How to Write an Immigration Support Letter (with Examples)

If someone you care about is going through the immigration process, you probably want to do everything you can to help. Writing a letter of support is one of the best ways to help. This letter is a formal part of an immigration application that gives a personal account of the applicant’s character, relationship, or other important parts of their case.

A well-written letter of support can make a big difference in an application. It provides a human element that goes beyond the standard forms and documents, offering immigration officials a clearer picture of who the applicant is. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about writing a strong and useful support letter, from what it is and why you need one to how to organize the information in it. We’ll talk about what to include and what to leave out, and we’ll give you templates to help you get started.

Understanding the Purpose of a Support Letter

An immigration support letter can be used as a character reference or proof that a relationship is real. The main goal is to convince the immigration officer who is looking at the case that the applicant deserves a good outcome. The letter can be used to prove a few important points, depending on the type of application.

Showing Good Moral Character

For certain visas or applications like cancellation of removal, proving good moral character is essential. A letter of support from a well-known community member, employer, or long-time friend can show that the person is honest, trustworthy, and has done good things for their community. It helps paint a picture of the applicant as a responsible and upstanding individual.

Checking to see if a relationship is real

When applying for a spousal visa or a fiancé(e) visa, immigration officials need to be sure that the relationship is real and not just for immigration purposes. A letter of support from a friend or family member who has seen the relationship in person can be very helpful. These letters often talk about the couple’s shared experiences, commitment, and real love for each other, which makes the application more believable.

Verifying Financial Aid

Some visa applications need proof that the person applying won’t cost the country money. A letter of financial support from a sponsor, who is usually a family member or employer, can show that they are willing and able to help with money. This letter usually talks about how financially stable the sponsor is and how committed they are to helping the applicant.

Helping with Other Immigration Cases

Support letters can be valuable in various other immigration scenarios, such as asylum applications, where they can attest to the applicant’s credibility, or in certain employment-based visas, where an employer’s letter can highlight the applicant’s unique skills and importance to the company.

Who is able to write a letter of support?

Who writes a support letter can often affect how credible it is. The person who writes the letter should know the applicant well enough to be able to speak honestly about them. Letters from people who have some power or have known the applicant for a long time and are close to them are the best.

Here are some of the best people to ask for a support letter:

Family Members: People often ask their parents, siblings, and other close relatives to write letters, especially for applications that are based on relationships. Their letters can give you a lot of personal information.
Friends: Long-time friends who have known the applicant or the couple for a significant period can provide valuable testimony about their character and relationships.
Employers and coworkers: An employer’s letter of recommendation for immigration can be very helpful. It can verify employment, describe the applicant’s work ethic, and show how they are valuable to the company and the community.
Community Leaders: Strong character references can come from people like pastors, priests, teachers, or heads of community groups. Their testimony is stronger because of their reputation in the community.
Landlords or neighbors: These people can vouch for the applicant’s character as a tenant or member of the community, confirming that they are reliable and a good person to be around.

The writer has to be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident and be ready to give their contact information and proof of their status if asked.

What to Include in Terms of Content and Structure

A letter that is well-organized and has a lot of information is more likely to be taken seriously. Follow a clear format and include specific, verifiable information.

Parts of the Letter That Are Important

The following are the most important parts of every immigration support letter:

Your Information: Start with your full name, address, and contact information.
Date: The day the letter was written.
Information about the recipient: Send the letter to the right immigration office. If you don’t know the name of the specific officer, you can use a general greeting like “To the Adjudicating Immigration Officer” or “To Whom It May Concern.”
Subject Line: Make the letter’s purpose clear. For instance, “RE: Letter of Support for [Applicant’s Full Name], Case Number: [If Known].”
Beginning::
- Please tell us your full name and whether you are a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
- Clearly say how you know the person who is applying (for example, “I am the older sister of [Applicant’s Name]”).
- Say a few words about how long you’ve known the person who applied.
Body Paragraphs: This is the core of your letter. Use separate paragraphs to give specific examples and details that back up the applicant’s case.
- For visas based on relationships: Tell us how you know the couple, how you’ve seen their relationship grow, and why you think it’s real. Talk about specific events you went to together, like family gatherings or holidays.
- For character references, give specific examples of how the person is honest, kind, and involved in the community. Tell stories about their good traits.
- For financial help: Make it clear that you want to help the applicant with money. You might need to say what you do for a living, how much money you make each year, and that you have the means to keep this promise.
Sworn Statement and Conclusion:
- End by saying again that you support the applicant.
- Add something like, “I swear that the information in this letter is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.”
- Offer to provide more information if needed and include your contact details again.
Signature: Finish with a sincere closing, like “Sincerely” or “Respectfully,” and then write your name and sign it. You might need to have the letter notarized if necessary.

