Every year, the world gets a little smaller. When Canada was initially settled, those who first arrived in this land of ours had no idea if they would ever see their cherished family back home again. Now that air travel has made it possible to span the globe in a matter of hours instead of months, families are reuniting at a faster pace than ever. If you have family abroad that you would like to come to Canada for a visit, it all starts with a Letter of Invitation.
Letter of Invitation
Visitors from some countries may need a Letter of Invitation to be considered for a visitor’s visa. With the exception of the parent and grandparent super visa, issuing an invitation DOES NOT mean that you are legally or financially responsible for your visitor upon their arrival. However, you must intend to keep any promises of assistance you make in the letter. This letter is a lot more detailed than your standard invite to a backyard barbeque, but the basic principles are the same. It must include personal information about you and about the person you are inviting to Canada.
In nearly all cases, the visa office will require that the Letter of Invitation be notarized by a Notary Public. The Letter of Invitation does not guarantee that your visitor will be granted a visa, but taking the time to complete it accurately and honestly will go a long way to ensure that the visa process isn’t hindered by missing information in the invitation. For detailed and up-to-date requirements, please visit Immigration Canada’s website.
Simplifying the Letter of Invitation Process
When you are planning to help a friend or relative secure a visa to come to Canada, there are a lot of things to consider. In some cases, you will need to have your letter notarized and you may find it easier to just have your Letter of Invitation prepared by Red Seal Notary. You can use an online submission form to send in the pertinent details in advance so that your letter can be waiting for you when you arrive for your appointment at a convenient location. All you need to do is verify the information and you can be on your way!
I’m currently in Greece
and would like to write a
letter of invitation for
someone I met while
traveling. Is it possible
to have it notarized
even though I’m not in
Canada or will it have to
wait?
I don’t have an
embassy on the island I
am on and I do not plan
on traveling to the
mainland.
Thanks,
Nick
Dear Nick,
Thank you for your comment and for your interest in our website.
In order to have the letter notarized, you will have to sign it in the presence of a Notary. You should contact the nearest Canadian Visa post to determine if they will recognize the notarization from a Greek Notary.
I hope this information is of some assistance.