Letter of Introduction (LOI)
Statutory definition
The Letter of Introduction is an IRCC administrative document, not a permit itself. It confirms IRCC has approved the permit application and instructs the holder to report to a CBSA officer at a port of entry to obtain the permit. The CBSA officer verifies the LOI and the applicant's admissibility before issuing the physical permit. The CBSA officer has discretion to refuse to issue the permit if admissibility concerns arise at entry.
Explanation
The LOI is the document received by an approved applicant who applied before entering Canada. It is important to present the LOI to CBSA at the port of entry before the LOI expires (typically within the validity period specified). If the applicant enters Canada and does not present the LOI, the permit may not be formally issued, creating status complications. The LOI is not transferable or extendable — if it expires before the applicant can travel, a new application must be submitted.