Canada Super Visa Invitation Letter: A Comprehensive Guide for 2026

Understanding the Canada Super Visa Invitation Letter

To bring parents and grandparents to Canada for extended visits, a Super Visa invitation letter is a critical document. This letter, issued by the child or grandchild living in Canada, acts as a promise of financial support and a declaration of the host’s household size. Without a properly prepared invitation letter, the Super Visa application may face delays or rejection. This guide breaks down the essential components of the letter, the financial requirements, and provides sample templates to help you navigate the process.

Counting Your Family Size for Super Visa Applications

The first step in preparing a Super Visa invitation letter is accurately determining the host’s family size. This number directly impacts the minimum income required to support the visiting parents or grandparents. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has specific guidelines for what constitutes family size.

The calculation includes:

• The parent(s) or grandparent(s) being invited.
• Any other Super Visa applicants the host is supporting, such as a spouse.
• The host child or grandchild.
• The host’s spouse or common-law partner, even if separated.
• Dependent children of the host and their spouse or partner, regardless of custody arrangements.
• Anyone previously approved for a Super Visa under a still-valid invitation letter from the host or spouse.
• Anyone the host or co-signer previously sponsored where the undertaking is still active.

The invitation letter must clearly list each of these individuals by name and date of birth, along with the total family size. This detailed list is a mandatory requirement for the application.

Minimum Income Requirements for Super Visa Hosts

Once the family size is established, the host must verify their income against IRCC’s minimum income table. For 2026 applications, the table starts at $30,526 CAD for a family of one and increases with each additional person. For example, a family of seven requires a minimum income of $80,784, with an additional $8,224 for each person beyond seven.

It is important to note that IRCC updates this table periodically. Always confirm the current amounts on the official IRCC Super Visa proof of financial support page before submitting an application. Do not confuse these amounts with the higher income requirements for the Parent and Grandparent Program sponsorship.

Combining Income to Meet Requirements

If the host’s income alone does not meet the minimum requirement for their family size, there are two options to bridge the gap, both of which allow for the inclusion of a co-signer’s income. A co-signer is typically the host’s spouse or common-law partner.

Option 1: The host, along with any co-signer, must meet the full minimum income requirement in either of the two tax years preceding the application.

Option 2: The host and co-signer must demonstrate at least 75% of the minimum income for the year before the application. The visiting parent or grandparent can then contribute their own income to cover the remaining difference, ensuring the combined total meets the full minimum.

If the visiting parent or grandparent is contributing income, proof of their ongoing earnings while in Canada is also required, specifying the currency of payment.

Key Components of the Invitation Letter

The invitation letter must be drafted and signed by the host. IRCC specifies two essential pieces of information: a clear promise of financial support for the entire duration of the visit, and the complete list of individuals included in the family size calculation, with their names and dates of birth.

Beyond these mandatory elements, a well-crafted letter should include:

• Host’s Information: Full name, address, phone number, email, and immigration status in Canada (citizen or permanent resident).
• Visitor’s Information: Full name, date of birth, passport number, and home address.
• Relationship: A clear statement of the relationship between the host and the visitor.
• Duration and Accommodation: Details about where the visitor will stay and the planned length of their visit.
• Signatures: The host’s signature and date, and the co-signer’s signature and date if applicable.

Keeping the letter concise, ideally to one page, and using clear, straightforward language is recommended. All supporting documents should be attached rather than extensively described within the letter itself.

Sample Invitation Letters

Here are three sample invitation letters to illustrate different scenarios. Remember to replace all placeholder information with your specific details and ensure the host (and co-signer, if applicable) signs the final document.

Sample 1: Child Inviting Both Parents (Family of Five)

Priya Sharma
Unit 12, 480 Maple Street
Brampton, Ontario L6Y 0A1
Phone: 905-555-0142 | Email: [email protected]

[Date]

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Visa Application Centre / Visa Office

RE: Letter of invitation for Super Visa applicants Ramesh Sharma and Sunita Sharma

To the Visa Officer,

I am a Canadian citizen. I am writing to invite my parents, Ramesh Sharma (date of birth 14 March 1961, passport number [number]) and Sunita Sharma (date of birth 2 August 1963, passport number [number]), of Pune, India, to visit me in Canada on a Super Visa. They will stay with me at the address above.

I promise to provide financial support to my parents for the entire duration of their visit, including food, housing, and any other expenses they may have. They will not need to seek employment or public assistance in Canada.

The people included in my family size calculation are:

1. Priya Sharma (host), date of birth 9 June 1990
2. Arjun Mehta (my husband), date of birth 21 January 1988
3. Ananya Mehta (my daughter), date of birth 5 November 2019
4. Ramesh Sharma (applicant), date of birth 14 March 1961
5. Sunita Sharma (applicant), date of birth 2 August 1963
   Total family size: 5.

