Aspirants are asked to submit several documents when they apply for immigration to Canada. These documents support the information given by candidates in their applications. With the help of these documents, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) verify the applicant’s credentials and determine whether the application should be accepted.
When an aspirant applies for Canadian permanent residence through an Economic Immigration Program, many factors are considered. Their professional experience plays a significant role in enhancing the chances of approval of the application. The applicants must submit employment reference letters from their current and past employers to prove their work experience history.
About Employment Reference Letter
An employment reference letter, or work reference letter, is a document that confirms the details of an applicants’ employment with a particular organization. Usually, the letter is issued upon request, and the supervisor, management, or an authorized person in the human resources (HR) department in their current or previous organization is eligible to issue the employment reference letter.
An experienced professional needs a work reference letter to verify their employment history at many stages during their transformation. This includes an interview for a new job, admission into specific higher education programs, or applying for immigration to Canada or other countries.
Work reference letters for Canadian immigration
Prior work experience is essential to qualify for many economic immigration streams. An applicant applying for Canadian PR through the Express Entry program or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) gets Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points based on the total years of their work experience.
A candidate is asked to submit work reference letters to demonstrate that their work history is legitimate and aligned with the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes. The letter from their current and past employers assists the immigration officers in confirming their application details. For these programs, candidates are only required to submit these documents after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR.
Similarly, other Economic Immigration streams also demand employment reference letters at different stages of the application process. These include streams such as the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), the caregiver program, and Quebec economic immigration programs.
How to get work reference letters
- Prepare in advance: Express Entry and PNP programs require candidates to submit their documents within 30 to 60 days of receiving an ITA for PR. Thus, candidates must contact their previous employers and ask for employment reference letters before receiving an ITA, as it could take some time.
- Be transparent and polite: Candidates should always mention complete details about their immigration plans when asking for employment reference letters from past employers. It will help them maintain a positive professional relationship and avoid any unnecessary delays in getting the letter.
- Specify the requirements: IRCC defines what needs to be included in employment reference letters for Canadian immigration applications. Candidates must communicate clearly with their past employers about the things to be mentioned in the letter as it can be different from their home country’s pattern. They can also share a sample letter or template for better understanding.
Employment reference letter format
An employment reference letter submitted as part of the immigration application must include the following:
- Candidate’s name.
- Employer’s name.
- The start and end dates of the employment period.
- Job title.
- Job duties held at the company. These must closely match the duties and responsibilities outlined in the NOC selected by candidates in their immigration application or Express
- Entry profile.
- The number of hours they worked there per week and whether the job was part-time or full time.
- Annual salary plus benefits. It will be beneficial to also mention the amount in CAD.
- The name, designation, and signature of the signatory. This can be the manager, department head, HR staff, or someone in the company’s management team.
- The company’s contact details.
Work reference letters must be on the company letterhead and signed and stamped. If the candidate has held multiple positions within a company, they must list each job title separately and also add corresponding dates, duties, working hours, and compensation details.
When unable to get a work reference letter
A reference letter from past employers is the best way to prove work experience history for immigration purposes. However, it might not always be possible to get these documents within the prescribed time, especially if the professional relationship with an organization ended on a bad note or if the person in charge is away.
In such cases, candidates need to provide alternative documentation to verify their work history. These include:
- Paystubs or salary slips from the period of employment with the organization.
- Bank statements that show regular salary deposits by the employer
- Documents that prove the employment record, such as an offer letter, employment contract, joining letter, and resignation or termination letter
- Signed affidavits from co-workers in that organization
Candidates should also include a statement in their PR application explaining why they could not get the letter and mention the provided documents. The more information and documentation are included, the easier it is for the visa officer and the IRCC to believe the authenticity of the employment record. However, the decision is entirely up to the officials reviewing the application, and, even with complete paperwork, there is no guarantee that the immigration application will be approved.
Employment reference letters to find jobs in Canada
Even after the approval of the immigration application, a candidate still might need work reference letters. Most Canadian employers ask for employment reference letters before hiring a candidate as part of the background check. Thus, the letter is also required while looking for a job in Canada. However, the format for those reference letters may be different, so a candidate must ask the hiring manager or recruiter about the required information in advance.
Some employers directly contact the past employers of a candidate to get a reference or to confirm their employment history. Thus, candidates must never lie on their resumes or during interviews while searching for jobs.
Therefore, reference letters from previous employers are a key component when planning to move to Canada and submitting the permanent residency application. It’s vital to be clear and transparent while asking employers for reference letters to get the paperwork done accurately and on time. Moreover, candidates must always request professionally as references from employers in their home country will remain valuable even after they start working in Canada.
