What to include
About the visitor:
- full name and date of birth
- address and phone number
- your relationship to them
- the purpose of the trip
- how long they plan to stay in Canada
- where they'll stay, and how they'll pay for things
- when they plan to leave Canada
About you, the person inviting:
- full name and date of birth
- address and phone number in Canada
- job title
- whether you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- a photocopy of proof of your status, such as a birth certificate, citizenship card, PR card or IMM 1000
- your family's details: names and dates of birth of your spouse and dependants
Sample letter
Adapt this to your real situation. You must write the letter yourself and everything in it must be true.
Date: November 3, 2026
To: Visa Officer, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Re: Letter of invitation for (visitor's full name), born (date of birth)
I, (your full name), born (your date of birth), am a (Canadian citizen / permanent resident) living at (your full address in Canada). My phone number is (number). I work as a (job title) at (employer).
I am inviting my (relationship), (visitor's full name), of (visitor's address and phone number), to visit me in Canada from (date) to (date) for (purpose, such as a family visit and my child's graduation).
(He / She / They) will stay at my home at the address above. (Explain who will pay for the trip, food and other costs.) (Visitor's name) plans to return home on (date) because of (brief, true reasons, such as a job or family).
My family in Canada: (names and dates of birth of your spouse and dependants).
I have attached a copy of my (proof of status). Please contact me if you need anything else.
Sincerely, (your signature and name)
Are you legally responsible for the visitor?
Writing an ordinary letter doesn't make you legally responsible for the visitor once they enter Canada. But you must write it in good faith, tell the truth and plan to keep the promises you make. A super visa letter is different, because it includes a promise of financial support.
Super visa letters need more
For a super visa, the letter must also include:
- a promise of financial support for the length of the visit
- the list and number of people in your family size calculation
What usually matters more than the letter
Officers look closely at whether the visitor will leave at the end of the visit, and whether they can pay for it. The visitor's application is usually stronger with:
- a valid passport, with at least 6 months' validity from the travel date
- proof of funds
- proof of a job, business, family or property at home
- past travel history
- a clear plan for the trip
The fee is $100 per person, plus $85 for biometrics if required. See our visitor visa guide. If your parents were refused before, see refusal help and consider requesting GCMS notes.
Common mistakes
- Making the visit sound permanent, or mentioning working here
- Dates that don't match the rest of the application
- Promising things that aren't true, which can lead to misrepresentation
- Copying a template without changing it
- Hiding a past refusal in the visitor's application
FAQs
Is an invitation letter mandatory for a Canada visitor visa?
Not for everyone. IRCC says it sometimes asks for one, and family visits often benefit from one.
Does it need to be notarized?
A normal visitor letter doesn't generally need to be, unless IRCC asks for it. Super visa rules may differ, so check IRCC's instructions for your application.
Who can write an invitation letter?
Someone in Canada you're visiting, usually a family member or friend. They should include proof of their status in Canada.
Can a work permit or study permit holder invite someone?
IRCC's guidance asks about citizen or PR status, but temporary residents can still explain their situation and include proof of their status.