Will you be visiting family or friends in Canada? If so, you may need a letter of invitation.
Sometimes, when you apply for a visa to visit Canada, you are asked to provide a letter of invitation from someone in Canada.
A letter of invitation is a letter from your friend or family member that invites you to visit them in Canada. It ultimately demonstrates that there is a genuine purpose for your trip to Canada.
A letter of invitation does not guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Visa officers assess you to decide whether you meet the terms of Canada's immigration laws prior to making a final decision on your application.
What Should the Invitor Include in Their Letter?
Writing a letter of invitation does not mean that the invitor is legally responsible for the visitor during their stay in Canada. However, the letter should be in good faith and should tell the truth about the visit.
The letter will be included in the visa application that is submitted by the invitee.
The invitor should include the following information about the invitee.
complete name,
date of birth,
address and telephone number,
your relationship to the person,
the purpose of the trip,
how long the person plans to stay in Canada,
where the person will stay, and how he or she will pay for things, and
when the person plans to leave Canada.
They should also include the following information about themself:
complete name,
date of birth,
address and telephone number in Canada,
job title,
whether you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident,
a photocopy of a document proving your status in Canada, such as
a Canadian birth certificate, if you were born in Canada,
a Canadian citizenship card, if you are a naturalized citizen, or
a copy of your PR card or your IMM 1000 proof of landing, if you are a permanent resident,
details of your family, such as names and dates of birth of your spouse and dependants (this is mandatory for the parent and grandparent super visa), and
the total number of people living in your household, including people you sponsored whose sponsorship is still in effect (this is mandatory for the parent and grandparent super visa).
For the parent and grandparent super visa only, you must also provide:
a written and signed promise of your financial support for your parents or grandparents for their entire stay in Canada, and
proof that your income meets or is above the low-income cut-off (LICO) for the total number of people, including the visiting parents or grandparents.
The letter of invitation once complete should be notarized prior to sending. This affirms the seriousness of the invitation and your commitment to your guest. A letter of invitation is an important and surprisingly complex document. For more information about preparing invitation letter documents please contact us at www.immigrationstationcanada.com or book an appointment.
About Us
Immigration Station Canada is a dedicated, professional Canadian Immigration firm practicing out of Northumberland County, just east of Toronto, in Canada. We serve clients from Kingston, Belleville, Brighton, Cobourg, Oshawa, the GTA, Guelph, Milton, Stratford and St. Catharines and around the world. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, Anne C. McCaughey (Annie) is an experienced immigration services provider and a 6th-generation Canadian who values the immigration process and the unique individuals who immigrate to Canada to become part of the fabric of this wonderful country. If you would like to submit a question to Ask Annie, use the link located at the top right of the page.
How Can We Help?
We do work permits, study permits, visitor visas, Express Entry, spousal sponsorship, family class sponsorship, and Canadian citizenship with expertise in Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications and Global Talent Stream applications.
Please contact us if you would like assistance with your immigration application or to book an appointment.
