Writing an Invitation Letter for a Super Visa Application

What a Super Visa is, briefly

A Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit for extended periods, longer than a standard visitor visa typically allows. Alongside the applicant's own documents, the application depends heavily on the host's invitation letter and supporting evidence.

What the invitation letter needs to include

• —The host's full name, address, and relationship to the applicant (with proof, e.g. a birth certificate)
• —The host's status in Canada — citizenship or permanent residence — with supporting documentation
• —A clear statement of intent to financially support the visit, matched by income evidence
• —Household size and who else lives at the address
• —Confirmation of private medical insurance arranged for the visiting parent or grandparent, where required

The host's supporting documentation

IRCC generally expects evidence of the host's income (such as a Notice of Assessment) to accompany the letter, not just a stated intention to support the visit. A letter without matching financial evidence is one of the more common reasons this category of application is delayed or questioned.

Common mistakes that slow things down

The most frequent issues are a letter that doesn't clearly state the relationship or intent to support, missing proof of the host's status or income, and insurance arrangements that aren't confirmed before the application is submitted rather than promised for later.

Keep it factual

The letter works best as a clear, factual statement covering the points above — not an emotional appeal. Officers are checking for specific, verifiable information, and a letter that supplies it plainly is easier to assess than one that doesn't.