Length and Formatting

Stay professional: Put the letter on a computer. Use a standard font that is easy to read, like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12.
Be brief: Try to write a letter that is one to two pages long. Immigration officers have a lot of papers to look over, so details are important. A letter that is clear and to the point works better.
Proofread: Look for any mistakes in spelling or grammar. A well-written letter shows that you are serious and trustworthy.

Important Things to Do and Not Do

To ensure your letter is as effective as possible, here are some important guidelines to follow.

Do:

Be honest and clear: Give accurate information and support your claims with concrete examples. Instead of saying “[Applicant] is a good person,” tell a story about a time they showed their good character.
Keep a Positive and Respectful Tone: Your letter should be polite and professional.
State Your Immigration Status: Clearly state that you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.
Add your contact information: Make it easy for officials to get in touch with you if they have more questions.
Do what you’re told: Follow any special instructions for the letter that the applicant’s lawyer or the immigration agency gives you.

Don’t:

Make things bigger or lie: Lying can have serious effects on the applicant’s case and could even get you in trouble with the law.
Be Vague: It’s not convincing to make broad statements. “I’ve seen them together, and they seem happy” isn’t as good as “I spent last Christmas with them, and everyone in my family could see how much they cared for and supported each other.”
Use emotional blackmail: Don’t use language that is too emotional or try to make the immigration officer feel bad. Stick to facts and honest personal stories.
Include Irrelevant Information: Keep the content focused on helping the applicant’s case.
Promise things you can’t do: Make sure you can follow through if you’re writing a letter asking for money.

Template for a Sample Immigration Support Letter

You can change this template to fit your needs. Don’t forget to add your own stories and information to it.

[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]

[Date]

U.S. Department of Homeland Security [or the address of a specific USCIS office, if you know it]

Letter of Support for [Applicant’s Full Name]
Case Number: [If known]

Dear Adjudicating Immigration Officer, I am [Your Full Name] and I am a [U.S. Citizen / Lawful Permanent Resident]. This letter is to say that I fully support [Applicant’s Full Name]’s application for immigration. As their [Your Relationship to Applicant, e.g., friend, employer, sibling], I have been lucky enough to know [Applicant’s Name] for [Number] years.

[For an application based on a relationship (couple): Talk about how you know the couple in this part. For instance, “I have known [Applicant’s Name] and their spouse, [Spouse’s Name], since they started dating in [Year]. I was there for their wedding on [Date] and have spent many weekends and holidays with them. I’ve watched their relationship grow into a strong, loving one based on respect and love for each other. I remember when [Spouse’s Name] was sick and [Applicant’s Name] took a week off work to take care of them. This showed a level of commitment that is truly inspiring.

[For a character reference (friend or family member): In this part, give examples of how the applicant is a good person. For instance: “Over the years, I have seen [Applicant’s Name]’s great character for myself. They are an active volunteer at our local food bank and have always been the first to offer help to neighbors in need. I remember one time when [tell me about a specific event]. This is just one of many ways they showed they were honest and selfless.

[For an employer reference: In this part, confirm that the person is employed and talk about how valuable they are.] For example: “[Applicant’s Name] has been employed at [Company Name] as a [Job Title] since [Start Date]. They are a dedicated and highly skilled worker who has become an important part of our team. Their knowledge of [specific skill] is essential to our business, and their upbeat attitude makes our workplace a better place to work.

In conclusion, I have no doubt that [Applicant’s Name] is a person of great character who will be a great asset to this country. They really love and care about each other, and their relationship with [Spouse’s Name] is real. I fully support their application and am sure they will continue to be a good influence in our community.

To the best of my knowledge, I swear that the information in this letter is true and correct. If you need more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Sincerely,

(Signature)

[Your Printed Name]

Getting professional help to get through the process

It is a big deal to write a support letter, and it can have a big effect on an immigration case. If you follow these steps, you can write a strong letter that really helps your friend or family member. Keep in mind that being honest, specific, and professional are your best qualities.

If you’re in New Zealand and don’t know how to write a support letter for immigration NZ or need help with any part of the immigration process, it’s always a good idea to get professional help. An expert can make sure that your letter is legal and as effective as possible. Business Kiwi has a network of experienced professionals who can help you deal with these problems. We can put you in touch with professionals who can help you write a support letter that stands out. Call us today to set up a consultation so we can help you make sure your loved one’s application has the best possible evidence.

How to Write a Letter of Support for Immigration