How the Canada NOC List Determines Eligibility for Immigration

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) of Canada categorizes occupations based on the skill level required to practice them, and the job duties associated to the position. Skilled immigration to Canada is essentially based on an applicant’s ability to fulfill shortages in the local labor market by participating in the workforce, and thus contribute to the Canadian economy. Identifying your occupation on the Canada NOC List is an initial and essential step towards the goal of immigration.

This list does not indicate which occupations are in-demand in the country. Rather, it helps you understand and shortlist immigration pathways that you may be eligible for, if you are qualified in a certain occupation. Skills are divided into the follow types or levels:

• Skill Type 0: Management Jobs
• Skill Level A: Professional Jobs requiring a university degree
• Skill Level B: Skill Trades and technical jobs requiring apprentice training or college diploma
• Skill Level C: Intermediate jobs requiring high school education and/or job-specific training
• Skill Level D: Labor jobs that typically provide on-the-job training 

Identifying your Skill Type/Level and NOC code – which is a numeric code that signifies your occupation – can be complicated, since several different job profiles can fall under the same occupation. To make an informed choice that will not hinder your application process, it is advisable to seek the assistance of the best immigration consultants in Delhi at Visa Experts, who use more than 25 years of experience to accurately select your NOC code and immigration pathway, and navigate the entire process.

After selecting the correct NOC code, you can consider the eligibility criteria of some popular immigration programs, to decide a feasible route for moving to Canada from India:

• The Express Entry System is suitable for applications from people qualified in occupations Listed as Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B.
• The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is suitable for those who have work experience in occupations listed as Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A, B or C.
• The various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) consider workers belonging to occupations listed as Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A, B, C or D. Certain PNPs may only consider specific occupations, and refuse to consider some occupations – depending on the province or territory’s unique labor market requirements.
• People belonging to occupations listed under any Skill Level or Type – including Skill Level C or D – can apply to work in Canada temporarily, by obtaining a work permit, if eligible.

The Canada NOC List is one of the major factors that determines eligibility for immigration. In a sense, identifying the NOC code is the starting point for most aspiring immigrants. It not only provides a direction to your goals, but subsequently helps with the job search and visa application process. It is essential to fulfill this step, either independently or with the help of experts, before commencing the ambitious journey of immigration.

Eligibility Requirements for Western Australia Migration under Subclass 190

Western Australia – particularly the Perth Metropolitan area – is a major magnet for prospective immigrants. The sunny city, with its mild climate, modern infrastructure, developed commercial landscape, and natural expanses – offers a balanced pace of life amidst a vibrant multicultural environment.  The most accessible and beneficial pathway for Western Australia Migration is the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190).

Benefits of Subclass 190 State Nomination

• This visa allows foreign skilled workers to permanently live and work in Australia by being nominated for permanent residence (PR) by an Australian state or territory.
• Since this is a points-tested visa i.e. eligibility is determined through a point-allocation system, obtaining a state nomination adds 5 points to the candidate’s total score.
• Candidates from a broader range of occupations can apply for this visa, compared to the Skilled Independent Visa.
• Family members – including spouse/de-facto partner and dependent children/grandchildren – can accompany the applicant to Australia.

Eligibility requirements

To understand how to get PR in Australia under this visa category, we must understand that candidates are selected based on their ability to fulfill skills shortages in WA’s local labor market. To be eligible, an aspirant must meet the requirements of the WA governing agency, which issues the nomination:

• Be qualified to practice an occupation featured as available and eligible for the Subclass 190 visa on the WA Skilled Migration Occupation List. This is known as the ‘nominated skilled occupation’.
• Have a full-time job offer of at least one year in the nominated skilled occupation (or a closely related occupation), from a WA employer.
• Have relevant work experience in the nominated skilled occupation (or a closely related occupation) – at least one year of experience in Australia, or three years of experience outside Australia – in the preceding ten years.
• Have competent or proficient English language skills – depending on the nominated skilled occupation.
• Commit to living and working in WA for at least two years after arriving in Australia.
• Have sufficient funds to cover the cost of settling and living in WA for the first three months.

Candidates must also meet the requirements of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) – the federal authority that processes and approves the Western Australia 190 visa application:

• Obtain a nomination from the Western Australia governing agency.
• Score at least 65 points based on age, work experience, English language skills, academic qualifications, adaptability factors, spouse/de-facto partner qualifications (if applicable), and state nomination.
• Meet the DHA’s health and character requirements.
• Be under 45 years of age at the time of being invited to apply for the visa.
• Have a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the nominated skilled occupation.

The process for Western Australia Migration can only be pursued by those who meet all the criteria. To assess your eligibility, and understand the intricacies of the process – or to discover alternative state nomination pathways – it is wise to seek the expertise of genuine immigration consultants who can help you navigate the procedure, enhance eligibility, or identify other states/territories that you could migrate to.

