How to Choose the Correct NOC Code for Express Entry in 2026
Choosing the correct National Occupational Classification code is an important part of creating an Express Entry profile in Canada.
Your NOC code tells Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada the type of work experience you are claiming. It can affect your eligibility for an Express Entry program and may also determine if your occupation qualifies for certain category-based draws.
One common mistake is choosing a NOC code simply because the job title sounds similar to the position you hold.
Your job title alone is not enough.
IRCC looks at the work you actually performed. This means your experience should align with the official occupational description, especially the lead statement and main duties.
How the NOC System Works for Express Entry
Canada uses the National Occupational Classification system to organize occupations according to the type of work performed and the training, education, experience and responsibilities associated with each occupation.
Under the current NOC 2021 system, occupations are identified using five-digit codes and assigned to a TEER category.
For Express Entry, the TEER category matters because the programs managed through the system have specific work-experience requirements.
The Canadian Experience Class generally accepts qualifying work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations. The Federal Skilled Worker Program also considers skilled work experience in these TEER categories, while the Federal Skilled Trades Program applies to specified skilled-trade occupational groups.
You can review the current Express Entry eligibility requirements directly from IRCC before determining how your occupation fits into your immigration plans.
For Federal Skilled Worker applicants, the primary occupation does not always have to be the most recent job. What matters is that the qualifying work experience meets IRCC’s requirements for the NOC selected as the primary occupation.
Your Job Duties Matter More Than Your Job Title
Two people can have the same job title and still fall under different NOC codes.
Employers do not use one universal system when assigning job titles. A person called a project coordinator in one company may perform work that is very different from someone with the same title in another organization.
This is why searching only by job title can lead to the wrong NOC code.
IRCC says applicants should choose the NOC that most closely aligns with their work experience.
A better approach is to compare your actual responsibilities with the official NOC description instead of selecting the first title that appears similar.
The Government of Canada’s NOC profiles show the occupation’s lead statement, example job titles, main duties and other relevant information. You can use the official National Occupational Classification system to review occupations before entering a code in your Express Entry profile.
The Lead Statement and Main Duties Should Match Your Experience
The lead statement gives a general description of the occupation and the nature of the work performed.
Your experience should fit that overall description.
After reviewing the lead statement, compare the NOC’s main duties with the responsibilities you performed in your job.
For qualifying work experience, IRCC expects applicants to have performed the actions in the lead statement and a substantial number of the main duties, including essential duties where applicable.
This does not mean your employment documents should copy the NOC wording.
Your supporting documents should describe the work you genuinely performed. The connection between those responsibilities and the selected NOC should be clear enough for an officer to understand why the experience falls under that occupation.
Similar NOC Codes Need Careful Comparison
Some occupations are closely related, which can make choosing a NOC difficult.
This is common in fields where responsibilities overlap or where employees perform a combination of technical, supervisory or administrative work.
If two NOC codes appear possible, compare their lead statements and main duties carefully.
Focus on the responsibilities that formed the core of your position instead of isolated tasks you performed occasionally.
For example, an employee may assist with managerial duties from time to time without actually working in a management occupation. Choosing a management NOC because a few higher-level responsibilities appear in the job description may not accurately reflect the position.
The correct NOC should represent the main nature of the work.
If your responsibilities fall between two occupations, professional immigration guidance can help you review how your experience aligns with the NOC system before submitting information to IRCC.
Your NOC Can Affect Category-Based Express Entry Eligibility
The NOC code can become even more important when IRCC conducts category-based Express Entry draws.
Some current categories identify eligible occupations using specific NOC codes.
This means an applicant may qualify for Express Entry but still not qualify for an occupation-based category if their work experience does not fall under one of the NOC codes listed for that category.
As of 2026, occupation-based categories include areas such as healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, education and transport, alongside other categories under the current Express Entry system.
The occupations included in these categories can change, so applicants should check the current IRCC category-based selection requirements instead of relying on an old list found online.
Choosing a NOC inaccurately simply to fit a category can create a larger problem when IRCC reviews the work experience supporting the application.
Your Employment Letter Should Support the NOC You Selected
Selecting the NOC in your Express Entry profile is only part of the process.
If you later receive an Invitation to Apply, IRCC may assess the documents supporting the work experience you claimed.
Your employment records should provide enough information for an officer to understand the nature of your work and how it relates to the NOC selected.
This is why applicants should think about supporting evidence before creating an Express Entry profile, not only after receiving an invitation.
If the duties described by your employer are significantly different from the NOC selected in your profile, IRCC may question the claimed work experience.
Applicants who receive an invitation can read our guide on what to do after receiving an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residency in Canada before preparing their final application.
An Incorrect NOC Code Can Affect Your Express Entry Application
Choosing the wrong NOC can affect how IRCC assesses your work experience and may also affect program or category eligibility.
If the duties in your supporting documents do not reasonably match the NOC you claimed, IRCC may not accept the experience as expected.
This is why your NOC should reflect your actual work, not the occupation that appears to offer the best immigration advantage.
Conclusion
Choosing the correct NOC code for Express Entry is about more than finding a job title that resembles yours.
IRCC looks at the work you actually performed, and qualifying experience must align with the occupational description used in your application.
The lead statement, main duties, TEER category and immigration program all play a role in determining how your experience should be classified.
Applicants should also make sure their supporting employment documents accurately reflect the responsibilities they are claiming.
If you are preparing an Express Entry profile and need help identifying how your work experience fits into Canada’s NOC system, you can book an appointment with a regulated Canadian immigration professional
Contact us +1 (226) 799-7149.
