Proof of foreign work experience (CEC Express Entry)

[abushra94]

Hello.

I am Anika from Ottawa. I will be applying for my PR through CEC (Canadian Experience Class) this coming November. I will complete my one year full time Canadian work experience in Nov 26, 2025, and will try to complete my application within that month. I have a question -

So when I applied for my student visa, I showed 2 yrs of foreign experience because my roles were relevant to the subject I was applying to. I did 2 yrs of Master's studies. One of the roles was for Business Support Officer in Nov 2018- Sep 2019. The issue is in this job, I got my salaries paid through Western Union from Australia and there's no record of that anywhere anymore. How do I prove that employment to immigration? Will a certificate of salary through wire payments work? For my Communications Officer role I received cash and the employer will provide me with certificate of cash salary.

 

[Parissa]

Hi, I also have one year of foreign work experience with cash payment. However, in recent months I have requested the same employer to pay me through cheques. I'm really curious to know if it would be enough proof?

 

[abushra94]

@Parissa I spoke to a consultant today and she told me that I need to show proof of payments and tax papers. I used to sign cash vouchers to receive payments for my Communication Officer role, but never deposited them in the bank. I also didn't pay tax because my income was below the tax threshold. I'm seeing in many places online that only a cash certificate is sufficient. So I don't know yet. Hoping to get some answers from people here.

 

[Parissa]

@Parissa I spoke to a consultant today and she told me that I need to show proof of payments and tax papers. I used to sign cash vouchers to receive payments for my Communication Officer role, but never deposited them in the bank. I also didn't pay tax because my income was below the tax threshold. I'm seeing in many places online that only a cash certificate is sufficient. So I don't know yet. Hoping to get some answers from people here.

Hi, my research also points in the same direction, and I really hope things work out for us. For now, I’m preparing an employment reference letter, a salary certificate, vouchers, and cheques from the recent months. I’m also considering asking an old colleague to provide an affidavit confirming that he too was paid in cash during his employment, as per the institution’s policy but would this (affidavit) be an overkill?

 

[abushra94]

@Parissa the affidavit could be an overkill in my opinion. Let's see if anyone else has other opinions.

 

[Parissa]

Hahaha yes I'm just really anxious about this. All the best though, lets stay connected.

@Parissa the affidavit could be an overkill in my opinion. Let's see if anyone else has other opinions.