Reference/Experience letter from client

[cecnov2012]

I am working for a bank in toronto through an Indian company for the past 3+ years. I and my friends have applied for PR in Oct 2012 and we were awaiting medical request. But recently many of my friends have got a query asking to submit a reference or contract letter proof from the client (bank) since the reference/experience letter given by our company has mentioned that we work at client's place. The officer has said in order to believe we have performed the mentioned duties of given NOC we need to submit a hard copy of work contract or any such letter from the client (bank). Many of you who work for Indian companies would know that we will not have any communication with our clients so it is almost impossible to get such a letter. Also our company has said they cannot provide the contract copy with bank as the contracts signed between them is at corporate level and not at individual basis.

I am trying to understand whether other Indian company people have faced the same problem, if yes, has anybody answered CIC's query and got their PR. It would be really helpful if anybody can share some light on this based on their experience. Also I don't quite understand this request of CIC, because basically we work for the company which gave us the reference letter and it clearly explains the dates of employment, hours, roles & responsibilities etc. So what is the need of proof of employment with our client. It is the same format which my colleagues who have already got their PRs submitted. We are really worried and feel helpless. Hope somebody can help.

PS: We did submit copies of employment offer letter, annual revision letters and 3 years pay stubs along with the application.

 

[torontosm]

I am working for a bank in toronto through an Indian company for the past 3+ years. I and my friends have applied for PR in Oct 2012 and we were awaiting medical request. But recently many of my friends have got a query asking to submit a reference or contract letter proof from the client (bank) since the reference/experience letter given by our company has mentioned that we work at client's place. The officer has said in order to believe we have performed the mentioned duties of given NOC we need to submit a hard copy of work contract or any such letter from the client (bank). Many of you who work for Indian companies would know that we will not have any communication with our clients so it is almost impossible to get such a letter. Also our company has said they cannot provide the contract copy with bank as the contracts signed between them is at corporate level and not at individual basis.

I am trying to understand whether other Indian company people have faced the same problem, if yes, has anybody answered CIC's query and got their PR. It would be really helpful if anybody can share some light on this based on their experience. Also I don't quite understand this request of CIC, because basically we work for the company which gave us the reference letter and it clearly explains the dates of employment, hours, roles & responsibilities etc. So what is the need of proof of employment with our client. It is the same format which my colleagues who have already got their PRs submitted. We are really worried and feel helpless. Hope somebody can help.

PS: We did submit copies of employment offer letter, annual revision letters and 3 years pay stubs along with the application.

This is really interesting...it sounds like this may be a result of the recent iGate/RBC issue that has been all over the press.

 

[cecnov2012]

This is really interesting...it sounds like this may be a result of the recent iGate/RBC issue that has been all over the press.

Yes it looks to be.. Also I believe it is for the same reason both my employer and client are hesitating to give any reference letter now.. So what is the way forward if both deny giving any kind of letter?

 

[Anamadheya]

Worst case if you can not get the letter,
Write an email to your company asking for this letter, be descriptive in it. If they can not provide a letter ask them to reply to that email saying "we can not provide"
attach that email and request CIC to consider.
One of my friend did this and it worked, again this is the last thing I would do

 

[desi2012]

Did you give the responsibilities letter from your company earlier or did you not submit it at all?

 

[cecnov2012]

Did you give the responsibilities letter from your company earlier or did you not submit it at all?

We did give, in that letter it was mentioned we work for our client in Toronto. So they are asking contract letter or anything similar to prove this. In fact the same format letter has worked for many of our friends earlier.

 

[PA1984]

Evaluation of Work experience is based on following 2 things
1)Your employment: Here we can provide T4, NOA, pay stubs and Reference letter from employer (which include reference letter given for TRV or WP renewal or for some other reasons.)
2)Your work experience: Here we have to agree that whatever evidence we have given to prove employment in point # 1 is not sufficient.
Work experience gained at client site must be confirmed by client, so client managers or responsible supervisor’s reference or support letter becomes crucial to prove that you have indeed performed duties under your NOC code.
So please try to get support letter from client stating your job title and duties you are performing, this will help to clear CIC officers doubts. Also make an affidavit to clear your stand.

 

[jes_ON]

This is not new, CIC requires a letter of reference from an employer in Canada. If your employer is not Canadian, then you need an additional reference from someone in Canada who can attest to the duties you perform in Canada (usually a direct supervisor). Even if your employer is Canadian, if you are seconded to a client firm, you usually need both letters.

 

[sabidhawan]

Try getting a letter from your team lead if you are in good terms with him/her. Usually they are more helpful than the actual HR or someone at a higher management position. If this doesnt work in a way your bank is not liable to give you anything in writing as they do not have a personal contract with you but with your company . In this case if you can try to get an email from your bank that they cannot provide copy of a contract and send that to CIC . All the best .

 

[desi2012]

Yes it looks to be.. Also I believe it is for the same reason both my employer and client are hesitating to give any reference letter now.. So what is the way forward if both deny giving any kind of letter?

Thanks. That seems to be the root cause of the problem. I was wondering how they came to know you are working for some client and am also surprised that your company letter mentioned that. I read somewhere a similar case they they asked such letter from a person working for a bank, but luckily he was able to get the letter from his client.

 

[cecnov2012]

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts. My friends are responding to CIC with whatever proofs they were able to obtain. I will update the forum with CIC's response.

 

[kevin220]

Thanks. That seems to be the root cause of the problem. I was wondering how they came to know you are working for some client and am also surprised that your company letter mentioned that. I read somewhere a similar case they they asked such letter from a person working for a bank, but luckily he was able to get the letter from his client.

When the company applies for closed work permit, they need to mention in the application which client the employee will be working for and what will be the location. When VO officer looks for the applicant details, they will be able to see the details such as the client name and location.

 

[desi2012]

When the company applies for closed work permit, they need to mention in the application which client the employee will be working for and what will be the location. When VO officer looks for the applicant details, they will be able to see the details such as the client name and location.

Yes, you are right, but then what is the criteria for CIC to ask for client letters. Many people are in the same situation, but only a few of them are asked to get the letters from the client in addition to the letter from the employer.

 

[PA1984]

Yes My application was rejected for same reason, I did obtained support letter from the client and requested officer to reassess my file. officer denied that request and advised to go for new application.

 

[cecnov2012]

Yes My application was rejected for same reason, I did obtained support letter from the client and requested officer to reassess my file. officer denied that request and advised to go for new application.

Rejected? OMG that's scary.. Could you please elaborate your case? Thanks.