NOC TEER Categories Eligible for PR in Canada [2025 Updated]

“Is my NOC TEER Eligible for Canada PR?”

An administrative assistant from Vancouver asked me this question during a consultation. She was confused about whether her job could help her get permanent residency, especially since she knew receptionists with similar duties weren’t eligible.

Administrative assistants (NOC 13110) fall under TEER 3, while receptionists (NOC 14101) are classified as TEER 4. Though both have similar job roles, one is eligible for Canada PR through Express Entry, and the other is not.

Her confusion is completely understandable. When Canada switched from the old NOC skill levels (0, A, B, C, D) to the new TEER system, many skilled workers found themselves wondering: which TEER categories are eligible for PR in Canada?

Here is a simple answer to that question. Express Entry requires skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Is that all? Not really.

Workers in TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations can still achieve permanent residency through specific programs, such as the Atlantic Immigration Program, caregiver pilots, and selected Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams.

If you’re trying to determine your pathway to Canadian permanent residency, understanding these TEER categories is crucial. Let me walk you through everything you need to know.

Which TEER is Eligible for PR in Canada​?

This is where many people get confused, and honestly, I don’t blame them. Different Canadian immigration programs accept different TEER levels, so there’s no single “yes” or “no” answer.

Let’s begin with the most popular program, Express Entry:

Express Entry Programs (FSW, CEC, FST)

Express Entry is the primary Canadian immigration pathway for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency (PR). Three main federal programs operate within the Express Entry system, and each has different eligibility requirements.

1. Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program

Target: Professionals with skilled work experience inside or outside Canada. Jobs typically involve professionals such as engineers, accountants, teachers, and managers.

TEER Requirement: Must have experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3

Work Experience:

• Minimum 1 year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work
• Must be in the same NOC code
• Must be within the last 10 years
• Can be inside or outside Canada

Other Requirements:

• Language: CLB 7 (English/French)
• Education: Minimum secondary school
• FSWP points-based eligibility grid (67/100 minimum)

Note: TEER 4 and 5 roles (e.g., general labour, retail cashiers) are not eligible under the FSWP.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Target: Temporary residents with Canadian work experience. It includes jobs like cooks, truck drivers, IT support, nurses, and office staff.

TEER Requirement: Must have experience in TEER 0–3

Canadian work experience:

• Minimum 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work
• Must be within Canada
• Must be within the last 3 years
• Can be in multiple NOC codes, as long as all are skilled occupations under TEER 0–3

Other Requirements:

• Language: CLB 7 for TEER 0–1, CLB 5 for TEER 2–3

Canadian Experience Class

3. Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Program

Target: Tradespeople in designated occupations, such as electricians, plumbers, welders, and carpenters.

TEER Requirement: Selected occupations from TEER 2 and 3

Work Experience:

• Minimum 2 years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work
• Must be within the last 5 years
• Must be in a designated trade group under NOC

Other Requirements:

• Language: CLB 5 (speaking/listening), CLB 4 (reading/writing)
• Education: Not required
• Must have either:
  • A valid job offer in Canada (1 year duration), or
  • A certificate of qualification from a Canadian authority

Federal Skilled Trades Program

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

TEER Requirements:

• Most PNP streams target TEER 0-3 occupations
• Several provinces offer streams that welcome TEER 4 and 5 workers
• These programs often focus on addressing specific regional labour shortages

3. Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Target: Skilled workers and international graduates who have a job offer from designated employers located in one of the Atlantic provinces.

• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island
• Newfoundland and Labrador

TEER Requirement: Occupations must be in TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4

Work Experience:

• Approximately 1 year of full-time work within the last 5 years.
• No experience required if you have graduated from Atlantic Canada post-secondary institutions

Other Requirements:

• Education
  • TEER 0 or 1: Must have a Canadian one-year post-secondary credential or foreign equivalent with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
  • TEER 2, 3, or 4: Must have a Canadian high school diploma or foreign equivalent with ECA.
• Language:
  • TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3: Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in all language abilities.
  • TEER 4: Minimum CLB 4 in all language abilities.

4. Caregiver Pilots

Target: Caregivers working as home support workers or home childcare providers with a valid full-time job offer from a Canadian employer (private households or home care organizations).

• Home Child Care Provider (NOC 44100)
• Home Support Worker (NOC 44101)
• Both are TEER 4

Caregiver Pilot Programs

5. Category-Based Express Entry Draws and TEER

Since mid-2023, Canada has been running Category-Specific Express Entry draws targeting:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare and social services occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
• Trade occupations
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations
• Education occupations

These category-based draws typically have lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirements than general draws, which can be a significant advantage if your occupation is in demand.

All targeted occupations in category-based Express Entry draws must fall under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. This means that every applicant must meet the core program requirements and possess work experience in a skilled occupation—semi-skilled and unskilled workers (TEER 4 and 5) are not eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, regardless of their occupation.

Is TEER 4 & 5 Eligible for PR in Canada?

While TEER 4 and 5 jobs don’t qualify for PR through Express Entry, there are actually numerous pathways available through Provincial Nominee Programs and specialized immigration streams.

