This post was most recently updated on October 6th, 2018
How to write an Invitation Letter for Canadian Visa
An invitation letter for Canadian Visa is simply a regular invitation letter that contains details of the invitee, that are relevant for visa applications. The invitation is one of the documents that a travel visa applicant will present during the application for a travel 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 being 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 the person writing the letter:
- 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).
Before you start writing your letter
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Where do I send the Invitation Letter to? – Your GUEST!
After writing your invitation letter, sign it and send it to your guest. Even if your letter is addressed to the visa officer, you should still send the letter to your guest.
Your guest will add it to the documents that they will submit as they apply for a visa.
Sample Invitation Letter for Canadian Visa – Written for a close friend
This is a sample Invitation letter for Canadian visa written for a close friend. Use this sample to inspire the writing of your next Invitation Letter for visa.
March 27th, 2018
To whom it may concern,
This is to certify that John Smith will be visiting me in Ottawa, Canada from June 1st 2018 to September 15th, 2018. John has been a close personal friend of mine for 5 years and will be staying at my home for the duration of his stay.
My address:
234 Lachine Ave, Ottawa, Ontario. H4X 1R4. Canada
Tel: 613-767-0987.
I am a Canadian Citizen
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
David Adidas
GUESTS:
Name: Mr John Smith
Address:.1 Progress Street, Accra, Ghana.
Date of Birth – May 12, 1976
Telephone: +233-803-217-3333
Relationship: Friend.
Sample Invitation Letter for Canadian Visa written for Parents
This is a sample invitation letter written to invite parents to visit Canada. The sample invitation letter is written by a son who works in Canada.
Please take note that if your parents or grandparents are applying for the new Canadian super visa, you will need a similar letter. However, you may mention that proof of financial eligibility is attached.
The names on it are fictitious but this format has been used and visas have been issued using this format. There are other formats that can be used. The most important thing is for the information required to be on it.
Writing an Invitation Letter is just one piece of the puzzle, your guest may need help with Visa Application or Interview.
James Lopez
24 Princess Street,
Kingston, Ontario
CANADA. K7N 2Y5
Tel: 613-675-7865
March 24, 2018
Dear Mum and Dad,
Please take this as a formal invitation for you to visit me in Kingston, Ontario, Canada for 3 months. You should plan to come between June 1st, 2018 and Sept 1st, 2018. This is the best time to come because it will be summer and the weather will be most conducive to you. It will also allow me to take some time off work to show you some of the interesting places in Canada.We would visit Montreal, Toronto, and the capital city Ottawa. I am sure you will enjoy your visit.
You will be staying with me during your visit and I will be responsible for your transportation and feeding while you are here.
You can use this letter as part of your application for the Canadian visa. I look forward to seeing you again after such a long time.
I love you.
Your son,
James Lopez
Date of Birth: 23 June 1980
Occupation: Engineer (Bell Canada)
GUESTS:
Name: Mr John Lopez
Address:.1 Progress Street, Accra, Ghana.
Date of Birth – May 12, 1946
Telephone: +233-803-217-3333
Relationship: Father.
Passport No: 22222222
Name: Mrs Maria Lopez
Address:.1 Progress Street, Accra, Ghana.
Date of Birth – May 12, 1944
Telephone: +233-803-217-3333
Relationship: Mother
Passport No: 44444444
Do not forget to send a scanned copy of your passport or permanent resident card. If you are able to notarize the letter, it will be fine. Personally, I have not notarized any of my letters and visas have been issued.
Video About Obtaining A Visitor Visa to Canada
Sample Invitation Letter for Canadian Visa written to Spouse
James Lopez
24 Princess Street,
Kingston, Ontario
CANADA. K7N 2Y5
March 27th, 2018
Visitor Visa for Mrs. Lucy Lopez: Passport No. 123456, Date of Birth: 20 May 1980,
This is to certify that my wife Lucy Lopez will be visiting me in Kingston, Ontario, Canada from June 1st, 2010 to July 30th, 2018. I am a graduate Student at Queens University in Kingston and I will be graduating at the end of the winter semester. I would like my wife to attend my convocation which will be taking place on June 20th, 2018 at the Victoria Hall. A copy of the details of the convocation is attached.
Lucy will be staying at my home for the duration of her stay.
Should there be any reason to contact me, you may reach me by phone or email as detailed below.
Thanks
Tel: 613-767-0987.
Jlopez@gogo.ca
Kind regards,
James Lopez
GUEST:
Name: Mrs. Lucy Lopez
Address:.1 Progress Street, Accra, Ghana.
Date of Birth – May 20, 1980
Telephone: +233-803-217-3333
Relationship:Wife.
Do not forget to send a scanned copy of your passport or permanent resident card. If you are able to notarize the letter, it will be fine. Personally, I have not notarized any of my letters and visas have been issued.
Sample Invitation Letter for Canadian Visa written for Guest Minister at a Church Event.
If you plan on inviting a guest minister from outside Canada for your church event, then you would need to send out an Invitation letter for Canadian Visa. The letter should present the details of the guest minister and the program he or she will be participating in. The invitation letter should be written on the official letter-headed paper and signed by one of the designated signatories for the Church.
