160 Quarry Park Blvd SE, Suite 300 · Calgary, Alberta
160 Quarry Park Blvd SE, Suite 300 · Calgary, Alberta
Home / Notary Services / Letters of Invitation
Inviting family or friends to visit Canada? We help you prepare a clear, complete invitation letter and notarize it to support their application.
It explains who is visiting, why, for how long and how the visit is supported, to help a visa officer decide.
A letter of invitation is a letter from a person in Canada inviting a relative or friend to visit. It is submitted with the visitor’s application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and helps the visa officer understand the purpose of the trip, the relationship between host and visitor, and the support available during the stay.
A letter of invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The officer still assesses the applicant against the legal requirements, including ties to their home country, finances and the purpose of the visit. A clear, consistent letter removes doubt and strengthens the overall application.
Inviting someone to Canada is also a responsibility. If you promise to provide accommodation or financial support, the officer may rely on that statement, so it must be accurate.
Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others living in Canada can invite visitors, with proof of their status.
The host is usually a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, although people living in Canada on other statuses sometimes write letters for relatives. The letter should explain the host’s status in Canada and include a copy of a supporting document, such as a passport, citizenship certificate or permanent resident card.
Common invitations include:
If the visitor will stay with you in Calgary, say so. If they will stay elsewhere, give the address. Officers look for consistency between the invitation letter, the visitor’s application and their supporting documents, so share the details with your visitor before either of you submits anything.
Details of the visitor and host, the purpose and length of the trip, accommodation, finances and household.
IRCC publishes guidance on what an invitation letter should contain. Generally, it should include:
Attach supporting documents such as proof of your status in Canada and, where you are offering financial support, proof of income like an employment letter or a Notice of Assessment. Keep the tone factual; an invitation letter is not the place for emotional appeals or promises you cannot keep.
In focus
| Visitor visa | Super Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Most visitors who need a visa to enter Canada | Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents |
| Length of stay | Usually up to six months per entry, as decided at the border | Extended stays of up to several years per entry |
| Invitation letter | Recommended, not mandatory | Required, with a promise of financial support |
| Other key requirements | Funds for the trip and ties to the home country | Host income threshold and qualifying private medical insurance |
IRCC does not usually require it, but notarization confirms your identity and signature and strengthens the letter.
IRCC does not generally require invitation letters to be notarized. Many hosts still choose to notarize them, and in some cases a visa office, embassy or foreign government asks for a notarized letter. Notarization confirms that you, the host, were identified by a notary public and signed the letter in their presence.
A notarized letter signals seriousness and makes the document harder to question, which is especially helpful when the letter is sent overseas and submitted from another country.
When you meet with us, we review the letter for completeness and consistency, confirm your identity, witness your signature and add our notarial certificate. If your visitor also needs certified copies of your status documents or financial records, we can prepare certified true copies at the same appointment.
Super Visa letters must come from the child or grandchild and include a written promise of financial support.
The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit for extended periods. For this program the invitation letter is a requirement, not a courtesy. It must come from the child or grandchild in Canada and generally include:
You must also show that your household income meets the minimum set by IRCC, and the visitor needs private medical insurance that meets the program’s requirements. Because the rules change from time to time, always check the current instructions on the Government of Canada website before preparing your documents.
Your promise of financial support is a serious commitment. Make sure your income documents and your letter tell the same story.
Inconsistent details, vague plans, missing documents and overstated promises are the most frequent problems.
Visa officers review many applications and quickly spot problems. The most common issues with invitation letters are:
A lawyer’s review cannot guarantee an approval, but it can help you avoid errors that give an officer an easy reason to refuse. If your visitor has been refused before, the new letter should be especially careful and consistent with any new information in the application.
We review or draft the letter, check your supporting documents, and notarize your signature in one appointment.
You then send the notarized letter to your visitor, who includes it with their application as IRCC or the visa office directs. Keep the original and copies of everything you provided, in case questions come up later.
FAQs
Does a letter of invitation guarantee a visa?
No. The letter supports your visitor’s application, but the visa officer makes the decision based on all the evidence, including the visitor’s ties to their home country, finances and travel history. A clear, accurate letter can strengthen the file, but it cannot override the legal requirements for entry to Canada.
Can I invite someone who is not a relative?
Yes. Friends, colleagues and other contacts can be invited. Explain how you know the person, the purpose of the visit, where they will stay and who will pay for the trip. Officers look for a credible reason for the visit and evidence that the visitor will return home at the end of their stay.
Do I need to send the original notarized letter?
Most visitor visa applications are submitted online, so your visitor will usually upload a scan. Keep the original in case it is requested, or send it to your visitor if a visa office or embassy asks for original documents. Always check the instructions for the specific application before you post anything overseas.
What if my circumstances change after I send the letter?
If your address, job, household or ability to support the visitor changes before a decision is made, your visitor may need to update their application. A new letter reflecting the change is often the simplest approach. Accurate, current information protects both you and your visitor throughout the process.
Can one letter invite several visitors?
You can invite more than one person in a single letter, for example both of your parents, as long as each visitor’s details are listed in full. Each person still submits their own application. For a Super Visa, make sure the household size and income information reflects everyone you are supporting.
How long does the appointment take?
If your letter is ready, notarization is a short appointment. If you need us to draft the letter or certify supporting documents as well, allow a little more time. Booking ahead lets us confirm what to bring, so everything can be completed in a single visit to our Calgary office.
This information is general and is not legal advice. For advice on your situation, book a consultation.
Further reading
Book an appointment and we will review, prepare and notarize your invitation letter.
or call 587-333-4358
