How to write an invitation letter for Canada visa?

Mar10

Hi,
I'm going to invite my cousin to come visit me in Canada. She needs to apply for a visa and as part of the application she needs to submit an invitation letter.
How should I write an invitation letter? Is there a format to it?

Thanks,

hotpoutine

I've seen a lot of people share sample of invitation letters online but they always miss one or two bits of key information that they should have included.

Here's the link for the government website which tells you what you need to include in the letter. There is no set format and you just have to make sure you explain everything that they need to know about:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/letter-invitation.html

SandraSey

I found a format online and used that to write an invitation letter to my cousin. There are a lot of samples if you do a quick google search. I also added my PR card and other documents like driving license and Ohip.

papio

Do we need to have the invitation letter notarized?

hotpoutine

papio No need. The only reason you notarize something is to prove beyond doubt that it indeed was you who signed the document. If providing a copy of your identity documents (which have a sample of your signature) and signing the invitation letter, then I think it's obvious that you did really invite them.

Linden

A good idea is in addition to the information that the government requires on the invitation letter, to add some details which can help them in their application. For example, you can say whether they will be staying at your place and if you'll be paying for their costs while they are here in Canada.

NikitaS

Linden If you do mention that you will cover their costs while they are in Canada it is a good idea to also add a page that shows you have some money in the bank account, or you can add your payslips. This would show the officer that you have the money to be able to support your cousin.

Linden

NikitaS Yes, exactly. You should think of it this way that the money already available in Canada trumps the money that the applicant shows in their application that they will bring with them. So it's always a good option to show the inviter also has funds and will support the invitee during their trip in Canada.
Of course I understand that not everyone would want to claim that they will support the invitee financially, but if you are ok with doing so, this would help the application.

SandraSey

Don't forget to put proof that the person you're inviting is your cousin. Every country has different documents but you can find something that shows your relation or just put photos of you two together since you were children up to now to convince the officer that your relationship is genuine.

hotpoutine

Does anyone have a sample of an invitation letter for a visitor visa to Canada?
I think it'll be nice to share something here so everyone can see a sample invitation letter.

papio

I think there are plenty of Samples out there and you just have to google it.
Here's a sample on the UBC page for inviting parents to visit a student in Canada:
https://students.ubc.ca/international-student-guide/immigration/inviting-friends-family-visit

NikitaS

Keep in mind to attach your ID documents with the invitation letter. A friend of mine just told me he forgot to put a copy of his PR card with the invitation letter and now the application is submitted.

hotpoutine

Two things that a a lot of people forget to mention in their invitation letters:

Their connection to the invitee. If it's a relative that's pretty easy, but if it's a friend it's best to give some explanation on the background of your friendship and make it clear for the officer what your relationship with them is.
The purpose of the trip: go beyond just saying to visit me or see my city. Those are nice but everyone says them and in order to show that the purpose of travel is genuine, it's best to be more specific about why they want to visit during that specific period of time.

SandraSey

A general rule of thumb is to have the invitation letter for a Canadian visa very well formatted so that the officer can easily see the most important parts of the information. Some even use a table to put the info about the invitee and inviter, along with their work experience.
The second point is to add as much info as you think is needed to clarify the reason for the visit and don't just keep it short and vague like "to visit me and me spouse". Explain more about the reason why the visit is important and what you will be doing once they come to Canada.