NOC 21221: Business systems specialists
Business systems specialists perform detailed system tests, produce reports and develop new system architectures. They must also identify the strategic objectives of a company and translate these objectives into achievable tasks for an organization's information technology department. They are employed in information technology consulting firms and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 21221 (Business systems specialists) is a TEER 1 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2: +40 CRS for 12+ months of Canadian work, or 70 for a job offer. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 1
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Level 2
+40 work · 70 job offer
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 21221 |
|---|---|
| Title | Business systems specialists |
| Broad category | Natural and applied sciences and related occupations |
| TEER | TEER 1 — usually requires a university degree |
CRS points for this occupation
Under the Labour Market Integration factor, IRCC gives you the higher of: your Canadian work-length points plus 40 for 12+ months of qualifying work in a Level 2 occupation, or 70 points for a valid job offer in it. How job offer points work.
Example job titles
- business systems analyst
- business systems consultant
- business systems specialist - computer systems
- information systems business analyst
- information technology (IT) business analyst
Main duties
- Confer with clients to identify and document requirements
- Analyze information systems processes, and propose customized solutions to improve performance and efficiency
- Design, develop, integrate, test and implement information systems business solutions
- Provide advice on information systems strategy, policy, management, security and service delivery
- Act as a liaison between the business units, technology teams and support teams
- Conduct tests to ensure the reliability, accuracy, and functionality of system changes and enhancements
Your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties to use this NOC — check the full profile on the official NOC site.
Related occupations
- NOC 21200 — Architects
- NOC 21201 — Landscape architects
- NOC 21202 — Urban and land use planners
- NOC 21203 — Land surveyors
- NOC 21210 — Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
- NOC 21211 — Data scientists
- NOC 21220 — Cybersecurity specialists
- NOC 21222 — Information systems specialists
- NOC 21223 — Database analysts and data administrators
- NOC 21230 — Computer systems developers and programmers
← NOC 21220 Cybersecurity specialists · NOC 21222 Information systems specialists →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 1 also matters for work permits: see the spousal open work permit (TEER rules for spouses of workers), LMIA explained and the Atlantic Immigration Program (job offers in TEER 0–4).
Sources: Statistics Canada NOC 2021 V1.0; IRCC high-wage occupations; IRCC category-based selection; IRCC who can apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOC 21221 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 21221 is a TEER 1 occupation. IRCC counts work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, as long as all other program requirements are met.
Is NOC 21221 a high-wage occupation?+
Yes. It's on IRCC's high-wage list at Level 2. From November 3, 2026, 12+ months of qualifying Canadian work in it adds 40 CRS points, or a valid job offer in it is worth 70 points (whichever is higher).
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 21221?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 21221. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.