Approval without Employment Reference Letter ??

[ggupta83]

Hi Folks,

Is there anyone who has received approval (whether PNP or CIC) on the basis of substitute documentation (such as appointment/resignation/promotion letters) instead of employment reference letter.

I can't reach out to my employer to ask for reference letter as that would mean jeopardizing the current relationship & future prospects. What I am trying to find out is 'if there is any point at all in even applying' if do not have the employment reference letter & can't even get current colleagues/bosses to sign a notarized letter.

Thanks

 

[Asivad Anac]

I imagine the importance of a work reference letter is much higher for an FSW applicant than a CEC applicant. That is because of the additional hoop of 67/100 that the FSW applicant has to negotiate on their way to PR and getting to 67/100 without needing those 15 points for work experience isn't easy for everyone. This hoop will insist on checking NOC authenticity while awarding points - something CEC is completely exempt from.
And this hoop remains in place for FSW applicants applying through the PNP route as well.

So if you belong to the CEC cadre, there is a finite chance that you get away with NOT having work reference letter with your present employer if you could pull out something from the past employers. Or if you could convince CIC using supporting documentation. Because EE is NOC agnostic, you'll just have to prove employment status.

This may give you hope but do note that, with CIC, nothing we hypothesize here on the forum is certain to work, you can only try out stuff and hope it works.

...if the work experience is in Canada, proof may include copies of T4 tax information slips, Notices of Assessment (NOA) and Option C printouts issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (the time period for these documents should reflect the work experience timeframe, e.g., work experience from 2006 to 2008 requires only documents from those calendar years).

 

[kaulvirus]

I imagine the importance of a work reference letter is much higher for an FSW applicant than a CEC applicant. That is because of the additional hoop of 67/100 that the FSW applicant has to negotiate on their way to PR and getting to 67/100 without needing those 15 points for work experience isn't easy for everyone. This hoop will insist on checking NOC authenticity while awarding points - something CEC is completely exempt from.
And this hoop remains in place for FSW applicants applying through the PNP route as well.

So if you belong to the CEC cadre, there is a finite chance that you get away with NOT having work reference letter with your present employer if you could pull out something from the past employers. Or if you could convince CIC using supporting documentation. Because EE is NOC agnostic, you'll just have to prove employment status.

This may give you hope but do note that, with CIC, nothing we hypothesize here on the forum is certain to work, you can only try out stuff and hope it works.

But what happens if your previous employer merges/dissolves/liquidates or even shuts down his shop? I work in the CGI business and the industry is completely unregulated and haphazard. Two of my previous employers have already shut shops. Although I do have relieving letters from them, I can't help but wonder what background check would entail?

I am also wondering if it's mandatory for us to provide our previous non Canadian reference letters as well? What if the employer has only provided an experience and relieving letter but no stubs or reference letter whatsoever?

 

[Asivad Anac]

But what happens if your previous employer merges/dissolves/liquidates or even shuts down his shop? I work in the CGI business and the industry is completely unregulated and haphazard. Two of my previous employers have already shut shops. Although I do have relieving letters from them, I can't help but wonder what background check would entail?

You can't change a thing here. You can only provide what you can based on what is required and the rest is up to CIC on how they make those checks.

No amount of worrying on the applicant's end would make any difference to the process. The only material thing that would make a difference is the quality of documentation that one hands over to CIC. Easier said than done, I know, but that's how it is.

I am also wondering if it's mandatory for us to provide our previous non Canadian reference letters as well? What if the employer has only provided an experience and relieving letter but no stubs or reference letter whatsoever?

Providing a valid work reference letter is

Mandatory if you're applying under FSW and you can't reach 67/100 without counting that experience.

Mandatory if you've claimed any CRS points for that experience.

Not mandatory if neither of the above are true in your particular situation.

The other documents you mentioned are supporting evidences which take care of the problem partially without addressing the main requirement from a reference letter - matching roles & responsibilities with the NOC and authenticating your experience.

Hope it works out well for you. All the best!

 

[ggupta83]

I imagine the importance of a work reference letter is much higher for an FSW applicant than a CEC applicant. That is because of the additional hoop of 67/100 that the FSW applicant has to negotiate on their way to PR and getting to 67/100 without needing those 15 points for work experience isn't easy for everyone. This hoop will insist on checking NOC authenticity while awarding points - something CEC is completely exempt from.
And this hoop remains in place for FSW applicants applying through the PNP route as well.

So if you belong to the CEC cadre, there is a finite chance that you get away with NOT having work reference letter with your present employer if you could pull out something from the past employers. Or if you could convince CIC using supporting documentation. Because EE is NOC agnostic, you'll just have to prove employment status.

This may give you hope but do note that, with CIC, nothing we hypothesize here on the forum is certain to work, you can only try out stuff and hope it works.

 

[ggupta83]

Thanks Asivad,

I guess the option really is to try my chance with whatever documentation I have. Btw I do have my L1 petition which my company prepared for my US visa. It has a quite a bit of details that OONP is asking for however it is one & a half year old, you think I should include it in the application

 

[Asivad Anac]

Thanks Asivad,

I guess the option really is to try my chance with whatever documentation I have. Btw I do have my L1 petition which my company prepared for my US visa. It has a quite a bit of details that OONP is asking for however it is one & a half year old, you think I should include it in the application

Worth a shot assuming it is an official record of employment printed on company letterhead etc.

 

[ggupta83]

Cool thanks