AIP 1,560-Hour Rule: Precise Calculation Guide for Atlantic Immigration Program Skilled Workers
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) offers a direct route to Permanent Residence (PR), but for most applicants who are not recent international graduates of an Atlantic institution, meeting the 1,560-hour skilled work experience requirement is mandatory.
This requirement is not flexible. Failure to provide precise documentation showing the accumulation of 1,560 hours within the allowed timeframe will lead to the refusal of your Permanent Residence application.
Here is a precise, quantitative guide to understanding and calculating the mandatory work hours for AIP skilled workers.
The Core Requirement: 1,560 Hours in 5 Years
To be eligible for the AIP as a skilled worker (not a graduate exempt from this requirement), you must prove that you have completed:
| Requirement | Metric | Time Frame |
| Total Hours | 1,560 hours | Accumulated within the last 5 years |
| Skill Level | TEER Category 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 | Must match the skill level of the job offered under the AIP |
| Payment Status | Paid work only | Volunteer work, unpaid internships, or self-employment generally do not count |
Step-by-Step Calculation Guide
IRCC does not require the work experience to be continuous or with a single employer. It is the cumulative total that matters.
1. Full-Time Work Calculation
If you worked full-time, you can quickly estimate your hours using the standard definition of a full-time work week.
- Definition: Full-time work is defined as 30 hours per week for the purposes of immigration calculation.
- Formula: 1,560 hours ÷ 30 hours/week = 52 weeks
- Conclusion: You must demonstrate at least one full year (52 weeks) of full-time skilled work experience within the last five years.
2. Part-Time Work Calculation
Part-time work is eligible, but the total accumulated hours must still meet the 1,560-hour minimum.
- Eligibility: You can combine hours from multiple part-time jobs to meet the total.
- Maximum: Hours accumulated above 30 hours per week are not counted.
- Example: If you worked 15 hours per week (part-time), you would need to work for 104 weeks (two full years) to reach the 1,560-hour requirement (15 hours/week x 104 weeks = 1,560 hours).
3. Self-Employment Rules
In almost all cases, self-employment and running your own business do not count toward the 1,560-hour requirement for the AIP. This program is designed to fill specific employee roles with designated employers.
4. Work Experience While Studying
Work experience gained while you were a full-time student (such as part-time work during the academic year or full-time during scheduled breaks) generally does not count toward the 1,560-hour requirement.
- Exception: This rule is often waived for the Skilled Trades programs, but for general skilled worker streams, the experience must be accumulated outside of full-time study periods.
5. Calculating for Skilled Trades (TEER 2 and 3)
For certain Skilled Trades occupations (TEER 2 and 3), the work experience is often calculated by measuring the time spent in the apprenticeship or trade, rather than a strict 1,560-hour clock. However, for AIP, the general rule is to look for 30 hours per week (1,560 hours total) over the last five years in the relevant skilled trade occupation.
The Critical Connection: Work Experience vs. Job Offer
The work experience you claim must align with your job offer under the AIP.
- Matching Skill Level: Your 1,560 hours of past work experience must be in a TEER category (0, 1, 2, 3, or 4) that is the same as or higher than the TEER category of the job offer you received from the AIP designated employer.
- Example: If your AIP job offer is a TEER 3 (e.g., baker), your 1,560 hours must be in a TEER 3, 2, 1, or 0 occupation.
- Documentation is Key: IRCC relies entirely on official documents employment reference letters, pay stubs, and tax documents to verify the total hours worked, the duties performed, and the paid status of your employment.
If you cannot precisely document that you have accumulated 1,560 hours of paid, skilled work experience within the last five years, you will need to continue working until you reach the threshold.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Is 1,560 hours the same as one year of work experience?
- Yes. For immigration purposes, 1,560 hours is the standard calculation for one year of full-time (30 hours/week) work (30 x 52 = 1,560).
- Can I combine hours from different jobs?
- Yes. You can combine hours from any number of jobs, as long as they are all skilled (TEER 0–4) and accumulated within the last five years.
- Does my work experience need to be Canadian?
- No. The 1,560 hours can be accumulated in Canada or abroad.
- What is the time limit for accumulating the hours?
- The hours must have been accumulated within the last five years before the date of your Permanent Residence application.
- Do unpaid internships count?
- Generally no. The work must be paid (i.e., you received wages or a commission) to be counted toward the 1,560-hour requirement.
- Do hours over 30 per week count?
- No. IRCC caps the calculation at 30 hours per week. Working 40 hours per week still only counts as 30 hours for the purpose of meeting the 1,560-hour minimum.
- What TEER categories are considered “skilled” for the AIP?
- TEER categories 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all considered skilled for the purposes of the AIP.
- Can I use my work experience gained while on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)?
- Yes. Work experience gained on a PGWP in a skilled role (TEER 0-4) counts toward the 1,560 hours.
- Do I need the work experience before I get a job offer?
- No. You need the job offer first to apply to the AIP. The 1,560 hours are a separate requirement that must be met at the time you submit your final PR application.
- Does self-employment count toward the AIP 1,560 hours?
- No, self-employment is generally not counted because the AIP is structured around an employment relationship with a designated employer.
- How do I prove the 1,560 hours?
- You must provide detailed Employment Reference Letters from your former employers that clearly state your job title, duties, total hours worked, and employment dates. Pay stubs and tax documents are also recommended.
- Can my duties be copied from the NOC description?
- No. The duties in the reference letter must be written by the employer and specifically describe your actual responsibilities, not generic copy-pasted NOC descriptions.
- What if my past work experience is a lower TEER than my AIP job offer?
- Your past 1,560 hours must be in a TEER category the same as or higher than the job offer. If your past experience is lower, it does not count.
- Is there any exemption to the 1,560-hour rule?
- Yes. International graduates who meet the five specific criteria (2-year study, 16 months residency, etc.) for the AIP International Graduate stream are exempt.
- If my application is refused for insufficient hours, can I re-apply?
- Yes, if your application is refused for insufficient hours, you may re-apply once you have accumulated and documented the full 1,560 hours.
🔗 Related Resources from Liberty Immigration
- AIP Eligibility: How International Graduates Can Bypass the Work Experience Requirement
- Top 5 Critical Steps to Secure a Job Offer from an AIP Designated Employer
- Understanding TEER Categories (NOC 2021): Matching Your Job Offer to the Right Immigration Stream
🎯 Call to Action (CTA)
Are you combining hours from multiple employers or unsure if your part-time experience meets the 1,560-hour requirement? A simple miscalculation or a poorly worded reference letter can lead to a PR refusal.
We specialize in verifying and structuring AIP work experience documentation for guaranteed compliance.
Book your AIP Work Hour Audit and Strategy Session to ensure your work history is calculated precisely and documented perfectly: https://libertyimmigration.ca/booking/
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