Invitation / sponsorship letters
Commissioning of invitation and sponsorship letters for visa and travel purposes.
Can an invitation or sponsorship letter be commissioned online?
Yes — commissioned by video.O. Reg. 431/20
The letter is commissioned as a declaration by video where eligible. Commissioning the letter does not affect any visa or immigration decision — that is decided by IRCC.
- Video appointment
- Government photo ID
- Drafted letter
How it works with enotarypublic
You bring the drafted letter and the details of the person being invited, verify your identity on camera, and declare the contents before the commissioner.
Does not affect the application: A commissioned invitation or support letter is only a sworn statement. IRCC alone decides any visa or sponsorship outcome.
General legal information for Ontario residents, not formal legal advice.
What is this service?
Invitation and sponsorship letters support a visa applicant by confirming an invitation to visit or an offer of support. We commission these letters so the declarant's statement is sworn or affirmed before a commissioner.
Common uses
- Visitor visa invitation letters
- Sponsorship or support letters
- Letters supporting family visits
How it works
- 1
Draft the letter
Include invitation and support details.
- 2
Meet the commissioner
Online or in person.
- 3
Swear or affirm
Confirm the statement is true.
- 4
Commissioned
The letter is signed and stamped.
What you’ll need
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- The drafted letter
- Details of the person being invited
Included
- Supports visitor visa applications
- Sponsorship declarations
- In-person commissioning
General information only — this is not legal advice. Whether a document can be completed online depends on the specific document and the receiving institution; we confirm this before you book.
Common invitation / sponsorship letters situations
Common-law union declaration (IMM 5409)
Commission the IRCC statutory declaration of common-law union.
One-and-the-same-person affidavit
Swear that two names refer to the same person.
Visitor visa invitation letter
Commission a letter inviting someone to visit.
Sponsorship / support letter
Commission a letter confirming financial support.
Invitation / sponsorship letters — common questions
Does commissioning an invitation letter affect a visa application?▾
No. Commissioning confirms you swore or declared the contents — it does not affect the outcome of any visa or immigration application, which is decided by IRCC.
Can an invitation or support letter be commissioned online?▾
Yes, where eligible — the letter is commissioned as a declaration by video under O. Reg. 431/20.
What do I need to provide?▾
Valid government-issued photo ID, the drafted letter, and the details of the person being invited.
More general questions are answered on our FAQ page.