Canada Skilled Worker Eligible Occupations

Skilled workers who are interested in immigrating to Canada need to classify their occupation according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) used by the Government of Canada to identify the work a person performs and the duties that the occupation involves.

The NOC is used to inform the Government of Canada what your occupation is to ensure they are assessing your skills against the relevant job criteria, and they are fulfilling the Canadian economy’s labour shortages simultaneously. The NOC is used for immigration purposes in the following programs:

National Occupational Classification

The NOC categorises occupations into five skill levels to reflect the level of education and experience required. The immigration programs then highlight the relevant skill level that they will accept skilled worker applications for. The main groups of the NOC are as follows:

I want to move to Canada as a skilled immigrant through the Express Entry Program…

To be eligible to apply through the Express Entry Program to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, your previous work experience and current job must be:

  • Skill Type 0; or
  • Skill Level A; or
  • Skill Level B
I want to move to Canada as a skilled immigrant through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot or Atlantic Immigration Program…

To be eligible to apply through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot or Atlantic Immigration Program to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, your previous work experience must be:

  • Skill Type 0; or
  • Skill Level A; or
  • Skill Level B; or
  • Skill Level C
I want to immigrate to Canada however my occupation is classified at Skill Level C or D…

To immigrate to Canada with an occupation that is classified as Skill Level C or D, foreign workers have the following options available:

  • Apply to immigrate to Canada through a Provincial Nominee Program (note: all skill levels are accepted, and the provinces/territories are more focused on in-demand occupations rather than skill level); or
  • Apply through the Atlantic Immigration Pilot or Atlantic Immigration Program if your occupation is at Skill Level C; or
  • Apply to work in Canada temporarily through a Work Permit
Federal Skilled Worker Program (How this program works):

This program has minimum requirements for:

  • skilled work experience
  • language ability
  • education

You must meet all the minimum requirements to be eligible.

Selection factors

If you meet all the minimum requirements, we’ll then assess your application based on:

  • age
  • education
  • work experience
  • whether you have a valid job offer
  • English and/or French language skills
  • adaptability (how well you’re likely to settle here)

These factors are part of a 100-point grid used to assess eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. You earn points for how well you do in each of the 6 factors.

The current pass mark is 67 points.

How we use selection factor points

We use the selection factor points to assess your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Once you’re in the Express Entry pool, we use a different system to rank your profile. We select the highest-ranking candidates from the pool and invite them to apply for permanent residence.

Minimum requirements

Skilled work experience

Skilled work experience means that you’ve worked in 1 of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) job groups:

  • Managerial jobs (skill type 0)
  • Professional jobs (skill level A)
  • Technical jobs and skilled trades (skill level B)

You must show that while working in your primary occupation, you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.

Your skilled work experience must be

  • in the same type of job (have the same NOC) as the job you want to use for your immigration application (called your primary occupation)
  • within the last 10 years
  • paid work (have been paid wages or earned commission—volunteer work or this means you must unpaid internships don’t count)
  • at least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total (30 hours per week)—you can meet this in a few different ways:
    • Full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
    • Equal amount in part-time: 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
    • Full-time at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

Part-time work experience

For part-time work, you can work more or less than 15 hours/week as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours.

We don’t count any hours you work above 30 hours/week.

Student work experience

Work experience gained while you were studying may count towards your minimum requirements if the work:

Language ability

You must:

  • take approved language tests in English or French for:
    • writing
    • reading
    • listening
    • speaking
  • get a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all 4 abilities
  • enter the test results in your Express Entry profile

Your language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result. They must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.

Education

If you went to school in Canada, you must have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:

  • secondary institution (high school) or
  • post-secondary institution

If you have foreign education, you must have:

  • a completed credential, and
  • an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes from a designated organization showing that your education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:
    • secondary institution (high school) or
    • post-secondary institution

Proof of funds

You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada, unless you:

  • are currently able to legally work in Canada
  • have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

Admissibility

You must be admissible to Canada.