My husband and I together earned more than the minimum necessary income for a family of five. I have attached our Canada Revenue Agency notices of assessment, T4 slips, and employer letters as proof. My parents have also purchased private medical insurance from a Canadian insurer that meets IRCC requirements.

Sincerely,
[Signature] Priya Sharma
Date signed: [date]

Sample 2: Grandchild Inviting One Grandparent (Family of Two)

Daniel Okafor
305-1200 Granville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 1M5
Phone: 604-555-0187 | Email: [email protected]

[Date]

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

RE: Letter of invitation for Super Visa applicant Grace Okafor

To the Visa Officer,

I am a permanent resident of Canada. I invite my grandmother, Grace Okafor (date of birth 30 April 1955, passport number [number]), of Lagos, Nigeria, to visit me in Canada on a Super Visa for up to [number] months. She will live with me at the address above.

I promise to provide financial support to my grandmother for the entire duration of her visit, including accommodation, food, local transport, and incidental costs.

The people included in my family size calculation are:

1. Daniel Okafor (host), date of birth 12 February 1992
2. Grace Okafor (applicant), date of birth 30 April 1955
   Total family size: 2.

I have no spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children, and I have not previously sponsored anyone or signed another Super Visa invitation.

My income meets the minimum necessary income for a family of two. I have attached my most recent Canada Revenue Agency notice of assessment and an original letter from my employer stating my job title, duties, and salary.

Sincerely,
[Signature] Daniel Okafor
Date signed: [date]

Sample 3: Host and Spouse Co-signing to Combine Income (Family of Four)

Mei Lin Chen and Jason Wong
77 Elm Crescent
Calgary, Alberta T3A 2B4
Phone: 403-555-0123 | Email: [email protected]

[Date]

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

RE: Letter of invitation for Super Visa applicant Hua Chen, signed by host and co-signer

To the Visa Officer,

I, Mei Lin Chen, am a Canadian citizen. I invite my mother, Hua Chen (date of birth 17 July 1959, passport number [number]), of Guangzhou, China, to visit us in Canada on a Super Visa. She will stay in our home at the address above.

My husband, Jason Wong, is a permanent resident of Canada and co-signs this letter. Together we promise to provide financial support to my mother for the entire duration of her visit.

The people included in our family size calculation are:

1. Mei Lin Chen (host), date of birth 3 October 1989
2. Jason Wong (spouse and co-signer), date of birth 22 May 1987
3. Lucas Wong (dependent son), date of birth 14 August 2021
4. Hua Chen (applicant), date of birth 17 July 1959
   Total family size: 4.

Neither of us alone reaches the minimum necessary income for a family of four, so we are combining our incomes. Our attached notices of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency show our individual incomes and the combined total. Pay stubs and employer letters for both of us are also attached.

Sincerely,
[Signature] Mei Lin Chen (host)
Date signed: [date] [Signature] Jason Wong (co-signer)
Date signed: [date]

Proof of Income and Medical Insurance Requirements

In addition to the invitation letter, hosts must provide proof of their income. The preferred document is the latest Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). If this is unavailable, other acceptable documents include T4 or T1 slips, pay stubs for the last 12 months, an original employer letter detailing job title, duties, and salary, bank statements showing investment income or regular deposits, pension statements, rental income documents, or an accountant’s letter for self-employed individuals.

The visiting parent or grandparent must also secure private medical insurance that meets IRCC’s specific criteria. This insurance must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry, provide a minimum coverage of $100,000, and cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation. The policy must be paid in full or with a deposit (quotes are not accepted) and remain valid for each entry into Canada. It should be issued by a Canadian insurer or an approved foreign company.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several common errors can lead to delays or refusals of Super Visa applications. These include:

• Omitting Dates of Birth: The household list in the invitation letter must include the date of birth for every person listed, not just a headcount.
• Forgetting Previous Commitments: Individuals previously sponsored or invited under a Super Visa with an active letter must be included in the family size calculation, increasing the required income.
• Using an Insurance Quote: IRCC requires proof of a paid insurance policy or a deposit, not just a quote.
• Using the Wrong Income Table: Ensure you are using the Super Visa income table, not the one for the Parent and Grandparent Program, as they differ significantly.
• Missing Co-signer’s Signature: If a spouse’s income is used to meet the requirement, they must co-sign the invitation letter and provide their own proof of income.

By carefully preparing the invitation letter and gathering all necessary supporting documents, hosts can significantly improve the chances of a successful Super Visa application for their parents and grandparents.

Frequently Asked Questions