October 27, 2026
A Canada visit visa invitation letter is a short, signed letter from your host in Canada. It says who you are, why you are visiting, where you will stay and who pays. IRCC does not require it in every case, but it is especially helpful for stays with family or friends. This guide shows what to write, what to attach and how the Super Visa letter is different. It also has three samples you can adapt. For the full process, see our guide on the Canada visit visa from Pakistan.
Is an Invitation Letter Required for a Canada Visitor Visa?
No, not always. IRCC says it only sometimes asks for a Canada visit visa invitation letter. Check the document checklist for your application. If you will stay at your host’s home, or your host will pay for the trip, add a letter anyway.
An invitation letter for a visitor visa application to Canada gives the officer a clear plan and a person to contact. It does not guarantee a visa. IRCC says officers assess you, not your host. You still need enough money, strong ties to Pakistan and a plan to leave Canada on time. You can read the rules in IRCC’s letter of invitation guide.
Who Can Write an Invitation Letter for Canada?
Your host must be an adult in Canada who can prove their status. For a Canada visit visa invitation letter, IRCC’s guide names Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and it also accepts a Certificate of Indian Status. If your host has a different status, talk to us before you apply, because the IRCC guide does not list it.
Writing the letter does not make the host legally responsible for you in Canada. But the host must tell the truth and plan to keep every promise in the letter.
The host must write the letter themselves. IRCC says its list is only a guide. The samples below show the layout, but every fact must be real.
Our advice: if two adults live in the home, one joint letter can work, as long as each adult attaches proof of status. This is not an IRCC rule.
What to Include in a Canada Visit Visa Invitation Letter
Include facts about the host, the visitor and the trip. One page is usually enough and two pages is the most we suggest. That page limit is our advice, not an IRCC rule.
About the Host
- Full name and date of birth
- Address and phone number in Canada
- Job title
- Status in Canada (citizen or permanent resident)
- Names and dates of birth of the spouse and dependants
About the Visitor
- Full name and date of birth
- Home address and phone number in Pakistan
- Passport number
- Relationship to the host
About the Trip
- Purpose of the visit
- How long the visitor will stay, with arrival and departure dates
- Where the visitor will stay
- Who pays for the flight, food and daily costs
- A clear plan to leave Canada before the stay ends
Write facts only. Skip long stories and praise. The officer needs names, dates and amounts.
Documents to Attach to the Invitation Letter
A Canada visit visa invitation letter works best with proof attached. IRCC asks for a copy of a document that proves the host’s status in Canada. Attach papers that prove what the letter says. IRCC asks for a copy of a document that proves the host’s status in Canada.
Host’s Proof of Status
Use one of these:
- Canadian birth certificate, if the host was born in Canada
- Canadian citizenship card, if the host is a naturalised citizen
- PR card or IMM 1000 proof of landing, if the host is a permanent resident
- Certificate of Indian Status
Proof of Relationship
For a family invitation letter for Canada, attach proof of the relationship. For a parent, child or sibling, a birth certificate works. For Pakistani applicants, a NADRA family registration certificate or marriage certificate can also help. For friends and distant relatives, attach photos together, message history and past visits. If a document is not in English or French, add a certified translation.
Extra Proof When the Host Pays
When the host pays for the trip, attach pay slips, an employer letter, bank statements and a CRA Notice of Assessment. When you pay yourself, put your bank records in your application instead. Our guide on bank statements for a Canada visit visa shows what officers look for. These extra papers are good practice. IRCC’s guide does not list them.
Not sure your host’s papers are enough? Call or WhatsApp AIRCS at +92 311 4464274, or book an appointment. We will check the letter and documents before you apply.
Canada Invitation Letter Sample
Replace every bracketed part with your facts. Do not submit a sample unchanged, because every detail must match your documents.
Sample for a Family Visit
[Date]
To: Visa Officer, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Subject: Invitation for [Visitor’s full name] to visit Canada
My name is [Host’s full name]. I was born on [date of birth]. I am a [Canadian citizen / permanent resident]. I work as a [job title] at [employer]. I live at [full address in Canada]. My phone number is [number] and my email is [email].
I live with my [spouse and children]. Their names and dates of birth are [names and dates of birth].
I am inviting my [relationship], [Visitor’s full name], born on [date of birth], with passport number [number]. [He/She] lives at [home address in Pakistan] and works as a [job].
The purpose of the visit is [reason]. [He/She] will arrive on [date] and leave Canada on [date]. [He/She] will stay at my home.
[The visitor will pay for [his/her] own flight and daily expenses. / I will pay for the costs listed in my attached documents.]
[He/She] has a [job / home / family] in Pakistan and will return before the stay ends. I have attached a copy of my [status document] and proof of our relationship.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Host’s printed name]
Sample for a Friend
[Date]
To: Visa Officer
Subject: Invitation for [Visitor’s full name]
I am [Host’s full name], born on [date]. I am a [citizen / permanent resident] and live at [address in Canada]. I work as a [job title]. My phone number is [number] and my email is [email].
I am inviting my friend, [Visitor’s full name], born on [date], passport number [number], to visit me for [number] days. We have been friends since [year]. We met [how you met], and we have [met in person before / stayed in touch by phone and video calls].
[He/She] will arrive on [date] and leave on [date] and will stay at my home. We plan to [specific plans].
[Visitor’s name] will pay for [his/her] own travel. [He/She] works as a [job] in Pakistan and will return home on [date]. I have attached my proof of status and proof of our friendship.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Host’s printed name]
Sample When the Host Pays All Costs
[Date]
To: Visa Officer
Subject: Invitation and support letter for [Visitor’s full name]
I am [Host’s full name], born on [date]. I am a [citizen / permanent resident] and live at [address in Canada]. I work as a [job title] and earn [amount] a year. My phone number is [number] and my email is [email].
