If you cook in a restaurant, hotel, hospital or institution, your NOC code is almost always NOC 63200, Cooks. It is a TEER 3 occupation, so the work counts for Express Entry.
Who is under 63200
ESDC's example titles for 63200 include cook, line cook, grill cook, first cook, second cook, short order cook, dietary cook, hospital cook, institutional cook and apprentice or licensed cook. Typical duties:
- prepare and cook meals or individual dishes
- schedule and supervise kitchen helpers
- oversee kitchen operations and maintain inventory
- clean the kitchen and work areas, and follow food safety rules
- may plan menus, estimate food needs and train staff
Cook vs chef vs supervisor vs kitchen helper
| Your job | NOC code | TEER |
|---|---|---|
| Cook, line cook, prep cook, grill cook | 63200 | 3 |
| Chef, sous-chef, executive chef, head chef | 62200 | 2 |
| Food service supervisor (cafeteria, catering, food court) | 62020 | 2 |
| Restaurant or food service manager, kitchen manager | 60030 | 0 |
| Kitchen helper, dishwasher, cook's helper, food counter attendant | 65201 | 5 |
| Baker | 63202 | 3 |
| Butcher (retail or wholesale) | 63201 | 3 |
The line between chef and cook is about responsibility. Chefs plan menus, run kitchens and supervise cooks. If your title is "chef" but you mainly cook on the line, your duties probably match 63200. If your title is "cook" but you create menus, order supplies and manage the kitchen team, compare your duties with 62200.
Is a cook eligible for PR?
- Express Entry (FSW and CEC): yes by TEER, since 63200 is TEER 3.
- Federal Skilled Trades: minor group 6320 is on IRCC's skilled trades list, so cooks can also apply through FST if they meet its job offer or certificate rule.
- Category-based draws: 63200 is not on the current category lists, as of 2026-10-16.
- Provincial programs: many provinces target cooks in their nominee streams. Check your province.
Writing a cook's reference letter
Officers compare your letter to the 63200 duties. Describe what you cooked, for how many covers, which stations you ran, whether you trained or supervised helpers, and your hours per week. See how to write an employment reference letter for IRCC.
Common questions
What is the NOC code for a cook in Canada?
NOC 63200, Cooks. It covers line cooks, prep cooks, grill cooks, first and second cooks, institutional and hospital cooks. It is TEER 3.
What TEER is a cook?
NOC 63200 is TEER 3, which counts as skilled work experience for Express Entry.
Is a cook eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
Yes, minor group 6320 (cooks, butchers and bakers) is on IRCC's Federal Skilled Trades list, along with unit group 62200 (chefs). You also need a qualifying job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification.