Got PR without work experience reference letter?

[Trumped2018]

14Dec 22, 2018 at 11:12 PM
Hi Friends

Sharing my experience for everyone's benefit.

I have been working with TCS for close to 9 years. I have had four promotions and worked in 5 different projects (in 2 NOC Codes) in 4 different locations. Officially, TCS does not give a reference letter to its existing employees.

In lieu of that, based on feedback on Canada visa threads, I reached out to my previous managers who are still with TCS. They all agreed to give a notarized letter.

But we were still not sure. So, to get an expert advice we decided to hire an immigration consulting (the most popular one in India .. Abh....) to help with the post ITA process. The attorney at the immigration consulting company has advised me to simply get one email (on TCS email) from a colleague who has been in TCS longer than myself with all roles and responsibilities listed on it from all five projects, save it as a pdf and use that. According to them attaching five letters complicates things and Indian notarization is meaningless for CIC. An official email is far more legit than notarized letters as per them. What matters is that in case of a BGC (which is done via email in most cases) that person from your company should be able to confirm the details in the email.

On the other hand I read on the Canada Visa threads that notarized letter is required in absence of reference letter on company letter head. This might not be entirely true as hundreds of my attorney's clients have got their PRs by attaching official email copy from a colleague.
Did someone else also use an email copy?
If we can get a clear perspective on that, it will help a lot of other applicants as well. In the end getting an email is far easier than getting letters notarized (in which most are done in a fraudulent manner as the person who signs it is not always present in front of notary as the law requires them to be).

 

[SeniorStakes]

Was your job required to claim the points or qualify under your program? If it is not required, they don't need the letter. Also, what other supporting evidence did you provide?
I did not provide letter from current employer either, but one of my previous jobs qualified me for FSW and provided the necessary CRS points. That employer had provided the requisite letter.

Had you put current employment in work history or personal history?

 

[Island_vibes]

Hi Maple

Hey yes it worked for me. I got my PR in Apr (AOR Dec). submitted self attested reference letter, LOE and every employment proof i could gather- salary slips, confirmation letter, employment letter, tax filing etc

Is it possible to share the format of the reference letter you submitted, without the personal info. I'm in the same situation, can not get a reference letter. God bless you for your help !

 

[RR9187]

14Dec 22, 2018 at 11:12 PM
Hi Friends

Sharing my experience for everyone's benefit.

I have been working with TCS for close to 9 years. I have had four promotions and worked in 5 different projects (in 2 NOC Codes) in 4 different locations. Officially, TCS does not give a reference letter to its existing employees.

In lieu of that, based on feedback on Canada visa threads, I reached out to my previous managers who are still with TCS. They all agreed to give a notarized letter.

But we were still not sure. So, to get an expert advice we decided to hire an immigration consulting (the most popular one in India .. Abh....) to help with the post ITA process. The attorney at the immigration consulting company has advised me to simply get one email (on TCS email) from a colleague who has been in TCS longer than myself with all roles and responsibilities listed on it from all five projects, save it as a pdf and use that. According to them attaching five letters complicates things and Indian notarization is meaningless for CIC. An official email is far more legit than notarized letters as per them. What matters is that in case of a BGC (which is done via email in most cases) that person from your company should be able to confirm the details in the email.

On the other hand I read on the Canada Visa threads that notarized letter is required in absence of reference letter on company letter head. This might not be entirely true as hundreds of my attorney's clients have got their PRs by attaching official email copy from a colleague.
Did someone else also use an email copy?
If we can get a clear perspective on that, it will help a lot of other applicants as well. In the end getting an email is far easier than getting letters notarized (in which most are done in a fraudulent manner as the person who signs it is not always present in front of notary as the law requires them to be).

I am from TCS with same experience. I just got one single mail from my current manager, which he agreed very easily to, I thought if he will not agree to give me previous project ref. I would tell him to verify it from Ultimatix/GS BUT this was not required.

How I did it - I prepared a document with letter on first page explaining my company policy doesn't allow HR to give employment certificate hence I am giving below documents as the proof of my employment:
1. Email from my manager (from and to official mail address)
2. HR bonafide letter from GESS
3. Initial offer letter
4. Yearly compensation letters
5. Promotion letters
6. Last six months pay slips
7. Affidavit stating all information provided is true (got it notarised)

Created my ref. letter using this format - https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/nail-the-challenge-of-getting-reference-letter-from-current-employer.397796/#post-4972228
I asked my manger to give me the same in a new email.

 

[lampbreaker]

Had you put current employment in work history or personal history?

Personal history. My current employer refused to include job responsibilities in the letter, but a previous job was sufficient for eligibility and CRS points.

 

[SeniorStakes]

Personal history. My current employer refused to include job responsibilities in the letter, but a previous job was sufficient for eligibility and CRS points.

Thanks. How long were you in your current employment when you applied? My current employment is around 2.5 years now, in a different NOC code ..would it still be okay to keep it in personal history?

 

[lampbreaker]

Thanks. How long were you in your current employment when you applied? My current employment is around 2.5 years now, in a different NOC code ..would it still be okay to keep it in personal history?

Yes, no problem. The job in the 'work history' section, that has supporting letter must be in your primary NOC.

 

[ramandeep1780]

I am having the worst nightmares trying to get the work ref letter for my current jobs. Can't ask my line manager or immediate colleagues cause that'll raise flags. Any other acquaintance I was counting on just turned their backs on me . There is no way I'm getting this letter in time to meet my deadline

What are my alternatives? Has anyone achieved the feat of getting PR without this ? Any success stories would be good to hear right now ..

