Inviting friends and family to visit

Important: Before you invite a friend or family member

When you invite a friend or family member to visit you in Canada, remember: citizens of certain countries require a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada. Find out if you need a visa.

If a valid TRV is required, you should send your friend/family member documents to support their application. They need to include these documents in their TRV application. People who do not require a TRV may require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada and should bring supporting documents with them as well. US citizens and lawful permanent residents of the US do not require a TRV or eTA.

Some Canadian visa offices have additional requirements. Go to the IRCC website and select your country/territory from the drop-down menu (located in the “Apply on paper” section). Click “Get documents” and then select “Visa office instructions” (the second link). This will launch a PDF specifying requirements for their visa office. Confirm if additional documents are needed and if the application procedure is different. If applying online:

  • To avoid delays or rejection, they will need to submit the required documents listed on the “Your document checklist” page in their IRCC secure account plus any visa office-specific documents with their application.
  • Merge all visa office-specific documents into one file (such as a PDF) and upload the file in the “Client Information” section under “Optional Documents” in the online checklist. If they are submitting multiple documents in this section, they should consider adding an index or list of documents.

Please note that International Student Advising cannot provide advising on applications for friends or family members. Use this tutorial for guidance on how to hire an authorized immigration representative, if needed.

Suggested supporting documents

  • Copy of applicable documents proving your status in Canada, such as:
    • A study permit, or
    • Post-graduation work permit, or
    • Permanent resident card, or
    • Proof of Canadian citizenship
    • Your document(s) should be valid for the length of your family members’ stay in Canada. If you recently completed your program requirements but do not have a post-graduation work permit, you may send a copy of your study permit and an official letter of completion. If you have applied for a post-graduation work permit online but do not have it yet, send a copy of the Letter of Confirmation that IRCC sends when they receive the application.
  • Copy of your passport
  • Letter of invitation written by you (see template below)
    • Write the letter of invitation yourself. Visit this site for tips. Some visa offices may require that your letter be notarized by a Notary Public. Check online for the specific Canadian visa office requirements. To find a notary, visit the BC Notaries website
    • Note that UBC is not able to issue a letter of invitation. As the person inviting your family member or friend to visit you, you will need to write the invitation letter.
  • Copy of your marriage certificate (if you’re inviting your spouse)
  • Copy of your birth certificate (if you’re inviting your parents)
  • Additional information about your status in Canada
  • An official UBC Letter of Enrolment (for current students)
  • A letter from your employer confirming your job (for post-graduation work permit holders)
  • Proof of your available funds (if you are paying for their visit)

In addition, your friends/family must provide proof of economic and social ties to their home country. The stronger the ties, the higher the chance of successfully proving they will leave Canada after their visit.

  • Examples of economic ties include bank statements, proof of financial investments, a letter of employment, and/or proof of property ownership, etc.
  • Examples of social ties include evidence that family members back home depend on them for financial/other support, proof that they must return home after their visit to Canada in order to meet their social obligations to their family members or community, etc.

Sample letter of invitation

To better understand how to format your document, view the sample letter of invitation (pdf).

The Canadian Embassy, Immigration Section January 23, 2025

22 Kenyatta Drive

Nairobi, Kenya

Dear Visa Officer,

Re: Letter of invitation for my parents (Jumanne and Miriam Muindi)

I am writing this letter to support the Temporary Resident Visa application of my parents, Jumanne Kafaka Muindi (father) and Miriam Jumanne Muindi (mother). My father and mother’s dates of birth are March 2, 1953 and Jan 12, 1956 respectively. My parents currently reside in Nairobi, Kenya at Plot Number 44 Moi Avenue. Their phone number is +254 752 455786.

Note the above paragraph includes:

  • Invitees’ complete names
  • Their dates of birth
  • Relationship to you
  • Current address and telephone number

I am an international student in my fourth year in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia (copy of study permit and UBC enrolment letter attached). My date of birth is February 11, 1989 and I currently reside at 2204 Halifax Street, Burnaby, B.C., V3J 1A4. My telephone number is +16047789922 and my email address is lolus.muindi@gmail.com.

Note the above paragraph includes:

  • Your complete name
  • Your date of birth
  • Your status in Canada (Permanent Resident, International Student, Citizen, etc.)
  • Occupation
  • Current address and telephone number/email address

My convocation ceremony will be taking place between June 5 and 6, 2025. I wish to invite my parents to Canada to celebrate this important milestone of success in my life with me. My parents intend to stay in Canada for three weeks from June 1 to July 21 and will leave Canada on July 22. While in Canada, my parents will stay with me at my current residence and I will cover all their living costs (housing and food) during this period; flight costs will be covered by them.

Note the above paragraph includes:

  • Purpose of visit
  • Duration of visit
  • Date leaving Canada
  • Details of Accommodation
  • Living Expenses

Should you require any further information about me or my parents, please feel free to contact me. Thank you in advance for considering my parents’ application.

Yours truly,

Lolus Jumanne Muindi

International student resources

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The information on this page may change

The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.