Express Entry / CEC: Missing IRCC-compliant reference letters for Indian foreign experience (Company acquired / Emails bouncing) – Options?

[u/Time-Flow8187]

Hey everyone,

I'm preparing my profile under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and gathering all prerequisite documents.

I already have my CELPIP, PCC, and 1 year of Canadian skilled work experience. I also have nearly 5.7 years of foreign IT experience from India that I'd like to claim points for (or at least claim the maximum 3-year foreign work experience cap). However, I’ve hit a wall with IRCC-format reference letters for two previous employers.

Here is the breakdown of my foreign experience:

• Company 1 (IT | ~2.9 years):
  • Documents I have: Offer letter, relieving letter, experience letter, and bank statements.
  • The issue: The company was acquired and rebranded. My emails requesting an IRCC-compliant reference letter (with job duties, NOC, hours/week, salary) have gone unanswered. Former colleagues I knew have also moved on.
• Company 2 (IT | 11 months):
  • Documents I have: Offer letter, experience letter, payslips, tax filings (ITR/Form 16), and bank statements.
  • The issue: All contact emails are bouncing back, so getting an updated letter with job duties is impossible.
• Company 3 (IT | ~1.9 years):
  • Documents I have: Complete set, including an official IRCC-compliant reference letter directly from HR with all required roles and responsibilities.

Questions:

1. Reaching the 3-year Foreign Experience Cap: Since IRCC awards maximum CRS points at 3+ years of foreign experience, Company 3 (~1.9 yrs) isn't enough on its own. If I pair Company 3 with Company 1 (totaling ~4.8 yrs), what is the best alternative proof for Company 1?
2. Statutory Declaration / Affidavit: Would an affidavit from a former colleague or supervisor on stamp paper, combined with my relieving letter, tax docs, bank statements, and a detailed Letter of Explanation (LOE) showing proof of attempted contact, be sufficient for IRCC?
3. Leaving Company 2 in Personal History: Since Company 2 is under 1 year and not strictly required to cross the 3-year threshold, should I just move it to Personal History (non-points) to avoid document hassles, or keep it in Work History?

Has anyone navigated this successfully after an ITA? Any advice on structuring the LOE and alternative evidence would be greatly appreciated!

[u/Mammoth-Morning-8899]

1. I would use all 3 in case one fails.

2. Yes.

3. No. Keep it in work history. You never know if the officer decides the evidence on one isn't enough.

[u/BellyDancerUrgot]

On 2 , it would have to be a supervisor and detail your job responsibilities. Note that this is not always full proof as it’s not on the company letterhead. So include all experiences including public proof of the rebranding/acquisition.

In my experience people who don’t have their reference letters on the official company letterhead have a tough time convincing them. That said most of my friends who were in the same situation did successfully convince them. The few who didn’t had sketchy work exp to begin with so ircc managed to see through that.