Inviting your family members to visit you in Canada is a beautiful way to share your life, celebrate important milestones, or simply spend quality time together. But many people are surprised to learn that this process involves more than just sending an invitation — it requires accurate documentation, a solid application strategy, and sometimes legal notarization.
Who Can You Invite?
You can invite immediate family such as your parents, siblings, and grandparents, and in some cases extended family like uncles, aunts, cousins, or even close friends. The key to a successful application is showing a clear purpose for the visit and strong evidence that your guest will return to their home country after their stay.
If you're inviting your parents or grandparents, you may also be eligible to apply under the Super Visa program — which allows them to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years. This visa requires additional documentation like medical insurance and income proof, but it offers the chance for longer visits.
Step-by-Step: How to Invite Family to Canada
The process begins with the person in Canada — you — sending an invitation letter to the person you want to invite. This letter plays a crucial role in the visa application process and helps the visa officer understand the reason for the visit and who will be supporting it.
1: Determine Eligibility and Type of Visa
First, identify which type of visa is appropriate for your family member. Most visitors will apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), commonly known as a Visitor Visa for Canada. However, if you're inviting parents or grandparents, you might consider the Super Visa, which allows longer stays.
At Dodo Immigration, we help assess the best route for your situation based on your relationship, your guest’s profile, and the intended length of stay.
2. Prepare a Personalized Invitation Letter
The invitation letter is a key document that explains the purpose of your family member’s visit. It should include personal details, travel plans, relationship to the guest, and your intent to host them in Canada.
Once your letter is written, it’s important to get it notarized to confirm its authenticity. Visa officers take notarized documents more seriously, especially when they come from a Canadian notary public.
Dodo Notary helps you notarize your invitation letter in person or online — quickly and affordably.
What Is an Invitation Letter — And Why Is It Important?
The invitation letter is one of the core documents required to invite someone to Canada. It’s written by the person residing in Canada and outlines key details of the trip, including the relationship with the visitor, the purpose of the visit, and where the visitor will stay. This letter serves as reassurance to the immigration officer that the visit is temporary and genuine.
However, it’s not just about writing a letter — it’s about writing it correctly. Many DIY invitation letters miss critical details or contain vague information, which can lead to application refusals. At Dodo Immigration, we prepare professional, customized invitation letters that match your case and meet IRCC’s expectations. We also offer legal notarization through Dodo Notary, which helps validate the letter’s authenticity and adds weight to your case.
3. Provide Proof of Financial Support (if applicable)
If you're financially supporting your guest during their stay — covering accommodation, daily expenses, or return flights — you'll need to provide a financial support letter along with proof of your income. This typically includes recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter of employment.
Like the invitation letter, this document should also be notarized for added credibility. It shows immigration officers that you take full responsibility and are financially capable of supporting your guest.
4: Gather Supporting Documents from Both Parties
Your family member will also need to show they have strong ties to their home country, such as employment, property, or family commitments. These help prove they intend to return home after their visit. You'll also need to provide documents that confirm your legal status in Canada, such as:
- A copy of your Canadian passport, PR card, or work/study permit
- Proof of residence (lease agreement or utility bill)
- Employment letter or recent pay slips
We guide both you and your guest on gathering the right documents, organized in a way that makes your application clear and compelling.
5: Submit the Visa Application
The visa application is submitted online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal. It includes uploading all required documents, filling out personal and travel information, and paying the application fee.
At Dodo Immigration, we can handle the entire application submission on your behalf.
6: Wait for a Decision
Once submitted, IRCC will process the application. Processing times vary depending on the visa office and applicant’s home country. During this time, your guest may be asked to complete biometrics or provide additional documentation.
We help you stay updated and respond to any requests from IRCC to avoid delays or complications.
What Makes an Application Successful?
Many applications for visitor visas are refused due to incomplete documents, unclear travel plans, or insufficient ties to the applicant’s home country. That’s why our approach at Dodo Immigration goes beyond the basics.
We look at your case from both sides — yours as the host, and your guest’s as the applicant. We’ll review their financial background, family ties back home, travel history, and provide guidance on how to present a well-organized and convincing application.
We don't just hand over templates — we work with you to build a strong case that increases the chances of approval.
How Dodo Immigration Supports You
When you work with Dodo Immigration, you’re not left to navigate the process alone. We assist with every key part of the process:
- Drafting a tailored, IRCC-compliant invitation letter
- Creating a financial support letter with proof of your ability to host
- Verifying supporting documents from the visitor (employment letters, family ties, etc.)
- Advising on whether to apply for a Visitor Visa or a Super Visa
- Preparing the application package to reduce the risk of refusal
And if you need notarization, we provide affordable and reliable notary services through Dodo Notary, helping you complete everything in one place.