Ontario’s Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream accepts TEER 4 jobs. These include home support workers, meat cutters, construction helpers, and farm machinery operators.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): TEER 4 work experience is eligible if you have a job offer in one of the Atlantic provinces.

Saskatchewan – Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot: Includes TEER 4 jobs in health, hospitality, agriculture, and trades.

British Columbia – Entry Level & Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Stream: Open to TEER 4 workers in tourism, hospitality, food processing, and long-haul trucking.

Important note: The Canadian government has proposed to introduce a new permanent economic class under the IRPA for TEER 4 and 5 workers. This is not fully in force yet in all respects.

Step-by-Step: Check If Your TEER Qualifies for PR

• Step 1: Identify Your NOC and TEER.
  • Use the IRCC NOC tool and match your duties carefully. Don’t rush this step.
• Step 2: Choose Your Program
  • TEER 0-3: Consider Express Entry first, then PNPs
  • TEER 4: Look at AIP, caregiver pilots, or specific PNP streams
  • TEER 5: Focus on moving to a higher TEER level – what applies to TEER 4, majority of them apply to TEER 5 as well
• Step 3: Verify Experience Requirements, Check Minimum Hours, Whether the Work Was Paid, and If It Was Authorized (for Canadian Experience).
• Step 4: Meet Additional Requirements
  • Ensure you meet language, education, settlement funds, and any job offer requirements.
• Step 5: Plan Your Pathway (If Needed)
  • If you’re not currently eligible, plan steps to get into TEER 0-3 work or target TEER 4-friendly programs.
• Step 6: Prepare Strong Documentation
  • Obtain reference letters that clearly align with your NOC’s primary responsibilities. Verify wages using Job Bank data.
• Step 7: Apply and Monitor
  • Submit your application and keep track of draw patterns or provincial nomination opportunities.

Ready to find out if your occupation qualifies for Canadian PR? Our team specializes in NOC classification and can help you identify the fastest pathway to permanent residency based on your TEER level. We’ll review your work experience, recommend the best program, and assist in preparing an application that meets IRCC standards.

Contact us today or Schedule a Consultation

FAQs: Canadian Immigration Pathways by NOC Code

NOC 33102 PR Pathway (Nurse Aides, Orderlies)

What it covers: Nurse Aide, Orderly and Patient Service Associate roles.

Eligibility: This is a TEER 3 occupation (skilled). It qualifies for Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker/Canadian Experience) and Provincial Nominee Programs.

Provincial Pathways: Ontario’s Immigrant Nominee Program lists NOC 33102 as one of its targeted occupations. Nova Scotia’s PNP also includes NOC 33102 in its In-Demand Occupations stream.

NOC 75110 PR Pathway (Construction Trades Helpers and Labourers)

What it covers: Construction Labourer, Carpenter Helper, Bricklayer Helper and similar roles.

Eligibility: It is TEER 5 (elementary) and not covered by the federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience streams.

Provincial Pathways: Nova Scotia’s PNP specifically includes 75110 in its list of in-demand occupations. Other provinces (e.g. Newfoundland & Labrador, Yukon) have also targeted construction labourers in recent draws.

NOC 42201 PR Pathway (Social and Community Service Workers)

What it covers: Addiction Worker, Child and Youth Worker, Community Service Worker and Social Service Worker.

Eligibility: It’s a TEER 2 occupation (typically requiring a college or university education) and qualifies for Express Entry (FSW/CEC). This occupation is also included in the Healthcare Category of Express Entry.

Provincial Pathways: Many provinces seek social service workers. For instance, Ontario’s PNP often nominates community support workers, and Atlantic PNP (e.g., Nova Scotia) includes these occupations on its in-demand lists.

NOC 42202 PR Pathway (Early Childhood Educators & Assistants)

What it covers: Early Childhood Educators and Assistants in daycare and preschool settings.

Eligibility: TEER 2, fully eligible for Express Entry. This occupation is also included in the Education Category of Express Entry.

Provincial Pathways: ECEs are in high demand. Ontario and British Columbia frequently include NOC 42202 on their PNP targeted occupation lists, reflecting the need for qualified childcare workers.

NOC 13112 PR Pathway (Medical Administrative Assistants)

What it covers: Medical Secretary, Clinic Administrator, Ward Clerk and similar positions.

Eligibility: TEER 3 (skilled). Eligible for Express Entry.

Provincial Pathways: Health administration roles are sought after. Provinces like Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island have PNP streams that accept NOC 13112.

NOC 33109 PR Pathway (Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services)

What it covers: Health support roles such as Audiometric Assistant, Morgue Attendant, Rehabilitation Aide, and similar jobs.

Eligibility: TEER 3, qualifies for Express Entry (FSW/CEC).

Provincial Pathways: Ontario’s 2025 nominee list includes NOC 33109. Other provinces (e.g. Alberta, BC) also have healthcare support occupation streams.

NOC 95106 PR Pathway (Labourers in Food & Beverage Processing)

What it covers: Bakery Labourer, Meat Plant Labourer, Sugar Mill Worker.