Express Entry: Eligible Federal Skilled Worker Occupations:

  • 0011 Legislators
  • 0012 Senior government managers and officials
  • 0013 Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
  • 0014 Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
  • 0015 Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services, n.e.c.
  • 0016 Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities
  • 0111 Financial managers
  • 0112 Human resources managers
  • 0113 Purchasing managers
  • 0114 Other administrative services managers
  • 0121 Insurance, real estate and financial brokerage managers
  • 0122 Banking, credit and other investment managers
  • 0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
  • 0125 Other business services managers
  • 0131 Telecommunication carriers managers
  • 0132 Postal and courier services managers
  • 0211 Engineering managers
  • 0212 Architecture and science managers
  • 0213 Computer and information systems managers
  • 0311 Managers in health care
  • 0411 Government managers – health and social policy development and program administration
  • 0412 Government managers – economic analysis, policy development and program administration
  • 0413 Government managers – education policy development and program administration
  • 0414 Other managers in public administration
  • 0421 Administrators – post-secondary education and vocational training
  • 0422 School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
  • 0423 Managers in social, community and correctional services
  • 0431 Commissioned police officers
  • 0432 Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers
  • 0433 Commissioned officers of the Canadian Forces
  • 0511 Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers
  • 0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
  • 0513 Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
  • 0601 Corporate sales managers
  • 0621 Retail and wholesale trade managers
  • 0631 Restaurant and food service managers
  • 0632 Accommodation service managers
  • 0651 Managers in customer and personal services, n.e.c.
  • 0711 Construction managers
  • 0712 Home building and renovation managers
  • 0714 Facility operation and maintenance managers
  • 0731 Managers in transportation
  • 0811 Managers in natural resources production and fishing
  • 0821 Managers in agriculture
  • 0822 Managers in horticulture
  • 0823 Managers in aquaculture
  • 0911 Manufacturing managers
  • 0912 Utilities managers
  • 1111 Financial auditors and accountants
  • 1112 Financial and investment analysts
  • 1113 Securities agents, investment dealers and brokers
  • 1114 Other financial officers
  • 1121 Human resources professionals
  • 1122 Professional occupations in business management consulting
  • 1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
  • 1211 Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers
  • 1212 Supervisors, finance and insurance office workers
  • 1213 Supervisors, library, correspondence and related information workers
  • 1214 Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations
  • 1215 Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling co-ordination occupations
  • 1221 Administrative officers
  • 1222 Executive assistants
  • 1223 Human resources and recruitment officers
  • 1224 Property administrators
  • 1225 Purchasing agents and officers
  • 1226 Conference and event planners
  • 1227 Court officers and justices of the peace
  • 1228 Employment insurance, immigration, border services and revenue officers
  • 1241 Administrative assistants
  • 1242 Legal administrative assistants
  • 1243 Medical administrative assistants
  • 1251 Court reporters, medical transcriptionists and related occupations
  • 1252 Health information management occupations
  • 1253 Records management technicians
  • 1254 Statistical officers and related research support occupations
  • 1311 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
  • 1312 Insurance adjusters and claims examiners
  • 1313 Insurance underwriters
  • 1314 Assessors, valuators and appraisers
  • 1315 Customs, ship and other brokers
  • 2111 Physicists and astronomers
  • 2112 Chemists
  • 2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers
  • 2114 Meteorologists and climatologists
  • 2115 Other professional occupations in physical sciences
  • 2121 Biologists and related scientists
  • 2122 Forestry professionals
  • 2123 Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists
  • 2131 Civil engineers
  • 2132 Mechanical engineers
  • 2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
  • 2134 Chemical engineers
  • 2141 Industrial and manufacturing engineers
  • 2142 Metallurgical and materials engineers
  • 2143 Mining engineers
  • 2144 Geological engineers
  • 2145 Petroleum engineers
  • 2146 Aerospace engineers
  • 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
  • 2148 Other professional engineers, n.e.c.
  • 2151 Architects
  • 2152 Landscape architects
  • 2153 Urban and land use planners
  • 2154 Land surveyors
  • 2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
  • 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
  • 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
  • 2173 Software engineers and designers
  • 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
  • 2175 Web designers and developers
  • 2211 Chemical technologists and technicians
  • 2212 Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
  • 2221 Biological technologists and technicians
  • 2222 Agricultural and fish products inspectors
  • 2223 Forestry technologists and technicians
  • 2224 Conservation and fishery officers
  • 2225 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
