{"id":2108,"date":"2026-11-10T23:50:56","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T23:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/wrong-noc-refused-duties-fit-another-occupation\/"},"modified":"2026-11-11T14:46:16","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T14:46:16","slug":"wrong-noc-refused-duties-fit-another-occupation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawgicalcorp.com\/blog\/wrong-noc-refused-duties-fit-another-occupation\/","title":{"rendered":"Refused because your duties fit a different NOC: why it happens and your options"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a>, lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation \u00b7 Reviewed November 10, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Sundeep S. Grewal is a lawyer at Lawgical Law Corporation, called to the BC bar in 2018, and a member of the Law Society of British Columbia<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated November 10, 2026: section 87.1 of the Regulations and the Federal Court’s 2026 decision in Nanda checked that day.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The fix:<\/strong> judicial review if your letters do match the code and the officer did not explain why not; a new application under the correct code if they do not.<\/p>\n

The deadline:<\/strong> 15 days if you are in Canada, 60 days if outside (IRPA s.72<\/a>). Reconsideration does not stop this clock.<\/p>\n

Why a lawyer:<\/strong> the Federal Court has said the burden is on you, not the officer, to pick the right code. Whether the officer still got it wrong is a legal question. Why a lawyer<\/a><\/p>\n

Book a consultation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The lawyers who review these refusals<\/p>\n

\"SundeepSundeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PrabhpreetPrabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a>\"PardeepPardeep S. Grewal<\/span>Barrister and Solicitor<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\nAbout our lawyers<\/summary>\n
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Sundeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> founded Lawgical Law Corporation and argues immigration cases at the Immigration and Refugee Board and the Federal Court of Canada.<\/p>\n

Prabhpreet Kaur Sangha<\/a><\/strong> focuses on refugee claims, immigration appeals, inadmissibility, detention reviews and Federal Court cases, and has presented at Continuing Legal Education seminars and the National Immigration Conference.<\/p>\n

Pardeep S. Grewal<\/a><\/strong> is an immigration and estates lawyer known for clear communication and practical strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n

If IRCC refused your permanent residence or work permit because your duties do not match the occupation code you chose, or because they match a different code, the officer was applying a strict rule. For the Canadian Experience Class, you must have performed the lead statement and a substantial number of the main duties of your code, including all of the essential ones. Officers will not move you to a better-fitting code. If your letters do match and the officer did not engage with them, judicial review<\/a> can send the file back. If they really fit another code, the answer is a new application under that code.<\/p>\n

Lawgical Law Corporation<\/a>, an immigration law firm in Surrey, Abbotsford and Vancouver, BC, reviews Express Entry and work permit refusals and takes them to the Federal Court; this guide is by Sundeep S. Grewal.<\/p>\n

What does the refusal say?<\/h2>\n

The wording I see in these files:<\/p>\n