A character reference letter for immigration is a letter of recommendation written on someone’s behalf, to support their immigration application. This letter is written in support of a character’s claim, to tilt the application in favor of the applicant. This letter highlights the characteristics of the person in question, such as their morality, trustworthiness, goodwill, etc.
Character reference letters are important as they ascertain whether or not the person requesting the letter is of good character and deserves the request they’re asking. So, if you’re asked to write a character reference letter for someone, make sure you include all the necessary information and make sure the person merits the favor.
In this article, we’re going to list everything that’s associated with writing a character reference letter and crown it off with some templates and samples to include when writing a character reference letter of immigration.
Everything You Need to Know Before Writing a Character Reference Letter
Before writing a character reference letter, there are steps you must follow, i’s you must dot, and t’s you must cross. In this section of this article, we’re going to discuss the steps you must follow and things you must know before settling down to write this letter.
- Understanding the Kind of Immigration Letter
Before even writing the letter, you need to ensure you understand the kind of letter you’ve been asked to write. More importantly, you need to make sure you’re specific about the purpose of the letter. There are different reasons why a person may need an immigration reference letter, some of these include, certification of marriage, deportation, employment confirmation, evidence of abuse, etc.
So, understanding everything you need to know about the ask goes a long way toward helping you write a great character reference letter.
- Relate with the Person asking for the Favour
Make sure to ask the requester what they want to be written on the letter. This is especially important as they may have specific things they want to be included, and it’s also safe to do this because they’re the ones involved and they most likely understand the process more than you do.
In some cases, the person in question may offer to write the letter for you and all you’d have to do is sign. If this happens, you should have them do it. If this isn’t the case, then continue reading this article.
Request the Necessary Information from them.
Before proceeding to write the character reference letter for immigration, ensure you know the person well. This way, you don’t need to constantly be in communication with them when you need answers to questions. Another option is for them to provide their resumes, this way, you have all the information you need as regards their work experiences.
How to Ask for a Reference by Email: Samples Included
How to Write a Character Reference Letter
In this section of this article, we’re going to outline the steps you need to write a character reference letter for immigration.
- Include the header and salutation
The header in a letter is a date and other necessary information. If you’re the applicant’s boss or you work in the same place as them, you can write the letter on the company’s letterheaded paper. Some lines after that, include the salutation. If you’re unsure to who the letter should be addressed, you can simply state, “To whom it may concern.”
- Introduce yourself and your relationship with the applicant
The first paragraph of your letter should be to introduce yourself and the applicant. It should start with you stating your name, your profession, and your relationship with the employee. You should also go further by stating how long you’ve known the applicant and in what capacity. An example of this is,
“My name is Jim Blessed and I am a Canadian citizen and CFO of Brick’s Inc., Ontario. The applicant, Jane Doe is my colleague and I have known and supervised her for the past six years, from May 2016 to the present.”
- Describe the character traits of the applicant
This paragraph should list specific examples that depict the applicant’s traits. You should basically write testimonials of the applicant’s good character. An example of this could be, “Since I’ve been working with Jane, I’ve always known her to volunteer at the dog shelter every Saturday. She’s even been able to get other staff in the company to volunteer with her. This speaks very much about Jane’s compassion and kindness.”
- If needed, explain their work ethic as well.
If you work closely with the applicant, including facts about their work ethic is also encouraged. If you’re able to intertwine their character traits with their work ethic, then you should. An example of this is, “Jane has been working with us for six years, and barely six months after joining us, her teammate was involved in an accident that rendered them bedridden. Jane filled in for her for two months while her teammate recovered. This goes further to show how kind and compassionate Jane is.”
- Round it up with a heartfelt recommendation.
The letter should end with a recommendation that the applicant gets her request. If the applicant is requesting a visa, the letter should close with, “Based on the relationship I have with Jane, I strongly recommend that she be granted a visa.”
- Include your contact information and sign the letter
After including your recommendation, the next stage is to include your contact information and sign the letter. Your contact information should include your phone number, and if you’re writing the reference letter in and professional capacity, it should include your position as well.
If you’re going to have the letter notarized, you should not sign it until you’re in the presence of a notary officer.
Character Reference Letter for Immigration Sample
To whom it may concern, My name is Jacob Jones and I am a US citizen and professor at the Boston University of Arts. Jane Doe has been the associate curator for the last three years and I have worked closely with her. I have met very few people as kind as Jane Doe. Barely 4 weeks after joining us, there was a case of a missing briefcase containing over $4,000. Jane found this briefcase and ensured it was returned to the rightful owner. The level of trustworthiness and kindness Jane has exhibited while working here is why I am confident that she is of good character. I kindly ask that you consider Jane's request and grant her a continued stay. Please reach out to me if you'd like further information. Jacob Jones, Senior Professor, Boston University of Arts
Character Reference Letter for Immigration Sample Two
To whom it may concern, My name is Jim Blessed and I am a Canadian citizen and CFO of Brick’s Inc., Ontario. The applicant, Jane Doe is my colleague and I have known and supervised her for the past six years, from May 2016 to the present. Since I’ve been working with Jane, I’ve always known her to volunteer at the dog shelter every Saturday. She’s even been able to get other staff in the company to volunteer with her. This speaks very much about Jane’s compassion and kindness. Jane has been working with us for six years and barely six months after joining us, her teammate was involved in an accident that rendered them bedridden. Jane filled in for her for two months while her teammate recovered. This goes further to show how kind and compassionate Jane is. Based on the relationship I have with Jane, I strongly recommend that she be granted a visa. Kind regards, Jim Blessed, CFO of Brick’s Inc.
Conclusion
When writing a character reference letter, you must highlight the applicant’s characters – this is the golden rule when writing character reference letters. We’ve included everything you need to know to write a character reference letter and also included some samples to help you write the best character reference letters.