Claimed the wrong TEER level on Express Entry? What happens and how to fix it
Short answer
Only TEER 0 to 3 jobs count for most Express Entry programs. If your duties actually fit a TEER 4 or 5 code, IRCC won't count that experience and can refuse the application. Fix it in your profile before an ITA. After an ITA, check your duties before you submit.
Do your reference letter duties support the NOC code you're claiming?
Check my duties →Where the wrong TEER usually comes from
- Supervisor vs worker: retail or food service supervisors (TEER 2) vs the staff they supervise (TEER 4 or 5).
- Officer vs clerk: administrative officers, NOC 13100 (TEER 3), vs general office clerks (TEER 4).
- Accountant vs bookkeeper: 11100 (TEER 1) vs bookkeepers 12200 (TEER 2).
The job title on the letter doesn't decide the TEER. The main duties do. IRCC compares your letter's duties to the NOC lead statement and main duties. See job title vs NOC code.
How to fix it at each stage
In the pool: change the code in your profile. Free.
After ITA: you can't edit the invitation. If the correct TEER still qualifies, submit truthfully. If not, decline the ITA. See changing your NOC after submission.
After refusal: read the officer notes, then re-enter the pool with the correct code and only the experience that qualifies.
IRCC refused 23% of Express Entry applicants at the eligibility stage. A $9.99 check is insurance against a $1,500+ mistake.
FAQ
- Which TEER levels qualify for Express Entry?
- TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class. TEER 4 and 5 don't. The Federal Skilled Trades Program uses specific trade codes in TEER 2 and 3.
- What happens if my job is really TEER 4?
- If your real duties fall in a TEER 4 or 5 code, that experience doesn't count. If it was the experience that made you eligible, the application is refused, and claiming a higher code can be treated as misrepresentation.
- Can I fix a wrong TEER before my ITA?
- Yes. Update the NOC code in your Express Entry profile while it's in the pool. Your eligibility and CRS recalculate. This is the only free fix.
- Does job title decide the TEER level?
- No. Duties decide it. A 'supervisor' who mostly does front-line work is often in the lower TEER code, not the supervisor code.
Which TEER do your duties really fit?
Score your reference-letter duties against the official NOC 2021 duty list in about 30 seconds — before IRCC does it for you.
Check my NOC →Refusal risks: Letter rejected · Wrong TEER · Misrepresentation · Employer verification
General information, not legal advice. Get case-specific guidance from a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.
Last updated: September 2026