Letter of Invitation and Why You Need It Notarized

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• A Letter of Invitation is a formal letter to host foreign visitors, stating purpose, duration, and support
• Needed based on visitor's citizenship; enhances visa application
• Notarization verifies identities, ensures truth, and strengthens credibility for immigration authorities. Use NotaryLive for easy online notarization

If you want a friend/family member from another country to visit, you must sign the Letter of Invitation. This formal letter is required for many foreign nationals applying for a Temporary Resident Visa to visit your country. 

But what exactly is a country's letter of invitation, who needs one, and why is it so important to have it notarized? This guide will cover everything you need to know. 

1. What is a Letter of Invitation?

A letter of invitation is a formal letter written by someone who lives in a country (such as the US or Canada). It says they are inviting and will host a visitor from another country. 

The letter provides details about the following: 

• The invitee (name, date of birth, address, etc.)
• The inviter (name, address, citizenship status, etc.)
• The purpose and duration of the visit
• Where the visitor will stay and financial support provided

The letter shows the visitor has a real reason to come to your country. It also shows they have a host/family member who will give them a place to stay and help while they're visiting. 

2. Who Needs a Letter of Invitation?

Whether a visitor needs an invitation letter depends on their country of citizenship. Some countries require their lawful permanent resident to present a Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) when applying to enter a country. 

Check your government website to see if a letter of invitation is mandatory for visitors from a particular country. Even if not required, it can still strengthen a visa application. 

3. Types of Invitation Letters Needing Notarization

Invitation letters come in many variations-- each having a special purpose. Be prepared to know the differences between these Letters of Invitation when putting together your documents-- this can help you maintain accuracy and relevance. 

• Business Invitation Letter: Invites associates to conferences, meetings, or partnerships, strengthening the invitee's professional credibility and the event's authenticity.
• Personal Invitation Letter: For family/friends traveling abroad – this verifies the host-guest relationship, visit's duration, purpose, and accommodations.  This letter is mostly used for tourist visa applications and helps accelerate the screening process.
• Event Invitation Letter: Includes information on an event/seminar's nature, location, and date. A notarized version confirms the event's validity, particularly for international visitors seeking visas.
• Medical Invitation Letter: Issued by a medical institution to confirm a patient's appointment or treatment plan. It demonstrates medical necessity and the institution's desire to treat someone seeking treatment in the United States.
• Student Invitation Letter: International students frequently invite their families to graduation ceremonies and other academic functions. This letter, normally endorsed by the educational institution – certifies the student's status and event information. Notarization adds an extra layer of credibility to visa processing.
• Research and Academic Invitation: Required for researchers and academicians who are invited to symposiums, conferences, or joint work. Universities or research institutions issue it, outlining the event's aim and duration.

4. Obtaining a Notarized Letter of Invitation 

Getting a welcome letter notarized is a very careful process that needs close attention to detail. You can make sure your documents are strong and validated by following the right steps. 

Here are the steps you need to take to obtain one: 

1. Write the Letter of Invitation
   • Start by writing a welcome letter that covers all the bases – include important information like the reason for visiting, length of time, and the connection between both parties.
2. Get the documents you need
   • Gather all the supporting documents you need like proof of identity, proof of residency, or any other paper that backs up what was written in the letter.
3. Find a notary public 
   • In today's digital world, you can now remotely notarize documents online LEGALLY with a remote online notarization platform like NotaryLive.
4. Show the originals 
   • Make sure to bring original papers to the notary – they will usually check to see if the person signing is who they say they are and make sure everything is correct. Note: photocopies aren't usually good enough to be notarized.
5. Sign in front of a notary 
   • Do not sign the Letter of Invitation before you visit the notary. The notary has to be there when the document is signed to prove it's real. The notary will then put their seal and signature on the paper after you've signed it, making it official.
6. Keep the letter that has been notarized safe
   • Please be careful with your Letter of Invitation after it has been notarized. Make copies for your records, but when you need to show someone officially, you should always use the original. A paper that has been notarized is very important, so make sure it's safe & secure.

Following these steps will ensure that the Letter of Invitation process will run smoothly. 

5. Why Get Your Letter of Invitation Notarized?

While you can write an invitation letter yourself, it's highly recommended to have it notarized. This means a certified Notary Public verifies and certifies the letter's genuineness. An online notary public can make this process easier for you. 

Notarization serves several important purposes:

- Confirms the identities of both the inviter and invitee

- Ensures all information presented is truthful 

- Holds both parties accountable to the letter’s promises

- Reduces fraud risk for immigration authorities

- Strengthens the credibility of the letter

-Boosts the application process for Visa

-Minimizes delays for signer

Visa offices will almost always require people to notarize invitation letters before they consider them valid supporting documents. 

5. Notarize Your Letter of Invitation With NotaryLive

Services like NotaryLive offer quick online notarization for your letter of invitation without the hassle of an in-person appointment. 

NotaryLive is a remote online notary service that allows you to notarize documents online whenever and from wherever you need to. 

With NotaryLive, you can easily upload your documents an connect with a certified online notary via your audio-visual technology hardware. 

How NotaryLive works in 4 simple steps: 

Start by clicking the button below,

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FAQ for Letter of Invitation

• What is a letter of invitation? 
  • A letter of invitation is an official or semi-formal message asking someone to come to a meeting, event, or get-together in another country.
• What should be included in a letter of invitation? 
  • The Letter of Invitation should include the Invitations purpose, event details (date, time & location), and any other important information.

**Legal Disclaimer - We are not lawyers or attorneys and do not give any legal advice. Please check with your attorneys, advisors, or document recipients if you have any unanswered questions about your documents.

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