Hello
Did you got ur PR with this, or not?
Because i am having the same issue.

 

[SeniorStakes]

Yes, no problem. The job in the 'work history' section, that has supporting letter must be in your primary NOC.

Thanks for the inputs in primary NOC code. In the work experience section, it clearly states that we need to list down current and all previous employments that we wish to choose. Having said that, what makes you think that CIC would be okay with not putting current employment, which would be construed as not obeying their instruction.. isn't it?

 

[SeniorStakes]

Hi,

My AOR is September 21. For my application, I have submitted employment reference letters which I got from my colleagues, but not on the company letter head, I also did not notarize them. I have attached the ID cards of the people who have provided the reference letters. Along with the reference letters, I provided offer letter, pay slips, promotion letter and relieving letter for my previous companies. I did not give a LOE for why I could not get the letter on the company letter head. Do you suggest I upload a LOE now? Is there a template which I can use for the LOE?

Thanks!!!

Did you had past employments as an alternative to current employment?

 

[mapleleaf987]

Hi Maple

Is it possible to share the format of the reference letter you submitted, without the personal info. I'm in the same situation, can not get a reference letter. God bless you for your help !

text from my affirmation (point 1 above). again printed on plain paper, signed, scanned

---------------------------------------------
(NAME)

(ADDRESS)

Date:

SOLEMN AFFIRMATION

To whomsoever it may concern,

Re: LETTER OF EMPLOYMENT REFERENCE FOR (NAME) (employee ID: xxxxxx)

Respected Sir/Madam,

I, (NAME), residing at (ADDRESS), hereby solemnly affirm that I am a permanent, full time employee with (COMPANY NAME), based in their (CITY, COUNTRY) office since (START DATE) till (END DATE)/present.

During my tenure with the organisation, I am in the designation of ‘(OFFICIAL TITLE) and my official working hours are 40 hours/week. I currently draw an annual salary of xxxxx per annum (including benefits)

My main responsibilities and duties include (but are not limited to):

1.
2.
3.
4.

Supporting documents attached herewith include:

1. Experience Letter from (COMPANY NAME) confirming my employment with the company
2. Offer Letter
3. Annual Compensation statement
4. Pay slips for the last three months
5. Form-16, as issued by the company for Income Tax filing for Financial Year16-17

Should you need any further clarifications or documents, kindly contact me on

(mobile):

(email):

Yours sincerely,

(SIGN)

(NAME)

 

[mapleleaf987]

Hello
Did you got ur PR with this, or not?
Because i am having the same issue.

Yes

 

[mapleleaf987]

Hi Maple

Is it possible to share the format of the reference letter you submitted, without the personal info. I'm in the same situation, can not get a reference letter. God bless you for your help !

below is the text from my LOE. printed on plain paper, signed and scanned. I did not feel the need to notarize etc. Also it helped that my organisation is a well known global MNC, so you may need to alter your submission accordingly and provide as much documentation as you can.

------------------------------------------------------------

(name)
(Address)
Date:

To,
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Re: LETTER OF EXPLANATION FOR (FULL NAME) (EE PROFILE XXXXXXX)

Respected Sir/Ma’am,

I, (FULL NAME), residing at (CURRENT ADDRESS), hereby solemnly affirm that particulars furnished by me in this application are true, to the best of my knowledge and I have not concealed any facts.

I am writing this letter to clarify aspects of my PR application, for which I have been facing difficulties in gathering the IRCC mandated documentation. Alternatively, I have detailed the additional information uploaded in my E-APR which will hopefully suffice in making a fair judgement of my case.

A. Work reference letter for current employment – (NAME OF COMPANY)

With regards to the ‘Proof of Work experience’, I am unable to obtain the work reference letter for my current employment with (NAME OF COMPANY), in the IRCC required format. I have relentlessly pursued the HR department but to no avail, as they produce employee verification requests in the standard template (which I have uploaded in my application). I cannot approach my senior management team; as discussing my PR application at this early stage would put me in an uncomfortable position regarding my employment with the company for the immediate future.

Hence, in the absence of the same, I have enclosed the below listed documents:

1. Solemn affirmation by self, certifying my service with (COMPANY NAME)
2. Experience Letter from (COMPANY NAME) confirming my employment with the company
3. Offer/Appointment and confirmation Letter
4. Annual Compensation statement
5. Pay slips for the last three months
6. Form-16, as issued by the company for Income Tax filing for Financial Year16-17

It is my humble plea that you consider the documents I have submitted and I am hoping you will find them in accordance with the standards of IRCC.

Should you need any further clarifications or documents, kindly do not hesitate to contact me on

(Mobile): xxxxxxx or (Email): xxxxxxxxx

Yours sincerely,

(SIGN)

(NAME)

 

[lampbreaker]

Thanks for the inputs in primary NOC code. In the work experience section, it clearly states that we need to list down current and all previous employments that we wish to choose. Having said that, what makes you think that CIC would be okay with not putting current employment, which would be construed as not obeying their instruction.. isn't it?

No, that's fine. You are not hiding anything if you include the job in your 'personal' section.

 

[SeniorStakes]

No, that's fine. You are not hiding anything if you include the job in your 'personal' section.

Thanks for the inputs.

In this case, is it okay to append all documentation of the current job in the LOE itsekf? I guess LOE can contain anything we wish them to see, but is not mandatory.