Mastering Express Entry with MM Immigration Law
Your Pathway to Canada Starts Here
Are you a skilled worker dreaming of a new life in Canada? The Express Entry system is your gateway, but the journey can be complex and daunting. At MM Immigration Law, we specialize in turning your Canadian dream into reality. Our expertise in drafting essential documents, like the proof of work experience letter, ensures your application stands out.
Express Entry is Canada’s premier online system for managing applications for permanent residence through three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. To apply, you need to create an online profile and provide detailed information about your skills, education, work experience, language ability, and other factors. Additionally, a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a nomination from a province or territory is crucial, unless you qualify for the Canadian Experience Class.
One of the most critical components of your Express Entry profile is your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. This code determines your eligibility for various programs and streams under Express Entry and influences your points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which ranks and selects candidates from the pool. Another vital document for your application is an employer support letter. This letter, provided by your current or prospective employer in Canada, confirms the specifics of your job offer, including your position, duties, salary, and duration.
At MM Immigration Law, we understand the importance of these documents and the impact they have on your application. Our team of experts will guide you through every step, ensuring your NOC code and employer support letter are meticulously prepared and meet all requirements. With our help, you can navigate the complexities of the Express Entry system with confidence and ease.
In this article, we will explain what NOC codes and employer support letters are, why they are crucial for Express Entry, and how they have evolved with the new TEER classification system introduced in 2021.
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What are NOC codes and why are they important for Express Entry?
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a classification of all occupations in Canada according to their skill level and skill type. It is used to determine the eligibility and points of Express Entry candidates for various programs and streams.
The NOC system has a hierarchical structure that consists of four levels: broad occupational categories, major groups, minor groups, and unit groups. Each level has a numeric code and a title that describes the occupation. For example, the NOC code 2173 is for Software engineers and designers, which belongs to the broad occupational category of Natural and applied sciences and related occupations, the major group of Computer and information systems professionals, and the minor group of Database analysts and data administrators.
The NOC system also assigns a TEER category to each occupation, based on the training, education, experience, and responsibilities (TEER) required for the job. The TEER system has six categories: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The higher the TEER category, the higher the level of TEER required for the occupation.
The NOC codes and TEER categories are important for Express Entry because they determine:
- Which program or stream you can apply for under Express Entry.
- To apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you need to have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent part-time work experience in the last 10 years in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, or 2 occupation.
- To apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you need to have at least two years of full-time work experience in the last five years in a NOC TEER category 3 occupation that is eligible for the program.
- To apply for the Canadian Experience Class Program, you need to have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent part-time skille work experience in Canada during the last three years in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- How many points you can get under the CRS. The CRS is a point-based system that assigns points to candidates based on their human capital factors, such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and adaptability. The NOC codes and TEER categories affect your points for work experience, arranged employment, and provincial nomination. For example, you can get up to 50 points for having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in a NOC TEER category 0 or 1 occupation, or up to 200 points for having a nomination from a province or territory under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream that is aligned with Express Entry.
What is an employer support letter and why is it important for Express Entry?
An employer support letter is a letter from your current or prospective employer in Canada that confirms the details of your work experience, such as your position, duties, salary, and duration. An employer support letter is not the same as a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which is a document that shows that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker is available to do it.
An employer support letter is important for Express Entry because it verifies your work experience by:
- Demonstrating that you meet the requirements of your chosen program or stream. For example, to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you need to have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, or 2 occupation for at least one year. To apply for the Canadian Experience Class Program, you need to have an employer support letter from a Canadian employer in a NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation that is of a duration of least one year.
- Help you improve your CRS score. As mentioned above, you can get up to 50 points for having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in a NOC TEER category 0 or 1 occupation, or up to 200 points for having a nomination from a province or territory under a PNP stream that is aligned with Express Entry.
How have NOC codes and employer support letters changed in 2021 due to the new TEER classification system?
In November 2022, Canada switched to the 2021 version of the NOC, which introduced a major structural change. The 2021 version of the NOC replaced the previous skill level and skill type structure with the new TEER classification system, which represents the degree of training, education, experience, and responsibilities required for an occupation. The 2021 version of the NOC also introduced a new 5-digit hierarchical structure, compared to a 4-digit hierarchical structure in the previous versions of the classification.
These changes have an impact on your Express Entry profile and application, especially if your occupation code, TEER category, or title changed under the new NOC. You may need to update your profile and application to reflect the new information and ensure that you still meet the requirements of your chosen program or stream. You may also need to obtain a new Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) or language test result if your previous ones are no longer valid under the new NOC.