The requirements are a little different from those for a friend or family member, so a look at the list of information required will be helpful. You can find the list here –Invitation letter guide from Immigration Canada.
Below is a sample invitation letter. The names on it are fictitious but this format has been used and visas have been issued using this format. There are other formats that can be used. The most important thing is for the information required to be on it.
January 24, 2018.
Canadian Deputy High Commissioner
Immigration Section
4 Anifowoshe Street
Victoria Island
Lagos
Your Excellency,
LETTER OF INVITATION / DECLARATION
We, the leaders of the Church Name, a duly registered charitable organization with Charitable Business number 1111111111R0001, situate in the district of Lava, Province of Ontario, Canada, do hereby invite from Nigeria:
Rev James Lorde passport no XXXXXXX
Evangelical Catholic Church
7045 Babasola st, Muson, off College Road.
Ketu, Oyo State. Nigeria.
For a Canadian visit of 14 days duration.
This minister of the Gospel will be ministering in our Church on Sunday, March 28th, 2018.
We solemnly affirm that we will provide living accommodation, medical care, and full sundry support to him during his stay in Canada.
This affirmation is without prejudice to the fact that our invitee has sufficient funds for the trip. We make this solemn declaration together as a Church, and as a duly incorporated Canadian Charitable organization, conscientiously believing it to be true and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath and by virtue of the “Canada Evidence Act.”
Rev Ford Heliout (Pastor in Charge)
For and on behalf of Church Name
Now check out our Ultimate Visa Interview or Application Kit.
Der sir i want job in canda i m from pakistan live in malaysia i m experiance daraving house keepr stor keepr markiting i want job plzzz give me chance
Abni, you will need to try going through the canada immigration website. http://www.cic.gc.ca
Hello , I am a temporary visitor in Canada with a valid work permit for 2 years as a soccer player and I would like to invite my wife from Serbia . Can I make an invitation letter or is it better that my soccer club write it and invite her in my behalf ???
Hi Milos,
You can invite your wife. It is also a good idea if you can get a supporting letter from your club.
Can we have your email to contact you if any opportunity comes up thank you.
Yes you can use the contact page to contact me.
https://www.sampleinvitationletter.info/contact-us
**** yourself terrorist!!!!!!!!
Im trying to prepare an invitation letter for a friend to visit from the DR. I’m wondering if we do not know the specific dates yet, will the letter still be considered? Do we need to have the flights booked prior to obtaining his Visitor Visa?
Thanks in advance for your help
Chris
Hi Chris,
You need specific dates for the letter. You don’t need to book tickets. I suggest you give dates are your best estimates.
I have friends whose parents will be sending invitation letter for our tourist visa.The question I have, do they need to mention their job tittle or occupation as they are retired? or will just skip that from invitation letter format. Or if it is mandatory for invitation letter can we mentioned retired , will it impact our application? Fast response appreciated.
That they are retired does not affect your application.
If I (canadian) and my girlfriend live abroad, can i still write her an invitation letter or do I need to get a family member actually living in Canada to do that for me?
If you do not have an address in Canada, it will be difficult to write an invitation letter. You are qualified to write an invitation letter though as long as you have an address in Canada.
I have an offer of employment however I am required to submitted a letter of invitation as part of work permit application. It just doesn’t seem right?
Hi,
I would like to us if there a preference if the letter should be address to the visa officer or to the parents that I am inviting to? And should it be a bullet form on what they’re asking of a formal letter such as paragraph form.Thank you very much.
Hi Chris,
There is no preference! Anyone you like works! However you are required to send the letter to your parents regardless of whom it is addressed to! Use any format! Bullet or paragraph! I’ve used both and they were ok
Hello,
I would like to invite my parents for my upcoming wedding to visit Canada, but I recently lost my job. I have a part-time job though. Is it ok if my common law spouse write the invitation letter to them instead as he has a full-time stable job. Does he also need to attach a pay stub or T4? Or do we need both to sign the invitation? Your response is very much appreciated. Thanks
Kath
hi! is a person with valid temporary working permit in canada can invite? thank you so much!
Yes you can invite with a temp working permit if the permit allows you to stay in canada for more than one year
Hello,
I would like to know if the letter should be signed? And does it work if I send it through email
Yes it has to be signed! It works if you scan and send via email.
As the person writing the letter, do i send it to the person im inviting? or do i send it to the goverment?
Hi Abe,
You send it to the person you are inviting. See more on our home page – sampleinvitationletter.info
Hello.. I would like to invite my friend who is working in Dubai but is from Africa to visit Canada.. Does he still need an ivitation letter? And if yes where do I start?
Thanks
Hi Tammy,
Yes he needs an invitation letter. Simply use one of the formats on this page and modify to fit your friend. You then send the letter to him to include in his application for the Canadian visa. Hope this helps.
I’M FOLLOWING ONE OF YOUR INVIVTATION EXAMPLES AND I SEE THAT THERE IS ALSO A LETTER WRITTEN TO THE PERSON COMING. IS THAT ALSO TO BE DONE. HOW LONG AFTER EVERYTHING HAS BEEN SENT AND IMMIGRATION HAS ACCEPTED WOULD WE START PLANNING FOR HIM TO COME. IT HAS DATES ON THE INVITATION BUT IS IT THAT SET IN STONE, HENCE THE TIME LINE.
