ACS application : Can I submit original reference letters?

[bdboy]

Hi there,

This is my first post, so please ignore any mistake that I make in the post.

Basically, I am from Bangladesh and I have been in UK for the last four years with a BSc(Hons) degree done from a local uni and I have got one year experience in UK.

Before coming to UK, I have worked in a company for three years as a System Analyst and also did some part-time study in a uni. This means that I am eligible for the Group A applicant as I have got four years experience with a degree in ICT and I have managed to get reference letters from both of my employers.

I have applied for skills assessment yesterday as a computing professional and I have uploaded all the required documents online. Now the problem is that I have seen a local notary in UK and she said that she would notarise copies that are from UK only. She won't notarise documents from Bangladesh (part-time studies transcript, reference letter). I have got extra original copies of the reference letters and transcripts. I was wondering if I should send the original documents along with other certified documents (uk employer reference, uni certificate) in the same pack. I know I will lose them, but will it create any other problem.

Also, can anyone please tell me if I can notorise documents from my home, Bangladesh? Will that be accepted for the main visa application?

I would really appreciate your inputs here and thank you for looking into my matter.

[royen]

Originally Posted by bdboy

Hi there,

This is my first post, so please ignore any mistake that I make in the post.

Basically, I am from Bangladesh and I have been in UK for the last four years with a BSc(Hons) degree done from a local uni and I have got one year experience in UK.

Before coming to UK, I have worked in a company for three years as a System Analyst and also did some part-time study in a uni. This means that I am eligible for the Group A applicant as I have got four years experience with a degree in ICT and I have managed to get reference letters from both of my employers.

I have applied for skills assessment yesterday as a computing professional and I have uploaded all the required documents online. Now the problem is that I have seen a local notary in UK and she said that she would notarise copies that are from UK only. She won't notarise documents from Bangladesh (part-time studies transcript, reference letter). I have got extra original copies of the reference letters and transcripts. I was wondering if I should send the original documents along with other certified documents (uk employer reference, uni certificate) in the same pack. I know I will lose them, but will it create any other problem.

Also, can anyone please tell me if I can notorise documents from my home, Bangladesh? Will that be accepted for the main visa application?

I would really appreciate your inputs here and thank you for looking into my matter.

I think I just scanned the documents and sent it accross. My agent told me to notarize as the scanned copy are of the originals.

But I m not sure about this.

[bdboy]

Originally Posted by royen

I think I just scanned the documents and sent it accross. My agent told me to notarize as the scanned copy are of the originals.

But I m not sure about this.

Well I have gone into acs website and found out the following:

"Certified Documents

Please do not send originals, as liability cannot be accepted for original documents.

All original documents (and the translation into English where required) are to be photocopied and certified by an official of the appropriate immigration office, a Justice of the Peace or a notary public official. Photocopies or faxed copies of certified documents are not acceptable.

Documents (original and/or certified copies) submitted for assessment will not be returned nor will copies be given to the applicant. Therefore it is in the applicant's own interest to have multiple copies certified. "


This means that I can send originals but they won't take any liability for those since they won't be returned to the sender. This answers my first query, although I would much appreciate if anyone wants to re-assure me about this point.

Anyone, with any ideas for my second query?

Thank you.

[raju]

Yes you can get them notorised from your home town. I did the same.

[anj1976]

u can get them notarized frm ur home town, if u want to send the originals, that too is fine but u wont get them back which is clearly stated in the site

[bdboy]

Originally Posted by anj1976

u can get them notarized frm ur home town, if u want to send the originals, that too is fine but u wont get them back which is clearly stated in the site

Many thanks to raju and anj.

One last question, when do I have to submit a statutory declaration? Is it a must for ACS application?

Thanks again.

[anj1976]

the stat dec goes to both ACS and DIAC since both need work exp proofs.

[bdboy]

Originally Posted by anj1976

the stat dec goes to both ACS and DIAC since both need work exp proofs.

Thanks Anj.

Does the statutory declaration need to be notarised/certified by a notary/solicitor?

In that case, my notary would not sign the declaration since she has notarised only the copies from UK only

[anj1976]

u can send the originals, get two of them made so that you have one for ACS and one for DIAC(keep a copy for urself-not tht you would need it but u never know)

[matjones]

Originally Posted by anj1976

u can send the originals, get two of them made so that you have one for ACS and one for DIAC(keep a copy for urself-not tht you would need it but u never know)

yes, I had my boss print and sign multiple copies so i had spares to use as needed.