Format of Experience Letter for Canadian Immigration

Below is a list of the mainly and usually used documents to demonstrate past work experience. Typically, you will not require obtaining all of those documents for every work position. In its place, a mixture of those documents for each position is generally enough.

These documents are (in order of significance):

1. Work Reference Letters

2. Offer-of-Employment

3. Contract signed between Employer / Employee

4. Foreign Temporary Work-Visa Applications (such as H1 in USA)

5. Pay Slip Copies (Just a few: first/middle/last)

NOTES:

• Applicants with extensive work histories generally do not require obtaining documents proving their entire history.

• Generally, you will require demonstrating the previous 5 years of your work history.

• If the candidate has some brilliant documents from the employer describing the position already, and then getting Reference Letters, might NOT be essential.

• Please remember that providing documents to show your work experience must be one of your priorities in the immigration process.

Get Letter From Whom?

Reference letters proving precedent work experience, can be get from:

• Supervisors (this is the best source)

• Colleagues (people you worked with)

• Clients

If the foundation of your reference letter will be a coworker or client (instead of a supervisor), then it is improved to have a reference letter from a couple of clients and/or colleagues.

Letter Format/Style:

The most excellent reference letters typically follow this format:

A) Printed on Company Letterhead

• Specialized / Official looking Letterhead

• If the person writing the letter changed companies, they can write on letterhead of new corporation.

B) Salutation

• The letter can be addressed to anyone, counting: "To whom it may concern"

C) Introduction

• Indicates your position/title

• If you changed positions, the introduction will usually mention the date you were promoted, or changed positions.

• The individual writing the letter introduces themselves, indicating their pose (as supervisor, client, or colleague, etc...)

• Indicates how long you worked with the corporation (Time Span - Month/Year to Month/Year)

D) Your Work Duties (Examples)

• The main body of the letter must talk about your duties and position. For example:

o What you did on a daily basis

o Your responsibilities

o Your special projects

o Your achievements/accomplishments

o Did you work with any important clients

E) Did you Work in English (or French)?

• If you worked in English (or French) with clients or in the place of work, this is an outstanding place to mention that, to assist induce the Immigration Officer that you know one of Canada's official languages.

• Even if it is clear you likely worked in English (such as with an employer in the USA or the UK), it is still a fine thought to have that particularly mentioned in the letter, if achievable.

F) Conclusion (optional)

• Letters will frequently end with a sentence or two, stating the person's behavior or character.