Employer reference letter for immigration ?

Question

Hi everyone, I am planing skilled immigration. I need this reference letter from my current employer to prove that I have had the relevant work experience. However, the applying process will last around 1.5 years. I still need my current job in the interim, so how can I get this reference letter without letting him know my immigration intention? Thank you =)

Answer 1

Unless a direct question has been posed to you leave out the part about immigrating. Go to HR department and ask if you could have a letter detailing your skills, your length of employment, and the skills that you use in your current role. HR in some companies live in the 'stone-age' and since they do not work with you on a regular basis they may not make the connection. However if this is a request that they get on a regular basis it will not take a 'rocket scientist' to figure out that you are looking for another job but in the same respect do not volunteer more information than they need to know. As in the case of nursing a lot of times nurses will go overseas for a while and it may be something that is common that may not raise a lot of suspicion. If you are nonchalant about the situation so will they but if you raise suspicion then your employer will believe you are planning to leave.

If you are asked be honest and do not lie to your employer. Instead stress that you have not made a final decision, the application process can take more than 18 months and leave the fact that you might leave a bit 'hazy'. Avoid any discussion about plans to leave, focus on you are doing this due to the fact of the length of time needed for the application and once you get a decision you will then make your decision.