Permanent invite links use a different setting than the default temporary ones

Discord invite links expire by default after 24 hours or after one person uses them, whichever comes first. To create a link that never expires, you need to generate it with the expiration setting turned off. This takes about 30 seconds and works the same way whether you're inviting people to a server you own or a channel within someone else's server.

The permanent link stays valid until you manually delete it or remove the person's access to your server. You can create as many permanent links as you want, and each one can have different permission levels — so you might have one link for moderators and another for regular members.

Key Takeaways

  • Permanent invite links are created by turning off the expiration setting when you generate the link, not by using a special URL format.
  • You need to be a server owner or have the "Create Invite" permission to generate any invite link, permanent or temporary.
  • A permanent link remains active until you delete it manually, even if months pass without anyone using it.
  • You can create separate permanent links for different groups and revoke them individually without affecting other links.

How to create a permanent invite link from your server settings

Open Discord and go to the server where you want to create the link. Click the server name at the top left, then select "Invite People" from the dropdown menu. This opens the invite panel.

At the bottom of the invite panel, click "Edit Invite Link" or the settings icon next to an existing link. You'll see options for "Expires after" and "Max uses". Set "Expires after" to "Never" — this is the critical step. Leave "Max uses" blank unless you want to limit how many people can join using this specific link. Click "Save Changes" or "Create Invite", and Discord generates your permanent link.

Copy the link and share it wherever you want. It will work indefinitely until you delete it.

How to create a permanent link for a specific channel

If you want to invite people directly to one channel instead of the server's main entry point, right-click the channel name in your sidebar. Select "Create Invite" from the menu.

The invite creation window appears. Again, set "Expires after" to "Never". You can also set a maximum number of uses if you want — for example, you might create a link that works for exactly 10 people, then delete it and create a new one. Click "Create Invite" and copy the link.

People who use this link will join the server but land directly in that channel, which is useful if you're inviting people to a specific project or discussion.

Managing and deleting permanent links you've created

Go back to "Invite People" in your server settings to see all active invite links. Each link shows who created it, how many times it's been used, and when it expires (or "Never" for permanent links).

To delete a link, click the trash icon next to it. This revokes the link when ready — anyone who tries to use it after that will get an error. Deleting a link does not remove people who already joined using it; they stay in your server.

You can create a new permanent link at any time, so there's no penalty for deleting old ones. Many server owners delete links after they've served their purpose, then create fresh ones when they need to invite new people.

Why someone might want a temporary link instead

Permanent links are not always the right choice. If you're inviting someone for a one-time event or a limited-time collaboration, a link that expires after 24 hours or after one use keeps your server more controlled. You won't have old links floating around that you forgot about.

Some server owners use temporary links as a security measure — if a link leaks, it stops working on its own. Permanent links require you to remember to delete them manually if they're compromised.

For public communities or ongoing projects, permanent links make sense. For private groups or time-sensitive invites, temporary links are often better.

What permissions you need to create any invite link

You must be the server owner or have the "Create Invite" permission in your server's role settings. If you don't see the "Invite People" option, ask your server owner to give you this permission.

Channel-specific invites require the same permission. You cannot create an invite link to a channel you don't have access to, even if you can create invites elsewhere in the server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone use a permanent link if they've already left the server?

Yes. A permanent link works for anyone, whether they've never been in the server or left it months ago. If you want to prevent someone from rejoining, you need to ban them — banning blocks them from using any invite link to that server.

What happens if I delete a permanent link and then create a new one?

The old link stops working when ready. The new link is a different URL, so you'll need to share the new one. People who used the old link are still in your server — deleting a link doesn't remove members.

Can I see who joined using a specific invite link?

Discord shows you how many times a link has been used, but not which specific people joined through it. You can see total server members and their join dates, but not which link they used.

Do I need a permanent link if I'm only inviting a few friends?

No. A temporary link works fine for small groups. The main reason to use a permanent link is if you're sharing it in multiple places or want it to stay active long-term without managing expiration dates.