GUIDELINES
- Write the address for the embassy or state department where your friend is sending his immigration application.
- Briefly introduce yourself and your relationship with the applicant in the first paragraph.
- Positively describe the character of the person. You may also give a specific example that illustrates your point.
- Write a brief closing statement. Thank the reader for his time. Be polite and courteous. You may also opt to leave your contact details where the reader can contact you for further questions.
SAMPLE LETTER
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Letter Date]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-
Dear [Recipients Name],
I am writing on behalf of my friend Kiko Montoya, who has applied to immigrate to the United States.
My name is Arnold Smith, and I have known Kiko for the past five years. He is a good friend and a respectable business person. I met him five years ago when I worked with him in Japan for three years. Through his kindness and generosity, he accommodated me during my stay and treated me as if I were his brother. During our time together I got to know him as a hardworking, caring, and thoughtful person. He is also an upstanding citizen and actively volunteers in helping improve his community.
His family has long lived in the United States, but due to previous contractual commitments, Kiko has been unable to follow them here. Now that he has completed his obligations he is now free to reunite with his family. He has patiently waited a long time to be with them and has worked hard to be a notable and upstanding individual. He is one of the most dependable, conscientious, honest, and peace-loving people I have ever met and would be an excellent addition to our community. I wish I could return the kindness he has shown me and let him feel welcome and at home in our country. I am happy to provide further information if required.
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Character reference sample letter for immigration purposes.
Further things to consider when writing reference letters to immigration offices
Reference Letters
Reference letters are letters written to endorse someone's general character and personality. A reference letter differs from a recommendation letter in that the latter supports the person's application for a specific job or education program and is usually addressed to a particular person. A reference letter is more general in nature, refers to the overall character of the person, and is not addressed to anyone in particular. It is normally addressed as "Dear sir/madam," or "To whom it may concern." The person who writes the reference letter is known as the referee, and he/she could be a close friend or colleague.
For you to write good reference letters, you need to know the candidates well to be able to express their best character. Start off with a salutation and the name of the person the letter is about. Write a sentence or two explaining how you know the person and for how long. Mention the strong qualities, characteristics, and strengths of the person in question. Giving brief examples, discuss why you feel the person will be a great addition to office and work culture. Use strong verbs but do not exaggerate. Conclude with your contacts and signature.
Letters to Immigration Offices
Letters to immigration offices are letters sent to an office or department that deals with verification of documents for people entering a certain country. How you write your letter depends on what you want and which department you want. Maybe you want to apply for a work visa or request for an extension of a tourist visa. Perhaps you have basic questions regarding the country you want to visit. Whatever the reason, you need to explain for what purpose or in what context the letter is being written.
There are a few things you should keep in mind when writing letters to immigration offices. For starters, you need to type the letter on a computer using a recognized official or business format - a handwritten letter is hard to read and may not be given preference. Address the letter to the right person. Write a subject line to let the recipient know what the letter is about and why you are writing. Introduce yourself. Explain the reason for your letter. If there are any attachments, explain what they are. Close with a statement that explains what action you want the recipient to take in response to the letter.
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