How to write a reference letter for Canadian immigration
A reference letter for Canadian immigration
Most of the Canadian immigration programs require candidates to have some work experience in order to be qualified. For many immigration streams, it is necessary to have “skilled” work experience. This means the candidate’s work experience must be in accordance with NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B. When you claim the right NOC Code describing your occupation, you will need to provide a reference letter for immigration to Canada for each of your past position.
In the beginning, finding a relevant NOC Code for your past occupation might seem a complicated task since you need to find out the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes assigned with each of your past positions. However, by following our guide on how to find your NOC code will help you to easily get the relevant codes.
Letter of Reference
To be brief, a reference letter for immigration to Canada is quite different from the one which you normally use when you are applying for a job. Therefore, apart from recommending you for a position, a reference letter for Canadian immigration describes your position you have worked in, the amount of time you have worked for and as well as your position that matches the NOC code you have chosen.
When you provide a letter of reference to the visa officer, s/he will review your application and calculate your working experience based on the information you entered. Almost all the immigration programs require you to have a reference letter since having proper work experience is an important factor. Therefore providing a quality reference letter can make a huge difference in your application. Because, if the visa officer does not trust your reference letter’s being genuine or if you have forgotten to provide any information about your work experience, then your application may get rejected or refused.
How to write a reference letter for immigration to Canada?
You may consider the following tips while preparing a reference letter:
- If you have worked in a number of positions within the same company, it is better to get separate letters for each position you have worked in.
- If you have decided to include multiple positions you have worked for in one letter only, then make sure that each employment period is separated by breaks.
Sample reference letter for Canada immigration
Depending on the layout (format) of a reference letter, your application can make a big difference. Ideally, a sample reference letter should be formal, and it is better to include more information about the company. The best reference letter for immigration to Canada should include the following details:
- Company letterhead
- Signature of the responsible officer/supervisor
- Name and job titles by responsible individuals signing the letter
- Information about the contact details of the company
- Official company stamp
- Your official job title
- Your employment dates
- Weekly salary
- Average, weekly working hours
- List of duties that your occupation requires
The most important piece of information in your reference letter is the detailed list of your employment duties which includes all your daily tasks and responsibilities. Ideally, this part should cover most part of the letter you provided.
To make the visa officer’s work even easier, you may want to avoid industry-specific abbreviations since s/he may not be familiar with the industry you work in. Therefore, when you note down your duty and responsibilities try to be clear and concise as much as possible. By checking the employment duties you provide the visa officer confirms that you have claimed the right NOC Code. Each NOC Code has its own lead statement and list of duties.
Sometimes your official job title may not match the job title related to your NOC Code. It is not important as long as your employment duties match the lead statement and duties you have listed.
Therefore it is wise to refrain to provide a reference letter which matches the NOC description exactly. Because, in this case, the visa officer might think that you have created a reference letter on a purpose – to match the NOC. In this scenario, your work reference letter may be considered “self-serving”, falsified for immigration purposes to Canada and not qualified to be processed.
What happens if I cannot provide a reference letter?
Generally, a detailed reference letter is your best option to provide all the necessary information required to describe your work experience for immigration programs. However, in some cases, due to legal reasons, it may not be possible to provide a letter of reference. In this case, you should try your best to convince the visa officer with additional information. You may want to include a letter in your application that includes the following details:
- Employment contracts
- Any promotion letters (if available)
- Paystubs
- Any other documents that can prove the information you have provided
Including all the above mentioned, you can write an explanation letter telling why you are not able to provide a reference letter. Please remember that, no matter how professional your letter is written or compiled, the final decision always comes to the visa officer. You must do your best, by any means, to convince the visa officer that your letter is genuine and all information regarding your work experience and duties are correctly described in the letter. In general, adding more information as possible makes your reference letter more credible, increasing the chance of your application being approved.
Our skilled and professional immigration experts will make sure that your reference letter and other employment documentation meet Canadian immigration standards. At Canadapt, we will be with you in every step of your immigration procedure and will make sure that not only your file gets ready, but you are also get prepared for your new life in Canada!
You can take our free online assessment now and discover all your options to immigrate to Canada permanently.
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