Foreign work permit: should I deliver a reference letter if I'm a freelance?

[Fire-Dragon-DoL]

Hi everyone,

I'm coming here after asking through email to CIC, but having troubles getting a proper answer.

My company (Canadian company) offered to sponsor me to come in Canada (British Columbia), as a software developer (should be NOC A, notice that I don't have a post-secondary degree, I do have a secondary degree though).
I have a somewhat unique skillset, so we can probably request an LMIA and hope it goes fine. However the problem comes with requested documents:

- Reference letter from employers in previous 2 years: I worked as a freelance (full time, have receipts) for the same company I'll be working in Canada, because I did that remotely (from my country), so the only reference I can get from previous employers in the latest 2 years is either myself (and I don't have a company, so I don't have headed paper) or the company which is also giving me the job offer (contract for permanent employment)
- Employment records: same as before, I worked for 2 years for the same company, remotely, so I don't have employment records

While I read is possible not to submit Employment Records, what should I do with the Reference Letter? It looks like remote work is not even IMAGINED in the CIC website (I guess the government itself doesn't think it's possible), so I don't know how to move. The company want me there so I can give live support by staying in the office (we have 9 hours timezone difference currently).

Thanks for support.

 

[Am11]

i think you don't need reference letter from previous employer in order to support your LMIA app, all you need is advertisement(atleast 1 month), practice or tried to CA Citizens/PR if not then why?,another thing will be considered is wage rate, then NOC type. If i miss anything pardin me and rest you can find it by yourself from the website below
http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/foreign_workers/lmo_statistics/index.shtml
hope that helps..good luck

 

[Fire-Dragon-DoL]

...

The LMIA doesn't require any employer reference letter.

It's the foreign work permit requiring employer reference letter. Even by checking this forum, I noticed it's an important step, but I obviously can't have a reference letter since I'm freelance

 

[Am11]

The LMIA doesn't require any employer reference letter.

It's the foreign work permit requiring employer reference letter. Even by checking this forum, I noticed it's an important step, but I obviously can't have a reference letter since I'm freelance

when you apply for work permit you can provide reference letter by canadian branch/division of your cmpany if its same but mention in letter the place/country you worked, duties you have done and the system you worked under , try to provide pay stubs or any other proof that you have paid taxes in the country you lived and worked

 

[Fire-Dragon-DoL]

Thanks, it seems reasonable, I'll try ask to CIC itself by the way, maybe they can give me a sure answer

 

[Am11]

Thanks, it seems reasonable, I'll try ask to CIC itself by the way, maybe they can give me a sure answer

yeap and that will be the answer to your question...by CIC