International Student Services

Inviting Family & Friends to Visit Canada

We encourage you to have your loved ones come visit you and see where you are living and studying. You will certainly want to invite everyone to come watch you convocate when that day comes!

Citizens of some countries require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to enter Canada, while other will require an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). See here to find out which entry document your friends and family will need.

If your family or friends require a TRV, they will need to submit an application and include supporting documents from the person they will visit in Canada. Providing supporting documentation does not guarantee that your family member or friend will successfully obtain a TRV, but it is a vital component of their application.

Supporting documents may include:

1) Proof of your status in Canada (copy only)

  • Study permit
  • Post-graduation work permit (PGWP)

2) Letter of Invitation

3) Verification of Enrolment Letter (from the Student Enrolment and Registrar Services), Graduation Invitation Letter (from the International Centre), or PGWP completion letter – whatever is applicable to your current situation

4) Proof of Finances (if you are supporting your family financially for their proposed trip)

Letters of Invitation

The International Centre does not write letters of invitation on your behalf. The letter of invitation that you write for your family member or friend should be sent directly to them to include with their application for the TRV. Your letter should be clear, concise, honest and accurate. Some visa offices require letters of invitation to be notarized by a notary public.

Graduation Invitation Letter: If you will be graduating soon and wish to invite family members to attend the ceremony, we will issue a supporting document confirming your anticipated convocation date. This document should be used in addition to your letter of invitation, not in place of it. You can request a graduation invitation letter here.

The following information must be included about the person you are inviting:

  • Complete name (as it appears on their passport)
  • Date of birth
  • Address and telephone number
  • Your relationship to the applicant
  • Purpose of visit
  • Arrival and departure dates
  • Where the applicant will stay (with you? Hotel?)
  • How the applicant will pay for their stay

The following information must be included about yourself:

  • Complete name (as it appears on your passport)
  • Date of birth
  • Address and phone number in Canada
  • Job title (student)
  • Your status in Canada
  • Letter from employer (if you are a PGWP holder)
  • Details of your family (if you have dependents with you in Canada)

You can view the requirements from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website here. Remember that your Letter of Invitation is a supporting document and your friends and family will need to be diligent in meeting all of the requirements of the TRV application. Your family members and friends can access specific information and instructions for TRV applications from their country of residence here.

(Address of Processing Embassy)

Dear Visa Officer,

RE: Letter of Invitation in Support of TRV Application of Damilola Awosoga

I am writing this letter of invitation in support of my sister, Damilola Awosoga, and her application for a temporary resident visa to Canada. She was born on December 14, 1986 and she lives at 10 Bode Thomas Street, Lagos, Nigeria. Her phone number is: +234 692-5643

I am currently a 3rd year student at the University of Lethbridge in the Faculty of Arts and Science. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. You can see my Confirmation of Enrolment letter attached. My date of birth is January 15, 1989 and I currently reside at 27 Berkeley Place West, Lethbridge, Alberta. My phone number is 403-587-2697 and I can also be reached at joseph.awosoga@uleth.ca.

My sister will be visiting me from September 15, 2018 (arrival date), to October 1, 2018 (departure date) to celebrate my recent engagement. She will be staying with me and I will be covering the cost of her room and board during that time. Damilola will be paying for her flight and ground transportation to Lethbridge.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have regarding my sister, Damilola Awosoga, or myself. I thank you for considering my sister’s application.

Sincerely,

Joseph Awosoga

Questions

If you have any questions, contact your International Student Advisors during Drop-In Advising Hours or by email at international.advice@uleth.ca.