How to Make a Good Personal Statement

The most important thing to remember is that you will need to demonstrate that your relationship is ongoing, genuine and you have resided together for at least 12 months. These are the criteria will Citizenship and Immigration Canada will assess when they determine whether to approve your application. If anything in this document is unclear or you have any questions about your application, please feel free to contact us at any time.

This is not a legal document but should be submitted in order to strengthen your case. You can title the document “Personal Statement for [your name]” and address it “to whom it may concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” At the end of your personal statement, sign and print your name, and include the date and your contact information (address, phone number, email).

Reference letters from friends and family should follow this template as well.

Information to Include in Your Personal Statement:

1. How did you and your partner meet (this can include online)? Let us know the date, place/occasion.
2. If you and your partner began as friends or acquaintances, when did your relationship become romantic and how?
3. Talk about the types of activities you and your partner enjoyed while dating. Did you go on any trips? Or were there any special events you’d like to mention? (dates, location, and other details)
4. Discuss the connection your partner formed/is forming with your family members or friends. Has your spouse been introduced to your parents/children/siblings/best friends? Have all of you gone on outings together?
5. Talk about what qualities you like about your partner, how you complement each other and why they are special to you.
6. List the dates and locations of trips you and your partner have taken together.  The dates of when you have visited your partner or visa-versa. (If possible, provide hotel and plane bookings for these trips) Please note there only needs to be one of these lists, combining all the trips. We do not need one from each partner unless you feel it is necessary.
7. Tell us how you and your partner communicate when you are separated and how often (letters, phone, email, Facebook, instant message, etc.). If possible, provide copies of these communications to your partner (phone logs, copies of emails, etc. You do not need to provide all of these communications if you feel there are some that are too personal to be shared)
8. Tell us about some of your future plans with your partner. If you are the sponsored person, tell us about your plans after you become a permanent resident. (Go to school, work, have children, travel, buy a house, get engaged/married etc.)
9. Are you planning to get engaged or married in the future? If yes, talk about your plans if you have made (Please note: you do not need to plan to get married in order to have your application approved)
10.  Having supporting documents demonstrating the genuineness of your relationship is especially important in a common-law relationship. Please ensure that the documents you provide us with have BOTH partners’ names on them (household bills, lease or mortgage agreement, investments, bank statements, etc.)
11.  Ensure that you have both signed a “Declaration of a Common-Law Relationship.” If you have not yet received this document, please speak to the person handling your file.
12. Common Law Sponsorship