As of today, the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 
, which replaces the 2016 version, will be gradually implemented by the Québec government.
The NOC is Canada’s national system for describing occupations. It is revised on a regular basis to ensure that it remains relevant with respect to the changing labour market. It is used by employers and immigrants as part of the procedures they must complete with the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is the first immigration program to be applying the NOC 2021.
As of today, employers who would like to use the TFWP must submit their Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application using the NOC 2021.
To assist employers who may need support in identifying the NOC code for jobs they are seeking to fill, a concordance table between the NOC 2016 and the NOC 2021 is available on the website of Employment and Social Development Canada . Employers are encouraged to use it to prepare their jobs descriptions, to post jobs and to demonstrate their recruitment efforts in Québec.
Note that applications received before November 16, 2022 by the federal government or the Québec government will still be processed according to the NOC 2016.
Economic immigration programs
The economic immigration programs will gradually adopt the NOC 2021. The Ministère will continue to process applications for permanent selection under the Regular Skilled Worker Program, the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program) and the Permanent immigration pilot program based on the NOC 2016 until the implementation of the 2021 NOC, between now and 2024.
Applications for work permits with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
As of today, applications submitted to the IRCC must be based on the NOC 2021.
See also:
- Employment and Social Development Canada page on the NOC 2021
- Implementation of the NOC 2021 at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
