Providing proof of employment history

[ManiB]

Hello,

Does anyone know what the embassy will accept when providing proof of your employment history? Do they require the original contracts or will they accept a letter from the company on letter headed paper, detailing the dates you worked for them and the position you held?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards

M

 

[thaiguy]

If you have pay stubs and letters of reference, you should submit them. If you have a letter with dates you worked and position you held, you should definitely submit that too. If what you provide isn't convincing, CIC will attempt to contact your former employers. So just do whatever you can and CIC will follow-up if they need to.

 

[PMM]

Hi

If you have pay stubs and letters of reference, you should submit them. If you have a letter with dates you worked and position you held, you should definitely submit that too. If what you provide isn't convincing, CIC will attempt to contact your former employers. So just do whatever you can and CIC will follow-up if they need to.

The letter from the employer must state the duties that you performed as well.

PMM

 

[AP]

Per check list you need to provide the following info:

7. WORK EXPERIENCE

For you and your spouse or common-law partner:
• notarized employment contracts from your present and past employers,
accompanied by an English or French translation
• Original and up-to-date letters of reference from your past and current employers.
Letters must be written on company letterhead and show the company’s full
address, telephone and fax numbers, and be stamped with the company’s official
seal.
Letters must include all of the following information:
• the specific period of your employment with the company
• the positions you have held during the period of employment and the time spent
in each position
• your main responsibilities in each position
• your total annual salary plus benefits
• the signature of your immediate supervisor or the personnel officer of the
company
• a business card of the person signing
If you cannot provide a reference from your current employer, provide a
written explanation.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

AP

 

[rjmf]

Per check list you need to provide the following info:

7. WORK EXPERIENCE

For you and your spouse or common-law partner:
• notarized employment contracts from your present and past employers,
accompanied by an English or French translation
• Original and up-to-date letters of reference from your past and current employers.
Letters must be written on company letterhead and show the company’s full
address, telephone and fax numbers, and be stamped with the company’s official
seal.
Letters must include all of the following information:
• the specific period of your employment with the company
• the positions you have held during the period of employment and the time spent
in each position
• your main responsibilities in each position
• your total annual salary plus benefits
• the signature of your immediate supervisor or the personnel officer of the
company
• a business card of the person signing
If you cannot provide a reference from your current employer, provide a
written explanation.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

AP

Hi AP, All
I have requested for some letters of reference (certificate of employment) from my past employers for other reason before. Usually, it simply states the time I was employed and what my position was. This seems to be the norm. Of course, when the time comes for me to request references for the Canadian Embassy requirement, I'll really push to get what the above list states. However, what if they simply give me the usual simple letters of reference/certificates of employment? Some HR Departments are not really that helpful to create a 'special' letter of reference especially for previous employees (like, 10 years ago). Will this mean that the embassy will not accept these?

 

[thaiguy]

If it's more than 10 years ago, the experience doesn't count anyway.

Submit as much as you can and CIC will attempt to verify the information. If your employer still isn't cooperative, you might ask a lawyer to write them a "nice" letter requesting the information.

 

[ManiB]

Hi there,

I am in the process of trying to get references and all paperwork together now, so I'm not wasting time when the time comes to submit them. I have recently learnt that the company I used to work for between 2002 - 2004 has ceased to exist. What will the embassy do in this instance? I hope they don't refuse me because they cannot contact a company I used to work for. I do however, have payslips (but not all of them), I have my P60 forms and am frantically trying to locate where my employment contracts maybe. I'm hoping they will accept these documents. I will submit them all anyway when the time comes.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[thaiguy]

Why did the company cease to exist? If it was bought out, then the new company might be able to give you a reference.

If it was a small company, then the former owner might give you a reference.

In any case, you should put together everything you can find from your employment there.

It is your responsibility to prove you qualify to immigrate - not CIC's responsibility to prove you don't.

 

[ManiB]

I left before they finished however they weren't doing too well towards the end.

I can most probably get a reference off one of my team leaders but having it on company letterhead will be very unlikely. Well, i guess that will be better than nothing. I will submit all the proof I have.

Thanks for your thoughts thaiguy

 

[thaiguy]

My references were not on company letterhead because it violated company policy. The concern was that my employer was providing an "official" recommendation, when in fact it was just my supervisor, manager, etc.

Those, combined with pay stubs and a job description, were enough to seal the deal.

Good luck, ManiB.

 

[rjmf]

If it's more than 10 years ago, the experience doesn't count anyway.

Submit as much as you can and CIC will attempt to verify the information. If your employer still isn't cooperative, you might ask a lawyer to write them a "nice" letter requesting the information.

Thanks Thaiguy.
2 more questions that I hope you can help me with:
1. (also to ManiB) The list states that the Letters of Reference should be 'Up-to-date'. Does this mean that the letters should be dated around the time the Canadian Embassy has requested you to complete your requirements (within the 4 months usually given to complete the pack)? If yes, then, there's no point in gathering the letters before you get the advise from the Canadian Embassy to send in the requirements, right? Because when the time comes, you may need to ask for 'new' Letters of Reference.
2. When you say "If it's more than 10 years ago, the experience doesn't count anyway." Do you mean that any work I listed in the Simplified Application form (employment within the last 10 years) that is already more than 10 years by the time the Canadian Embassy asks me to submit the requirements will no longer be considered as well?

 

[ManiB]

That's a good point rjmf,

I have already gathered references from previous employers so hopefully they will still be acceptable when I get to the stage of sending my supporting docs in.

Also, if I'm asked to send the docs in 2 years time, that will mean the last few jobs listed on the simplified app form will no longer be regarded.

 

[rjmf]

Thanks ManiB.

The long wait time and intricacies of the process is getting me paranoid. I'm hoping to get everything right the first time (and on time) to prevent unnecessary lengthening of the process ;-P

 

[ManiB]

Me too. Its so annoying that it has to take such a long time. I just want to be there and get on with my life. I'm sure everyone is feeling that way.

Oh well no point in complaining - its a reality and we have to deal with it.

Good luck to all of us!

 

[M S Chaudhry]

We will have to waite for the required immigration application process with patience. The visa offices have to deal people in thousands so it takes time. Good Luck for all.