On November 28, 2008, the Government of Canada introduced substantive changes to the Economic Class.
Under the new rules the Minister of Citizenship Immigration and Multiculturalism will have greater flexibility in processing Economic Class applications by giving priority to applicants approved under Quebec or Provincial nominee programs.
To qualify for admission to Canada under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), without an approved offer of employment, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Eliminatory condition:
- Working in the USA for at least one-year with any of the following currently valid non-immigrant status: H-1B, H1-B1, H-1C, or E-3;
- Possess at least one year of applicable experience in one of the major high demand occupations (management, business, finance, administration, natural and applied sciences, health, social science, education, government service and religion, art culture, recreation and sport, sales and service, trades, transport and equipment operators, primary industry occupations, occupations in processing, manufacturing and utilities) listed in one of the National Occupational Classification categories referenced below.
- Essential selection conditions:
- Receive provincial nominee approval;
- Possess suitable settlement funding;
- Undergo a successful security background and medical examination.
Applicants, who meet the above conditions will be eligible to apply for admission to Canada under an applicable Provincial Nominee Program, where current processing times range from 6-18 months to approval.
High Demand Occupations
Canada Provincial Nominee Programs
(May 19, 2009)
Management Occupations
NOC Code | Description |
0211 | Engineering Managers |
0212 | Architecture and Science Managers |
0213 | Computer and Information systems Manager |
0611 | Sales, Marketing and Advertising Managers |
0621 | Retail Trade Managers |
0711 | Construction Managers |
0721 | Facility Operation and Maintenance Managers |
0811 | Primary Production Mgrs (Except Agric) |
Business, Finance and Administration Occupations
NOC Code | Description |
1111 | Financial Auditors |
1235 | Assessors, Valuators and Appraisers |
Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations
NOC Code | Description |
2111 | Physicists and Astronomers |
2112 | Chemists |
2113 | Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists |
2121 | Biologists |
2131 | Civil Engineers |
2132 | Mechanical Engineers |
2133 | Electrical and Electronics Engineers |
2134 | Chemical Engineers |
2141 | Industrial and Manufacturing Engineers |
2142 | Metallurgical and Materials Engineers |
2143 | Mining Engineers |
2145 | Petroleum Engineers |
2147 | Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers) |
2151 | Architects |
2153 | Urban and Land Use Planners |
2154 | Land Surveyors |
2212 | Geological and Mineral Technologists and Technicians |
2225 | Landscape and Horticultural Technicians |
2231 | Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
2232 | Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
2234 | Construction Estimators |
2241 | Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
2242 | Electronic Service Technicians (Household and Business Equipment) |
2243 | Industrial Instrument Technicians and Mechanics |
2251 | Architectural Technologists and Technicians |
2252 | Industrial Designers |
2253 | Drafting Technologists & Technicians |
2261 | Nondestructive Testers and Inspectors |
2271 | Air pilots, flight engineers, flying instructors |
Health Occupations
NOC Code | Description |
3111 | Specialist Physicians |
3112 | General Practitioners and Family Physicians |
3114 | Veterinarians |
3131 | Pharmacists |
3141 | Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists |
3242 | Physiotherapists |
3143 | Occupational Therapists |
3152 | Registered Nurses |
3211 | Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists’ Assistants |
3212 | Medical Laboratory Technicians |
3213 | Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians |
3215 | Medical Radiation Technologists |
3216 | Medical Sonographers |
3223 | Dental Technologists, Technicians and Laboratory Bench Workers |
3232 | Midwives and Practitioners of Natural Healing |
Occupations in Social Science, Education, Government Service and Religion
NOC Code | Description |
4131 | College & Other Vocational Instructors |
4143 | Educational Counsellors |
4212 | Community and Social Service Workers |
4214 | Early Childhood Educators |
Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
NOC Code | Description |
5222 | Film and Video Camera Operators |
5223 | Graphic Arts Technicians |
5225 | Audio and Video Recording Technicians |
5226 | Other Technical and Co-ordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasters |
5231 | Announcers and Other Broadcasters |
Sales and Service Occupations
NOC Code | Description |
6211 | Retail Trade Supervisors |
6212 | Food Service Supervisors |
6216 | Other Service Supervisors |
6221 | Technical Sales Specialists – Wholesale Trade |
Occupations Unique To Primary Industry
NOC Code | Description |
8232 | Oil and Gas Well Drillers, Servicers, Testers and Related Workers |
8251 | Farmers and Farm Managers |
8253 | Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Workers |
Occupations unique to Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities
NOC Code | Description |
9213 | Supervisors, Food, Beverage and Tobacco Processing |
9214 | Supervisors, Plastic and Rubber Products Manufacturing |
9231 | Central Control and Process Operators, Mineral and Metal Processing |
9232 | Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Process Operators |