Preparing a Letter of Invitation to Canada

Key Takeaways

• Canadian residents can use a Letter of Invitation to support a visitor visa application for their loved ones.
• The letter details the reason for visiting, presents evidence of accommodation or financial support, and demonstrates the visitor’s intent to return home.
• Commissioning a Letter of Invitation bolsters credibility and emphasizes the host’s commitment to providing truthful information.
• Letters of Invitation are used by Canadians to ensure attendance at weddings, graduations, and business visits for their loved ones and associates.
• Hosts can provide additional documents, including proof of citizenship, financial stability, and their relationship to the visitor.
• NotaryPro offers a free template to simplify the process of creating a Letter of Invitation, along with fast online signing services.

When a person applies for a visitor visa to Canada, the government may request a Letter of Invitation from someone living in Canada. In this blog, we’ll explain what a Letter of Invitation is, when a letter is necessary, and how to prepare one.

A Letter of Invitation doesn’t guarantee that an applicant will receive a visitor visa. However, immigration officers often consider the letter when deciding whether an applicant meets Canada’s immigration requirements. 

If you want to write a Letter of Invitation to help a friend, family member, or business associate, keep reading. 

What is a Letter of Invitation to Canada?

If a traveller requires a visa to visit Canada, a Letter of Invitation supports their visa application. It’s written by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident inviting their friend, family member, or business associate to Canada.

A Letter of Invitation to Canada demonstrates that you’re inviting someone to visit Canada and outlines the purpose of their visit. In the letter, a host indicates they will provide a visitor with accommodation and/or financial support. 

Essentially, the letter shows that the traveller has a genuine reason for visiting Canada. It can also substantiate that the visitor intends to return to their home country and they’re not at risk of overstaying their visa.

Does a Letter of Invitation to Canada Need to Be Commissioned?

Having your Letter of Invitation to Canada commissioned is recommended. Commissioning adds credibility to your letter, increasing the chances of your visitor’s visa application being accepted. Commissioning also demonstrates your commitment to providing accurate information and makes your letter more trustworthy. Moreover, some visa offices require that these letters be commissioned. 

You can get your Letter of Invitation commissioned online with NotaryPro in under 7 minutes. Simply book an online notary service appointment to get started. 

When Do You Need a Letter of Invitation to Canada?

A Letter of Invitation is often drafted for special milestones like weddings, birthdays, business events, and more. Students often require a Letter of Invitation to invite family members to a graduation ceremony or to visit them during a semester. Businesses also require Letters of Invitation when inviting international collaborators to visit.

Travellers from this list of countries require a visa to visit Canada by plane, car, bus, train or cruise ship. However, a traveller may require a visitor visa for other reasons as well.

A visa officer will review the documents in a traveller’s application — including your Letter of Invitation — and decide whether to issue a visa. Visa officers assess each applicant holistically to determine whether they meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Supporting Documents for Your Letter of Invitation

In addition to a Letter of Invitation, you can send the visitor you’re inviting to Canada other documents to support their application. If you’re a student, you must have completed six months of studies in Canada to invite family or friends into the country.

You can send your visitor the following documents to support their application:

• A copy of your permanent resident card
• A copy of your passport 
• Proof of Canadian citizenship
• Proof of relationship (e.g., a marriage certificate if you’re inviting your spouse)
• Proof of available funds if you’ve stated you’ll support the visitor (e.g., pay stubs)
• A Letter of Employment
• Proof of accommodation (if not at your house, a hotel reservation confirmation)
• A study permit and a current Confirmation of Registration Letter (for enrolled students)
• Your official transcript (for enrolled students)
• A copy of your post-graduation work and/or study permit (for graduates)

Your document(s) must be valid for the length of your visitor’s stay in Canada. If you recently completed your program requirements but don’t have a post-graduation work permit, you may send a copy of your study permit and an official letter of completion.

Applying for a Visa to Visit Canada

Travellers can apply for various visas, including:

• A Visitor Visa (known as a temporary resident visa): for various travellers to stay up to 6 months
• A Super Visa: for parents and grandparents to stay up to 5 years
• A Transit Visa: for travellers passing through Canada to stay 48 hours or less

They can apply for the above visas online or on paper. See the complete instructions on how to apply for a temporary visitor visa for more information. 

If a visitor applies online, they must have the following to apply:

• Access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of documents
• A valid credit card to submit payment

Alternatively, visitors can apply on paper and submit their application to a Canadian Embassy, Consulate, Visa Office, or High Commission Office. Find a local Visa Application Center (VAC) near you or your visitor. 

The documents required can vary based on your situation. See the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) visa application document checklist for a complete list of documents to include. You can also consult a qualified immigration professional to ensure you include all documents required for your specific situation.

Before applying for a visitor visa, travellers should ensure they require a visa to enter Canada. People usually need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada, not both. Some people may only require a valid passport. See whether a traveller needs a visa or an eTA to learn what’s best for them.

Draft a Letter of Invitation to Canada Today

Now that you know what information to include in your Letter of Invitation to Canada, it’s time to start writing. NotaryPro offers a free, fillable Letter of Invitation to Canada template, so you can draft your letter in minutes. Simply fill in the fields, and have a perfectly formatted letter sent to your email. 

Need help drafting your letter? Our Live Document Drafting service enables you to connect with a licensed legal professional online. Have a professional draft your letter for you with our live drafting service today!