During their immigration journey, candidates in Canada may initially apply for permanent residence with one National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. However, they may need to change their NOC code as their journey progresses. This change can occur for various reasons, such as a shift in their job responsibilities or a change in their career path.
For instance, a candidate may initially apply for permanent residence in Canada through one of Canada’s Express Entry programs. However, as the provincial authorities review their profile, they may be invited to seek permanent residence through one of Canada’s 11 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). This change in the immigration pathway can also lead to a change in the candidate’s NOC code.
We will investigate this case using the Provincial Nominee Program in Ontario (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program) as an instance. We will use the hypothetical applicants requested under a tech draw.
This applicant is a software developer who acquired a Notification of Interest (NOI) from the OINP under a tech drawing.
It is worth understanding that the phrase “NOI” is what Ontario refers to as the Invitation provided by the OINP, demonstrating that the region requests the assigned applicants to present their request for a regional nomination.
The candidate got his NOI after expressing interest in the national Express Entry pool. After checking the applicant’s Express Entry national pool profile, the regional administration provided him with an NOI through an Enhanced PNP. The Notification of Interest was provided because the candidate satisfied the OINP tech draw’s prerequisites, including having a primary NOC code from the list of OINP-aimed professions.
He asserted that the candidate can apply for regional nomination with the Ontario administration at this level. For this to be done, the candidate must offer accompanying documents to the Ontario administration, including letters of reference accompanying the NOC code.
Every employer must acquire letters of reference authorizing the region to confirm that his employment obligations and duties match the NOC, as demonstrated in his national Express Entry profile, Software Developers and Programmers (NOC 21232).
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What Occurs If Your NOC Modifies During The Immigration Process At The Provincial Level
Rest assured, the evaluation process is transparent. Your accompanying documents, including your employment and duties, are thoroughly evaluated to ensure that they align with those of a NOC on the region or territory-targeted professions list.
Accurate declaration of your NOC code is of utmost importance. If the regional or territorial administration determines that your declared NOC does not match your employment position and duties, it can have severe implications for your application. This could lead to the application being denied or you being deemed unqualified for a regional nomination.
Note: The following will come back using the instances of our hypothetical applicant.
Hypothetical plot: The candidate asserted NOC 21232 (software developers and programmers) on his request. Hence, the Ontario administration evaluated his employment as more closely matching NOC 21234 (Web Developers and Programmers).
Hypothetical plot 2: notwithstanding asserting NOC 21232 (Software Developers and Programmers ) on his request, the Ontario authority evaluated his employment as more correctly matching with NOC 22220 – Computer Network and Web Technicians.
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In the first scenario, although the candidate’s employment does not match his declared NOC, his application may proceed. The evaluated NOC is still on the Ontario authority’s list of targeted professions for each draw. The province seeks to fill’ Targeted professions’ due to a shortage of skilled workers in those areas.
In the second plot, since the candidate’s evaluated NOC is not on Ontario’s targeted profession list, he will be regarded as unqualified for a regional nomination via the OINP. The application will be denied.
What Do If You Realize That Your Main NOC Is Different Than The One You Formerly Applied With At The Provincial Level
Applicants who find out that their primary NOC has been modified and is currently not listed as a targeted NOC before they present their request for a regional nomination may choose to refrain from continuing with their regional request, as it will be denied as non-qualified.
Those who realize that their primary NOC has been modified and is no longer listed as a targeted NOC before they submit their request for a regional nomination may choose to withdraw their request. However, it’s important to note that this decision may result in the loss of processing reimbursements for their regional nomination request.
Problems With Amended NOCs At The National Level
After successfully receiving a regional nomination from Ontario, a modification in NOC may affect an applicant’s permanent residence request with the national authority.
Note: Applicants with an NOC-specific regional nomination must retain the same NOC as their primary professions that they previously applied with to the region.
NOC-specific regional and provincial nomination applicants who amend their primary NOC code at the national level may have their request denied because they are non-compliant with the qualification measures associated with their regional nomination.
Why The NOC Code Matters
Knowing how an amended NOC can affect your request is as important as knowing why your NOC codes matter.
NOC codes are an essential aspect of an applicant’s qualification for Express Entry, Canada’s application management system for three premier economic immigration schemes:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Furthermore, in addition to other conditions, applicants require a minimum of 12 months of reimbursed, full-time equivalent part-time or equivalent part-time steady, skilled work in the same NOC (min NOC) to satisfy the minimum conditions for FSWP qualification.
To be qualified, this employment skill is required to fall under one of the following NOC Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) classes: TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
The Canadian Experience Class
Furthermore, in addition to other program conditions, applicants demand a minimum of 12 months of reimbursed, full-time or equivalent part-time, skilled work proficiency in Canada over the last three years to satisfy the minor conditions for CEC qualification. Remember that employment skills obtained while studying do not count towards satisfying this condition.
To be qualified, this employment skill must fall under one of the following NOC TEER classifications: TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
Furthermore, in addition to other program conditions, applicants demand a minimum of 24 months of skilled job proficiencies in specific qualified NOC teams over the last five years to satisfy the minor conditions for FSTP qualification.
