It is great to invite family or friends to visit Canada to share the country’s beauty and experiences with them. Perhaps most important in the entire process is the invitation letter you will provide for their Visitor Visa application. The letter is more than just a nice gesture; it is a proof document that you will be a responsible host and helps to reassure immigration officers that your guest’s visit is genuine and supported in nature. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to tailor the perfect invitation letter and what else you need to bear in mind when hosting loved ones in Canada.
Understanding Visitor Visas
Before we delve into the details regarding the invitation letter, let’s get down to the brass tacks about the Visitor Visa. Your relatives will need to apply for this when they want to visit Canada for six months or less. The visa will entitle them to travel anywhere in the country, see all places of interest, and spend time with you, their host. An application for a visitor visa requires several documents, one of them being an invitation letter from you. This letter may be of great importance in determining whether the application is going to be approved or not; therefore, it should be gotten right.
Crafting the Perfect Invitation Letter
The invitation letter you provide plays a pivotal role in your loved one’s Visitor Visa application. Immigration officers will scrutinize this letter to assess whether your guest’s visit is genuine and whether you, as the host, can provide adequate support. Here’s how to ensure your letter covers all the necessary points:
- Start with a Proper Introduction
Your letter should start with an introduction of yourself: full name, citizen of Canada, permanent resident, or another form of legal status, and your relation to the person you are inviting. This helps the immigration officer understand who you are and how you are related to the applicant.For example, “My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a [Canadian Citizen/Permanent Resident] residing in [City, Province]. I am writing to invite my [relationship], [Visitor’s Full Name], to visit me in Canada for [duration of visit].”
- State the Purpose of the Visit
After introducing your family member/friend, clearly state that you are inviting this individual to come to [Visitor’s Full Name] to visit from a period commencing on _____ [start date] and ending on _____ [end date], as [reason: family reunion, to see Canada together, etc.]. He intends to visit attractions in [City/Province] and attend some cultural activities while he is here. - Provide Details About Accommodation and Support.
Convince the immigration officer that your guest will be well taken care of during this visit. State that you will provide accommodations for them, naming where they will stay. If they will stay in your home, this is what you should say. If you can and will sponsor their trip, such as tending to their needs daily, indicate that you will be able to do so and provide supporting documents to demonstrate your ability to do that, such as the most recent bank statement or an employment letter with the stated income.Example: “[Visitor’s Full Name] will be staying with me at my home located at [your full address]. I will be responsible for their accommodation and meals during their stay. I am also willing to cover any additional expenses they may incur during their visit. Enclosed, please find a copy of my recent bank statements and an employment letter as proof of my financial ability to support them.” - Mention Your Family and Living Situation
You can briefly mention all the immediate family members staying with you here to reassure the immigration officer further about your established life in Canada. It indicates stability on your part and proves that you have a great community and family support, which may affect his decision favorably.Example: “I am currently residing with my [spouse/partner] and [number] children at our residence in [City]. We look forward to having [Visitor’s Full Name] stay with us and share our life in Canada with them”. - Include Your Contact Information.
Make it easy for immigration officers to reach you if they have any questions or need further information. Include your full contact details, such as your address, phone number, and email address. This transparency helps establish trust and shows that you are willing to cooperate fully with the immigration process.
For example: “Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. My contact details are as follows:- Address: [Your Full Address]
- Phone: [Your Phone Number]
- Email: [Your Email Address]”
- Subtly Assure Their Return to Their Home Country
One of the significant issues that immigration officers face is whether a visitor intends to return home after the visit. Though it is not your job to prove this, you can address it subtly in the letter. Mention your guest’s strong ties to the country of origin, such as a stable job, family obligations, and property ownership. This can help diminish concerns about the overstay of their visitor’s visa.Example: “[Visitor’s Full Name] has strong ties to [Home Country], including [mention of job, family, or property]. They are expected to return to [Home Country] after their visit to resume their [job/family responsibilities].”
- Be Truthful and Avoid Exaggerations
The letter of invitation must be truthful. Any exaggeration or lying will lead to severe consequences, from cancelling the visa application to further immigration problems. Be factual, provide correct information, and ensure everything you state in it can be proved. - Sign the Letter
Finally, sign the letter. This might be small, but adding the signature puts it on a personal level and shows you mean business as a host. A document that is signed carries more importance than something just typed out and left unsigned.
Additional Considerations
Documents to Attach
In addition to the invitation letter, your guest’s application should be supported through several other documents proving their intentions of visiting Canada temporarily and then returning to their home country. Such may include but are not limited to:
- Proof of Ties with Their Home Country; such as employment letters, property deeds, or evidence of family.
- Trip itinerary: A generalized schedule of what they plan to do while in town, including trips to tourist attractions or events.
- Financial proof: Even though you are covering their expenses, it is required that they show they can support themselves in case something happens.
- Proof of relationship: Sometimes this is required, and you must provide documents proving your visitor is indeed a relation of yours, such as birth certificates or letters.
Contacting a Legal Professional
Most individuals are okay with preparing a visitor visa application. However, such advice will be advisable when your guest’s situation is complicated or one feels apprehensive about whether the visa will be issued. Suppose that’s a tricky situation you’re facing with your guest. In that case, an experienced immigration lawyer will help construct an invitation letter, which should work to your advantage while ensuring that no application aspect is overlooked.
Conclusion
This is an excellent opportunity to invite your loved ones to Canada and show them your life and experiences in this beautiful country. An invitation letter with all details will help them during their successful application for a Visitor Visa. Add everything that is required, be straightforward, and attach any additional documents supporting their case. You can confidently wait for your family or friends to come to Canada, full of experiences and memories you will always treasure.
If you need assistance with your invitation letter or Visitor Visa application, please do not hesitate to contact The Law Office of Amy Osman, Barrister & Solicitors, at 519-253-4662 or via WhatsApp at 519-253-5927. Please visit www.osmanlaw.ca for further information.