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. The following information will help your friend or relative in Canada to prepare such a letter.

A letter of invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. Visa officers assess the applicant to determine whether they meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Information for the person preparing the letter of invitation

By writing a letter of invitation, you are not legally responsible for the visitor once they get to Canada, but you should provide the letter in good faith. You must give truthful information and intend to keep the promises you made in the letter. Send your letter (notarized if necessary) to the person you are inviting to Canada. They must then submit this letter to the Canadian Embassy or Consulate outside of Canada when they apply for their Temporary Resident Visa.

Your letter must include the following information about the person being invited:

• Complete name.
• Date of birth.
• The person’s address and telephone number.
• Your relationship to the person invited.
• The purpose of the trip.
• How long the person you are inviting intends to stay in Canada.
• Details on accommodation and living expenses.
• The date the person you are inviting intends to leave Canada.

Your letter must also include the following information about yourself:

• Complete name.
• Date of birth.
• Address and telephone number in Canada.
• Occupation.
• Whether you are a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
• A photocopy of a document proving your status in Canada. For instance, a Canadian birth certificate if you were born in Canada or a Canadian citizenship card if you are a naturalized citizen. If you are Permanent Resident, you must send proof of your permanent resident status (a copy of your PR card or your IMM 1000 proof of landing).
• Details of your family unit, including names and dates of birth of your spouse and dependants (this is mandatory for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa);
• Total number of people residing in your household, including those you have previously sponsored and whose sponsorship is still in effect (this is mandatory for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa); and
• For the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa only: A written and signed promise of your financial support for your parents or grandparents for the entire duration of their stay in Canada. Proof of income at a level meeting or exceeding the low-income cut-off (LICO) for the total number of people, including the visiting parents or grandparents, must be included.

This information is only a guide. You must write the letter of invitation yourself. Some visa offices may require that your letter be notarized by a Notary Public.

See a complete list of countries and territories whose citizens require a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada.