In response to the implementation of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reported IT issues with Express Entry. Candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) may also be included in Express Entry candidates.
The IRCC says it is closely examining these issues and working to resolve them; however, no timeline has been provided.
Candidate information will be updated as it becomes available, according to the IRCC.
The most recent Express Entry draw included some ineligible candidates
According to IRCC, clients are being informed that they meet the Minimum Entry Criteria (MEC) of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) despite not having enough Canadian work experience in some cases.
During the November 23rd round of invitations, a number of incorrect ITAs were issued to candidates, including some PNP candidates.
Candidate’s attempting to update their Express Entry profile to reflect the move to NOC 2021 has also been impacted by the system error.
In order to continue to assess these applicants under NOC 2016, IRCC has generated synthetic code 93888 which renders some Express Entry profiles ineligible to receive ITAs.
No Express Entry Draws Were Held
The Express Entry draw that was missed last week on December 7 could have been the cause of these IT issues.
All-program Express Entry draws resumed in July this year after an 18-month pause from December 2020. Since the draws resumed, IRCC invites candidates on Wednesdays every two weeks.
In response to the December 7 draw not occurring, candidates expressed frustration on social media.
It is IRCC’s discretion to determine when and on what day draws will be held. According to its ministerial instructions, draws are scheduled “about every two weeks.” Although they have been held regularly on Wednesday, there is no law that dictates how frequently or on which day draws will be held.
Each time a draw is held in Canada, more candidates are invited. Since July, eleven draws have been held. In the two most recent draws, 4,750 candidates were invited.
During the first draw on July 6, 1500 candidates were invited with CRS scores of 557. The scores have declined with each draw to 491 on November 23.
NOC 2021
IRCC officially made the transition from NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 on November 16, 2022.
IRCC has moved to the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system under NOC 2021. Candidates under NOC 2016 were required to have work experience classified under NOC skill types 0, A or B.
A new NOC system and Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) system will replace the old NOC system to assist Canada in fulfilling the following four objectives: enhancing Canada’s labour market knowledge, improving occupational forecasting, conducting a better analysis of national labour supply and demand, and offering targeted and specialized training to Canadians and foreign nationals.
If a candidate already has a profile in the IRCC Express Entry pool, they can switch their NOCs to the new NOC 2021 independently. In order to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), candidates must update their IRCC profile for each position (job) listed.
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