Where Does Your Occupation Feature on the Canada NOC List?

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) divides all the occupations practiced in Canada according to the skill level required to perform the associated tasks, and work duties involved in performing the job. These occupations, along with their corresponding numeric codes and skill type or level, are represented on the Canada NOC List.

In order to check your occupational code and skill classification, you must visit the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, locate the ‘Find your NOC’ page, and type your job title into the ‘Filter items’ tab. Once you have correctly identified your occupation, note down the NOC code, NOC title and the skill type or level mentioned alongside.

Further, it is essential to visit the NOC website and check the main duties of the occupation that you have identified. These duties must match the tasks that you perform while doing your job. If not, you have selected an incorrect NOC. Several job profiles can be listed under a single occupation. To accurately identify your NOC code and skill type/level, it is advisable to seek the assistance of the best immigration consultants in Delhi – Visa Experts.

The seasoned consultants at Visa Experts draw on more than 25 years of experience to select the precise NOC for your profile, and assist you at every stage of the immigration procedure. This is a huge advantage for those who do not have complete knowledge of the steps and requirements for moving to Canada from India. Having a helping hand to navigate the process and file and application on your behalf provides a sense of certainty and security.

Your NOC code not only determines your skill type/level, but also impacts which immigration programs you can be eligible for. Thus, it is a critical stage that is a prerequisite of the larger and more complex immigration process. Identify your job on the Canada NOC List wisely, to ensure a smooth and seamless journey to your new home!

Canada PR Visa Processing Fee to Increase from April 30, 2020

With effective from April 30, 2020, Canada is going to increase some of its immigration processing fee pertaining to Canada PR visa as an adjustment for inflation. The increased fee will be applicable to certain categories of immigration applications. Anyone who has submitted his/her application prior to this date, old government processing fee will be applied to their case. However, applications registered after 9:00 a.m. EDT on April 30, 2020, new application fee will be applied as old fee will be returned to the applicant.

Updated Fee Structure

Express Entry System (federal skilled worker class/federal skilled trades’ class/Canadian experience class)

The new Canada PR cost structure will be as follows:

• For the principal applicant, the government processing fee will increase from C$550 to C$825.

• The processing fee for spouse or common-law partner will increase from C$550 to C$825.

• The process fee for a dependent child will increase from C$150 to C$225.

Business class (self-employed/start-up visa)

• The principal now have to pay C$1,575 for the processing fee, which was C$1,050 earlier. 

• The processing fee for a spouse or common-law partner will go up from C$550 to C$825.

• The processing fee for a dependent child of principal applicant will increase from $150 CAD to $225 CAD.

Right of Permanent Residence fee

The right of permanent residence fee will go up from C$490 to C$500.

It is worth noting that it was in 2002 when IRCC last increased the permanent residency fee for Canada PR visa applicants. The fee will now continue to change after every two years in accordance with the consumer price index. 

The primary purpose of the changes in immigration fee is to balance the cost of providing services to prospective candidates and the fee paid by them. The move will put the pressure off from Canadian tax payers and also ensure a balance between the taxpayer and the prospective newcomer applying for Canada immigration. 

Interested in calculating your Canada PR points? Want to learn more about your options for Canada PR visa? Contact our immigration consultants today and kick-start the process of your life-changing journey. 

Benefits of Obtaining a Queensland State Nomination

State nomination visas allow Australian states and territories to fulfill skills shortages in the local labor market by admitting foreign workers who are qualified in specific occupations that are in-demand across the state/territory or in specific regional areas. Candidates can receive a Queensland state nomination under the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491).

Some major benefits of being nominated by Queensland include:

• Applications for state nomination visas are processed on a priority basis. Thus, the entire process can be completed within a relatively short duration.
• Since the state nomination visas are points-tested i.e. eligibility is determined through a point-based ranking system, only the highest-scoring registrants are granted the visa. State nomination allows candidates to increase their point score. Eligible candidates nominated for the Subclass 190 Visa QLD can avail five points, while those nominated for the Subclass 491 visa can gain 15 points. 
• State nomination visa holders are granted the same working rights as Australian citizens. They are not tied to a particular employer, and are eligible for entitlements such a leaves and public holidays. Visa holders can also enroll themselves in the public healthcare system and access high salaries. The minimum wage in Queensland is also high.
• Candidates from a broad range of occupations can apply for state nomination visas, since some occupations on the Queensland Skilled Occupation List – which features all the skills shortages in the state – may not be in demand across Australia or in other states/territories. 
• After two years of living in Queensland, the visa holder can also move to other Australian states or territories and pursue long-term job opportunities anywhere in the country.

While the nomination is issued by Queensland’s nominating authority – Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ) – the visa is granted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Thus, in order to be considered for Queensland state nomination, candidates must fulfill the relevant eligibility requirements of both BSMQ and the DHA. Eligible aspirants can apply for nomination, and if nominated, can submit a visa application to the DHA.