NOC 53121: Actors, comedians and circus performers
Actors, comedians and circus performers perform roles and circus skills in circuses, motion picture, television, theatre and radio productions to entertain a variety of audiences. They are employed by motion picture, television, circuses, theatre and other production companies. This unit group includes acting teachers employed by private acting schools.
Official Main Duties for NOC 53121
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description — officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 53121
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Actors, comedians and circus performers is categorized under TEER 3. Occupations in this tier typically require completion of a 2- to 3-year post-secondary diploma, apprenticeship training, or specialized technical certifications.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Currently evaluated under standard General and CEC invitation rounds, or targeted through provincial in-demand lists such as Ontario (OINP), British Columbia (BC PNP), or Alberta (AAIP).
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 53121.
5232 continues as 55109 and part transferred to 53121
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $16.75 | $24.13/hr | $39.97 |
| Quebec → | $17.28/hr | $27.75/hr | $42.82/hr |
| Ontario → | $17.6/hr | $23/hr | $33.75/hr |
| British Columbia → | $18/hr | $28.11/hr | $46.43/hr |
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- Demonstrated ability, based on an audition or previous acting or circus roles, is an important hiring criteria.
- Circus performers and acrobats may require a period of study at a circus school.
- Acting programs are offered at universities, colleges and private acting schools.
- Acting teachers usually require experience as actors.
- Membership in a guild or union may be required.
Official Job Titles for NOC 53121
43 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Announcers and other broadcasters (See 52114 Announcers and other broadcasters)View NOC 52114→
- Dancers (See 53120 Dancers)View NOC 53120→
- Drama professor - university (See 41200 University professors and lecturers)View NOC 41200→
- Musicians and singers (See 51122 Musicians and singers)View NOC 51122→
- Other performers (See 55109 Other performers)View NOC 55109→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 53121 (Actors, comedians and circus performers)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 53121, explore your TEER 3 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.