Writing a strong letter of support can greatly improve your chances in a Humanitarian and Compassionate application. This guide provides clear tips, practical examples, and everything else you need to know to write an effective supporting letter.
What Is a Letter of Support for Humanitarian and Compassionate?
Purpose of the Letter
A letter of support for humanitarian and compassionate reasons is written to help someone stay in Canada permanently. The goal is to explain clearly and honestly why the applicant deserves compassion and should not be forced to leave Canada. The letter provides personal insights about the applicant’s life, their connection to Canada, and any hardships they may face if they have to return to their home country.
How It Affects Your Immigration Application
Letters of support have a real impact on immigration applications. Immigration officers review these letters to better understand the applicant’s story and the human reasons behind the application. Strong, detailed letters can greatly improve the applicant’s chances of being allowed to stay in Canada. Good letters add weight to an application by showing immigration officers the applicant’s positive role in the community and the hardships they might face if they have to leave.
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Who Can Write a Support Letter?
Family Members
Family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents can write letters of support. These letters should mention how you’re related to the applicant, how long you’ve known them, and why you strongly feel they should be allowed to stay. You should also explain how it would impact you or other family members if the applicant had to leave Canada. For example, if the applicant helps take care of elderly parents or supports children, include those details clearly.
Employers
Current or future employers can also write support letters. Employers should explain what kind of job the applicant does, their position, how long they’ve worked there, and their salary or hourly wage. They should include positive comments about the applicant’s work ethic, dependability, and why losing this worker would negatively affect their business. If an employer intends to hire the applicant once they have a work permit, this should also be clearly mentioned.
Teachers and Educators
Teachers or school staff members can write letters explaining the applicant’s or their children’s connection to the school. Letters can include details about attendance, grades, participation in school activities, or any special support provided by the applicant to the school community. Teachers should also note any hardships a child would face if they were forced to leave Canada, including emotional or educational difficulties.
Health and Social Workers
Letters from health professionals, therapists, counsellors, or social workers can greatly strengthen an application. These letters should discuss the mental or physical hardships the applicant might face if forced to leave Canada. If the applicant has experienced family violence, health and social workers can also explain how the applicant has tried to seek help and why returning to their home country would cause significant difficulty.
Religious and Community Leaders
Religious leaders or other respected community figures can describe the applicant’s involvement in community activities or volunteer work. These letters should clearly state the applicant’s contribution, such as helping at local events, volunteering, or providing emotional support to others. They can also emphasize the negative impact losing this person would have on the community.
Friends and Neighbours
Letters from friends and neighbours help immigration officers see the applicant as an important part of their local community. Friends can explain how long they’ve known the applicant, provide examples of their kindness or support, and explain why it would hurt the community if the applicant had to leave Canada. Specific examples, such as helping neighbours during hard times or supporting local events, are particularly valuable.
What Should You Include in Your Letter?
Basic Information (Name, Contact, Citizenship)
Start your letter by clearly providing your name, phone number, and address. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, state this clearly and include a copy of proof such as your passport or permanent resident card. If you’re writing from a professional or community organization, use official letterhead and include your title and position.
Your Relationship to the Applicant
Clearly explain how you know the applicant, how long you’ve known them, and describe your relationship. Be specific, such as stating if you’re a family member, friend, employer, teacher, or community member. The length and depth of your relationship helps immigration officers understand the strength of your connection and the reliability of your statements.
Specific Examples of Good Character
Include clear examples showing the applicant’s good character. Highlight situations that demonstrate their honesty, kindness, responsibility, or contributions to the community. For example, mention volunteer activities they’ve participated in, how they’ve supported family members during difficult times, or specific ways they’ve positively impacted your life or others.
Reasons Why the Applicant Should Stay in Canada
Explain clearly why the applicant deserves to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Describe the negative impacts if the applicant is forced to leave, such as family separation, loss of community support, or serious hardships they might face in their home country. If children would be affected, clearly outline how leaving Canada would negatively impact their emotional well-being, education, or health.
