Categories: Immigration Blog

How to Write a Good Employment Reference Letter

Whether you are a business visitor, applying for a work permit or applying for permanent residence through the Federal Skilled or Canadian Experience class program, a well written employment letter can be an excellent way to strengthen your case.

For some application types, an employment reference letter is a requirement. For others, it can be used as supplementary documentation you can provide to demonstrate your skills, work history, character and stability.

A strong employment reference letter should have basic key features, including but not limited to:

Being written on company letterhead
Signed by the appropriate officer
Containing the address and contact information of your employer
The duration of employment
The title of your position
The skills or duties entailed in your employment
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) code, if possible
Your total salary including benefits
Number of hours worked per week

Having pertinent details such as the company letterhead, address and contact information adds credibility to the letter and will address any concerns on the letter’s veracity that an immigration officer may have. Further, providing the original letter with signature will also address this concern.

Details of your employment such as title, duties and NOC code will help provide the officer with the details of your experience as well as a sense of your education level. This can go a long way with convincing an officer that you have the necessary skills required for an application, or that your intended purpose in Canada accurately reflects your proven abilities.

Other such information, including your salary, type of work and duration of work suggest to your financial situation, your character as well as your adaptability. Having longevity of employment, for example, not only reflects on your work experience and acquired skills but also denotes to the determinedness and “hard working” nature of your character. These concepts will help demonstrate to an officer that you will be able to contribute to Canada economically but also that you are of strong moral turpitude.

An employment reference letters are an important tool for anyone applying through a number of various application types. Akrami & Associates understands this and will help you and your employer build a strong reference letter that will help you achieve your goals in Canada.

We will not only outline what you will need, but provide you with the necessary tools to help create the highest possible chance for success on your matter.

Shabnam Akrami

Shabnam Akrami is the Managing Partner and Founder of Akrami & Associates. p> Prior to receiving her Paralegal Diploma with Honours, she completed her Law Degree from the UK at the University of London as well as completed a Post Graduate Diploma. In addition, she has also graduated from York University where she received both her Bachelor in Criminology and Masters in Socio-Legal Studies. She is also a Member in good standing with Law Society of Upper Canada. Prior to opening her own firm, she gained extensive experience in corporate immigration law; specializing in work permits, temporary resident permits and rehabilitation cases. She has in depth and hands on experience in all Canadian Immigration and Citizenship matters. These matters include preparation and submission of applications for permanent residence, work permits, NAFTA applications, labour market opinions, temporary resident permits, sponsorships, and business investors. Shabnam is dedicated to all her clients and committed to the successful completion of all the immigration matters in her care. With Shabnam, there is always a way!

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View Comments

nishant says:

May 6, 2014 at 1:26 pm

One of my company doesn't exist anymore, so in this case what should i provide in place of referral letter? (I have the exp and relieving letter)
And another company(Syntel) doesn't provide other than exp and relieving letter. What to do in this case ?
I tried mailing HR but getting same reply that no such policy in company.