2026 RCIP priority occupations
Thunder Bay · transcribed from the official CEDC page · updated 2026-08-07
Straight answer: only full-time roles in 25 priority occupations (NOCs) qualify for Thunder Bay RCIP in 2026. This page lists all of them with the NOC code, TEER category, the language bar (CLB) that follows from it, and every per-NOC limit or extra requirement. Retail salespersons (64100) used up its quota in June and is closed for the year.
25
Priority NOCs
2026 list, revised yearly
6
Priority sectors
Classified by the role's NOC, not the employer
2
Capped NOCs
64100 is full — 1 closed
CLB 4–6
Language bar
Set by TEER, marked per row
Business, finance and administration5
- 11202
Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
TEER 1 · minimum CLB 6
- 13102
Payroll administrators
TEER 3 · minimum CLB 5
Limit: Limit of 1, employers with a minimum of 50 full-time employees only
- 13110
Administrative assistants
TEER 3 · minimum CLB 5
Limit: Limit of 1 for employers with 1–50 full-time employees, 2 for employers with 51–100
- 14100
General office support workers
TEER 4 · minimum CLB 4
Limit: Limit of 1 for employers with 1–50 full-time employees, 2 for employers with 51–100
- 14400
Shippers and receivers
TEER 4 · minimum CLB 4
Health occupations5
- 31301
Registered nurses
TEER 1 · minimum CLB 6
- 32101
Licensed practical nurses
TEER 2 · minimum CLB 5
- 33100
Dental assistants and dental technicians
TEER 3 · minimum CLB 5
- 33102
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
TEER 3 · minimum CLB 5
- 33103
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
TEER 3 · minimum CLB 5
Education, law, social, community and government services3
- 42201
Social and community service workers
TEER 2 · minimum CLB 5
- 42202
Early childhood educators and assistants
TEER 2 · minimum CLB 5
- 44101
Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations
TEER 4 · minimum CLB 4
Sales and service6
- 62029
Security supervisors
TEER 2 · minimum CLB 5
Limit: Limit of 1 for employers with 1–50 full-time employees, 2 for employers with 51–100. Candidates need at least two years of full-time security work experience, or two years of post-secondary education in law and security, police technology or a related field
- 63200
Cooks
TEER 3 · minimum CLB 5
Limit: Limit of 1 per employer; dine-in / full-service restaurants and hotels only
- 63202
Bakers
TEER 3 · minimum CLB 5
Limit: Limit of 1 per employer
- 64100
Retail salespersons and visual merchandisers
Quota met — closedTEER 4 · minimum CLB 4 · 2026 cap of 24 recommendations
Limit: Limit of 1 for employers with 1–50 full-time employees, 2 for employers with 51–100
- 64314
Hotel front desk
TEER 4 · minimum CLB 4
Limit: Limit of 2 per hotel
- 64410
Security guards
TEER 4 · minimum CLB 4 · 2026 cap of 24 recommendations
Limit: Limit of 1 for employers with 1–50 full-time employees, 2 for employers with 51–100. Candidates need at least two years of full-time security work experience, or two years of post-secondary education in law and security, police technology or a related field
Trades, transport and equipment operation5
- 72400
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
TEER 2 · minimum CLB 5
- 72410
Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
TEER 2 · minimum CLB 5
- 73201
General building maintenance workers and building superintendents
TEER 3 · minimum CLB 5
- 73300
Transport truck drivers
TEER 3 · minimum CLB 5
Limit: Short-haul local drivers only; the last 6 months of electronic logbooks as required under CVOR
- 75110
Construction trades helpers and labourers
TEER 5 · minimum CLB 4
Manufacturing and utilities1
- 94120
Sawmill machine operators
TEER 4 · minimum CLB 4
New since August 1: case-by-case exemptions for off-list roles
If a role is not among the 25 NOCs above but sits within a priority sector, and the candidate has worked for that employer in the same role at the same location for at least 6 months (TEER 0–3 only), the employer can email [email protected] to request an exemption. It is discretionary and the employer must be the one to ask — if you already work here and only the occupation match is missing, this email is worth your boss's five minutes.
Frequently asked questions
My occupation isn't one of the 25 NOCs — is RCIP still possible?
Since August 1, 2026 there is a case-by-case exemption channel: if the role is not on the list but falls within one of the six priority sectors, and you have already worked for that employer in the same role at the same location for at least 6 months, the employer can email [email protected] to request an exemption. Only TEER 0–3 roles are considered, and the decision is discretionary. The employer has to send that email — not you. The list is also revised yearly; a role missing this year isn't necessarily missing next year.
How do I confirm which NOC my job falls under?
Match duties, not job titles. Search your role in Canada's official NOC system (noc.esdc.gc.ca) and compare the main duties line by line — whichever NOC's description matches the bulk of your day-to-day work is yours. The same 'assistant' title can land in administrative assistants (13110) or general office support workers (14100), with different language bars and limits. When in doubt, compare against the duties written in your offer letter.
Can I still apply under a capped NOC?
Two cases. Retail salespersons (64100) used up all 24 recommendations for 2026 in June and CEDC is no longer accepting applications — that route is closed this year. Security guards (64410) carries the same cap of 24 but no sold-out notice has been published — confirm remaining room with CEDC before you build months of preparation on a spot that may already be gone.
How does the language requirement (CLB) map to the list?
It follows the TEER category of your role's NOC: TEER 0 or 1 needs CLB 6, TEER 2 or 3 needs CLB 5, TEER 4 or 5 needs CLB 4. TEER is simply the second digit of the five-digit NOC code, and every row on this page states both the TEER and the CLB so you don't have to convert. IELTS General and CELPIP scores both convert to CLB.
Is this list different from 2025's?
Yes. CEDC republishes the priority sectors and NOC list each year; the 2026 list differs noticeably from 2025's, and 2026 also excludes whole business types (gas stations, convenience stores, fast food, counter-service restaurants). Anything based on the older RNIP program is entirely out of date. Only the current year's official list counts — this page tracks CEDC's updates.
The list, limits and exemption rule are transcribed from the CEDC RCIP page (read 2026-08-07); look occupations up in the official NOC system. TEER is the second digit of the NOC code; the CLB tier follows from TEER under the program's rules. The list changes yearly and quotas burn down — check the official page before submitting. lakebbs is an information guide, not immigration advice.