Super Visa Letter of Invitation: Template & Complete Guide
Super Visa Letter of Invitation: Template & Complete Guide
Quick Answer
A Super Visa letter of invitation is a signed letter from you (the Canadian citizen or permanent resident) inviting your parents or grandparents to Canada. It must include a written promise of financial support, proof you meet LICO income requirements, details about accommodation arrangements, and the duration of their stay—typically up to 5 years with multiple entries.
Bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada through the Super Visa program isn't just about filling out forms—it's about crafting a compelling invitation that demonstrates your genuine commitment and financial capacity. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) needs to see that you've thought this through, and your letter of invitation is where you prove it.
What Makes a Super Visa Invitation Letter Different?
Unlike a regular temporary resident visa (TRV) invitation, the Super Visa letter carries more weight because it's supporting a multi-year stay. You're not just saying "come visit for Christmas"—you're making a formal commitment to financially support your parents or grandparents for potentially years at a time. The visa officer reviewing your application needs to see that you understand this responsibility and have the means to fulfill it.
Important: Writing the invitation letter doesn't make you legally responsible for your parents or grandparents, but you must write it in good faith. IRCC expects honesty—don't make promises you can't keep.
Essential Template Format
[Your Full Name] [Your Complete Address] [City, Province, Postal Code] [Phone Number] [Email Address] [Date]
To,
The Visa Officer
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) [Visa Application Centre Location]
Subject: Letter of Invitation for Super Visa – [Parent/Grandparent Full Name]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I, [Your Full Name], a Canadian citizen/permanent resident residing at [Your Address], am writing to invite my [mother/father/grandmother/grandfather], [Full Name] (Passport No. [Number], Date of Birth: [DOB]), from [Country], to visit me in Canada under the Super Visa program.
Relationship & Purpose:[Parent/Grandparent Name] is my [relationship]. The purpose of this visit is to spend quality time with our family, particularly with [mention grandchildren if applicable], and experience Canadian culture together.
Duration of Stay: The intended visit period is from [Start Date] to [End Date], with the flexibility to stay up to 5 years as permitted under the Super Visa program.
Accommodation:[Parent/Grandparent Name] will reside with me at my residence located at [Your Full Address] for the entire duration of the visit.
Financial Support: I hereby commit to providing full financial support for [Parent/Grandparent Name] during their stay in Canada. This includes all living expenses, accommodation costs, and ensuring they maintain valid medical insurance coverage of at least $100,000 from an OSFI-approved Canadian insurer.
I am currently employed as [Job Title] at [Company Name] with an annual income of $[Amount], which exceeds the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirement for our household size of [number] people.
Supporting Documents Attached:
- Copy of my Canadian citizenship certificate/Permanent Resident card
- Proof of employment and recent pay stubs
- Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the most recent tax year
- Proof of residence (utility bill, lease agreement)
- Proof of relationship (birth certificate)
- Medical insurance policy details
Should you require any additional information, please contact me at [Phone] or [Email].
Thank you for considering this application.
Sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Printed Name]
Critical Information You Can't Skip
Must-Include Details
Your status in Canada: Specify whether you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and attach proof
Complete contact information: Full address, phone number, and email for both you and your parent/grandparent
Passport details: Full legal name as it appears on passport, passport number, and date of birth of the visitor
Proof of relationship: Birth certificate or other legal documents establishing the family connection
LICO compliance: Your household income must meet or exceed the minimum necessary income based on family size (including the visiting parent/grandparent)
Financial documentation: Recent Notice of Assessment (NOA), T4 slips, employment letter, and bank statements
Medical insurance commitment: Confirmation of OSFI-approved insurance coverage for at least $100,000, valid for one year minimum
Accommodation specifics: Where exactly your parents will stay—your home address and living arrangements
Here's what catches a lot of folks off guard: the income requirement isn't just about you. It's calculated based on your entire household size, including your spouse, any dependent children, anyone you're currently sponsoring, and the parent or grandparent you're inviting. For instance, if you're a family of four inviting one parent, you'll need to meet the LICO for five people—which for 2024 was $61,920 annually.
The letter should strike a balance between formal and personal. You're addressing a visa officer, sure, but you're also painting a picture of why this visit matters. Don't be afraid to mention specific details—maybe your mum hasn't met her newest grandchild yet, or your dad wants to experience his first Canadian winter. These human touches make your application memorable without compromising its professionalism.
