If you’re planning to work in Atlantic Canada through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), you’ll quickly encounter Form IMM 0162. This document checklist serves as your roadmap to a successful work permit application, ensuring you don’t miss any critical paperwork that could delay your journey to Canada’s beautiful Atlantic provinces.
What Is Form IMM 0162?
Form IMM 0162 is the official Document Checklist for a Work Permit for Candidates under the Atlantic Immigration Program applying from outside Canada. Unlike a typical application form where you fill in blanks, this checklist acts as your personal organizer, helping you gather every required document before submission. Think of it as your pre-flight checklist before taking off on your Canadian adventure.
The form was last updated in January 2022 and is specifically designed for foreign nationals seeking employment in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador through the Atlantic Immigration Program. Missing even one document from this checklist can result in significant processing delays or even application rejection, making it absolutely essential to understand what’s required.
The Atlantic Immigration Program Connection
Before diving into the checklist details, it’s important to understand the program behind it. The Atlantic Immigration Program is a permanent residence pathway that helps employers in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces recruit skilled foreign workers and international graduates who want to work and live in Atlantic Canada. The program is employer-driven, meaning you must have a valid job offer from a designated employer before applying.
What makes this program attractive is its LMIA exemption. Unlike many Canadian work permit applications, employers don’t need a Labour Market Impact Assessment, which significantly speeds up the hiring process. However, this streamlined approach doesn’t mean less paperwork for applicants – it just means different paperwork, all organized through Form IMM 0162.
Breaking Down the Required Forms
The IMM 0162 checklist begins with a comprehensive list of IRCC forms that must be completed, signed, and dated. Each serves a specific purpose in your application package.
The primary form is the Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada (IMM 1295). This is your main application document and must be completed electronically. When you finish filling it out on your computer, the system generates a barcode page – this isn’t just decoration. That barcode page must be printed and placed on top of your entire application package. It helps IRCC process your application quickly and accurately through their automated systems.
Next comes the Undertaking for an Application for a Work Permit Exempted from LMIA (IMM 0156), which is specific to the Atlantic Immigration Program. This form essentially represents your commitment to participate in the program according to its rules and requirements. Both you and your employer have responsibilities outlined in this undertaking.
The Family Information Form (IMM 5707 or IMM 5645) is required for all applicants aged 18 or older, or minors traveling alone to Canada. This form documents your family members, whether they’re accompanying you or not. Immigration officials use this information to understand your family situation and ensure all family members are properly accounted for in the immigration system.
If you’re in a common-law relationship, you’ll need the Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409). This legal document proves your relationship status and is critical if your partner is accompanying you to Canada or if you’re claiming relationship-based benefits or exemptions.
The final two forms – Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) and Authority to Release Personal Information (IMM 5475) – are only required if you’re using an immigration consultant or lawyer, or if you’re authorizing someone else to receive information about your case. If you’re applying independently without representation, you can skip these forms entirely.
Essential Identity and Travel Documents
Your passport is your ticket to international travel, and it’s the foundation of your work permit application. The IMM 0162 checklist requires a photocopy of your passport’s information page – that’s the page with your photo, personal details, passport number, and validity dates. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in Canada, though some visa offices may have different requirements.
Alongside your passport copy, you’ll need two photographs that meet precise specifications. These aren’t casual snapshots – they must follow Canada’s strict photo requirements for visa applications. Each photo must measure 35mm x 45mm, show your full face against a plain white or light-colored background, and be taken within the last six months. Write your name and date of birth on the back of each photo before submitting them.
Proving Your Work Experience
One of the most critical sections of Form IMM 0162 addresses work experience documentation. The Atlantic Immigration Program requires proof that you’ve accumulated at least 1,560 hours of authorized, full-time work experience within the last five years in your occupation. This translates to one year of full-time work at 30 hours per week.
But it’s not just about quantity – your work experience must meet specific quality standards. Your documentation must demonstrate that you performed the activities described in the lead statement of your National Occupational Classification (NOC) description and completed most of the main duties and essential responsibilities listed in that NOC.
Acceptable proof includes reference letters from employers on company letterhead, employment contracts, tax documents, pay stubs, and any other official records showing your job title, responsibilities, employment dates, and hours worked. Self-employment doesn’t count toward this requirement, and volunteer work or unpaid internships are excluded as well.
International graduates from recognized Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions may be exempt from work experience requirements if they meet specific educational criteria, making their path slightly different from skilled workers.
Employment Documentation: Your Job Offer
At the heart of your IMM 0162 application is your job offer. You’ll need an Offer of Employment to a Foreign National Exempt from LMIA, which comes in one of two forms: either a completed IMM 5802 form or an Offer of Employment ID number that starts with the letter “A” followed by seven digits.
Your employer must submit this offer through the IRCC Employer Portal before you can proceed with your application. The job offer must meet specific criteria for the Atlantic Immigration Program: for positions classified as NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, the job must last at least one year after you become a permanent resident. For TEER 4 positions, the job must be permanent with no predetermined end date.
