be equivalent to a degree/certification. However, due to the expanded categories, prospective candidates can also fall to another skill category and no longer be eligible for certain programs.
All applicants entered into the Express Entry pool need to make sure that their job classification is up-to-date. Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has already updated the eligibility requirements for its Express Entry Programs. For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, applicants have to meet the minimum work experience for TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3. This is similar to the program requirements for the Canadian Experience Class. For the Federal Skilled Trades Program, applicants have to meet the minimum work experience for certain skilled trade professions within TEER 2 or 3.
The new changes in the occupational classification system also means that 16 previously ineligible professions now qualify for Express Entry. The newly added occupations are within TEER 3. This includes: payroll administrators, dental assistants, teacher assistants, correctional service officers, estheticians, and transport truck drivers.
How We Can Help
If you are interested in making an application for permanent residence under one of the Express Entry programs, the Immigration Law Firm of Matthew Jeffery has extensive experience with these types of applications. Use our FREE Express Entry CRS Calculator to see if you qualify.
