Invitation Letters for Visa Applications
Help Your Guest Visit Canada With Confidence
What Is an Invitation Letter? An invitation letter is a signed document written by someone in Canada — usually a friend or family member — inviting someone from another country to visit. It confirms the purpose of the trip, how long the guest will stay, and who will be responsible during the visit. Let’s say your cousin wants to come from India for your wedding. Immigration officers will want to know who they’re visiting, how long they’ll stay, and if they’ll return home afterward. That’s where your invitation letter comes in. It’s a key part of supporting a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application — and when done right, it can make all the difference.
When would you need one?
These letters are often required when:
- You’re inviting family or friends to visit Canada for a few weeks or months
- Someone is coming to attend a wedding, graduation, or milestone event
- Your relative is coming to help after childbirth or during recovery
- You’re hosting someone for a short-term business trip or academic event
- You’re helping a parent or grandparent apply for a Super Visa
A client in Mississauga used an invitation letter to bring her elderly father from the Philippines for her child’s birth. With the letter, proof of her job, and notarisation, his visa was approved within weeks.
What should the letter include?
To be useful — and taken seriously — the letter must include key details like:
About the Host (You):
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Canadian address and phone number
- Immigration status in Canada (citizen or permanent resident)
- Job or occupation
About the Guest (Your Visitor):
- Full legal name and birthdate
- Address and phone number in their home country
- Relationship to you
- Reason for the visit
- Length of stay (including arrival and departure dates)
- Who will pay for the trip (you, them, or shared)
We recommend adding a signed commitment of return if the visit is temporary. Some embassies also prefer the letter to be notarised — especially for Super Visas or longer stays.
How to prepare and notarize your letter
Here’s how to get it done right:
- Download the template and fill it out
Keep your tone formal but warm. Be clear and honest about the relationship and visit details. - Book an appointment with a notary public
You can do this online or in person. - Bring valid ID
The notary will confirm your identity and witness your signature. - Sign the letter in front of the notary
We’ll stamp and seal it to prove the letter is authentic and legally verified. - Send it to your guest abroad
They’ll include it in their visa application package — often alongside financial statements, travel insurance, and passport copies.
We’ve helped thousands of Canadians successfully sponsor visitors with well-prepared, properly notarised invitation letters.
In-Person & Hassle Free
We’ve made it easy to get your documents notarised with a local notary — no complicated tech, no video calls, no second-guessing. Here’s how it works:
Download the forms
Head to our site and download the Last Will and Power of Attorney templates or bring your own if you’ve already prepared them.
Book an appointment
Use our directory to find a trusted public notary near you. Pick a convenient date and time that works best for your schedule.
Print Your Documents
Make sure all pages are printed clearly and completely — double-sided printing is fine if everything’s visible.
Bring Your Checklist
Details matter but don’t stress — we’ve laid out everything you’ll need to bring with you in a simple checklist below.
Appointment Checklist
For best results, your guest should also include:
- A copy of your passport or PR card
- Proof of income (like a T4 or pay stub)
- A letter from your employer (optional)
- Proof of relationship (e.g., family photo, birth certificate)
We can help you pull everything together into a clear and professional application package.
Do You Need It Notarised?
Not always — but often recommended.
While not all visa offices require notarisation, having the letter officially witnessed and stamped by a notary:
- Adds legal credibility
- Speeds up the processing time in many cases
- Avoids the risk of the letter being flagged as “insufficient” or “unauthenticated”
If your visitor is applying for a Super Visa, or if the embassy specifically requests notarisation, it’s a must.