This job offer isn’t just a piece of paper – it represents a legal commitment from your employer to support your integration into Atlantic Canada. Your employer must be designated by the provincial government to participate in the Atlantic Immigration Program, which means they’ve met certain requirements and agree to support you and your family as you settle into your new community.
Language Requirements: Proving Your Proficiency
Canada is officially bilingual, and language proficiency is a cornerstone requirement of the Atlantic Immigration Program. The IMM 0162 checklist requires proof of your language abilities in either English or French through standardized test results.
Your test results must be less than two years old when you submit your application. You cannot use expired test results – this is a hard rule that’s strictly enforced. For English, acceptable tests include IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, and PTE Core. For French, you can take TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
The level of proficiency required depends on your job classification. For positions classified as NOC TEER 0, A, and B, you must achieve at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) Level 5 in all four language abilities: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. For NOC TEER C jobs, the minimum is CLB/NCLC Level 4.
These aren’t arbitrary numbers – they represent genuine ability to function in a Canadian workplace. Level 5 means you can participate in discussions, understand moderately complex instructions, write routine business correspondence, and read standard workplace documents. Level 4 represents basic workplace communication abilities sufficient for intermediate jobs.
Educational Credentials and Assessment
Your educational background must align with your job offer. The IMM 0162 checklist requires proof of education appropriate to your position’s skill level, and the requirements vary based on your NOC classification.
For high-skilled positions (NOC TEER 0 or A), you need either a Canadian post-secondary credential or the equivalent of a Canadian one-year post-secondary credential if your education was obtained outside Canada. For intermediate skilled positions (NOC TEER B or C), the minimum requirement is a high school diploma.
If your education was completed outside Canada, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization. The ECA translates your foreign credentials into Canadian equivalents, helping immigration officials understand what your degree or diploma represents in Canadian terms. Organizations like WES (World Education Services), ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service), and IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service) provide these assessments, though processing can take several weeks.
International graduates who completed their studies at recognized post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada are in a fortunate position – they’re exempt from the ECA requirement since their credentials are already Canadian.
The Provincial Referral Letter
One document on the IMM 0162 checklist that you cannot obtain yourself is the provincial referral letter. This letter comes from the provincial government of the Atlantic province where you’ll be working, and it confirms that you’ve been endorsed under the Atlantic Immigration Program.
The referral letter is the result of a multi-step process. First, your designated employer connects you with a settlement service provider organization who conducts a needs assessment and helps develop your individualized settlement plan. This plan outlines how you and your family will integrate into your new community, addressing housing, finances, education, and other settlement needs.
Your employer then submits an endorsement application to the provincial government, including your settlement plan and all supporting documents. The province reviews everything and, if approved, issues the endorsement certificate and referral letter. This provincial approval is mandatory – without it, you cannot proceed with your work permit application.
Financial Documentation: Proof of Funds
While the IMM 0162 checklist requires proof of sufficient settlement funds, there’s an important exception: if you’re already living and working in Canada with a valid work permit, you’re exempt from this requirement. This recognizes that you’ve already established yourself financially in Canada.
For those applying from outside Canada, you must demonstrate you have enough money to support yourself and your family members when you arrive. The exact amount depends on the size of your family, with higher amounts required for larger families. These funds must be readily available, not tied up in property or long-term investments you cannot quickly access.
Acceptable proof includes bank statements showing your account balance over several months, fixed deposit statements, mutual fund statements, or guaranteed investment certificates. The key is showing that you have continuous access to these funds and that they’re genuinely yours – borrowed money or temporary deposits don’t count.
Payment and Processing Fees
Your IMM 0162 application isn’t complete without payment of all required fees. The standard work permit application fee is currently $155 CAD for the principal applicant. If you’re from a country where biometrics are required, you’ll pay an additional biometric fee of $85 CAD per person or $170 CAD for a family.
If you’re currently in Canada as a visitor and applying to change your status to worker, you might face additional fees. Similarly, if your spouse is applying for an Open Work Permit for spouses of skilled workers, there’s a separate permit holder fee.
These fees must be paid online when you submit your application, and you’ll need a valid credit card. The payment receipt becomes part of your application package, proving you’ve met this financial obligation.
Document Translation and Certification
A critical but often overlooked aspect of Form IMM 0162 is the language requirement for all supporting documents. Every document you submit must be in English or French. If your documents are in another language, you must have them officially translated.
Translations must be certified by an accredited translator – you cannot translate documents yourself, and translations by family members or friends are not accepted. Each translation must include a certification from the translator stating that the translation is accurate and complete, along with the translator’s credentials. The original foreign-language document must be submitted alongside its certified translation.
For documents like diplomas, certificates, marriage licenses, and birth certificates, some visa offices require notarized photocopies rather than originals. Always check your specific visa office requirements, which can vary by region.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many applicants stumble over preventable errors when working through Form IMM 0162. One of the most common mistakes is incomplete forms – leaving fields blank or failing to sign and date forms properly. Every form must be fully completed even if some sections don’t apply to you (in which case, write “N/A” rather than leaving it blank).
Expired documents are another frequent problem. Language test results older than two years, expired medical exams, or outdated police certificates can derail your entire application. Always check expiry dates before submitting.
