Can I avoid requesting a letter of reference from my current employer?

[Zoide]

One of the FSW application requirements is to obtain a letter of reference from your supervisor for all the jobs you've had in the past 10 years.

I'd like to avoid requesting a letter from my current supervisor, since this would indicate to him that I intend to leave and would hurt my career advancement in case my FSW application is rejected.

I found a couple threads about this, but they're all ~5 years old and don't say much.

Could someone please enlighten me as to what options there are and how that has turned out for people recently?

Thanks!

 

[Yuvvv]

just tell your current job that you are going to update some paper works and you probably need to take a loan or something and that your bank is requesting a work certificate (with all data requested by CIC) as proof of employment blabla... invent something dude.....

 

[Zoide]

just tell your current job that you are going to update some paper works and you probably need to take a loan or something and that your bank is requesting a work certificate (with all data requested by CIC) as proof of employment blabla... invent something dude.....

Sorry, but I don't want to resort to lying in order to get the necessary documents. In addition to being unethical, it also exposes me to severe risks if they "bust me".

Also, my country's official language is Spanish, so requesting stuff in English would not make sense unless I am applying to something abroad.

 

[RadhaLenin]

Hi ... cool alway there is a way for everything. Just get ur letter from current employer in ur native language. afterwards, we can translate to english with AFF copy.

Also you can NOT hide this from employer, because during background check CIC may check with them.

 

[Zoide]

Hi ... cool alway there is a way for everything. Just get ur letter from current employer in ur native language. afterwards, we can translate to english with AFF copy.

Also you can NOT hide this from employer, because during background check CIC may check with them.

I agree, hiding things is a bad idea. I've always believed in being honest and sleeping soundly at night

What is an "AFF copy"?

Thanks

 

[arika]

Another way is to ask one of your co-workers who is loyal to you to give a reference instead of your boss and provide his/hers contact details.
Else you can describe your duities/responcibilities youself and explain the situation in a cover letter (as far as I understand, role duties are the biggest issue here as the rest of information required by CIC can be evident from job contract, offer letter, payment slips and any other papers).

Hope this helps.

 

[Yuvvv]

its up to you dude...

if you don't need the letter then don't ask, but if you have the letter it would be better for you. if you don't want to like to get the letter then ask them directly, if you can't ask directly then lie... what is wrong with you lol??

its your letter, and you have full right to ask for it for any reason. even if they bust you, how is that gonna harm you in any way? the letter would be an official letter, signed by them and contains every detail that THEY wrote about you.. you did nothing wrong here.

well it's up to you ofc, i just gave a solution to your problem

if you can't provide letter, then provide your work contract. you can do that too!

 

[Pipis Husband]

Another way is to ask one of your co-workers who is loyal to you to give a reference instead of your boss and provide his/hers contact details.
Else you can describe your duities/responcibilities youself and explain the situation in a cover letter (as far as I understand, role duties are the biggest issue here as the rest of information required by CIC can be evident from job contract, offer letter, payment slips and any other papers).

Hope this helps.

Hi, self attested duties are not acceptable. Applicants have had their packages returned in this FSW 2014 for using those. If you check the main FSW 2014 applicants thread, you will find many instances. An alternative is to get the reference letter in CIC format from a supervisor/senior colleague on plain paper and attach the person call card which contains his contact details. This has been accepted by CIO for FSW 2014. Of course you will be asking for the reference from someone who is ready to assist you and willing to confirm your work experience IF your VO does the background check. Cheers.

 

[arika]

Hi, self attested duties are not acceptable. Applicants have had their packages returned in this FSW 2014 for using those. If you check the main FSW 2014 applicants thread, you will find many instances. An alternative is to get the reference letter in CIC format from a supervisor/senior colleague on plain paper and attach the person call card which contains his contact details. This has been accepted by CIO for FSW 2014. Of course you will be asking for the reference from someone who is ready to assist you and willing to confirm your work experience IF your VO does the background check. Cheers.

Dear Pipis Husband, with all my respect - self-attested duties were actually accepted in some cases. But - this is important I guess - these applicants were unable to provide references since a company didn't exist any longer + no former colleague could be found and contacted. And it was some past work experience, not the current one. I'm saying that coz initially I faced the same issue and that was what an immigration lawyer suggested.

The topicstarter's case in different, I agree with you there.

 

[happy-go-lucky]

Hi, self attested duties are not acceptable. Applicants have had their packages returned in this FSW 2014 for using those. If you check the main FSW 2014 applicants thread, you will find many instances. An alternative is to get the reference letter in CIC format from a supervisor/senior colleague on plain paper and attach the person call card which contains his contact details. This has been accepted by CIO for FSW 2014. Of course you will be asking for the reference from someone who is ready to assist you and willing to confirm your work experience IF your VO does the background check. Cheers.

Hi Pipis Husband,

Your above mentioned suggestion sounds really helpful.

Also, you mentioned about a 'reference letter in CIC format', kindly advise where can I find the same on CIC website.

Thank you in advance

 

[amirsrima]

Hi Pipis Husband,

Your above mentioned suggestion sounds really helpful.

Also, you mentioned about a 'reference letter in CIC format', kindly advise where can I find the same on CIC website.

Thank you in advance

To avoid any long verifications, ideal is to have a letter signed by your HR and business card of the signatory attached.
I dont think CIC format matters much, but the reference letters should explain roles and responsibilities bulleted (btw - it may closely match roles as defined against your "category of FSW"). For salary etc, you may attach your salary slips. If "not a bad day", it will work perfectly

 

[Pipis Husband]

Hi Pipis Husband,

Your above mentioned suggestion sounds really helpful.

Also, you mentioned about a 'reference letter in CIC format', kindly advise where can I find the same on CIC website.

Thank you in advance

Hi, you can get the format under Item 12 of the Document Checklist, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5612E.pdf

It's very important to avoid issues, cheers

 

[happy-go-lucky]

Hi, you can get the format under Item 12 of the Document Checklist, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/forms/IMM5612E.pdf

It's very important to avoid issues, cheers

Thank you Pipis Husband. I somehow mustered courage and spoke to my boss about the reference letter. COntrary to my fears, he was quite supportive. In fact he was disappointed that I didn't involve him while making my JD. I am so happy

So, he signed my reference letter on a plain paper and mentioned his contact details. I also got an employment certificate (on letter head) from HR mentioning my dates of employment, salary, benefits, designations, etc.

Hope this would be enough ;D