An invitation letter for a Canada visitor visa explains the purpose of the trip and the relationship between the person invited and the person inviting them to Canada. IRCC states that an invitation letter does not guarantee that a visa will be issued — the decision belongs to the officer assessing the application.
In some situations, a person may nonetheless want — or need — to have their invitation letter sworn or notarized, notably when this formality is requested by an authority, a visa office, or a specific recipient. Here's what to know before having an invitation letter sworn in Québec, and how online oath-swearing works.
What is an invitation letter for a Canada visa?
An invitation letter is a document prepared by a person in Canada to invite a person living abroad to come to Canada, for example for a family or personal visit. It can be used as part of a visitor visa application, also called a temporary resident visa (TRV).
IRCC states that an invitation letter can help confirm that the purpose of the visit is valid — it does not, however, guarantee that a visa will be issued. It is generally prepared by the person inviting the visitor, then sent to them so it can be included in their application.
Does the invitation letter have to be sworn?
Not necessarily.
It's important to distinguish between:
- an invitation letter requested as part of a visa application;
- an invitation letter that is simply signed;
- an invitation letter sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths;
- a notarized invitation letter.
Requirements can vary depending on the situation and the visa office involved. For invitation letters intended for business visitors, IRCC states that some visa offices may require the letter to be notarized, and recommends checking the requirements of the visa office for the country concerned.
So swearing should not be treated as a universal requirement for every invitation letter. If you are asked to have the letter sworn, or need to present a declaration under oath, you can have the document sworn before a person authorized to administer oaths.
What should an invitation letter for Canada include?
IRCC lists the information to include in an invitation letter. For the person being invited, the letter should notably include:
- their full name;
- their date of birth;
- their address;
- their phone number;
- their relationship to the host;
- the purpose of the trip;
- the planned length of stay;
- where the person will stay;
- how expenses will be paid;
- the planned date of departure from Canada.
The letter must also include information about the person inviting them, notably:
- their full name;
- their date of birth;
- their address in Canada;
- their phone number;
- their job or job title;
- their status in Canada;
- some information about their family.
IRCC also asks for a copy of a document proving the host's status in Canada, depending on their situation — for example a Canadian birth certificate, proof of citizenship, or a permanent resident card.
Structuring the letter in six parts
An invitation letter can generally follow this structure: (1) information about the host (identity, address in Canada, status), (2) information about the person invited, (3) the purpose of the letter — why they are being invited, the relationship between the people, the reason and planned length of the visit, (4) accommodation and how expenses will be covered, (5) the planned date of departure from Canada, and (6) the signature, made according to the applicable requirements. If swearing is required, the signature must be made as part of the applicable oath-swearing procedure — see below.
Sworn invitation letter: what is the commissioner's role?
When a person has their invitation letter sworn, the Commissioner for Oaths does not become responsible for the content of the visa application. Their role is to receive the declarant's oath or solemn affirmation and to affix their attestation in accordance with the applicable rules — the content of the letter must be prepared by the person making the declaration.
The commissioner's role is not to decide whether the visitor will obtain their visa, nor to decide whether the person invited meets immigration criteria. The decision on the visa belongs to the competent immigration authority.
Does swearing the letter guarantee that the visa will be issued?
No — this is a particularly important point.
An invitation letter, even when sworn or notarized, does not guarantee that a Canadian visa will be issued. IRCC states expressly that an invitation letter does not guarantee that a visa will be granted: the officer examines the application as a whole.
For a visitor visa, the applicant must notably convince the officer that they meet the applicable requirements and will leave Canada at the end of their stay — IRCC notably mentions ties to the home country, financial resources, and the applicant's personal circumstances.
Swearing should therefore be seen as formalizing the declaration, not as a guarantee that the immigration application will be approved.
What documents should you prepare before swearing the letter?
If you need to have your invitation letter sworn, prepare your document before the appointment.
1. The invitation letter
Prepare a complete version of the letter. The content should be checked before the session.
2. A piece of identification
Prepare a valid piece of ID that can be verified as part of the oath-swearing.
3. The document to be sworn
Keep the final version of the document available during the appointment. Do not sign the document in advance when the procedure requires the signature to be made as part of the swearing.
4. Supporting information
Depending on your situation, you may also need documents proving your status in Canada or other information relevant to the visa application. It's important, however, to distinguish documents needed for the oath-swearing from documents needed for the visa application — the Commissioner for Oaths does not replace the list of documents required by IRCC.
Can an invitation letter be sworn online?
In Québec, certain declarations under oath can be received remotely using technology that notably allows the declarant and the commissioner to see and hear each other simultaneously, and to view the document being sworn.
Québec's Ministère de la Justice sets specific requirements for remote oath-swearing, notably regarding identifying the people involved, audiovisual communication, and the integrity of the document. An online session can therefore let the declarant meet the commissioner by videoconference, when the document and situation are eligible for this type of procedure.
For an online session, prepare your document, a valid piece of ID, a device with a camera and microphone, and a stable Internet connection. The exact procedure depends on the document and the situation.
Online notarization in Québec: how does it work?
How does an online oath-swearing session work?
The process can generally be summarized in a few steps.
1. Prepare the letter
Draft your invitation letter and carefully check all the information. If the letter accompanies a visa application, also check the official instructions that apply to the visitor's situation.
2. Book a session
Choose a time slot for your online oath-swearing session.
3. Prepare your ID
Keep your ID available for verification.
4. Join the video call
You meet the commissioner remotely. The document and your identity are verified according to the applicable procedure.
5. Make the declaration
The commissioner receives the oath or solemn affirmation.
6. Sign the document
The document is signed according to the process set out for remote oath-swearing.
7. Receive the document
Once the procedure is complete, the finalized document can be sent according to the service's process.
