NOC 22221: User support technicians
User support technicians provide first-line technical support to computer users experiencing difficulties with computer hardware and with computer applications and communications software. They are employed by computer hardware manufacturers and retailers, software developers, in call centres and in information technology units throughout the public and private sectors. They are also employed by independent technical support companies or they may be self-employed.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 22221 (User support technicians) is a TEER 2 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is not on IRCC's high-wage list. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 2
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Not listed
No extra CRS points
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 22221 |
|---|---|
| Title | User support technicians |
| Broad category | Natural and applied sciences and related occupations |
| TEER | TEER 2 — usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship of 2+ years, or supervisory roles |
Example job titles
- call centre agent - technical support
- client support representative - systems
- computer help desk representative - systems
- computer help desk supervisor
- hardware installation technician
- hardware technical support analyst
- help desk technician
- software installation technician
Main duties
- Communicate electronically and in person with computer users experiencing difficulties to determine and document problems experienced
- Consult user guides, technical manuals and other documents to research and implement solutions
- Reproduce, diagnose and resolve technical problems encountered by users
- Provide advice and training to users in response to identified difficulties
- Provide business systems, network and Internet support to users in response to identified difficulties
- Collect, organize and maintain a problems and solutions log for use by other technical support analysts
- Participate in the redesign of applications and other software
- May supervise other technical support workers in this group.
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 22210 — Architectural technologists and technicians
- NOC 22211 — Industrial designers
- NOC 22212 — Drafting technologists and technicians
- NOC 22213 — Land survey technologists and technicians
- NOC 22214 — Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology
- NOC 22220 — Computer network and web technicians
- NOC 22222 — Information systems testing technicians
- NOC 22230 — Non-destructive testers and inspectors
- NOC 22231 — Engineering inspectors and regulatory officers
- NOC 22232 — Occupational health and safety specialists
← NOC 22220 Computer network and web technicians · NOC 22222 Information systems testing technicians →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 2 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 22221 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 22221 is a TEER 2 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 22221 a high-wage occupation?+
No. NOC 22221 isn't on IRCC's Express Entry high-wage occupations list, so it doesn't earn the extra high-wage or job offer CRS points. Canadian work-length points can still apply for TEER 0–3 work.
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 22221?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 22221. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.