contacting the emplyer clarifications

[bsohel]

Do COs always contact the given emplyer contact or this is something only the CO can decide? If they sent and did not get a reply, would the CO keep the app pending or contact the applicant?

[JandM]

They have to have some way of confirming that the applicant did do the work for that employer for the time stated, so they contact the employer (or whatever contact was given, including colleague or line manager) to make sure that the letter supplied as evidence did genuinely come from them.

Some COs keep the case waiting while they give some time for a reply, and maybe try again. That's the preference, because in theory, the applicant is not meant to have any direct input into getting their evidence verified. But there has just recently been a post on the forum from someone saying the CO had been in contact because there had been no reply from the employer, and he had been able to give a colleague's details instead.

[Karen Phillips]

If this is relating to evidence of past work experience (as opposed to offer of or current employment in NZ) then you can help simplify this by supplying a signed and dated letter on headed paper from the employer and some pay slips and/or bank statements showing those wages going into an account in your name and/or maybe evidence of tax (so if you are in the UK a P60 or P45 form).

[bsohel]

Thanks JandM and Karen for your inputs. I hope everything goes smoothly.