For proof of relationship, do the letters from family and friends have to follow a certain format or contain certain language? What should be included in the letter? Is a longer letter better than a shorter letter? Is it bad if all letters are more or less the same?
Letters from family and friends
- Thread starter wsidd
- Start date
Mine weren't very long at all. I just had everyone mention how and when they met my husband, talk about his character, us as a couple, time spent with him and their well wishes for us.
I had 2 from my family and 2 from his.
I had letters from my mom, my husbands parents, his aunt and uncle, his sister and 3 letters from my friends. They wrote how they know us as a couple and described our relation.
Also to make it more legit all of them provided copies of their passport, so immigration knows it’s not fake letters. Some I translated into English, some were in English.
Letters can’t be the same if different people wrote those.
When they wrote letters, they put date and signature at the bottom of those. I scanned letters and sent to lawyer.
To: immigration, refugees and citizenship of Canada
And then letters can be started: my name is and I am friend of... or To whom it may concern; dear sir/madam. In letters my friends wrote they described who they are and how they know me and my husband and so on...
Has your application been processed already? I have all documents and all that’s missing is the letters and I’m starting to doubt about my application. How many letters do they want? Would it be ok if family members add photos in the letter, copy of their passport or even notarized it? Is a signature mandatory or can they just type the letter out?
Yes my application was completed on September 20th. I included 4 letters, not notarized, no passport, just handwritten signatures. The letters were typed out. I did include photos of us with the people that wrote them in it (these were included with the 20 photos they ask for, I however submitted 26).
There isn't a certain amount of letters that's asked for.
Don't worry about anything, you'll be fine. Just include as much evidence as possible with your application, it makes it stronger.
There is no set amount. Letters are not required for every app; they are just one option of proofs to submit.
No, they should definitely not be including pictures and they don't need passport copies or to notarize.
Typing the letter is fine. They should sign it.
After speaking with an immigration consultant he advised that:
- Address letters to Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada
- Letters should start with the person's full name, date of birth, and address. And their relationship to sponsor/applicant.
- They should state specifically when and how they first became aware of the relationship. Eg. I first became aware of their relationship in June 2016 when Jane emailed me a picture of them on their first date. I remember her saying how she felt like she had met "the one".
- Speak to how they feel about the relationship, person's character, in general. Eg. John makes Jane so happy and they have such similar beliefs and interests. John is a trustworthy and loyal man and I can see why Jane married him.
- Describe specifics of a few occasions when they have been around both of you. Eg. Jane and John come over to our house every year for Christmas dinner and it's a chance for the whole family to catch up. Last Christmas, 2018, I remember they almost didn't make it because of a huge snowstorm. We had to hold off Christmas dinner until 10pm but it was worth it to all be together.
- State their support of the relationship and validate any details you feel are important (financial, relationship, etc). Eg. John would make an excellent contribution to our country because of his much-needed skills in the medical field. or Even though Jane and John haven't been together long, I can see how strong their bond is and how important it is for them to start the next chapter in their lives by both being in Canada.
- End with the writers contact information.
- Hand signed
Don't have to include passport or be certified. Don't include photos.
- Address letters to Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada
- Letters should start with the person's full name, date of birth, and address. And their relationship to sponsor/applicant.
- They should state specifically when and how they first became aware of the relationship. Eg. I first became aware of their relationship in June 2016 when Jane emailed me a picture of them on their first date. I remember her saying how she felt like she had met "the one".
- Speak to how they feel about the relationship, person's character, in general. Eg. John makes Jane so happy and they have such similar beliefs and interests. John is a trustworthy and loyal man and I can see why Jane married him.
- Describe specifics of a few occasions when they have been around both of you. Eg. Jane and John come over to our house every year for Christmas dinner and it's a chance for the whole family to catch up. Last Christmas, 2018, I remember they almost didn't make it because of a huge snowstorm. We had to hold off Christmas dinner until 10pm but it was worth it to all be together.
- State their support of the relationship and validate any details you feel are important (financial, relationship, etc). Eg. John would make an excellent contribution to our country because of his much-needed skills in the medical field. or Even though Jane and John haven't been together long, I can see how strong their bond is and how important it is for them to start the next chapter in their lives by both being in Canada.
- End with the writers contact information.
- Hand signed
Don't have to include passport or be certified. Don't include photos.