An applicant working on a contractual basis, paid by cheque with no payslips, asked whether an experience certificate is required for a study permit application.
What the group said:- A formal, detailed experience certificate isn't strictly required. What's generally needed is documentation confirming your joining date and the date you left the role — a joining letter and a relieving/last-day letter can cover this.
- Payslips are not mandatory for contractual work. If you were paid by cheque rather than through a payroll system that issues slips, this is treated as normal for contract-based employment and isn't itself a red flag.
Practical takeaway:- Gather whatever documentation you do have that shows your employment dates (joining letter, relieving letter, or an offer/engagement letter) rather than trying to manufacture payslips you never received.
- Bank statements showing cheque deposits from your employer can help corroborate the contractual payment arrangement if needed.
- If your program or visa officer specifically requests further proof of income, be ready to explain the contractual/cheque-based payment structure clearly in your supporting documents.