What the letter must state
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Employer | Name, signature, full address, telephone number and email address |
| Period | Specific dates of employment, from and to |
| Duties | Main responsibilities and duties |
| NOC code | If known |
| Pay | Total annual salary and benefits |
| Hours | Hours worked per week |
Some programs also ask for company letterhead, the job title, and the name, title and signature of a supervisor or HR officer; follow the document checklist of your program.
Source: IRCC: Atlantic Immigration Program, work experience; IRCC: Supporting documents, checked 2026-10-17.
Matching the NOC
- For the Canadian Experience Class, for example, you must have performed the actions in the lead statement of the NOC description and most of the main duties listed.
- Duties decide the NOC, not the job title: the main duties listed must match what you did, or you need a different title whose duties match.
- NOC 2021 sorts jobs by training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER 0 to 5); codes have 5 digits, for example 72536.
- Where IRCC's table differs from the NOC website, the NOC website is correct.
Source: IRCC: Canadian Experience Class; IRCC: Find your NOC, checked 2026-10-17.
Hours and full-time work
- Full-time: up to 30 hours a week for 12 months is 1 year full-time, or 1,560 hours.
- Part-time: for example, 15 hours a week for 24 months equals 1 year full-time (1,560 hours).
- More than one job: up to 30 hours a week combined.
- Not counted (CEC): work while studying full-time, co-op work terms, self-employment (except some physicians under a temporary public policy), volunteer work and unpaid internships.
Source: IRCC: Canadian Experience Class, checked 2026-10-17.
Supporting documents
Besides the letter, IRCC document checklists usually include:
- T4 slips and the notice of assessment, if applicable;
- work contracts;
- pay stubs.
The Express Entry list is at IRCC: Express Entry documents; requirements are on the Express Entry page.
Source: IRCC: Atlantic Immigration Program, work experience, checked 2026-10-17.