Documents to Include with Your Letter
Always attach documents that confirm your identity and status, such as a copy of your Canadian passport or permanent resident card. If you’re representing an organization, use official letterhead. You can also attach additional documents that back up your statements, like employment records, proof of volunteer activities, or photos that highlight the applicant’s community involvement.
How to Make Your Letter Stronger
Give Detailed Examples
Avoid general statements. Instead, provide clear and detailed examples that show how the applicant has helped others or contributed to the community. For instance, rather than just saying they’re helpful, describe a specific situation when they volunteered at a community event or supported a family during a difficult time.
Keep It Honest and Personal
Write from your own experiences, and keep your tone genuine and sincere. Immigration officers prefer honest, believable letters rather than exaggerated or emotional appeals. Personal stories and honest statements about your experience with the applicant make your letter more powerful and believable.
Write Clearly and Stay Professional
Use simple and clear language. Avoid complicated or overly formal expressions. Clearly state your main points, and maintain a respectful and professional tone throughout the letter. A clear, concise letter makes a stronger impact than one filled with complicated or unnecessary details.
Attach Supporting Documents (Optional)
You can strengthen your letter by attaching relevant documents, though this step is optional. Examples include letters of appreciation, school records, volunteer certificates, or medical reports. Supporting documents help immigration officers verify your statements, making your letter even more persuasive.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Being Too Vague or General
A common mistake is using broad or general statements without examples. Saying things like “he’s nice” or “she’s helpful” isn’t enough. Instead, give clear examples of how the applicant helped you or others. Immigration officers look for specific details to understand the person better.
Forgetting to Include Important Details
Leaving out important information like your relationship to the applicant, your contact details, or proof of your citizenship status can weaken your letter. Always include these basics clearly, so immigration officers can easily verify your statements and contact you if needed.
Making Claims Without Evidence
Don’t make claims without providing supporting evidence or examples. For instance, if you mention that the applicant is active in community events, attach documents or photos to back it up. Unsupported claims make your letter less credible.
Example of a Letter of Support (Template Included)
Here’s a simple template you can use to write your own letter of support for humanitarian and compassionate reasons:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Province, Postal Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
[IRCC Address if available]
Dear Immigration Officer,
My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a [your citizenship status, e.g., Canadian citizen or permanent resident]. I am writing this letter to support [Applicant’s Name]’s application to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
I have known [Applicant’s Name] for [number] years, and we know each other because [briefly describe your relationship clearly, e.g., “he is my co-worker” or “she is my neighbour”].
[Applicant’s Name] is a valuable member of our community. For example, [give a specific example or short story about how the applicant helps or contributes to others].
I strongly believe that [Applicant’s Name] should be allowed to remain in Canada because [mention clear reasons, such as family connections, hardships if forced to leave, or community contributions].
I have attached [list any documents you’ve attached, like proof of citizenship or photos].
Please feel free to contact me at [your phone number] if you have any questions.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
[Your Signature (if sending a physical copy)]
What Happens After You Submit the Letter?
IRCC Review Process
Once submitted, immigration officers at IRCC review your support letter along with the full application. They consider everything carefully, focusing on the reasons you mentioned. The process can take several months, and sometimes longer, depending on the case’s complexity.
Updating Your Information After Submitting
If anything changes after you submit the letter, such as your contact details or the applicant’s situation, let IRCC know right away. Immigration officers need current information, so updating promptly is important.
Getting Help With Your Application
Why Legal Advice Is Important
Applying for humanitarian and compassionate grounds can be complicated, and mistakes are easy to make. Professional legal advice helps ensure your application is complete, clear, and strong. Lawyers understand exactly what immigration officers look for and can help you prepare effectively.
How Konan Law Can Assist You
At Konan Law, we specialize in Canadian immigration law, including humanitarian and compassionate applications. Our experienced lawyers can help you prepare your application and support letters thoroughly and accurately, improving your chances of success.
Final Words:
Need help preparing your humanitarian and compassionate application? Reach out to Konan Law today for personalized support. Call us at 416-272-3939 or visit our website: www.konanlaw.com.
