How do you prove 1,560 hours of work experience for Canada’s Atlantic Immigration Program?
The Atlantic Immigration Program generally requires at least 1,560 hours of related work in the past five years. You must have accumulated those hours over at least one year. Use your intended permanent residence application date to check the five-year window, then check the total hours and the length of time you worked separately. Reaching 1,560 hours in eight months leaves the one-year requirement unmet.
Build an employment timeline before counting the hours
List each employer, job title, employment dates, weekly hours and main duties. If you changed roles or moved from part-time to full-time work, split the record on the date the change happened. Compare contracts, pay records and employer letters. Ask your employer to explain any difference between standard hours in the contract and the hours you actually worked.
Volunteer work, unpaid internships and self-employment do not count. For employment in Canada, check the work permit that was valid for the relevant period. If you were employed and freelanced on the side, keep those records separate. Recalculate if your filing date moves. An older period may fall outside the five-year window even when the documents are ready.
Match the duties to a NOC, then compare your TEER categories
Choose the National Occupational Classification code that fits what you did. IRCC checks whether your experience includes the activities in the occupational description and most of the main duties. Ask the employer to describe the work in practical terms and date any change in responsibilities.
Use IRCC’s table to compare the job offer with the experience you are relying on. A TEER 2 offer, for example, can be matched with otherwise qualifying experience in TEER 2, 3 or 4. Check the specific exceptions for certain health care occupations. If you graduated from a recognized institution in Atlantic Canada, review the separate exemption for eligible graduates, including the program length, full-time study, timing and local residence criteria.
Give each employer a checklist for the reference letter
Ask the employer to include your start and end dates, main responsibilities, weekly hours, annual pay and benefits, and their name, full address, phone number, email and signature. Include the NOC code if known. Keep the contracts and pay stubs, and gather applicable Canadian records such as your work permit, T4 slips and notice of assessment. If an employer will only confirm dates, keep their written response and identify which contemporaneous records document your hours and duties. Flag any detail the available evidence does not establish.
For help checking your evidence, bring your five-year employment timeline, reference letters and Canadian job offer to 卓越移民 Premiervisa Group.
Sources checked 6 November 2026
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