Express Entry Eligibility Check
Now that you know your NOC code, check if you meet the minimum requirements for Express Entry.
Check Eligibility →Search your job title to instantly find your Canadian NOC code, TEER level, and whether your occupation qualifies for Express Entry and permanent residence. Based on NOC 2021 — the system currently used by IRCC.
Click any result to see full details. Showing top matches.
Type your job title into the search box above. The tool searches a database of over 130 occupations from Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021) system and shows you the closest matches. Each result includes the 5-digit NOC code, TEER level, sector, and whether the occupation qualifies for Express Entry.
Click any result card to expand it and see the full occupation description and what the TEER level means for your immigration options. Use the filters to narrow results by TEER level, industry sector, or Express Entry eligibility.
Important: Always verify your NOC code using the official NOC database on Canada.ca. The key is matching your actual job duties — not just your title — to the NOC description. IRCC officers review your duties when assessing your application.
TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities. Under the NOC 2021 system (used since November 2022), every occupation is assigned a TEER level from 0 to 5 that reflects the typical training required:
| TEER | Typical Requirement | Examples | Express Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 | Management | IT Manager, Construction Manager, Restaurant Manager | ✔ Yes |
| TEER 1 | University degree | Software Developer, Registered Nurse, Accountant | ✔ Yes |
| TEER 2 | College diploma or apprenticeship | Electrician, Dental Hygienist, IT Support Technician | ✔ Yes |
| TEER 3 | Short training or secondary school | Baker, Cook, Security Guard, Home Support Worker | ✔ Yes |
| TEER 4 | High school diploma | Cashier, Taxi Driver, Delivery Driver | ✘ No |
| TEER 5 | Short demonstration only | Harvesting Labourer, Dishwasher, Newspaper Carrier | ✘ No |
Your NOC code affects almost every aspect of your Canadian immigration journey. For Express Entry, your work experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation to count toward eligibility. The number of CRS points you earn for your work experience depends on your NOC code and how many years of experience you have. For category-based Express Entry draws — which target healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, French language, and agriculture workers — IRCC uses specific NOC codes to determine which candidates qualify. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) also use NOC codes to identify which occupations are in demand in each province.
Beyond eligibility, your reference letters from employers must describe duties that clearly match the NOC code you select. Officers compare your stated duties to the official NOC description — if they don't match, your application can be refused for misrepresentation. Always read the full NOC occupational description, not just the title.
After finding a potential NOC code using this tool, confirm it using these steps. First, visit the official NOC search tool on Canada.ca and search for your code. Second, read the "Main duties" section carefully — your day-to-day work should match the majority of those duties. Third, check the "Employment requirements" section to confirm the typical training listed matches your background. Fourth, read the example titles listed under the occupation to see if your actual job title appears.
Remember: it is the duties that determine your NOC code, not the job title alone. A "Project Manager" could fall under TEER 0 (management) or TEER 1 (technical project coordination), depending on the actual scope of the role.
NOC 2016 used 4-digit codes and classified occupations by skill level (O, A, B, C, D). NOC 2021, which IRCC adopted in November 2022, uses 5-digit codes and introduced the TEER system (0–5). Many codes changed numbers, some occupations were reclassified, and some new codes were added. If you used a 4-digit NOC code before, you need to find your updated 5-digit NOC 2021 code for current immigration applications.
Your Express Entry profile has a primary NOC code based on your main work experience. However, if you have at least 1 year of experience in a secondary skilled occupation (TEER 0–3), you can also list that. Additional occupations may contribute to your skill transferability score. Always use the occupation where you have the most experience or the highest-paying role as your primary NOC code.
Most occupations map to a NOC code even if the title doesn't match word-for-word. Focus on the duties, not the title. If your role genuinely spans two codes, pick the one that best describes the majority of your responsibilities. Avoid choosing a higher TEER code unless your duties genuinely match — selecting a code your duties don't support is considered misrepresentation by IRCC, which carries serious consequences.
For a job offer to earn you CRS bonus points (50 or 200 points), the job offer must be in the same NOC code (or a closely related one) as what IRCC validates. The job offer must be supported by either a positive LMIA or an LMIA-exempt category. IRCC officers verify that the offered occupation matches the NOC code stated in the job offer letter.
Yes, significantly. If you're working in Canada in a TEER 0–3 occupation, your Canadian work experience builds toward CEC eligibility and earns CRS points. If your current job is TEER 4 or 5, it does not count toward CEC eligibility — even if you've been working in Canada for several years. It's worth understanding your NOC code early so you can plan your career and immigration strategy accordingly.
Yes, but documentation requirements are stricter. You must be able to prove the work was done (contracts, invoices, client reference letters, tax records showing self-employment income) and that the duties match the NOC description. IRCC may scrutinize self-employment claims more carefully than salaried employment, so keeping thorough records is essential.
Now that you know your NOC code, check if you meet the minimum requirements for Express Entry.
Check Eligibility →Estimate how many CRS points your NOC code and work experience earn you in the Express Entry pool.
Calculate Score →Full guide to NOC codes, TEER levels, how to verify your code, and common mistakes to avoid.
Read Guide →