Find your NOC

We use the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to classify jobs (occupations). Jobs are grouped based on the type of:

• job duties
• work a person does

For immigration purposes, the main job groups are:

• Skill Type 0 (zero): management jobs, such as:
  • restaurant managers
  • mine managers
  • shore captains (fishing)
• Skill Level A: professional jobs that usually call for a degree from a university, such as:
  • doctors
  • dentists
  • architects
• Skill Level B: technical jobs and skilled trades that usually call for a college diploma or training as an apprentice, such as:
  • chefs
  • plumbers
  • electricians
• Skill Level C: intermediate jobs that usually call for high school and/or job-specific training, such as:
  • industrial butchers
  • long-haul truck drivers
  • food and beverage servers
• Skill Level D: labour jobs that usually give on-the-job training, such as:
  • fruit pickers
  • cleaning staff
  • oil field workers

Our immigration programs use the NOC to decide if a job or type of work experience meets their eligibility. We consider “skilled” jobs those with NOC Skill Type 0, A or B. We assess jobs against the 2016 version of the NOC.

If you want to apply as a skilled worker, find your job title, code and skill level or type in the NOC.

If you want to come to Canada as a skilled immigrant (Express Entry)

Your job, and the work you have done in the past, must be skill type 0, or level A or B to use Express Entry. 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 you want to come to Canada as a skilled immigrant (Atlantic Immigration Pilot)

Your work experience must be skill type/level 0, A, B, or C.

If your job is skill level C or D

• you may be able to come to Canada as a provincial nominee (all skill types/levels),
• you may be able to come to Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (skill type/level 0, A, B, or C), 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.

Find your job title, code and skill type

Use this table to find the NOC information that best matches your jobs:

1. Enter your job title in the “Filter items” field
   • as you type words, the table will change to display related words
2. Click on the NOC title (to visit the NOC site)
   • and make sure the main duties listed match what you did at your job
   • if they don't, you’ll need to find a different job title with duties that match yours
3. Write down the numeric code shown on the left column
   • example: 7253
4. Write down the NOC title shown on the center column
   • example: Gas fitters
5. Write down the skill level or type shown on the right column
   • example: B