I’ve seen so many people in the forum stress over work experience claims during their Express Entry profile setup — and it’s usually because they didn’t save the right stuff from the start. You might think, “I’ll just remember what I did,” but IRCC wants proof. And if you’re applying for permanent residency, those details need to be solid, consistent, and verifiable.

The big risk? Realizing months later that you can’t prove your job duties, hours per week, or even that the job actually existed. That’s when a strong application can fall apart — not because you didn’t qualify, but because you couldn’t prove it.

So here’s the practical stuff to start saving *right now*, even if you’re not applying yet:
- Your original offer letter (especially the job title and responsibilities)
- A copy of your job description (if available)
- Pay stubs from every month, especially those showing gross earnings and hours worked
- Any signed schedules or time logs (even if informal)
- Your annual tax slips (T4s) — they’re gold for proving income and employment duration
- Contact info for your HR or manager (in case IRCC needs to verify)

Also, if your role changed — more responsibilities, a new title, different hours — keep records of that shift. Even an email confirmation helps.

I know it’s extra work, but trust me, it’s way easier to organize documents while you’re still employed than when you’re in the middle of an application. And remember: IRCC doesn’t just want to see that you worked — they want to see *what* you did, *how long* you did it, and *how it matches* the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.

So here’s my question:
1. What’s the first document you’d go back and save today if you had to prove work experience?
2. Have you ever had to retrace your steps to prove hours or duties? What was the hardest part?

If you’re planning to apply soon, what’s one detail you’d never risk missing? Share your go-to proof checklist — I’d love to hear what others are keeping on file. Let’s help each other stay prepared.