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Family invitation

You must write a letter of invitation so friends or family can apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) to visit you from your home country.

Writing your letter of invitation

You must complete 6 months of studies in Canada to invite family or friends to visit—even if it is for vacation or to attend your convocation ceremony.

Note: A letter of invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. Visa officers assess the applicant to determine whether they meet the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations.

The International Centre does not provide letters of invitation — you must write the letter yourself.

You can find information about what is needed in your letter on the  Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada website.

We also have a sample letter of invitation (PDF-17KB) for your guidance.

Optional supporting documents

Although it is not required, consider submitting the following documents along with your letter of invitation. This supporting documentation can help visa officers assess your application.

  • Photocopies of pages of your passport

  • Copy of your study permit

  • Letter from the Registrar’s Office saying that you are a student at Dalhousie University 

  • If you are directly responsible for your family member's expenses, provide proof of means of financial support

Having your visitor apply for a TRV

Your visitor(s) can complete the TRV application at the Canadian Embassy, Consulate, visa office or High Commission office closest to where they live (if they are from a country which requires a TRV to enter Canada).

Find out if citizens from your home country require a TRV to enter Canada.

Be sure you send the letter of invitation to your visitor(s) as early as possible to give them enough time to apply for their temporary resident visas. Check the convocation website for ceremony dates.

Requirements for your vistor's application

Your visitor(s) will have to provide proof of economic and social ties to their home country as part of their application. The stronger the ties to their home country, the greater the chance that they could successfully prove to an immigration officer that they will return to their home country after visiting Canada.

Economic ties include: 

  • Bank statements
  • Proof of financial investments
  • Letters of employment
  • Proof of business ownership
  • Proof of property ownership, etc.

Social ties include: 

  • Evidence that family members back home depend on them for financial/social support and that they must return home after their visit to meet these social obligations.

Note: You cannot use your personal IRCC account to apply for a visitor visa application for a family member or friend. Your visitor needs to create their own account if they plan on applying online.

For more information, visit the IRCC website.