  • 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians
  • 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • 2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
  • 2234 Construction estimators
  • 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • 2242 Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)
  • 2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  • 2244 Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors
  • 2251 Architectural technologists and technicians
  • 2252 Industrial designers
  • 2253 Drafting technologists and technicians
  • 2254 Land survey technologists and technicians
  • 2255 Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
  • 2261 Non-destructive testers and inspection technicians
  • 2262 Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers
  • 2263 Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
  • 2264 Construction inspectors
  • 2271 Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors
  • 2272 Air traffic controllers and related occupations
  • 2273 Deck officers, water transport
  • 2274 Engineer officers, water transport
  • 2275 Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
  • 2281 Computer network technicians
  • 2282 User support technicians
  • 2283 Information systems testing technicians
  • 3011 Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors
  • 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • 3111 Specialist physicians
  • 3112 General practitioners and family physicians
  • 3113 Dentists
  • 3114 Veterinarians
  • 3121 Optometrists
  • 3122 Chiropractors
  • 3124 Allied primary health practitioners
  • 3125 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
  • 3131 Pharmacists
  • 3132 Dietitians and nutritionists
  • 3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • 3142 Physiotherapists
  • 3143 Occupational therapists
  • 3144 Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
  • 3211 Medical laboratory technologists
  • 3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants
  • 3213 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
  • 3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • 3215 Medical radiation technologists
  • 3216 Medical sonographers
  • 3217 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.
  • 3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)
  • 3221 Denturists
  • 3222 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  • 3223 Dental technologists, technicians and laboratory assistants
  • 3231 Opticians
  • 3232 Practitioners of natural healing
  • 3233 Licensed practical nurses
  • 3234 Paramedical occupations
  • 3236 Massage therapists
  • 3237 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  • 4011 University professors and lecturers
  • 4012 Post-secondary teaching and research assistants
  • 4021 College and other vocational instructors
  • 4031 Secondary school teachers
  • 4032 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
  • 4033 Educational counsellors
  • 4111 Judges
  • 4112 Lawyers and Quebec notaries
  • 4151 Psychologists
  • 4152 Social workers
  • 4153 Family, marriage and other related counsellors
  • 4154 Professional occupations in religion
  • 4155 Probation and parole officers and related occupations
  • 4156 Employment counsellors
  • 4161 Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers
  • 4162 Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts
  • 4163 Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants
  • 4164 Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers
  • 4165 Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers
  • 4166 Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers
  • 4167 Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers
  • 4168 Program officers unique to government
  • 4169 Other professional occupations in social science, n.e.c.
  • 4211 Paralegal and related occupations
  • 4212 Social and community service workers
  • 4214 Early childhood educators and assistants
  • 4215 Instructors of persons with disabilities
  • 4216 Other instructors
  • 4217 Other religious occupations
  • 4311 Police officers (except commissioned)
  • 4312 Firefighters
  • 4313 Non-commissioned ranks of the Canadian Forces
  • 5111 Librarians
  • 5112 Conservators and curators
  • 5113 Archivists
  • 5121 Authors and writers
  • 5122 Editors
  • 5123 Journalists
  • 5125 Translators, terminologists and interpreters
  • 5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
  • 5132 Conductors, composers and arrangers
  • 5133 Musicians and singers
  • 5134 Dancers
  • 5135 Actors and comedians
  • 5136 Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
  • 5211 Library and public archive technicians
  • 5212 Technical occupations related to museums and art galleries
  • 5221 Photographers
  • 5222 Film and video camera operators
  • 5223 Graphic arts technicians
  • 5224 Broadcast technicians
  • 5225 Audio and video recording technicians
  • 5226 Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
  • 5227 Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and the performing arts
  • 5231 Announcers and other broadcasters
  • 5232 Other performers, n.e.c.
  • 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
  • 5242 Interior designers and interior decorators
  • 5243 Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
  • 5244 Artisans and craftspersons
  • 5245 Patternmakers – textile, leather and fur products
  • 5251 Athletes
  • 5252 Coaches
  • 5253 Sports officials and referees
  • 5254 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
  • 6211 Retail sales supervisors
  • 6221 Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade
  • 6222 Retail and wholesale buyers
  • 6231 Insurance agents and brokers
  • 6232 Real estate agents and salespersons
  • 6235 Financial sales representatives
  • 6311 Food service supervisors
  • 6312 Executive housekeepers
  • 6313 Accommodation, travel, tourism and related services supervisors
  • 6314 Customer and information services supervisors
  • 6315 Cleaning supervisors
  • 6316 Other services supervisors
  • 6321 Chefs
  • 6322 Cooks
  • 6331 Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
  • 6332 Bakers
  • 6341 Hairstylists and barbers
  • 6342 Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners
  • 6343 Shoe repairers and shoemakers
  • 6344 Jewellers, jewellery and watch repairers and related occupations
  • 6345 Upholsterers
  • 6346 Funeral directors and embalmers
  • 7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
  • 7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
  • 7203 Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
  • 7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
  • 7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
  • 7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
  • 7232 Tool and die makers
  • 7233 Sheet metal workers
  • 7234 Boilermakers
  • 7235 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
  • 7236 Ironworkers
  • 7237 Welders and related machine operators
  • 7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  • 7242 Industrial electricians
  • 7243 Power system electricians
  • 7244 Electrical power line and cable workers
  • 7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers
  • 7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers
  • 7247 Cable television service and maintenance technicians
  • 7251 Plumbers
  • 7252 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
  • 7253 Gas fitters
  • 7271 Carpenters
  • 7272 Cabinetmakers
  • 7281 Bricklayers
  • 7282 Concrete finishers
  • 7283 Tile setters
  • 7284 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
  • 7291 Roofers and shinglers
  • 7292 Glaziers
  • 7293 Insulators
  • 7294 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  • 7295 Floor covering installers
  • 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
  • 7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
  • 7303 Supervisors, printing and related occupations
  • 7304 Supervisors, railway transport operations
  • 7305 Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
  • 7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  • 7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  • 7313 Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  • 7314 Railway Carmen/women
  • 7315 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
  • 7316 Machine fitters
  • 7318 Elevator constructors and mechanics
  • 7321 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
  • 7322 Motor vehicle body repairers
  • 7331 Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
  • 7332 Appliance servicers and repairers
  • 7333 Electrical mechanics
  • 7334 Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
  • 7335 Other small engine and small equipment repairers
  • 7361 Railway and yard locomotive engineers
  • 7362 Railway conductors and brakemen/women
  • 7371 Crane operators
  • 7372 Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
  • 7373 Water well drillers
  • 7381 Printing press operators
  • 7384 Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c.
  • 8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry
  • 8221 Supervisors, mining and quarrying
  • 8222 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services
  • 8231 Underground production and development miners
  • 8232 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers
  • 8241 Logging machinery operators
  • 8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers8255 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services
  • 8261 Fishing masters and officers
  • 8262 Fishermen/women
  • 9211 Supervisors, mineral and metal processing
  • 9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities
  • 9213 Supervisors, food, beverage and associated products processing
  • 9214 Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing
  • 9215 Supervisors, forest products processing
  • 9217 Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing
  • 9221 Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling
  • 9222 Supervisors, electronics manufacturing
  • 9223 Supervisors, electrical products manufacturing
  • 9224 Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing
  • 9226 Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing
  • 9227 Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly
  • 9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing
  • 9232 Petroleum, gas and chemical process operators
  • 9235 Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators
  • 9241 Power engineers and power systems operators
  • 9243 Water and waste treatment plant operators

Kunal Thakur

Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant R#519955

Kunal Thakur is a passionate Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), holding close to two decades of immigration experience, during which he has successfully guided thousands of immigrants in their immigration journey. He is quick in responding to client queries and would always give his clients the right advice. Kunal also brings immense value in all his talks and discourses on immigration and when not in front of his laptop reading and analysing client cases he could be seen exploring new places and trying new things. Kunal is currently based in Adelaide, Australia. You can book a time with him here.

[email protected]

RCIC: R519955