Letter of Explanation question

[Peacekeeper87]

Hmm. Your reply made me realize... it didn't ask for a scan of our IELTS results anywhere. I'm sure I typed the numbers correctly into the form, but should I upload the scans to the General LoE section just in case (I am very OCD about it all). I just want to make sure the officer has no reason to decline my application.

Thank you for the rest of the reply as well. I have only POF, the work letter, and the photos remaining to upload (I have to get our pictures taken somewhere locally that does the 5x7cm Canada standard).

For IELTS, it's not required per se, so it won't be a reason for rejection. But many applicants have received additional documents request to submit language reports and/or ECA, even if they provided all reference numbers in their profile. What people usually do, is to upload them in the same field as education. If you're not claiming education for spouse, you won't have an education field for her, so if you want to upload language reports for spouse, you can upload them in your General LOE section.

Photos for Express Entry at eAPR level (digital photos) is not 50x70mm. It's 35x45mm on white background. The 50x70mm dimensions is for when you are asked to provide passport and physical photos, at PPR. Careful there! That however, would be a solid reason for rejection. To confirm, click on the question mark in the "photos" upload field, and check requirements. I think you saw these 50x70mm dimensions in their photos specifications pdf document, but it doesn't apply to digital photos at eAPR.

 

[USProgrammer]

For IELTS, it's not required per se, so it won't be a reason for rejection. But many applicants have received additional documents request to submit language reports and/or ECA, even if they provided all reference numbers in their profile. What people usually do, is to upload them in the same field as education. If you're not claiming education for spouse, you won't have an education field for her, so if you want to upload language reports for spouse, you can upload them in your General LOE section.

I am claiming education for my wife. I have included diplomas and the ECA scan in my PDF. You are suggesting adding IELTS there as well? I didn't include an LoE for her since she has no unusual scenarios, unlike me. Should I include an LoE to explain the documents to follow if I append the IELTS scan there?

Photos for Express Entry at the online level (digital photos) is not 50x70mm. It's 35x45mm on white background. The 50x70mm dimensions is for when you are asked to provide passport and photos, at PPR. Careful there! That however, would be a solid reason for rejection. To confirm, click on the question mark in the "photos" upload field, and check requirements. I think you saw these 50x70mm dimensions in their photos specifications pdf document, but it doesn't apply to digital photos at eAPR.

Wow. Thanks for the tip. I'll double-triple check the "?" buttons before I actually submit, but that probably saved me a bit of money.

This link says that it must be at least 35x45mm, but specifies the head (chin to crown) must be between 31 and 36mm (inclusive). That seems to say that the photo itself can be larger, but the head must be 31-36mm tall. That's a lot of requirements. I plan to go to a place that specifies in visa photographs locally in the Dallas area (a large metro), so I assume they see this on a regular basis.

 

[Peacekeeper87]

I am claiming education for my wife. I have included diplomas and the ECA scan in my PDF. You are suggesting adding IELTS there as well? I didn't include an LoE for her since she has no unusual scenarios, unlike me. Should I include an LoE to explain the documents to follow if I append the IELTS scan there?



Wow. Thanks for the tip. I'll double-triple check the "?" buttons before I actually submit, but that probably saved me a bit of money.

This link says that it must be at least 35x45mm, but specifies the head (chin to crown) must be between 31 and 36mm (inclusive). That seems to say that the photo itself can be larger, but the head must be 31-36mm tall. That's a lot of requirements. I plan to go to a place that specifies in visa photographs locally in the Dallas area (a large metro), so I assume they see this on a regular basis.

No need to explain that you're including IELTS, just upload it along with education documents and ECA.
Yes go to a photo studio that's used to dealing with visa photo requirements. Yes it says 35x45, suggesting it could be larger, but i'd prefer playing it safe and just sticking to what's written.

 

[USProgrammer]

No need to explain that you're including IELTS, just upload it along with education documents and ECA.
Yes go to a photo studio that's used to dealing with visa photo requirements. Yes it says 35x45, suggesting it could be larger, but i'd prefer playing it safe and just sticking to what's written.

As a payments developer, I work closely with a company based in Canada. Do you think it would be worthwhile to request a letter from an executive that I work with frequently on technical issues from that company? I've worked with them throughout many years.

I'm hoping I won't have an issue getting the work experience letter, but I keep putting that off while I continue to gather the rest of the documentation. The person at this external Canadian company would definitely write a favorable letter though and they know about my duties since those duties involve working with them.

I'm already going to have to have an LoE in the work experience section as discussed previously, due to weird company history of spinning off and being part of a larger company.

I wish I had 90 days and not the new 60!

 

[Peacekeeper87]

As a payments developer, I work closely with a company based in Canada. Do you think it would be worthwhile to request a letter from an executive that I work with frequently on technical issues from that company? I've worked with them throughout many years.

I'm hoping I won't have an issue getting the work experience letter, but I keep putting that off while I continue to gather the rest of the documentation. The person at this external Canadian company would definitely write a favorable letter though and they know about my duties since those duties involve working with them.

I'm already going to have to have an LoE in the work experience section as discussed previously, due to weird company history of spinning off and being part of a larger company.

I wish I had 90 days and not the new 60!

So you mean having the reference letter written and signed by your colleague from a different company in Canada?
As plan A, I would say no. Maybe do that only if you have already tried altering the gravitational forces that Jupiter has on incoming asteroids in order to get a reference letter from your employer. If nothing works, then yes that could be an option, if and only if combined with other proof like contract, paytubs, offer of employment, and ideally evidence of your employer refusing to give a reference letter.

 

[USProgrammer]

Right. I just didn't know if a Canadian colleague that has nothing to gain by vouching for me would hold any additional weight. I still hold out hope for an easy letter from the current employer.

However, my plan B is getting it from colleagues at my current company as well as a previous colleague that now works in a high-up position at a well-known company. Additionally, I might be able to pull some strings (altering gravitational forces) with higher-ups within my own company to get a letter that's not from the immediate supervisor, but I don't want to rock the boat that far yet.

Here's hoping!

 

[USProgrammer]

Maybe do that only if you have already tried altering the gravitational forces that Jupiter has on incoming asteroids in order to get a reference letter from your employer.

I just had the conversation... it went about as well as could be expected. I work remote though, and if I actually leave the country, I might lose my job due to contracts stating data won't leave the country. Legal will be reviewing the letter, but the supervisor said he didn't have any problem with it.