Here are some examples of how the NOC codes and TEER categories have changed in 2021:
- The NOC code 2173 for Software engineers and designers changed from NOC category A to TEER category 1, which means that the occupation now requires a university degree instead of a college diploma or apprenticeship training.
- The NOC code 7281 for Bricklayers changed from NOC category B to TEER category 3, which means that the occupation now requires a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years instead of more than two years.
- The NOC code 7511 for Transport truck drivers changed from NOC category C to TEER category 4, which means that the occupation now requires a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training instead of more than six months of on-the-job training.
- The NOC code 4411 for Home child care providers changed from NOC category D to TEER category 4, which means that the occupation now requires a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training instead of no formal education.
You can find the full list of occupation classifications under NOC 2021 on the ESDC website. You can also use the table on the IRCC website to find the NOC 2021 information that best matches your job.
Conclusion
Express Entry is a great way to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, but it also requires careful planning and preparation. One of the key aspects of your Express Entry profile and application is your NOC code and employer support letter, which determine your eligibility, points, and chances of success.
In 2021, Canada switched to the new NOC 2021 version, which introduced the new TEER classification system and a new 5-digit hierarchical structure. These changes may affect your Express Entry profile and application, especially if your occupation code, TEER category, or title changed under the new NOC. You may need to update your profile and application to reflect the new information and ensure that you still meet the requirements of your chosen program or stream. You may also need to obtain a new ECA or language test result if your previous ones are no longer valid under the new NOC.
You also need to have a valid employer support letter that confirms the details of your job offer, such as your position, duties, salary, and duration. The employer support letter also needs to include the NOC code, title, and TEER category of your occupation, and a statement that the job offer is genuine and meets the requirements of the program
Ensure you meet all the requirements for Express Entry and all supporting documentation. Hire an Expert Immigration Lawyer to handle your case and and ensure success.
Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer for Express Entry
As you can see, Express Entry is a dynamic and complex system that requires careful planning and preparation. By hiring an immigration lawyer, you can benefit from their expertise and guidance throughout the process. Here are some of the advantages of working with an immigration lawyer for Express Entry:
- An immigration lawyer can help you avoid common mistakes or provide misleading information on your Express Entry profile that could lead to application denial or a five-year ban.
- An immigration lawyer can help you find the proper forms to fill out, guide you through the process, and ensure that your application is complete and accurate.
- An immigration lawyer can help you improve your CRS score by advising you on how to improve your language skills, gain more work experience, obtain a higher level of education, get a job offer or a nomination from a province or territory, or add a spouse or common-law partner to your profile.
- An immigration lawyer can help you identify the best program or stream for your occupation and skills, and help you apply for it.
- An immigration lawyer can help you monitor the Express Entry draw schedule and results, and inform you if your category is being targeted or if there are any changes to the minimum requirements.
- An immigration lawyer can help you prepare your application and documents in case you receive an ITA, and ensure that you meet the deadlines and criteria.
- An immigration lawyer can help you spot errors made by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and advise you on the next steps.
- An immigration lawyer can help you appeal an unfavourable decision, and represent you in court if necessary.
Hiring an immigration lawyer is not a requirement for Express Entry, but it can make a big difference in your outcome. An immigration lawyer can save you time, money, and stress, and increase your chances of becoming a permanent resident of Canada.
If you are interested in hiring an immigration lawyer, you can contact us at MM Immigration Law and we will be happy to assist you. We have extensive experience and knowledge in Canadian immigration law, and we have helped thousands of clients achieve their immigration goals. We offer a reasonable fee for our services. Contact us today and let us help you with your Express Entry application. 🍁
Express Entry
Express Entry is the electronic management system for applying for permanent residency. It is not an immigration category but a system to facilitate the selection and processing of Canada’s economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and some Provincial Nomination Programs. This system evaluates candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency, aligning with Canada’s economic needs.
Applicants must first make an “expression of interest” by creating a profile and, if eligible for at least one program, they will enter the Express Entry pool. Candidates from this pool will receive an ‘Invitation to Apply’ once they pass the points threshold under a draw. The points threshold is determined according to the latest draw that is held approximately every two weeks.
Canadian Experience Class
Federal Skilled Trades
Federal Skilled Worker
Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only and it is not intended as legal advice. The information is not a substitute for professional legal advice, and it may not be appropriate for you. Do not rely solely on this blog. Always do your own research and due diligence. Immigration laws and regulations can change over time. It is important to consult with a qualified immigration lawyer if you are unsure how to proceed.