FSW/ Letter from Employer. When should it be written?

[simonvee]

Hello everybody,

To apply under the FSW 3 my steps are:

1. Acquire 1 year of skilled work experience (paralegal) in Australia
2. Apply for WHV, and once it is approved, leave Australia
3. Work for 1 year in Canada. Let's be pessimistic and assume it is an unskilled job
4. Apply for FSW 3 in Canada

The issue/concern is: I need to provide evidence that I have worked in a paralegal position. That is, I will need my manager to write a letter to the Canadian authorities that I have worked as a paralegal for 1 year. Is it possible to get my manager to write the letter PRIOR TO leaving Australia or must the letter be written at the time, or close to the time of applying for a FSW 3 which is in Canada? Is there any timeframe requirements of completing the letter in other words. The reason why I am asking is because:

1. If I get my manager to write me a letter while I am in Canada, after 1 year has elapse, it may be quite difficult since the manager may not be with the company anymore. Bearing in mind that over 1 year has elapsed and the manager may also change her cellular number.

2. For a peace of mind having the letter written sooner, and knowing 'yes the letter is thoroughly correspondant to what the HRSDC prescribed as the duties and responsibilities of a paralegal' creates absolute peace in the back of the mind.

Also.... can the letter be written from a 'Word document' that the manager can personally create or is the letter part of the 'visa application package' that has a specific format of its own??


Thanks all for reading my post, thanks some more if guidance is provided.

[helios]

Hello everybody,

To apply under the FSW 3 my steps are:

1. Acquire 1 year of skilled work experience (paralegal) in Australia

Make sure the experience you've acquired matches to the job titles and description of 4211 http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/ProfileQuickSearch.aspx?val=4&val1=4211&val65=421

2. Apply for WHV, and once it is approved, leave Australia
3. Work for 1 year in Canada. Let's be pessimistic and assume it is an unskilled job

Why not just apply for FSW directly?  It makes no real difference that you worked a menial job in Canada for 1 year other than scoring additional 5 points towards the 67.

Getting a letter of reference before you leave Australia is highly advisable.  The letter should clearly states your job title, job description, amount of time worked in hours and duties printed on company letter head with contact information.

One last thing, use the self assessment tool to see if you are able to score 67 points prior to uprooting your current life.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assess/Education.asp

Cheers mate and Good luck!