DocumentsFree Invitation Letter Sample for a Canadian Visitor Visa
Free Invitation Letter Sample for a Canadian Visitor Visa
Inviting someone to Canada from abroad and require a notarized invitation letter? An invitation letter increases the chances of your guest’s Canadian visitor visa application being accepted. It serves as proof that an individual visiting Canada has:
- A genuine reason to visit Canada
- A host to provide accommodations and financial support during their stay
- The intention to return to their home country after their visit and are not at risk of overstaying their visa
With NotaryPro, you can draft a customized invitation letter for free — and have it notarized online in 7 minutes.
Invitation Letter
To make notarizing your invitation letter as easy and convenient as possible, NotaryPro offers online notary services. Now, you can avoid the hassle of visiting a notary public in person, and get your letter notarized from the comfort of your home or office.
What is an Invitation Letter?
An invitation letter is a formal document that invites someone to visit Canada from abroad. It must be written by a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident hosting the visitor. This letter increases the likelihood of your loved one’s visitor visa being accepted.
Invitation letters are often drafted for special milestones like weddings or birthdays. Additionally, students often require an invitation letter to invite family members to a graduation ceremony or to visit during a semester. Businesses also require invitation letters when inviting international collaborators to visit.
What Details Does an Invitation Letter Contain?
- Sender’s Information: If you or your business is inviting someone to Canada, ensure that you include your full name, address, and your or your business’ contact information.
- Visitor’s Information: Ensure that the letter includes the full name, address, and contact information of the person being invited to Canada.
- Date and Length of Stay: The specific dates of the visit should be mentioned, including the start and end date of the visitor’s intended stay in Canada. It’s critical to include that your visitor doesn’t intend to stay in Canada beyond the duration of their trip. A Canadian visitor also cannot stay longer than six months.
- Purpose of Visit: The invitation letter must explain the purpose of the visit. This can be for tourism, business meetings, conferences, family visits, milestones, or other reasons.
- Relationship to the Visitor: Disclosing the relationship between you and the visitor (e.g., family member, coworker, etc.) helps establish the credibility and authenticity of the invitation.
- The Visitor’s Itinerary: Information about the places your visitor plans to go and events/meetings they’ll attend paints a more accurate picture of the visit.
- Financial Responsibility: Outline who will be financially responsible for the visitor’s expenses during their stay in Canada. Include details about how they’ll get around, who will pay for certain activities, and any other financial support provided.
- Accommodation Details: Provide the address where your visitor will be staying and include the host’s contact information, even if it’s you.
- Declaration of Invitation: It’s important to state that the sender is inviting the recipient to visit Canada. Your letter should also note that you take full responsibility for the visitor during their stay.
- Notarization: Having your invitation letter notarized by an authorized official (like a notary public) adds extra credibility to the letter. Notarization increases the chances of your traveler’s visitor visa application being accepted.
What Other Documents Do I Need with an Invitation Letter?
The documents you’ll need to include with your invitation letter may vary depending on your situation. Some of the most common documents included with an invitation letter are:
- Proof of Identity: A clear copy of your valid passport or government-issued ID should be provided. This includes the personal information page showing your name, photo, date of birth, and passport/ID number. This step is important for both the sender and the visitor.
- Proof of Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Residency: The person inviting a visitor to Canada must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Include a copy of your citizenship certificate, permanent resident card, or birth certificate with the letter.
- Proof of Relationship (if applicable): If the visitor is coming to Canada for a family reunion or to visit a relative, include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other evidence to establish the familial relationship.
- Proof of Accommodation: This can include a hotel reservation confirmation, lease agreement, or a letter from the host confirming the visitor’s accommodation arrangements.
- Financial Support Documentation: If you are financially supporting a visitor during their stay, you’ll need to provide proof of your financial capacity. You can do this with bank statements, an employment letter, or other documents to prove your ability to cover the visitor’s expenses.
- Travel Itinerary: Including roof of flight reservations, a detailed schedule of activities, or prepaid tickets to events or attractions can help validate the purpose and length of the trip.
- Employment Verification: If the visitor is employed in their home country, you can include a letter from their employer. The letter should state their position, length of employment, salary, and permission for time off to help support their visa application.
- Travel Medical Insurance: Visitors need to have travel medical insurance. Be sure to include proof of travel medical insurance coverage that lasts for the duration of the trip.
- Proof of Return: To help demonstrate the visitor’s intention to return to their home country after they visit Canada, include employment contracts, property ownership, or other ties to their home country.
Additional documents required can vary based on your situation; we recommend checking the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website to ensure you include everything required. You can also consult with a qualified immigration professional to ensure you include all documents documents based on your specific situation.
Does an Invitation Letter Need to be Notarized?
Getting your invitation letter notarized adds credibility to it, increasing the chances of your visitor’s Canadian visitor visa being accepted. Notarization demonstrates your commitment to providing accurate information and makes it more reliable and trustworthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Invitation Letter?
An invitation letter is a formal document that invites someone to visit Canada from overseas.
This letter increases the likelihood of your loved one’s visitor visa being accepted. It provides information about why the person is visiting, and outlines the relationship between the host and the visitor. It must be written by a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident hosting the visitor.
Is an invitation letter mandatory for a Canadian visitor visa?
While an invitation letter is not mandatory, it is highly advisable.
An immigration officer accessing your case will thoroughly review your visitor’s application and supporting documents before arriving at a decision. The letter will strengthen your visitor’s Canadian visa application and increase the chances of it being approved.
Can an invitation letter guarantee the approval of a Canadian visitor visa?
No, an invitation letter alone doesn’t guarantee the approval of a Canadian visitor visa.
The final decision rests with the Canadian immigration authorities, who assess various factors, including the visitor’s eligibility, ties to their home country, financial capacity, and the purpose of the visit.
Is NotaryPro’s online drafting & notary service legally recognized?
Yes, NotaryPro’s documents are legally recognized.
NotaryPro’s documents have been accepted by many institutions, including provincial, national, and international authorities.
Is NotaryPro’s online drafting & notary service secure?
Yes, NotaryPro uses the latest encryption technology.
Your personal information and documents are subject to the highest level of digital security, and we ensure that your documents are notarized in compliance with all applicable Canadian laws and regulations. See our blog on the security of our online notarization.
How much does it cost?
It’s free to create your document, although we do offer online notarization for a small fee.
That’s right! Creating your document comes at no cost to you, but if you would like to notarize it at the same time, we’re happy to help. Please find our detailed prices here.
Can I issue a letter of invitation as a student?
Yes! If you’re a student attending a Canadian college or university, you can draft an invitation letter to invite your family to visit you.
Your educational institution may have its own process, so it’s best to check with student services to ensure you follow the correct one.