I am inviting my [relationship], [visitor’s full name], born on [date], passport number [number], from [arrival date] to [departure date].
I will pay for the return flight, food and all daily costs. [He/She] will stay at my home. I have attached my pay slips, bank statements and CRA Notice of Assessment to show I can pay.
[Visitor’s name] will return to Pakistan, where [he/she] has [a job / a family / a home], before the stay ends.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Host’s printed name]
Family Invitation Letter for Canada: Parents, Siblings and Children
A family invitation letter uses the same format as the samples above, with stronger proof of the relationship.
Inviting Parents
For a short visit, use the family sample and attach your birth certificate, which shows your parents’ names. For a longer stay, look at the Super Visa. Our Canada Super Visa from Pakistan guide explains it step by step.
Inviting Siblings and Other Relatives
For a sibling, attach a birth certificate that shows at least one shared parent. For cousins, aunts and uncles, add a family tree, photos and messages. The weaker the paper link, the more proof of real contact you should add.
Children Travelling With One Parent
A child who travels without both parents should carry a consent letter from the parent who stays behind. This is good practice, so also check your visa office’s list. Include the child’s name, passport number, travel dates, and the parent’s contact details and signature. Add a copy of the parent’s ID. The consent letter is separate from the host’s letter, and the child should carry both.
Super Visa Invitation Letter: What Is Different
The Super Visa letter is required, and it must come from the applicant’s own child or grandchild. It must include:
- A promise of financial support for the length of the stay
- A list of everyone counted in the family size, with full names and dates of birth
- A list of everyone giving income proof, with the documents each person provides
- The name of the spouse or common-law partner, if they co-sign to add their income
The income rules and the insurance rule are not part of the letter itself. Read them in our Canada Super Visa from Pakistan guide, and see how the two visas differ in the Canada visit visa versus the Super Visa.
Business Visitor Invitation Letter
A Canadian company must write the letter for a business visitor, and a company representative should sign it. The visitor gets two originals. One goes with the visa application and one is shown at entry. IRCC also says some visa offices may ask for notarization, so check with your office. Our guide to the visa for business visitors to Canada covers this in full.
Does the Letter Need a Notary?
A standard Canada visit visa invitation letter does not need a notary. Not for a standard visit letter. IRCC’s guide does not ask for one. The host signs and dates the letter. A notary stamp does not make a weak letter strong. Clear facts and matching documents matter more.
Mistakes That Weaken an Invitation Letter
Every statement in a Canada visit visa invitation letter must be true.
- Mismatched details. Dates, names or addresses differ from your other documents.
- No proof of status. The host’s status document is missing.
- Vague plans. The letter says “for a while” instead of giving exact dates.
- Big promises. The letter says the visitor will definitely get a visa.
- Copied template. The letter has no personal facts.
- Unclear payment. The letter does not say who pays, and the host cannot show enough income.
- No signature or date.
- Weak ties to Pakistan. The file shows no job, family or property at home. A strong letter cannot fix these issues.
Every statement must be true. If IRCC finds a misrepresentation, you can be refused and barred from entering Canada for 5 years.
How to Submit the Invitation Letter From Pakistan
The visitor, not the host, sends the Canada visit visa invitation letter with the visa application. Most people apply online.
- Scan the signed letter and all documents. Make sure every page is clear.
- Save the files as PDF and keep each one within the size limit.
- Log in to your IRCC account and fill in the application.
- Upload the letter in the supporting documents section.
- Pay the fee and give biometrics when IRCC asks. In Pakistan this is done at a VFS Global center, such as Islamabad, Karachi or Lahore.
The host should keep the original signed letter. The visitor should carry a printed copy when travelling, because a border officer may ask about the trip. Our offices in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Faisalabad can check your file first. See our Canada visit visa service from Pakistan.
Invitation Letter Checklist Before You Submit
- The host’s full name, date of birth, address, phone number and job title are in the letter
- Host’s status is stated and a copy is attached
- Names and dates of birth of the host’s spouse and dependents are included
- The visitor’s name, date of birth and passport number are correct
- The relationship is explained and proved
- The purpose, arrival date and departure date are clear
- The place of stay is named
- It is clear who pays, with proof if the host pays
- The letter is signed and dated
- Names, dates and addresses match every other document
- Super Visa only: promise of support, family size list and income proof list are ready
- Child travelling without both parents: consent letter is ready
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an invitation letter to visit Canada?
Not always. IRCC says it only sometimes asks for one. Check your checklist, and add a letter if you will stay with a host or if someone else is paying.
Can a friend write the invitation letter?
Yes, if your friend is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Show how long you have known each other with photos, messages and past visits.
Does the letter need a notary?
Not for a standard visit letter. The host signs and dates it. Check your visa office checklist in case it asks for more.
Does the letter guarantee a visa?
No. The officer looks at your whole file, including your money, your ties to Pakistan and your travel plan.
Can I use the same letter for a second trip?
It is safer to write a new one, because dates and documents change. This is our advice, not an IRCC rule.
Get Your Canada Visit Visa File Checked by AIRCS
AIRCS helps Pakistani applicants prepare Canada visit visa files from our offices in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Faisalabad. Nobody can guarantee a visa, so we focus on a clear, honest file with matching documents.
Call or WhatsApp +92 311 4464274, book an appointment or contact us today.
