If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsoring your spouse, we understand that the immigration process can be overwhelming. One crucial aspect is providing enough evidence that your relationship is genuine, including a proof of relationship letter drafted by a close family member or friend.
While the IRCC doesn’t explicitly require this letter, including one can make a massive difference in the outcome of your application. Don’t worry, though! We’ve provided you with a comprehensive guide to help you draft a compelling proof of relationship support letter for the Canadian Spouse Visa.
- Canadian Spouse Visa Application: Providing evidence of a genuine relationship is crucial for Canadian citizens or permanent residents sponsoring their spouses in the immigration process.
- Proof of Relationship Letter: While not explicitly required by the IRCC, a well-drafted proof of relationship letter, usually from a family member or close friend, can significantly impact the application outcome.
- Purpose of the Letter: The Proof of Relationship Support Letter aims to provide additional evidence that the couple’s relationship is authentic and not a marriage of convenience for immigration purposes.
- Importance of the Letter Creator: The person creating the letter should be close to the couple and present during key relationship milestones, such as the first meeting, wedding, and subsequent interactions. Higher-status individuals are viewed more favourably.
- Visa Officer’s Criteria: Officers reviewing the proof of relationship letter look for specific details to determine authenticity. Dates in each letter are cross-checked for consistency.
- Points to Include in the Letter: Include relationship history, introduction to the couple, positive stories, verifiable facts, statement of genuineness, and contact information.
What is the Proof of Relationship Support Letter for Spouse Visa?
The Proof of Relationship Support Letter is drafted by the couple’s family member or close friend. This letter is designed to provide additional evidence that the couple’s relationship is genuine rather than simply a marriage of convenience for immigration purposes.
Does it matter who creates the supporting letter?
Yes, the person who creates the letter should be close to the couple and should also have been present during the key moments in their relationship.
This includes being present when the couple first met each other or began their relationship, attending their wedding, and having met them multiple times since the wedding. The person drafting the proof of relationship spouse Canada letter will also be considered more trustworthy if they have higher status.
For example, IRCC will view a relative who is a University Professor more favourably than a relative who is a fast-food restaurant worker.
How many support letters do you need?
There isn’t a specific number of support letters required for proof of relationship for a Canada spouse visa. However, it’s recommended to include at least one support letter from a close family member or friend who can confirm the authenticity of your relationship.
If the couple has been married for over a decade and has children, they might not need to provide a support letter at all. If they have been married for 3 to 5 years and have one child, they should provide a minimum of two letters. Couples that have been married for 2 to 3 years should provide as many letters as they can feasibly gather.
Ultimately, the goal is to provide sufficient evidence to convince the immigration officer that your relationship is genuine and long-lasting.
What is Visa Officer looking for?
When reviewing a proof of relationship support letter for a Canada spouse visa application, the visa officer is looking for specific information to determine the authenticity of the relationship.
An IRCC officer may assess this themselves, or they may use AI software to determine the letter’s genuineness.
They will also check to see if the dates in each letter line up. For example, they will check to see if the wedding date or the couple’s first meeting date in one letter is the same as the dates listed in the other letter provided.
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Points to be Included in Your Proof of Relationship Letter for Canada Spouse Visa
The person composing the proof of relationship support letter must include the following details in it:
1. Relationship History
The person must mention what their relationship with the couple is. So if the husband’s brother creates the letter, they should clearly state that they are the sponsor’s sibling. They should also mention how long they have known the couple.
2. Introduction to Applicant Couple and Their Perception of the Relationship
The person must mention how they first met the couple or the husband or wife. If they met either one before they entered a relationship, they should mention when they became aware of the relationship.
3. Positive Emotional Stories
The person should also include some positive emotional stories that highlight the couple’s love for each other. For example, they can mention an extravagant gift the husband put together for their wife or describe how the couple bonded after getting lost in the wilderness on their honeymoon.
4. Authentic Facts
The person should also mention verifiable facts such as the couple’s wedding date, wedding location, and how they traveled to attend the wedding. They should mention this in a straightforward manner that doesn’t sound overly formal or constructed.
5. Statement of Genuineness and Proof of Marriage
The person should explicitly state that they believe the couple’s relationship is genuine and they are happy together. They can include descriptive terms such as “committed”, “soulmates”, “meant for each other”, or “deeply in love” to further describe the relationship.
6. Contact Information
The person should also include their contact information and close out the letter by stating that IRCC can contact them if they require any further information. These contact details include their full name, phone number, email address, and residence address.
Document Checklist for Canada’s Spousal Sponsorship
Proof of Relationship Letter for Canada Spouse Visa Sample
Check out this sample letter which provides a clear outline and tips on how to demonstrate the authenticity of your relationship with the authorities.
Rahul Pandey
269, Pherozeshah Mehta Rd, Navpada, Vile Parle East,
Mumbai, India
400057
+91 6399 825790
March 3rd, 2023
To Whom it may concern,
I am providing this letter to support my brother, Karan Pandey, and his wife, Jhoti Mahaptra.
Karan and I both grew up in Mumbai, India and lived in the same home together before he immigrated to Canada in 2021. The two of us met Jhoti for the first time at a rooftop barbecue event in 2013.
She and her family had just moved into our apartment building and were eager to meet her neighbors. Karan and I befriended her, and we spent lots of time playing outdoor games around our building.
My brother admitted that he and Jhoti had begun dating in 2014, approximately one year after they met. Our families had gotten along well prior to this, so they didn’t mind Karan spending time at Jhoti’s apartment or Jhoti spending time at ours. Karan and Jhoti’s relationship became more serious after both crossed into adulthood. My brother proposed to Jhoti on our apartment’s rooftop, where they first met.
Their wedding was held at the Taj Lands End hotel on December 13th, 2018, and I remember both the bride and groom grinning from ear to ear throughout the ceremony. After being married for two years, Karan received a job offer from TD Bank in Canada. He accepted the offer and left India with the intention of boosting his career.
Being separated from his wife certainly seemed difficult for Karan, and he would come to visit Jhoti in India in December each year. Jhoti also visited Karan in Canada on a visitor visa in June 2021 and the couple went to Banff for their second honeymoon.
Karan and Jhoti’s relationship remains strong as ever, despite the challenges that long-distance poses. My brother recently became a Canadian permanent resident and hopes his wife can also do the same. They hope to settle down in Mississauga and start a family in the near future.
Please contact me if you require any additional information about me, my brother, or his wife.
Sincerely,
Rahul Pandey
Expert Guidance for Your Spouse Visa Application
How Elaar Immigration Can Help?
As you can see, writing a convincing proof of relationship support letter is crucial to strengthening your Canada Spouse Visa application. We hope the sample letter provided above has given you a clear understanding of what to include in your own letter.
However, we understand that applying for a Canada Spouse Visa can be a complex and daunting process, and you may require additional assistance. That’s where Elaar Immigration comes in.
Our team of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants is experienced in navigating the spousal sponsorship process and can help you optimize your application. We can provide personalized guidance and support every step of the way, from gathering the necessary documents to preparing for the interview. With our help, you can increase your chances of approval and reuniting with your loved one in Canada.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your Canada Spouse Visa application.
