Thank you so much Samroze! This is very helpful, I'm at 429 and still waiting. I still have a wuestion though, where can I find the specifics for the reference letters by CIC? Sorry if I have too many questions
WORK EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTS
Document(s) required:
You must provide electronic copies of your work experience documents.
Your and your spouse’s (if applicable) entire work history has to be supported by reference letters and
other relevant documentation confirming the employment history indicated in the application for
permanent residence to Canada.
IMPORTANT: In order to meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Class
(FSWC), you must have accumulated at least one year of continuous, full-time, paid work experience, or
the equivalent part-time work experience, in the past 10 years preceding the date of your CIC profile
submission. Such work experience must be in the occupation that is listed in Skill type 0 (Managerial
Occupations), Skill Level A (Professional Occupations) or B (Technical Occupations and Skilled Trades) of
the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2011. To find out more information about the Skill Level of
your occupation, please contact your Documentation Specialist or visit the Canadian National Occupation
Matrix at:
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/html/Matrix.html
In order to get eligibility and CRS points for your work experience, you need to prove that you
performed the actions described in the lead statement and performed a substantial number of the main
duties, including all of the essential duties, as set out in the occupational descriptions of the National
Occupational Classification (NOC). Please consult the NOC website at
http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/Welcome.aspx to verify that your reference letter
corresponds with the NOC description. If you have any questions, please contact your Documentation
Specialist.
Your documents must demonstrate that you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the
occupational description of your NOC and performed a substantial number of, including all the essential
duties and most of the main duties listed. If you do not submit work documents in the format required
by CIC, the government of Canada may refuse your application.
Required format of work reference letter: The reference letter is an official document printed on
company letterhead and must include your name, the company’s contact information (address,
telephone number and e-mail address), the signature of your immediate supervisor or personnel officer
at the company and a business card of the person signing the letter. The letters must contain ALL of the
following information for each position held in the company:
o Exact start date (and end date if applicable);
o Job title;
o Job status (if current job)
o Number of hours you work(ed) per week;
o A DETAILED list of your everyday duties or responsibilities;
o NOTE: Your duties should not be copied verbatim from the NOC website
o Your annual salary plus benefits.
You must scan all documents for this work experience and save them as one file. (Each work experience
requires a separate file).
If you or your spouse/common-law partner has worked in Canada for at least one (1) year in the last 10
years, you must provide the following documents for each position held:
o Reference letter(s) in the above format;
o T4 tax information slips;
o Notices of Assessment (NOA) and Option C printouts issued by Canada Revenue Agency;
o Copy of your work permit/employment authorization.
If you are self-employed, please note that self-declared main duties or affidavits are not acceptable
proof of work experience. You must provide the following documents:
o Articles of incorporation or other evidence of business ownership;
o Evidence of self-employment income;
o Documentation from third party individuals indicating the service provided along with
payment details.
The documents mentioned above are MANDATORY. Failure to provide these documents may result in
the rejection or refusal of your application. Also, kindly note that final assessment of your reference
letters is at the full discretion of the immigration authorities. As such, it is highly recommended that
you comply with the above instructions.
If you or your spouse cannot get a letter of reference for a position you held, or if your letter of
reference does not contain all of the above information, your application will be at high risk of refusal. In
lieu of a work reference letter, you will need to submit as many of the following additional documents as
possible. Every effort to submit a complete work reference letter should be made before submitting any
of the following:
• Employment verification letter (a letter containing only minimum information confirming that
you work(ed) for the company and in what position, ideally with mention of the salary);
• Employment contract or appointment letter;
• Employment offer letter;
• Deputation letter (if your company transferred you from one country or subsidiary to the other);
• Performance reviews;
• Pay slips covering at least the first three and last three months of employment;
• Bank statements showing deposit of salary;
• Proof of income tax payment;
• Reference letters from (former) supervisors, managers, HR representatives, or co-workers;
• Reference letters from customers, clients or patients, as the case may be.
In addition to any of the above, please complete and sign a declaration explaining why you or your
spouse (if applicable) cannot obtain a work reference letter in the format required by CIC, and
detailing all required information listed above.
Please note that the entire work history of both you, as the principal applicant and your spouse or
common law partner (if applicable) has to be supported by reference letters and other relevant
documentation confirming the employment history indicated in the application for permanent residence
to Canada.
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that in the absence of a reference letter, in the format requested by CIC, the
final decision as to whether or not your additional documents are adequate evidence of your work
experience will be at the full discretion of the immigration officer who assesses your application.
***copied from awaiting ITA guide****
I will find the link to the same and post it, as of now it was saved in my mobile so copied from there.