Eligibility: TEER 5 (elementary). Not eligible under federal skilled programs.

Provincial Pathways: Saskatchewan’s PNP and Atlantic provinces have pathways for agri-food workers. There is strong demand for 95106 across multiple programs.

NOC 64409 PR Pathway (Other Customer and Information Services Representatives)

What it covers: Accounts Information Clerk, Call Centre Agent and Customer Service Representative.

Eligibility: TEER 5 (high school level). Not eligible for the federal skilled streams.

Provincial Pathways: Some provinces/territories (e.g. PEI, Atlantic PNPs) may include service clerks in demand lists. Check regional PNP streams; federal Express Entry will not cover this occupation.

NOC 94140 PR Pathway (Process Control & Machine Operators, Food & Beverage Processing)

What it covers: Brewery Machine Operator, Bakery Process Operator, Pasteurizer Operator.

Eligibility: TEER 4 (requires secondary school + training), so it qualifies for Express Entry.

Provincial Pathways: Food processing operators are in demand in Atlantic Canada. For instance, Nova Scotia’s PNP targets occupations in the manufacturing sector. This NOC aligns with those needs (Nova Scotia lists several food-processing NOCs).

Can I apply for PR with more than one NOC code?

You must select one primary NOC on your PR application. You can list other past jobs (for CRS points, etc.), but only the primary NOC counts for program eligibility.

NOC 65310 PR Pathway (Light Duty Cleaners)

What it covers: Hotel and office cleaners, housekeepers, sweepers, etc.

Eligibility: TEER 5 (elementary). Not eligible for federal skilled programs.

Provincial Pathways: Nova Scotia’s PNP includes NOC 65310 in its Occupations in Demand. Other Atlantic or territorial streams may consider cleaning staff if in short supply.

NOC 44101 PR Pathway (Home Child Care Providers)

What it covers: In-home childcare workers, like nannies and babysitters.

Eligibility: TEER 4 (secondary + training).

Programs: Since this is a TEER 4 occupation, it cannot qualify for Express Entry, which only accepts TEER 0-3. The main pathway for home childcare providers is through the Home Child Care Provider Pilot Program, which typically opens once a year with limited spots.

Additional options include specific Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams that accept TEER 4 occupations, though these opportunities are limited and vary by province. Some provinces may occasionally include caregivers in targeted PNP draws, but this is not consistent across all provinces.

Key Point: The annual caregiver pilot program remains the primary and most reliable pathway to permanent residency for NOC 44101 workers.

NOC 62020 PR Pathway (Food Service Supervisors)

What it covers: Cafeteria Supervisor, Catering Supervisor and Food Service Coordinator.

Eligibility: TEER 2. Eligible for Express Entry.

Provincial Pathways: Provinces often recruit hospitality supervisors. Ontario and Quebec, for example, include food service supervisors on their lists of in-demand occupations.

NOC 63200 PR Pathway (Cooks)

What it covers: Line Cook, Grill Cook, Short Order Cook, Hospital Cook.

Eligibility: TEER 3 (apprenticeship/training). Eligible for Express Entry.

Provincial Pathways: Cooks are in high demand in Canada. Atlantic provinces, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have streams for cooks; Nova Scotia and PEI have invited cooks through their PNPs.

NOC 65201 PR Pathway (Food Counter Attendants, Kitchen Helpers)

What it covers: Sandwich Maker, Dishwasher, Kitchen Helper, Fast-Food Preparer.

Eligibility: TEER 5 (elementary). Not Express Entry eligible.

Provincial Pathways: Nova Scotia explicitly lists 65201 as in-demand. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot also covered this NOC. Provincial nominee streams for the hospitality sector often include support roles.

NOC 75101 PR Pathway (Material Handlers)

What it covers: Forklift Operator, Stockpiler, Warehouse Worker, Lumber Piler.

Eligibility: TEER 5. Not covered by the federal Express Entry.

Provincial Pathways: Logistics workers like this may be eligible via PNPs. Provinces with shipping/manufacturing (e.g. Saskatchewan, Manitoba) sometimes have streams for skilled labourers, including 75101.

NOC 85101 PR Pathway (Harvesting Labourers)

What it covers: Agricultural workers who harvest fruits and crops (e.g. Fruit Picker, Berry Harvester).

Eligibility: TEER 5. Not eligible for Express Entry.

Agriculture Programs: NOC 85101 was eligible under Canada’s Agri-Food Pilot. Many provinces (especially Saskatchewan and Alberta) operate seasonal agricultural worker streams that include 85101.

NOC 63100 PR Pathway (Insurance Agents and Brokers)

What it covers: Insurance Agent, Broker, Sales Representative and Supervisor.

Eligibility: TEER 2. Eligible for Express Entry. This occupation is also included in the STEM Category of Express Entry.

Provincial Pathways: The financial services sector is significant in provinces such as Ontario and Alberta. Insurance agents/brokers can often apply through FSW or specific PNP streams targeting sales occupations.