Applying for a Canada visitor visa without first receiving an invitation letter could delay or reject your application.
Your invitation letter must come from someone in Canada who can verify your identity and purpose of visiting. This could be anyone from your friends, family members, employers or business partners.
Friend or Relative
An acquaintance or relative can apply for a Canada visitor visa without an invitation letter as long as they meet all other requirements, including providing valid passport and evidence of financial capability.
Canadian visas are temporary resident permits that allow individuals to enter and visit Canada for up to six months at a time, in single or multiple entry formats.
There are various kinds of visitor visas for Canada, from single entry (known as a tourist visa) to multiple entry visas which offer greater flexibility allowing travellers to come as often as they wish while their visa remains valid.
To obtain a Canadian visa, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website offers an application form. In addition, a valid passport that covers your stay must also be presented. Depending on where you live in the world, applications may also be made in person at one of Canada's consular, embassy, or high commission locations in your home country.
Include details regarding the relationship, purpose and duration of your trip as well as any financial arrangements that will occur during their stay in Canada. Don't forget to include their address and number for easy contact!
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will review your visa application to assess whether or not it qualifies as a visit visa application and, depending on that outcome, determine your length of stay as well as any additional documentation you might need to submit.
As a visitor, you may also apply for a student or work visa - these differ from traditional tourist visas in that they allow you to attend school temporarily in Canada and/or seek work opportunities temporarily in Canada.
When applying for a student or work visa in Canada, you should provide evidence of sufficient funds available in order to support yourself during your stay here. This may include evidence such as bank account balance or cash deposits in banks; alternatively you could submit other relevant documents that demonstrate this financial capability.
Employer
Visitors to Canada have many ways of applying for their visa, from online submission to in-person applications and visa application centres (VACs). Agents or immigration lawyers may also help, provided they are licensed in your country to practice immigration law.
Canadian visitors usually need one or more single entry or multiple entry visitor visas in order to enter for six months at a time, depending on your purpose and nationality. You may also require work or study permits depending on your intentions.
To obtain a visitor visa in Canada, you need your passport details and some documents. If you come from a country requiring biometrics (fingerprinting and photograph), fingerprinting may also be required at a visa application center. Furthermore, proof of funds for your stay in Canada should also be included with your application.
Based on your reason for visiting Canada, an invitation letter might be required of you in order to strengthen your application and increase the chances of approval for a visa.
Your letter should clearly identify you and the individual inviting you. In it, explain why a visa is needed as well as provide details about your visit. Indicate when you will arrive and leave Canada.
When applying for a visa, it is often beneficial to present a letter from an employer of the visiting individual. This allows the visa officer to understand more fully their relationship and whether there is a long-term connection.
Letters should include contact details like phone numbers and emails as well as an indication of where and for how long someone will stay with you, in order to help the authorities verify long-term connections between parties and that there will be a set date when all will return home again.
Your invitation letter can help assure the visa officer that you will not try to sneak into Canada as a tourist or visitor, providing them with peace of mind that you have an ongoing relationship.
Business Partner
Business partners are individuals in whom you share financial stakes in your company. A partnership can be invaluable when things get overwhelming and extra help is needed in getting tasks completed, or when difficult decisions need to be made.
When choosing a business partner, it is essential that they complement your strengths. They should possess a range of expertise that allows them to handle tasks that fall outside your purview and share similar values - so your goals remain aligned as an organization.
Assuring the continued growth and success of your business requires choosing a partner with strong leadership capabilities and emotional intelligence. They should also possess great team-working abilities, great communication abilities, and be problem solving oriented.
Your business partner may need to show proof they have all of the required documents in order to work legally in Canada, such as a work permit or visa; alternatively they could present evidence such as employment contracts, invoices or tax compliance certificates as supporting documents.
As well as collecting the necessary paperwork, it's also advisable to conduct due diligence on potential business partners. This involves verifying their qualifications and experience match the work you require being done as well as making sure that they have not already visited Canada on a business visa and don't plan to do so again.
Verifying that any prospective business partners possess valid passports and can travel without issues is also key - otherwise it would be prudent not to pursue further involvement with them in your venture.
Sometimes it may be necessary to apply for a Canada visitor visa without an invitation letter. This temporary residency visa can be used for business travel purposes or visiting friends and family in Canada for up to 6 months at a time.
Sponsor
Yes, it is possible to apply for a Canada visitor visa without an invitation letter, though it's advisable to consult the Canadian immigration office first in order to be certain your application will be accepted.
Sponsors are individuals who provide financial and other resources to those unable to support themselves independently, as well as emotional and spiritual guidance for the person being sponsored.
Gaining sponsorship can help demonstrate your dedication and improve your chances of obtaining a visa. The key is making the appropriate connections and remaining persistent.
Many find it helpful to meet prospective sponsors at their AA or NA meetings, which is an efficient way of initiating the process. If there's someone specific that stands out or someone you think would be an ideal sponsor, approach them directly and see if they would be willing to assist.
Honest and direct communication about why you require a visa will help both of you - rather than placing blame solely on your sponsor for failing to assist. They could either lack the time and commitment needed, or have other commitments and cannot dedicate enough attention to you as an applicant.
An alternative solution would be to hire a specialized immigration attorney who will guide and support you throughout the application process and address any potential problems during it.
Income and assets of sponsors play a vital role in your application process. Your primary sponsor's most recent tax filing must meet minimum qualification criteria; otherwise they must partner with someone with sufficient resources.
Financial statuses should be clearly detailed in both the application and cover letter; also they must indicate any documents needed during the application process and why they intend to bring the person over; then finally their plans once their visa period ends.