Inconsistent information across forms creates red flags for immigration officers. If your employment dates on one form don’t match the dates on another, or if your address history shows gaps or contradictions, expect delays while officers seek clarification. Accuracy and consistency are paramount.
Many applicants also underestimate how specific work experience documentation needs to be. Vague reference letters that don’t clearly outline your duties and responsibilities don’t satisfy the requirements. Your letters must explicitly show you performed the activities and duties listed in your NOC description.
Choosing the wrong NOC code is a critical error that can lead to rejection. Your work experience and job offer must genuinely match the NOC code you select. If your actual job duties don’t align with the chosen NOC description, your application will be refused regardless of how well-documented everything else is.
Timeline and Processing Expectations
Processing times for work permits under the Atlantic Immigration Program vary depending on your country of residence and the specific visa office handling your application. As of recent data, most work permit applications are processed within a few weeks to a few months, though this can fluctuate based on application volume and complexity.
Once you submit your complete application with all IMM 0162 checklist items, IRCC will review it for completeness. If anything is missing, they may request additional documents, which extends your processing time. This is why meticulous attention to the checklist is so important – a complete application the first time means faster processing.
Under the Atlantic Immigration Program, your work permit is temporary but leads to permanent residence. You must submit your permanent residence application within 90 days of submitting your work permit application. This tight timeline means you should have both applications ready to go simultaneously, even though they’re separate submissions.
Your Settlement Plan: Beyond the Paperwork
While not a document you include in your IMM 0162 package (your employer submits it as part of the endorsement process), your settlement plan is worth understanding. This individualized plan, developed with a designated settlement service provider, outlines how you’ll adapt to life in Atlantic Canada.
The settlement plan addresses practical matters: where you’ll live when you first arrive, how you’ll find permanent housing, how your family will access healthcare and education, how you’ll open a bank account and obtain necessary identification, and what community resources are available to support your integration. It’s not just bureaucratic paperwork – it’s genuinely designed to help you succeed in your new home.
Your employer commits to supporting the goals outlined in your settlement plan, and the settlement service provider organization will be available to help you as you navigate your first months in Atlantic Canada. This comprehensive support system is one of the Atlantic Immigration Program’s strengths, recognizing that successful immigration requires more than just legal status.
After Submission: What Happens Next
Once you’ve submitted your complete IMM 0162 application package, you’ll receive confirmation that IRCC has received it. You can track your application status through your online account, where you’ll see updates as your application moves through various stages of processing.
You may be asked to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated collection point. You’ll receive instructions on when and where to provide biometrics, and you must complete this step within 30 days of the request. Failure to provide biometrics within the deadline can result in your application being refused.
Medical examinations may also be required depending on your country of residence and the nature of your work. You’ll be instructed to complete a medical exam with a designated panel physician, and the results will be sent directly to IRCC.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction. This is not your work permit – it’s authorization to travel to Canada and apply for your work permit at the port of entry. When you arrive in Canada, you’ll present this letter to a border services officer, who will issue your actual work permit.
Living and Working in Atlantic Canada
Once your work permit is approved, you’ll join thousands of newcomers who’ve chosen to make Atlantic Canada home. The four Atlantic provinces offer a unique quality of life: friendly communities, stunning natural landscapes, lower costs of living compared to major Canadian cities like Toronto or Vancouver, and growing economies with opportunities across various sectors.
Your work permit will be valid for two years initially, giving you time to settle in, start your job, and complete your permanent residence application. Because the Atlantic Immigration Program is a pathway to permanent residence, you’re not just getting a temporary work permit – you’re taking the first step toward building a permanent life in Canada.
Your employer and settlement service provider will support your integration throughout this process. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you encounter challenges or have questions about life in your new community. Successful settlement is a partnership between you, your employer, the settlement services organization, and the provincial government.
Final Checklist Review
Before submitting your application, do one final review of Form IMM 0162. Check each item methodically:
Have you included all required forms, each fully completed, signed, and dated? Are all your supporting documents present and properly organized? Are your photographs correctly sized and labeled? Is your passport copy clear and complete? Do you have your job offer documentation? Is your provincial referral letter included? Are your language test results recent and showing the required scores? Do you have your Educational Credential Assessment if required? Are all non-English/French documents accompanied by certified translations? Have you paid all required fees? Is your payment receipt included?
This careful review takes time but prevents the frustration and delay of incomplete applications. Remember, immigration officers process thousands of applications – make theirs easy by providing a complete, well-organized package that follows Form IMM 0162 precisely.
Conclusion
Form IMM 0162 might seem overwhelming at first glance, but it’s ultimately your friend in the application process. By clearly outlining every required document and form, it prevents you from overlooking critical elements that could delay your Canadian dream. Take the time to work through the checklist methodically, gather each document carefully, and submit a complete application.
The Atlantic Immigration Program represents one of Canada’s most welcoming pathways to permanent residence, offering not just legal status but genuine community support and a clear path forward. Form IMM 0162 is your organizational tool for beginning this journey. Use it wisely, follow it completely, and you’ll be well on your way to working and living in beautiful Atlantic Canada.