NOC Code Canada 2025 Meaning, Structure, and Importance

NOC Code Canada: Are you planning to explore the job market in Canada? Then you should know about the National Occupational Classification Code, also called the NOC Code. This code plays a very important role in Canadian immigration. The Government of Canada uses NOC Codes to classify every job based on duties, roles, and skill levels.

This centralized system assigns a four-digit NOC Code to all job categories in Canada. So, if you are an Indian student planning to work in Canada after your higher education, understanding the NOC Code is essential. In this blog, we will explain what is NOC Code Canada, why it matters, and how Indian students can find their correct NOC Code.

What is NOC Code Canada?

The full form of NOC 2025 Code is National Occupational Classification. The NOC Codes is a Canadian Government system of its own that classifies all jobs based on tasks, responsibilities, and skill level. An NOC Code include:

• A comprehensive NOC Code list of duties performed by the occupation.

• Job titles related to the occupation.

• Skills and responsibilities required for the occupation.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses these codes to determine whether a particular job or work experience qualifies for immigration programs or not.

As per IRCC, here is the definition of different skill levels according to the NOC Code:

• Skill Type 0 / TEER 0 = Managerial

• Skill Level A / TEER 1 = University degree

• Skill Level B / TEER 2 or 3 = Technical or Trade

• Skill Level C / TEER 4 = Intermediate

• Skill Level D / TEER 5 = Labourer or training

Structure of NOC Code Canada

The NOC Code Canada is a 4 digit numerical code that classifies each occupation in Canada. The codes are assigned on the basis of the four digits that have a different significance as:

• First Digit – Broad Occupational Category: This broad occupational category indicates the occupational group in which the job is most commonly done. It can be in management, health care, health, education or trades.

• Second Digit – TEER Level (Skill Level): TEER Level stands for the Type of Education, Experience, and Responsibilities. It indicates the level of education, training, experience, and responsibility that are typically required to perform the occupation. TEERs are categorized into 0-5 levels. 

• Third Digit – Occupational Subgroup: It separates each major group into subgroups on the basis of specific job duties.

• Fourth Digit – Specific Occupation: It identifies the specific occupation within the subgroup. It is the most specific NOC level for an occupation.

Importance of NOC Codes Canada for Indian Students

NOC Codes play an important role when it comes to Indians who are planning to study, work, or migrate to Canada. Here’s why:

• IRCC use NOC Codes to determine if you’re eligible for PR programs like Express Entry.

• You need to provide evidence of work experience that matches your claimed NOC Code.

• Employers in Canada use NOC Codes to identify and describe specific job roles and positions in job offer letters.

• Students applying for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) or PR needs to pick the correct NOC Code of the job they’re getting.

• The wrong selection of NOC Code in the application can result in rejection of your application.

NOC Codes Canada is particularly beneficial to Indian students who are in the initial stages of planning a future career in Canada. Discovering the right NOC Code at an early stage gives you an edge in the Canadian job market.

How to Find NOC Code Canada?

Indian students as well as working professionals can easily find their NOC Code by simply visiting the official NOC website. Follow the simple steps below:

• Visit the official NOC Website (Canadian Government official job classification portal)

• Search for the NOC Code using the search bar above by entering your job title, e.g. Software Engineer/Accountant/Nurse

• Check the list of job roles that show up after you enter your job title in the search bar.

• Scroll through the list and match your actual job duties to the job description of the role displayed for the NOC Code

• Note down the correct 4-digit NOC Code and the corresponding TEER level.