Im at the 7. Work Experience section and its asking for employment contracts and references from present and past employers, how important are these items, i understand you need to prove you have worked in your field.
At the bottom it says "if you cannot provide these things a written explanation will do". so...>
Does your own written explanation carry as much weight, its just that my visa application is private and i do not wish to ask my current employer for references, also i have never had a contract. i am no longer in touch with previous jobs either...
Has anyone been in a similar position, could you kindly reply with your experience / input...thanks.
If you are applying under Category 1, then work references are essential - at least those which cover the minimum requirement of having 1 year's continuous employment in one of the 29 in-demand occupations.
There is no way around it, you are going to have to tell your employer that you are planning to emmigrate and they need to give you a letter with your length of service, working hours, salary and job duties. In addition your employer should be able to provide a copy of your contract if you no longer have your own copy. If you have never had and never signed a contract with them, then just get the work reference (essential) and if you can any pay slips and as much proof as you can get.
Without the reference listing your employment information, including duties, then your application will almost certainly fail the eligibility review at CIO and you will get the dreaded email "I am not convinced you have performed these duties" etc.
When it says "If you cannot provides these things a written explanation will do" etc, I think they really mean older jobs, and certainly don't refer to the work experience you are relying on to meet the ministerial instructions.
Please remember this is all about providing supporting documentation to convince the visa officer that your work experience claims on your forms are genuine. Then less documentation you provide, then less convinced they will be.
Anyway, I wish you the best of luck - but if you're serious about emmigrating you are going to need the co-operation of your current employer to get references etc. I would also strongly advise at least trying to contact previous employers to get references from them as well. At the very least try to get your current employer and the 1 employer previous to that.
Wayne.
Immigration Forum
