A simple signed letter from someone you know in Canada and inviting you to visit them is an invitation letter for a visitor visa in Canada. This person can be a friend, family member, or business associate, but it must be someone you are in a close contact or have a close relationship with, and who can verify your identification and your reason for visiting Canada. The fact that you have a letter of invitation does not guarantee that you will be granted a visa. Visa officers examine the application and determine whether they fit the requirements of Canadian immigration law.
This article will explain what a visa invitation letter is, how to obtain one, and also a sample invitation letter for Canadian Visa is provided at the end as a guide.
Required Information on the Invitation Letter
You are not legally accountable for the guest once he or she arrives in Canada if you write a letter of invitation. Nonetheless, you should compose the letter in good faith. You must say the truth and intend to follow through on the commitments made in the letter.
Send your letter to the individual you’re inviting to Canada (notarized if the visa office requests it). When applying for a temporary residence visa outside of Canada, the person (applicant) must include this letter to the Canadian embassy or consulate.
Information Required from the Guest
The following information from the person you’re inviting (guest) must be included:
- Complete legal name
- Date of birth
- Residential address
- Phone number
- Your relationship to the person
- The purpose of the trip
- Indented duration of stay in Canada,
- Where he or she intends to stay (accommodation arrangements)
- How he or she intends to pay for things
- and when the person intends to depart Canada
Information Required from the Host
You must include the following personal information as a Host:
- Complete legal name
- Date of birth
- Canadian residential address
- Phone number,
- Job title,
- Your status in Canada (Canadian citizen/permanent resident (PR)),
- A photocopy or scan document validating your status in Canada, few examples are (Canadian birth certificate document, if you were born in Canada, a Canadian citizenship card, if you are a naturalized citizen, or a copy of your Permanent Resident card or IMM 1000 proof of landing, or if you are on a PR status, details of your family, PR card # that include names and dates (these details are essential for the parent and grandparent super visa).
Additional Requirements for Super Visa
The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to spend more than six months with their children or grandchildren. Because this visa is valid for a longer period of time than other Temporary Resident Visas, the invitation letter must include following additional information in addition to the one listed above:
- a written and signed agreement to support your parents or grandparents financially for the duration of their stay in Canada,
- as well as confirmation that your income reaches or exceeds the low-income cut-off (LICO) for the total number of individuals, including the visiting parents or grandparents.
Canada letter of Invitation Sample
**First Page**
(Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
(Processing Office Address)
Subject: Letter of Invitation
To whom it may concern,
This is to certify that {Name of Guest(s)} will be visiting {Name of Host(s)} in {City of Residence}, Canada from {Date of Arrival} to {Date of Departure}. {Explain your relationship to your Guest(s): Family ties, the time you know the guest(s), how you know each other, etc.}. {Name of Guest(s)} will be staying at my home for the duration of their stay. {Explain what you will do during your stay in Canada: visit this city, this region, etc.}
Please find attached to this letter proof of my{Host(s)} legal status in Canada. You will also find my my{Host(s)} personal information as well as those of my guest(s).
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
{Name of Host(s)}
Signature
(Notarized) if required
** Second Page**
Guest Information:
- Name:
- Passport #:
- Date of birth:
- Address and telephone number:
- Relationship to the guest:
- Purpose of travel: {visiting family, friends, tourism, etc.}
- Duration of stay:
- Address of stay: {Address where the guest will stay at}
- Financial Support: {who will pay for all his/her/their expenses, etc.}
- Date of departure from Canada:
Host Information:
- Name:
- Date of birth:
- Address and telephone number in Canada:
- Job title:
- Legal status in Canada: {Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident}
- PR Card #/ Canadian Passport #:
{Only for Super Visa add the following details}
- Name and date of birth of spouse and dependents:
- Number of people living in my household, including people still being sponsored
The above Canada letter of Invitation Sample is just intended to serve as a guide. You must write your own invitation letter.