How to Choose the Right NOC Code in 2026

IRCC does not assess job titles. Officers assess what you actually did in your role and compare it to the occupational definitions set out in the NOC. Even skilled, paid work can be refused if the duties claimed do not align with the NOC selected. 

This article explains what applicants are required to do, how IRCC assesses NOC selection under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and how to choose the right NOC in 2026. 

What an Applicant Needs to Do 

As part of many immigration applications, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), an applicant must do two things when selecting and proving a NOC: 

• Pick and declare the NOC code that most closely matches their claimed work experience 

• Demonstrate, through supporting documents, that they performed the role and duties associated with the NOC being claimed 

Both steps are equally important. Selecting the correct NOC without properly demonstrating the work performed, or demonstrating the work without selecting the correct NOC, can result in the experience being found ineligible, which could lead to a refusal.  

Why the 5-Digit NOC Code Matters 

For immigration purposes, IRCC uses the 5-digit NOC code attached to your work experience to determine whether that experience qualifies at all. 

Your NOC code affects: 

• Whether your work experience is considered skilled 

• Whether it meets eligibility requirements for programs such as FSWP or CEC 

• Whether the experience can be used to claim CRS points through Express Entry 

If your duties do not sufficiently match your chosen NOC, or if IRCC determine a more suitable NOC code exists, IRCC may exclude the experience entirely, even if the job was paid and appears skilled on paper. 

How IRCC Assesses Whether You Chose the Right NOC for Express Entry Applications 

When assessing work experience under Express Entry programs, IRCC officers consider whether the applicant: 

• Performed the actions described in the lead statement 

• Performed a substantial number of the main duties, including all essential duties 

In practice, a “substantial number” generally means around 70–80% alignment with the listed duties, with strong overlap in the duties that define the core of the occupation. 

Other sections provided in the NOC code write up, such as example job titles, employment requirements, inclusions, and exclusions, provide context for the processing officer but do not determine eligibility on their own. 

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) 

For FSWP applicants, officers assess whether the lead statement and main duties are met. Employment requirements listed in the NOC are not assessed for eligibility purposes, though they may provide context. 

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 

CEC applicants are assessed using a similar framework. However, applicants must have performed all essential duties of the occupation during their period of Canadian work experience. 

While the NOC does not explicitly label which duties are essential, officers identify them by looking at responsibilities that are central to the role, closely tied to the lead statement, and that distinguish the occupation from similar NOCs. 

As a practical rule, duties listed closer to the top of the NOC description tend to reflect the core responsibilities of the occupation and should align closely with the work performed. 

How to Choose the Right NOC Code 

The official NOC Finder tool is a useful starting point for identifying possible NOC codes, but it does not make the decision for you. 

A practical approach to using the NOC Finder tool includes the following steps: 

1. Start with your actual duties- Write out what you did day to day, focusing on your core responsibilities rather than your job title. This should not be rushed exercise. Take the time to really reflect on what you do. 

1. Use the NOC Finder to generate options- Search the tool using your job title and key terms drawn from your duties to generate a list of possible NOC codes. 

1. Review each potential NOC individually- Go through the list one NOC at a time rather than comparing them side by side. 

1. Assess the lead statement first- If the lead statement does not clearly reflect the essence of your role or the organisation you work for, move on to the next NOC. 

1. Compare duties carefully- Compare your responsibilities to the listed duties, aiming for approximately 70–80% alignment, with particular emphasis on duties listed near the top. 

1. Confirm essential duties- Ensure that you performed all essential duties of the occupation, as these define the role for immigration purposes. 

1. Use titles and requirements as a sanity check only- Job titles and employment requirements should be used as a secondary check, not as the basis for your decision. 

1. Review exclusions- Check the exclusions section of each NOC to see whether another listed occupation more accurately reflects your work experience. 

Practical top: The 2016 NOC codes came with a Career Handbook for each subgroup of an NOC. This offers a little more real-life application of the role. I use it for reference points only. Any reference should be done with caution, as the 2016 NOC codes are no longer used, and the 2021 NOC codes introduced a significant shift.  

If your experience aligns with more than one NOC, select the one that best reflects your primary duties. Avoid choosing a NOC simply because it appears more advantageous. If a NOC feels like a stretch, an IRCC officer is likely to reach the same conclusion.  

Any NOC you select must be supported by the documents submitted with your application. This means you should be confident that the duties you claim accurately reflect your role and that your employer is able and willing to confirm those duties in your reference letter. 

Demonstrating Your NOC Through Reference Letters 

Your reference letter is the primary document IRCC uses to assess whether you actually performed the duties of the NOC you selected. 

Effective reference letters: 

• Describe the role as it actually existed in the workplace, not how it is written in the NOC 

• Use easy to understand employer-specific language rather than generic wording,  explaining the duties, how the work was carried out at your workplace, including the systems used, the scale of work, and who you worked with. 

• Show clear alignment with the NOC without copying it verbatim 

• Include day-to-day duties that may seem obvious for the occupation. Do not assume IRCC will infer basic responsibilities. Reference letters should explicitly list routine, core tasks that define the role, even if they seem obvious. 

A common misconception is that the reference letters should state the NOC code itself. This is not necessary and can be counterproductive. Instead, an ideal reference letter would allow the processing officer to easily match the duties listed with the NOC code claimed.   

Consistency With Online and Public Information 

IRCC may review publicly available information when assessing the credibility of a work experience claim, including professional profiles and company websites. 

Applicants should ensure their work history is consistent across all sources. Job titles, timelines, seniority level, and the general nature of the role described in reference letters should not materially conflict with what appears online. 

Before applying, review and update online profiles where necessary. While minor differences in wording are expected, significant inconsistencies can raise credibility concerns and prompt closer scrutiny. 

NOC Updates in 2026 

The 2026 NOC update is expected to involve minor refinements rather than a structural overhaul. These may include adjusted duty wording, updated example job titles, or clarification of how certain roles are grouped. 

But, even small changes can affect NOC alignment. Once the NOC 2026 update has is rolled out, applicants should: 

• Use the most current version of the NOC at the time of application 

• Re-check lead statements and duties, even if the same NOC was used previously 

• Avoid relying on outdated advice or past approvals to guide NOC selection 

When Professional Guidance May Be Helpful 

In some cases, seeking professional guidance may be appropriate to help determine the most accurate NOC code for your work experience. Common situations where an immigration representative may be helpful include: 

• Work experience that spans multiple occupations 

• Roles that have evolved significantly over time 

• Experience that is highly specialised or employer-specific 

• Work that does not clearly align with a single NOC 

• Situations where there has been a past refusal 

Choosing the right NOC code is not an application formality. It is a core part of demonstrating that your work experience meets Canada’s immigration requirements. A strong application depends on both selecting the NOC that accurately reflects your role and clearly proving, through consistent and credible evidence, that you performed the duties of that occupation. 

Taking the time to assess your experience carefully, document it accurately, and ensure consistency across your application can help reduce unnecessary risk.