NOC 65201 — Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations
NOC 2021 code 65201 covers food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations. This guide explains what the code means, how it connects to Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs, and what to verify before using it in an immigration profile. Always confirm the official duties and requirements on noc.esdc.gc.ca.
NOC 65201 snapshot
| NOC 2021 code | 65201 |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations |
| TEER | TEER 5 — Labour, short-term work demonstration |
| Express Entry relevance | Limited — TEER 4/5 has restricted federal pathways |
| Category-based draws | Not currently tagged |
What NOC 65201 covers
Help in food preparation; basic kitchen tasks.
Job title alone is not enough for an immigration application — officers compare the duties you actually performed against the official NOC lead statement and main duties. Before claiming this code, read the full duty list on the official NOC 65201 profile and make sure your real responsibilities substantially match.
Express Entry eligibility for NOC 65201
| Program | How NOC 65201 may matter |
|---|---|
| Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | Generally not eligible — FSW requires a TEER 0–3 occupation. |
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Not eligible — CEC requires skilled (TEER 0–3) Canadian work experience. |
| Federal Skilled Trades (FST) | Usually not the pathway — FST targets skilled-trades occupations (major groups 72/73/82/92). |
You must still meet language, education, work-history, and settlement-funds requirements (where applicable). Estimate your score with the CRS Calculator.
Category-based draw eligibility
NOC 65201 is not currently part of an Express Entry category-based selection draw. It remains eligible for general rounds if other criteria are met. IRCC updates category lists over time — confirm the latest official list before relying on it.
Provinces & PNP options for NOC 65201
| Province | Why it may matter |
|---|---|
| Ontario | Runs Provincial Nominee streams that can select candidates with this occupation when there is local labour demand. Criteria differ by stream. |
| British Columbia | Runs Provincial Nominee streams that can select candidates with this occupation when there is local labour demand. Criteria differ by stream. |
| Alberta | Runs Provincial Nominee streams that can select candidates with this occupation when there is local labour demand. Criteria differ by stream. |
A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points. See the PNP guide and Express Entry vs PNP.
Evidence to prepare for NOC 65201
- Employer reference letter(s) on company letterhead
- Job title, employment dates, and hours per week
- Salary and pay records where available
- A duties description matching the official NOC
- Contracts or offer letters
- Tax or employment documents (e.g. T4, pay stubs)
Official source
NOC eligibility is one factor among many. Verify the official lead statement, main duties, and employment requirements on the Government of Canada NOC 65201 profile, and confirm current Express Entry rules on canada.ca.
NOC 65201 — FAQ
Is NOC 65201 eligible for Express Entry?
NOC 65201 is TEER 5. FSW and CEC require TEER 0–3 occupations, so this code generally does not qualify for those federal programs. A Provincial Nominee Program or a different pathway may still be possible.
Does my job title need to say "food" exactly?
No. Immigration officers assess the duties you actually performed, not your job title. Your real duties should substantially match the official NOC lead statement and main duties on noc.esdc.gc.ca.
Is NOC 65201 in a category-based Express Entry draw?
Not currently. NOC 65201 is not tagged to an active category-based selection draw, but it can still be eligible in general rounds if other criteria are met. Category lists change — verify the latest official list.
Can NOC 65201 help with a Provincial Nominee Program?
Possibly. Provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta run streams that can select candidates with relevant occupations, but each province sets its own criteria and in-demand lists.
Related TEER 5 occupations