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Does the Super Visa invitation letter need to be notarized?
IRCC doesn't explicitly require notarization for Super Visa invitation letters, though some visa offices may request it in specific cases. It's generally safer to have it notarized if you can—it adds credibility and can't hurt your application. If the Canadian visa office processing your parent's application has previously requested notarized documents, it's worth getting it done upfront.
Can my spouse co-sign the Super Visa invitation letter if we're combining our income to meet LICO?
Absolutely—and it's actually recommended if you're pooling incomes to meet the Low-Income Cut-Off requirement. Your spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the invitation letter as long as they're also a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Make sure both signatures are included, and attach proof of income and employment for both individuals to demonstrate your combined household income meets or exceeds LICO for your family size.
How specific should I be about the duration of stay in the invitation letter?
Include the planned entry date and mention that your parent/grandparent intends to stay for up to 5 years as permitted under the Super Visa program, with the flexibility to make multiple entries. You don't need to commit to an exact departure date—the beauty of the Super Visa is its flexibility. What matters is demonstrating you understand the long-term commitment and have the financial capacity to support it. Just make it clear this is a temporary visit, not permanent immigration.
What happens if my income just barely meets the LICO requirement?
Meeting LICO is a hard requirement—there's no wiggle room here. If you're right at the threshold, be prepared to provide extensive documentation proving your income stability: recent pay stubs, employment letter confirming your position and salary, last year's Notice of Assessment, and ideally, proof that your income has been consistent or increasing. If you're self-employed or have variable income, you'll need to demonstrate your average income over the past year or two meets LICO. When in doubt, show more financial documentation rather than less.
Should I submit the original invitation letter or is a scanned copy acceptable?
For online applications through IRCC's portal, upload a clear scanned copy of the signed invitation letter—you don't need to mail the original unless specifically requested. Make sure the scan is high quality and all text is readable. If you're submitting a paper application, include the original signed letter. Keep a copy for your records either way. The signature should be in ink (not typed), and if it's notarized, ensure the notary's seal is visible in the scan.
Can I invite both my parents with one letter of invitation?
Yes—you can absolutely invite both parents or grandparents in a single letter, and this is actually quite common for married couples. Just make sure you clearly list both individuals with their complete information (full names, passport numbers, dates of birth) and specify that you're providing financial support and accommodation for both. Your LICO calculation should include both parents in the household size. Each parent will still submit their own separate Super Visa application, but they can both reference the same invitation letter.
What if I'm renting my home—do I need landlord permission to host my parents long-term?
While IRCC doesn't explicitly require landlord approval in the invitation letter, it's smart to check your lease agreement for any clauses about long-term guests or maximum occupancy. If there are restrictions, you might want to get written permission from your landlord—not necessarily for the visa application itself, but to avoid potential housing issues down the road. Include your lease or rental agreement as proof of residence when submitting your application, and ensure your accommodation can reasonably house the additional person(s) for an extended period.
How old can my invitation letter be when my parents submit their Super Visa application?
There's no official expiry date for invitation letters, but visa officers generally prefer recent letters—ideally dated within the past three months of application submission. If your financial situation or living arrangements have changed since you wrote the letter, you should draft a new one with updated information. A letter that's a year or two old might raise questions about whether the information is still accurate, especially regarding income and LICO compliance. When in doubt, refresh the letter with a current date and updated supporting documents.
Do I need to mention the medical insurance policy details in the invitation letter itself?
You should definitely mention your commitment to ensuring your parent/grandparent maintains valid medical insurance coverage, but you don't need to include the full policy details in the letter itself—those will be submitted as separate supporting documents. In your invitation letter, simply state that you'll ensure they have OSFI-approved Canadian medical insurance for at least $100,000 valid for a minimum of one year. The actual insurance policy documents, proof of payment, and coverage details get submitted alongside your invitation letter as part of the complete Super Visa application package.
Can I use the same invitation letter for multiple Super Visa applications over time?
No—each Super Visa application needs its own invitation letter with current information and a recent date. Financial circumstances change, LICO thresholds are updated annually, and visa officers need to see that your commitment and capacity to support your parent/grandparent are based on your current situation, not outdated information. If a previous Super Visa application was unsuccessful and you're reapplying, draft a completely new letter addressing any issues from the previous application. Treat each application as a fresh start with updated documentation.
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