IRCC Makes 16 New Occupations Eligible for Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced it has added 16 new occupations that are eligible for permanent residence through Express Entry. It implemented National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 which will allow Canada to fill positions in high-demand sectors like construction, health care, and transportation with global talent.

IRCC says this is a move to combat labor shortages in key sectors. There are 16 new occupations that will now be considered eligible for permanent residence including nurse aides, hospital attendants, transport truck drivers, and elementary and secondary school teacher assistants. All professionals from these fields will be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada via the Express Entry system.

Today, we announced the implementation of National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 for immigration programs, including those under the Express Entry system. This allows Canada to welcome newcomers who bring the skills our economy needs to help address labour shortages. pic.twitter.com/lymIMyt7TY

— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) November 16, 2022

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said, “We are using all of the tools at our disposal to tackle labor shortages, particularly in key sectors like health care, construction, and transportation. These changes will support Canadians in need of these services, and they will support employers by providing them with a more robust workforce who we can depend on to drive our economy forward into a prosperous future. I’m thrilled to announce expanded pathways to permanent residence in Canada for these in-demand workers.”

CEO Canadian Support Workers Association (CANSWA), Miranda Ferrier, applauded this move by IRCC as it will help with the shortage of personal support workers in the health care system.

The NOC system is used to categorize all jobs in Canada and changes according to the nature of the economy and the job market. This new change in NOC 2021 will “support the Minister’s commitment to expand pathways to permanent residency for temporary workers and international students, as more jobs will become eligible for the programs managed under Express Entry,” the IRCC update reads.

The 16 occupations are:

1. payroll administrators

2. dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants

3. nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

4. pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants

5. elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

6. sheriffs and bailiffs

7. correctional service officers

8. by-law enforcement and other regulatory officers

9. estheticians, electrologists and related occupations

10. residential and commercial installers and servicers

11. pest controllers and fumigators

12. other repairers and servicers

13. transport truck drivers

14. bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators

15. heavy equipment operators

16. aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors

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