Hi, I am gathering the documents required for a PR application at the moment and have a few questions, I would appreciate any comments. As background, I am in my second year of a three year work permit (linked to my employer), working as NOC 2143. My spouse is also living here with me (not working) along with our children.

1. I was wondering about the work references which must be submitted with the application (skilled worker class). I have been with the same company for five years (including the last two in Canada on a work permit). I will be able to get a reference from this employer that meets all the criteria, but before that I worked for one company that does not exist any more, it went into receivership (not my fault :o ) and another company I worked for has been taken over and I think a lot of the people I worked with and for were retrenched. I also have some references from previous employers that don't include all the details that are required (salary, business card of supervisor and company official's seal). Do you think this will be a problem for me, are they very particular about this ?

2. I am trying to work out where I should lodge my application. Based on my citizenship, I can submit in Sydney, or I could lodge at Buffalo due to being in Canada. I looked at this website (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department ... d-fed.html) and it seems like the processing times in Sydney are much quicker. If I lodge in Sydney, I may be required to attend there for an interview. Will I need to take my spouse and children for the interview or will it be just me on my own ? (if I have to take the family, Sydney is too far, if its just me, no problem). Any comments ?

3. With the police clearances, do I need to provide one for the two years I have been in Canada, in addition to other places I have lived ?

Thanks for your help, apologies for the long post. I've found this forum useful, reading through past posts. :D

In response to your questions:

1. You will be asked for evidence of all past employment. If letters of reference are not available for your previous employers, then it would typically be best to submit substitute documents which would provide sufficient details of the employment. Provide as much as you can in such a case and explain any deficiencies.

2. A visa office may exempt family members from attendance of the interview if sufficient grounds exists. Usually the visa office's policy on attendance can be found in the application kit that they provide.

3. Yes, RCMP clearances will be required.

Hi David,

Thanks for the reply, appreciate your comments. :D

If I am the primary applicant, would my spouse need to provide references for her work history and academic record, or is this just for the primary applicant ?

Regards

These are a requirement of the principal applicant only at most visa offices. Inclusion of such documents for a spouse can be beneficial to an application, however.