Inviting Family Or Friends To Visit Canada Note: This is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to www.cic.gc.ca for the most updated information. When you invite someone in your family to visit Canada, you are often asked to provide a letter of invitation in order for them to apply for a visitor’s visa. You may write an invitation letter and send it to your family members/friends along with other documents (see below) for them to include in their visa application. Documents you need 1. An officicial letter from UBC A: If you are a current student at UBC:  An official UBC Enrolment letter a) If you are an undergraduate student between year 1 and 4: You may download this letter from SSC (www.students.ubc.ca/ssc) b) If you are an undergraduate student who may need more than 4 years to complete your degree requirements, or if you are in a diploma or certificate program (for example DAP, DAH, etc.): You may ask for a letter from your faculty advisor or program office. This letter must confirm your current enrolment in the program and expected date of completion. c) If you are a graduate student: You may ask for a letter from your department (graduate secretary). This letter must confirm your current enrolment in the program and expected date of completion. The letter may also include information about a scholarship, Teaching Assistantship, Research Assistantship or any other source of income you may have as part of proof of financial support. B: If you have recently completed your degree/diploma requirements:  A photocopy of your Post Graduation Work Permit (if applicable) or a photocopy of your study permit along with an official letter of completion from your department/ faculty. This letter should also include your expected convocation ceremony date. 2. A letter of invitation written by you (see template below) 3. A photocopy of your valid Canadian immigration document (study permit or postgraduation work permit) 4. A photocopy of your passport (including your photo page and personal information) 5. A copy of your marriage certificate, if applicable Page 1 of 3 Brought to you by UBC International House | www.students.ubc.ca/international Last updated: March 2013 Note: You must have a valid immigration document (study permit or post-graduation work permit) which is valid for the length of your family members’ stay in Canada. In addition to the above-listed documents, your friends/ family will have to provide proof of economic and social ties to their home country as part of their application. The stronger these ties are, the higher the chance they could successfully prove that they will return to their home country after visiting Canada.  Examples of economic ties include: Bank statements, proof of financial investments, letter of employment and/or proof of property ownership.  Examples of social ties include: Evidence that family members back home depend on them for financial or other support, and that they must return home after their visit to Canada in order to meet their social obligations to the family members. Letter of Invitation You may write the letter of invitation yourself. Some visa offices may require that your letter be notarized by a Notary Public. Check with the visa office that is processing the application to find out if you need to do this. Send your letter to the person you are inviting to Canada. They must then submit this letter to the Canadian Embassy or Consulate outside of Canada when they apply for their visa. Because each Canadian visa office may have different requirements, check the website of the visa office your family will be applying to in order to confirm the specific documents needed and the application procedures. Websites of Canadian visa offices can be found online: http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/information/offices/missions.asp Page 2 of 3 Brought to you by UBC International House | www.students.ubc.ca/international Last updated: March 2013 Sample Letter of Invitation The Canadian Embassy, Immigration Section 22 Kenyatta Drive Nairobi Kenya Jan 23, 2013 - Dear Visa Officer, Re: Letter of invitation for my parents (Jumanne and Miriam Muindi) - Invitees’ complete names Their dates of birth Relationship to you Current address and telephone number I am writing this letter to support the Temporary Resident Visa application of my parents, Jumanne Kafaka Muindi (father) and Miriam Jumanne Muindi (mother). My father and mother’s dates of birth are March 2nd, 1953 and Jan 12th, 1956 respectively. My parents currently reside in Nairobi, Kenya at Plot Number 44 Moi Avenue. Their phone number is +254 752 455786. I am an international student in my fourth year in the Faculty of Science at the University of British Columbia (copy of study permit and UBC enrolment letter attached). My date of birth is February 11th, 1989 and I currently reside at 2204 Halifax Street, Burnaby, B.C., V3J1A4. My telephone number is +16047789922 and my email address is [email protected]. - Purpose of visit Duration of visit Date leaving Canada Details of Accommodation/ Living expenses - Your complete name Your date of birth Your status in Canada (Permanant Resident, International Student, Citizen, etc.) Occupation Current address and telephone number/ email address My convocation ceremony will be taking place on June 23rd, 2013. I wish to invite my parents to Canada to celebrate this important milestone of success in my life with me. My parents intend to stay in Canada for three weeks from June 16th to July 7th and will leave Canada on July 8th. While in Canada, my parents will stay with me at my current residence and I will cover all their living costs (housing and food) during this period; flight costs will be covered by them. Should you require any further information about me or my parents, please feel free to contact me. Thank you in advance for considering my parents’ application. Yours truly, Lolus Jumanne Muindi Page 3 of 3 Brought to you by UBC International House | www.students.ubc.ca/international Last updated: March 2013