For Canadian student visas, an Affidavit of Support is a legal document signed or used by an individual to declare that they have the necessary amount of financial support needed for a student to pay for tuition fees, living expenses, insurance, books, and supplies for the length of their studies in the country.
In Canada, this document is most often required to be supported with the necessary financial evidence such as bank savings, income sources, etc. In some cases, this document will have to be submitted to the university or the visa office/consulates to let the officers know that the sponsors have adequate funds to support the applicant.
Canadian immigration authorities want to see that students who are going to study in the country possess the financial capabilities to support themselves during their stay. Since these students may not have entered the workforce or have their own source of income, parents and family members may suffice.
The parents, spouse, or family relation that is supporting the student is referred to as a sponsor. The affidavit of support is either written on letterhead or submitted through a form that is noted by the relevant body. Coupled with the affidavit of support, parents or family members will have to provide proof of relationship to the applicant.
A good option for this is a birth certificate, or in the case of a spouse, a marriage certificate, and other qualifying documents. The sponsor is expected to be one individual from the family and not a collection of family members.
While you can nominate one person from the family to act as the sponsor, also note that you are allowed to have 2 people such as both income-earning parents. It is imperative you carefully go through the print on student applications, because some institutions in the country may require the sponsor to be a parent or spouse, and not an aunt or an uncle.
Aside from the proof of relationship and the affidavit, a sponsor will also need to show that they have the necessary financial requirement for the student to receive a visa. In addition, students can also submit the evidence of funds that are in their own names. If they choose to do so, then they don’t have to submit the Affidavit of Support signed by their sponsors.
How to Write an Affidavit of Support Letter for a Canadian Student Visa
Most often, you will be provided with a form to complete for an affidavit of support. However, if you are not provided with a form to complete, you will be expected to write your own. Note that this is done as a formal letter, typed and on personal letterhead. To ensure you do it right always remember that an affidavit of support aims to capture the following:
- Who you are
- Your relation to the student applicant
- Your intentions to support the student applicant financially
- How long do you intend to support the student
- Proof that you can meet the financial requirements
- Your source of earnings
- Necessary documents included as evidence of meeting the requirements
- Signature
What should an Affidavit of Support/ Sponsorship Letter include?
- Name and address of a sponsor
- Name and Address of the student to whom the funds are provided
- Relationship between a sponsor and a student
- Declaration of amount, duration, and purpose of sponsorship
- Signed by a sponsor
- Enclosed is financial documentary evidence such as bank savings, income sources, etc. It would be best if you could get it attested by a notary public.
Sample Affidavit of Support for Canadian Student Visa
Silvestre Jane
86 Whitchurch Road, Aberdeen
01224 211671 Silverkane0123@gmail.com
07/05/2022
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Harry Hays Building
220 4 Avenue SE, Room 210
Calgary AB T2G 4X3
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Silvestre Kane. This letter is to confirm financial support for the student visa application for Priscilla Kane with passport number 107165602. She has recently been admitted into The University of British Columbia as a full-time student. As the student’s biological father, I intend to fully support her studying and living expenses while she is in the country.
To further prove our relationship, I have included a copy of her birth certificate. I also plan to cater fully to all the expenses my daughter, Priscilla Kane, incurs during the length of the entire program in Canada. The expenses include tuition, accommodation, meals, living expenses, study expenses, and any other miscellaneous expenses.
Attached to this letter are the bank statements and other proof of financial statements to show evidence of meeting the financial requirements for a student visa. I sincerely pledge that the student applicant will have maximum access to this account for the entire term she is a full-time student of The University of British Columbia. I have also attached a copy of my government-issued ID to verify my details.
Please endeavor to contact me with any questions or for further information.
Sincerely,
Silvestre Kane
Conclusion
Just as was noted above, an Affidavit of Support is a legal document signed or used by an individual to declare that they have the necessary amount of financial support needed to cater to the needs of a student in the country. When an applicant fails to cover the expense of studying and living in Canada, a ‘sponsor’ will be tasked with paying for food, trips, tuition fees, accommodation, etc.