THANKYOU
Hi Susan,
You don’t need to send two different letters. You could choose to write a letter addressed to your guest or one addressed to the consulate. You will need to send the letter (which ever format you choose) to your guest. You should not send it to the consulate. Once your guest has received your letter, and prepared their application, they can send their application to the consulate or apply in person, depended on their country of residence.
Yes the time begins to count as soon as the application is submitted by your guest. The time is not cast in stone. However it is important to note that once the visa is approved, it will be valid immediately.
What country does your guest reside in?
“Mum”, seriously?
First try to learn another language, then blame people on small mistakes!!!
Hello I’m trying to decide which application I should apply under for my mother in jamaica. I am a Canadian citizen, employed in a good job. My mother is 53 years old with a small business back home. Should I apply for a regular visiting visa or the parent super visa. Which is easier to get?
Hi Rashida,
The regular visa is easier to get because your mum will do all the work. The parent super visa involves a little more work because you will be the one applying for her. However when she gets it, she can come more and stay longer. Since you have a good job and if you are willing to do the work, you may as well go for the parent super visa.
If you are not ready at this time to do the parent super visa because it involves more documentation and may delay her coming, you can apply for the regular visa and plan to do the parent super visa later.
As long as your mum prepares properly for her visa interview and she puts are documents together properly, she should get any of the visas without much trouble. You may visit http://www.visainterview.info to get your mum some help to prepare for her interview.
All the best Rashida
GOOD EVENING , How are you , if my friend wants to invite me , where is she going to send the invitation letter , is it to the embassy or me
The Invitation letter should be sent to you
hello,
Sir i had a doubt about whether i should include all my guests that i am inviting to Canada in my invitation letter or only the dominant person ( im inviting my friend, his wife and their son)
Hi Salam,
It is better to include all their names and details.
How many people can a person invite at time of wedding
Hi Malik,
This is a very good question. I do not think there is a limit technically. However I must say I don’t know practically if there is a limit. I think you have a right to invite as many as you want, it is the responsibility of each of your guest to prove that they are qualified to receive visas.
Hello Dems,
I rade all you comment related to VISA advise to needy candidate and I truly appreciate all your voluntary support to help us.
as every one , I also need your help to invite my parents ( mother) from India.
I have few question related to that.
# 1 could you please share me an indel invitation sample letter as I am finding difficulty to get one.
# 2 Do I have to mention my job description in that letter, I am permanent resident of canada and my wife and I both are working .
# can I apply for grand parent super visa once after my mom get here on tourist visa.
# Or once my mom come here on tourist visa, Would I be able to sponsor her for PR.
# how long does it take to get tourist VISA in India
i would request you to kindly respond to all my question on best of your knowledge
thank you in advance
Hi shrikant,
I do not have all the answers to your questions. I’ll answer some and maybe if I get a better answer I will add more.
1) The first letter on this page has been used by many people to invite their mother. Just change it to Dear Mother or Dear Mom !
2) You really do not need to mention your job description. Occupation is good enough.
2b) Yes you can apply for the super visa when she is already in Canada..
3) I am not too sure about the current sponsorship rules for parents. I know that you can always initiate the process when they are already in Canada. It could take a while for the immigration to go through.
I don’t know how long it takes to get a tourist visa in India. I’ll let you know as soon as I get an answer.
I wish you all the best. I pray your mom will join you in Canada soon.
Hi, I am planning to visit my sister living in Canada for the summer, She is not a resident, she is in a student visa ( Both of us from Colombia). Even if she is in a student visa, Does she need to send me an invitation letter for me in order to apply for the turist visa? thank you
Yes Maria,
Your friend needs to send you an invitation letter. You can use any of the samples above. I invited my friend to visit from England when I was on a student visa in Canada and I had to write an invitation letter. He was given a visa and we had a great time together in Montreal.
Hi, my friend is a Canadian citizen. He had already invited one friend from India on a tour to canada. So, is he still eligible to invite any more friends on a tourist visa?
Yes he can invite more than one person at a time.
Pls help me to make a invitation letter for my sister, who’s living and working in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, she want to come here sometime in August for 15 days only.. Thanks
Hi Alan,
We don’t write invitation letter for people. If however you write something, we can look over for you. I’m not promising anything though. If you send it to me and i can squeeze out some time, I will respond. If you don’t receive anything from me, then it means I am overloaded with work.
I made a mistake when asking your to make a letter to invite my sister who’s working in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, I mean a sample letter, so i use it my guide to make an invitation letter for my sister..Thanks and God bless your day.
I am not working but my partner is and I’m trying to help his dad, stepmom and sister get a canadian visa to come up for our son’s 1st birthday and to surprise my partner. Do i still qualify to write an invitation letter if i have no occupation?? I am a stay at home mom now
Hi AAlbert,
Yes you still qualify to write an invitation letter for them. They will have to show that they can take care of their bills by themselves though.