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Canada Visitor Visa invitation letter: Complete guide
Photo of Jan Koelle Jan Koelle
6 min read
Updated on Nov 06, 2024
Summary
  • The Canadian Visitor Visa lets you enjoy up to six months in Canada for tourism, family, or business
  • An invitation letter from a Canadian can boost your visa application, showing your visit's purpose and ensuring you've got financial support and your intent to return home
  • No stress if you don't have an invitation letter; you can still apply for the visa; just make sure your travel details are in order.

Seeking a short stay in Canada, up to six months? Whether for tourism, family visits, or business, a Temporary Canada Visa opens doors to Canada's wonders.

In some instances, the Canadian Embassy may request an invitation letter from a Canadian contact.

The Canada visitor visa invitation letter serves as a supporting document that can strengthen your visa application. While not mandatory, it demonstrates your genuine purpose of visiting and making connections in Canada.

Fill me in

This guide covers the essentials of invitation letters for Canadian visas, including how to write one.

What is an invitation letter for the Canada Visa?

A Canadian Visitor Visa invitation letter is a written invitation from someone you have a close relationship with in Canada, such as a friend, family member, or business partner.

This individual vouches for your identity and visit's purpose, urging the Canadian Consulate to grant your visa. The letter assures the Consulate of your genuine intentions, confirming you'll depart Canada as required and have financial support if necessary.

Serving as additional proof, this letter can bolster your visa application when properly presented.

Pro Tip: Our customer feedback shows that applications supported by well-crafted invitation letters have higher approval rates, especially for first-time visitors.

Is an invitation letter mandatory for a Visitor Visa to Canada?

The letter of invitation is not mandatory. However, it can be requested in some cases. An invitation letter from a Canadian resident can significantly boost your application by:

  • Validating your travel purpose
  • Confirming accommodation arrangements
  • Providing additional financial assurance
  • Demonstrating ties to Canada

Can I apply for a Canada Visitor Visa without an invitation letter?

Yes, you can. You don’t need a letter of invitation to apply for the Canada Visitor Visa. You must provide your travel details and meet all the requirements to get this visa.

How much does an invitation letter cost for family members and friends?

There is no cost. The person inviting the application to visit Canada writes the letter, and the applicant submits it as part of the Canada Visa application process.

Who can write a letter of invitation for your application?

An invitation letter for a Canadian visa can be written by a close family member (like a parent, sibling, spouse, or child), a friend, or a business partner, especially if you're visiting for business reasons.

The key requirement is that the person inviting you must be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada, not an illegal immigrant or without legal status. They should be in good standing, with stable employment and income, to positively influence the visa decision.

Can a friend send me an invitation letter to visit Canada?

Yes, a friend or family member can write a letter of invitation. They just need to provide the required information in the letter as outlined in this article.

What are the requirements for the Invitation Letter for Canada?

Make sure the invitation letter includes the following info:

Visa applicant/visitor information:

  • Complete name (first and last name)
  • Date of birth
  • Contact information (telephone number and email)
  • Exact address
  • The relationship that the applicant has with the person inviting them
  • The purpose of the visit to Canada
  • The duration of the visit
  • Where the applicant will stay in Canada, and how will they pay for their stay
  • The date when the person will arrive in Canada and the date they will leave
  • Copy of proof of financial support (bank statements from the last six months)

The information of the person inviting the applicant:

  • Complete name (first and last name)
  • Date of birth
  • Contact information (telephone number and email)
  • Exact address
  • Status in Canada (Canadian permanent resident or citizen)
  • Job title
  • Names and dates of birth of close family members and dependents (spouse or common-law partner and children)
  • The total number of people that live in their household
  • A copy of their Canadian citizenship card or passport
  • Attach a copy of the Canadian birth certificate if the person was born in Canada
  • A copy of their Permanent Resident card or the IMM 1000 (Proof of Landing document) if they are a permanent resident
  • If you are the sponsor, provide financial info (bank statements from the last six months) to prove they are able to host the visitor

Writing an effective invitation letter

Here's what makes a strong invitation letter based on our experience processing thousands of successful applications:

  • Be specific about visit dates and duration
  • Clearly state the relationship between host and visitor
  • Include detailed contact information for both parties
  • Provide evidence of the host's status in Canada

iVisa Pro Tip: Applications supported by invitation letters from Canadian citizens or permanent residents with stable employment typically receive faster processing.

Common challenges with Canada visitor visa invitation letters

Based on our customer feedback, we've identified several challenges that applicants face when preparing invitation letters. Here's how to address them:

  • Documentation verification: Immigration officers frequently request notarized invitation letters. We recommend getting the letter notarized to avoid processing delays
  • Financial proof concerns: Many applicants struggle with demonstrating sufficient financial support. Include both the host's and applicant's financial documents
  • Relationship authentication: Immigration officers carefully scrutinize the relationship between host and visitor. Provide clear evidence of your connection through photos, communication records, or previous visits

iVisa Pro Tip: Our experience shows that applications with notarized invitation letters and comprehensive financial documentation have higher approval rates

Strengthening your application with supporting documents

Document Type Purpose Required/Recommended
Bank Statements Proves financial capacity Required
Employment Letter Shows ties to home country Highly Recommended
Property Documents Demonstrates strong ties Recommended
Travel History Shows compliance record Recommended
Previous Visas Indicates travel experience Helpful

Sample invitation letter for the Canada Visa

For a better understanding of a Canadian invitation letter's format and required details, below is a template with placeholders for personal information.

In this template, the “Invitee” refers to the person extending the invitation (host), and the "Applicant" denotes the person being invited (person who is applying for the Canada Visa).

Name of Place in Canada, Date

To the Canadian Embassy in [Applicant Country] [Embassy Address] [Embassy Phone Number]

Subject: invitation letter for Mr./Miss [Applicant’s Name]

Dear Sir/Madam,

My name is [Invitee’s Name], I was born on [date of birth]. I am a [status in Canada – citizen or permanent resident] and I live at [address in Canada]. My household has [number of people living in the household] and I work as a [job title at company, location], earning [monthly or annual salary].

Through this letter, I am inviting [Applicant Name], born on [date of birth] and currently living at [address in foreign country] to Canada for a short stay. [Applicant Name] will be staying at [location and address in Canada such as a hotel or host address] from [date of entry] until [date of departure]. I am [Applicant Name's] [relationship such as father, sister, friend, business partner, etc.], and we will be traveling around Canada for [duration in days or months] for [tourism, meetings, etc.]. We're especially looking forward to visit [attraction/event/other in Canada].

[Applicant Name] currently works [enter job title and location], earning [monthly or annual salary] with which they will be able to afford their trip to and stay in Canada. [Applicant Name] is a genuine visitor who will not overstay their visa. Their work obligations in [applicant home country] ensure they are needed back home in due time.

Please see attached a certified copy of my [document proving status in Canada such as passport, birth certificate, or PR card] and my bank statement for the past 6 months.

Feel free to contact me with any further questions regarding myself or [Applicant Name].

I look forward to having [Applicant Name] visit me in Canada.

Kind regards,

[Invitee's Name]

[Address] [Phone number] [email] Signature

If you have more questions about the Canada Visa requirements

Here's more info about the Canada Visa invitation letter from the Canadian government.

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