What Is a Notarized Invitation Letter for a Visa Application?
An invitation letter – also called a letter of invitation – is a document written by a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident to support a foreign national’s application for a Canadian Temporary Resident Visa. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, applicants from visa-required countries must include this letter when applying at a Canadian Embassy or consulate abroad.
Having your invitation letter notarized by a Surrey Notary Public confirms your identity, verifies that the contents are truthful, and gives the document legal weight that a plain letter simply does not carry.
Who Needs a Notarized Invitation Letter?
Surrey residents frequently sponsor visits from family members in India, the Philippines, China, Pakistan, and other visa-required countries. You need a notarized invitation letter when you are hosting:
- A parent or grandparent applying for a Super Visa
- A family member applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
- A friend attending a wedding, graduation, or other family event in Surrey
- A relative visiting for a short-term stay while you cover their expenses
Even if an invitation letter is not always mandatory for a TRV application, visa officers consistently view a properly notarized letter as a strong supporting document. For the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, it is a required document.
What to Include in Your Invitation Letter
A Notary Public will ensure your letter contains all required information. The letter must address two parties – the inviter (you, the host in Canada) and the invitee (the person you are inviting).
About you as the inviter:
- Full legal name, date of birth, and Canadian address
- Your immigration status – Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
- Supporting proof: a copy of your Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, or PR card
- Your occupation and names of your spouse and dependents
- Total number of people currently living in your household
About the invitee:
- Full name and date of birth
- Their home address and contact number
- Your relationship to them
- Purpose and intended duration of the visit
- Where they will stay during the visit
- Who will cover their expenses while in Canada
- Confirmation of when they intend to return home
Missing any of these details is one of the most common reasons visa officers raise concerns about an invitation letter. A Notary Public reviews the letter before notarizing it to ensure nothing has been left out.
Why Notarization Matters for Visa Success
A notarized invitation letter does three things a plain letter cannot:
- Confirms your identity. The Notary Public verifies your government-issued ID before applying their seal, so the visa officer knows the letter genuinely comes from you.
- Confirms the contents are sworn to be true. You sign the letter in front of the notary after taking an oath or affirmation. This carries real legal weight – making false statements can lead to serious consequences under Canadian law.
- Reduces the risk of rejection. Visa officers see thousands of invitation letters. A notarized letter from a Notary Public in Surrey signals that the host has taken the process seriously and is not attempting to mislead the immigration authority.
Important Things to Understand Before You Submit
- A notarized invitation letter does not guarantee a visa will be issued. Visa officers make the final decision based on the full application.
- You are not legally responsible for the visitor’s actions once they arrive in Canada – the letter is a declaration of intent, not a legal guarantee.
- For the Super Visa specifically, the letter must also confirm that you meet the minimum income threshold under IRCC guidelines, and that you have private medical insurance arranged for your parent or grandparent.
- The letter should be in English or French. If it is drafted in another language, a certified translation is required alongside it.
What to Bring to Your Surrey Notary Appointment
- A drafted invitation letter (your notary can assist if you need help preparing it)
- Two pieces of ID – one must be a government-issued photo ID (Canadian passport, driver’s licence, or BC Services Card)
- Proof of your citizenship or Permanent Resident status
- Do not sign the letter beforehand – signing must happen in front of the Notary Public
Surrey’s large South Asian community is well served by notary offices that offer appointments in Punjabi and Hindi – helpful when coordinating the letter with family members abroad.
Get Your Invitation Letter Notarized in Surrey
When your family’s visa application depends on it, work with a notary you can trust. Contact Aanchal Ghai Notary, based in Surrey’s Payal Business Centre, specializes in invitation letter notarization for TRV and Super Visa applications – with services available in English, Punjabi, and Hindi. Walk-ins are welcome, and a free phone consultation is available so you arrive fully prepared.