Invitation letter for a family member in Canada
A common situation is that of a permanent resident or Canadian citizen who wants to invite their parents, a sibling, an adult child, another family member, or a close friend.
In this context, the letter should clearly explain the relationship between the host and the visitor, as well as the purpose of the visit. For example, if you are inviting your mother for a family visit, you can explain:
- your family relationship;
- the purpose of the visit;
- the planned length of stay;
- where she will stay;
- who she will be staying with;
- how certain expenses will be covered, if applicable;
- her planned date of departure.
You should avoid adding inaccurate information or presenting something as mandatory when it isn't. The letter must be truthful and consistent with the other information provided in the application.
Invitation letter for parents or grandparents: watch for the Super Visa
It's also important to distinguish the visitor visa from the Super Visa, a specific category for parents and grandparents of eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Under the Super Visa, some additional requirements apply: IRCC states that the host must be at least 18 years old, live in Canada, and have income equal to or greater than the minimum necessary income, in addition to providing an invitation letter that meets the program's requirements.
A Super Visa invitation letter should therefore not be treated as an ordinary invitation letter. Always check the specific requirements of the program before preparing the document.
Invitation letter for a business visa
Invitation letters for business visitors can have different requirements. IRCC states that a Canadian business inviting a business visitor must provide information about:
- the visitor;
- their company;
- their relationship with the Canadian business;
- the purpose of the trip;
- the length of the visit;
- expenses and accommodation covered;
- the person making the invitation;
- the inviting company.
Some situations may also require a notarized letter, depending on the visa office involved — see above.
Swearing, notarizing, and signing: what's the difference?
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably even though they don't mean exactly the same thing.
A simply signed letter
The person signs the letter themselves.
A sworn letter
The person makes a declaration under oath or a solemn affirmation before a person authorized to administer the oath.
A notarized letter
A notary intervenes as part of their notarial functions.
The document you need depends on the exact requirement imposed on you. If an authority specifically asks for a "notarized" letter, it's best to check whether a notary is actually required rather than assume a simple oath will satisfy that requirement.
Oath, Certified Copy, Notarization, and Apostille: What's the Difference?
Should the invitation letter be in French or English?
For an application intended for Canadian authorities, the document's language must meet the applicable requirements. IRCC generally accepts documents in English or French for immigration applications; for documents that are in neither English nor French, translation requirements may apply.
If your letter is prepared in French or English, make sure the information is consistent with the other documents in the application.
How much money do you need to invite someone to Canada?
There is no single answer that applies to every visitor visa application.
IRCC states that the amount needed depends notably on the length of stay and where the visitor will be staying — for example with relatives or at a hotel. Statements like "you must have $10,000 in the bank to get a visa" should be avoided: no such general rule is set by IRCC. The applicant's financial situation and the rest of their file are assessed as a whole.
Why have an invitation letter sworn?
When swearing is requested or deemed necessary for your situation, it can formalize the host's declaration. It may be relevant when:
- an authority requests a declaration under oath;
- a specific procedure requires a sworn declaration;
- a recipient requests an authenticated letter;
- the visa office's instructions indicate a specific formality.
But it's important not to confuse formalizing the document with approving the visa file. Swearing does not replace IRCC's requirements.
Checklist before booking your oath-swearing session
Letter
- Host's full name and date of birth
- Host's address in Canada, phone number, and status
- Complete information about the person invited
- Relationship with the person invited
- Purpose of the trip and planned length of stay
- Accommodation and information about expenses
- Planned date of departure
Before the oath-swearing
- Finalized document, unsigned if the signature must be made before the commissioner
- ID available
- Working camera and microphone
- Stable Internet connection
For the visa application
- Check IRCC's current requirements
- Check the applicable document checklist
- Check the instructions of the visa office involved
- Confirm whether swearing or notarization is actually required
Is an invitation letter mandatory for a Canada visitor visa?
Not in every situation. IRCC states that an invitation letter may be requested depending on the situation — the documents required depend notably on the type of trip and the applicant's profile.
Does an invitation letter need to be notarized?
Not systematically. For some situations, notably certain business visitors, IRCC states that some visa offices may request a notarized letter — check the instructions that apply to your file.
Can a Commissioner for Oaths swear my letter?
When a declaration under oath is appropriate and the document is eligible for oath-swearing, an authorized commissioner can receive the oath in accordance with their powers and the applicable rules.
Does swearing improve the chances of getting the visa?
No — it does not guarantee the visa will be issued and does not replace the immigration criteria assessed by the officer.
Should I sign my letter before the appointment?
If the procedure requires the declaration or signature to be made before the commissioner, do not sign the document in advance. Follow the instructions provided to you before the session.
Can the commissioner write my invitation letter for me?
The Commissioner for Oaths' role is to receive the oath or affirmation and attest to the procedure. This should not be confused with immigration advice or visa application drafting services.
How long does it take to get a visa after having the letter sworn?
Swearing the letter and processing the visa are two different processes. Processing time depends on the application and many factors — swearing the letter does not determine IRCC's processing time.
Conclusion: should you have your invitation letter sworn?
An invitation letter for a Canada visa can be an important document to explain the context of a visit to Canada. Three things should be kept separate, though: the letter itself, which explains the purpose of the visit; swearing or notarizing, which may be requested or relevant in some situations without being a universal requirement; and the decision on the visa, which belongs to IRCC and depends on the applicant's file as a whole.
Before having your letter sworn, check the requirements that apply to your situation and the instructions of the visa office involved.
Assermentation Express
Assermentation Express is not a government website and does not offer immigration advice. This service does not determine whether your invitation letter needs to be sworn or notarized, nor the requirements that apply to your visa application — always check the most recent official IRCC information before booking.