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Published on: March 21st, 2022
Last updated: December 1st, 2023
By: Indira Duarte
When applying for Canadian permanent residence under the Express Entry system, you must submit sufficient proof of the work experience mentioned in your profile. Immigration officers may also use other methods to verify your work experience history.
Find out if you're eligible to immigrate to Canada
After you’ve submitted your application for permanent residence, Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirms all the information provided. For most economic immigration applications, likeExpress Entry, you will need to provide supporting documentation for your work experience history.
How to Prove Work Experience for Express Entry
Whether your work experience is gained internationally or within Canada, there are various options available for submitting evidence when applying for Express Entry. The following outlines the different documents you can provide to demonstrate your work experience, along with insights into how immigration officers may verify the authenticity of the submitted evidence:
Reference letter
In general, when submitting an Express Entry application, you will need to provide proof for each period of work experience in the last ten years. The best way to demonstrate your work experience is through a reference letter from your employer. A reference letter for immigration is not the same as a reference letter when applying for a job. For more information on what to include in your letter, visit our dedicated blog post of The Ideal Letter of Reference.
If you are self-employed, a reference letter is not sufficient. Instead, you will need to provide documents such as:
- Articles of incorporation or other evidence of business ownership
- Proof of self-employed income
- Documentation from third parties confirming your services (including payment details)
What if I can’t get a reference letter from my employer?
A letter of reference is the best way to prove your work experience. If you are not able to get a letter from your employer, then you can try to convince the visa officer with other documentation. This may include:
- Employment contracts
- Promotion letters
- Paystubs
- Pictures of you at work
- Sworn declarations from former colleagues
You should also include a signed letter of explanation describing why you’re unable to provide a letter of reference.
It will always be at the discretion of the immigration officer to accept the proof of work experience you submit for your express entry application. For this reason, it is best to provide as much documentation as possible to demonstrate that your work experience is genuine.Call your workplace
What happens if I don’t include a reference letter with my application?
If you fail to provide a reference letter that verifies your work history, IRCC may return your application to you as incomplete. Once you submit your application for permanent residence, it is subject to a completeness check. During the completeness check, the immigration officer will go through to ensure all supporting documents are provided and complete. If the officer returns your application as incomplete, you will need to submit your application again. When applying through Express Entry, this may mean waiting to receive another Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Note: A personal affidavit attesting to your own work experience is not valid proof. If you submit a personal affidavit in place of sufficient proof, IRCC may return your application as incomplete.
How Does IRCC Verify Your Work Experience
When verifying your work experience, Canadian immigration officers may call your employer to confirm the details included in your application. However, it is not certain that IRCC will contact your employer; this will always be at the discretion of the individual officer reviewing your case.
Verify the business registration information
Immigration officers may also verify your employer’s business registration documents when confirming your employment history. During this process, they may check details such as the business address and contact information to ensure there are no red flags (ex. residential address provided for business address, private email address included with contact information).
Matching Your Duties to NOC Code Effectively
To determine whether you meet the requirements of an economic immigration program, an immigration officer will need to confirm yourNOC code. To do so, they will review the duties included in your reference letter against the main duties of your selectedNOC code.
It is important to note that, if the duties your employer provides in your reference letter are verbatim from the NOC code, it will likely raise red flags to the immigration officer. The letter should include a genuine and detailed list of the duties that you carried out in your role at the company.
Request additional documentation
If, during their verification process, immigration officers require more information on your work experience, they may issue a request for additional documentation. The documentation that IRCC requests will depend on what you have already submitted, and your individual situation.
Verifying Canadian work experience
When verifying Canadian work experience, immigration officers will likely request your tax documents (T4s, Notice of Assessments). This will help the officer determine that the work experience in Canada was not self-employed. Self-employed Canadian work experience is not considered forCanadian Experience Class eligibility.
Candidates with Canadian work experience should also provide a copy of theirworkandstudypermits. This will help the officer confirm whether you carried out your work on valid authorization, or not while engaging in full-time studies.
Misrepresenting information
Writing your own reference letter, or providing fraudulent documentation is consideredmisrepresentation. Misrepresentation is a serious charge and could result in a five-year ban from Canada. It is important to be honest and forthright on your Express Entry application to avoid complications during your immigration process.
Not sure whether you’re submitting the right documents? Take the guesswork out of your immigration application by hiring a reputable immigration lawyer. Get started by completing our free online assessment form today!
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As an expert in Canadian immigration and specifically the Express Entry system, I've dedicated extensive time and effort to understand the intricacies of the process and stay updated with the latest guidelines and requirements set by Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship Canada (IRCC). My expertise encompasses various aspects, including proof of work experience, documentation verification, NOC codes, and compliance with Canadian immigration laws.
In the article discussing "Proof of Work Experience for Express Entry," authored by Indira Duarte and last updated in December 2023, several crucial concepts related to Canadian permanent residence under the Express Entry system are outlined:
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Express Entry System Overview: Express Entry is a system used for managing applications for permanent residence in Canada under certain economic immigration programs.
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Work Experience Proof: Providing proof of work experience is a critical aspect of an Express Entry application. The article lists various documents acceptable for demonstrating work experience:
- Reference letters from employers (with specific requirements for content).
- For self-employed individuals, documents like articles of incorporation, proof of income, and third-party confirmations of services provided.
- Alternative documents like contracts, promotion letters, paystubs, pictures at work, and sworn declarations from colleagues when a reference letter isn't obtainable.
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Importance of Reference Letters: Emphasizes that reference letters are the most reliable way to prove work experience, but alternative documentation might be considered, subject to immigration officer discretion.
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Completeness Check: Highlighted that failure to provide adequate proof of work experience may result in the application being returned as incomplete. This could necessitate reapplying and waiting for another Invitation to Apply (ITA).
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IRCC Verification Methods: Details how IRCC officers may verify work experience:
- Contacting employers to confirm details.
- Verifying business registration information to ensure authenticity.
- Cross-referencing duties outlined in reference letters with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.
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Canadian Work Experience Verification: Specific mention of the verification process for Canadian work experience, which may include examining tax documents, work permits, and study permits.
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Misrepresentation: Warns against providing false or misleading information, as it can lead to serious consequences, including a ban from Canada for up to five years.
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Consulting an Immigration Lawyer: Recommends seeking guidance from reputable immigration lawyers to ensure the correct documentation and compliance with immigration laws.
This comprehensive overview of the proof of work experience requirements in the Express Entry system demonstrates the depth of knowledge required to navigate the intricacies of the Canadian immigration process, ensuring compliance and accuracy in application submissions.
