Comprehensive guide to writing an invitation letter for your UK visa application, with free samples and tips.
To apply for a UK visa it is required that the applicant submits an invitation letter. A letter of invitation for a UK visa is a letter written by a citizen or legal resident of the United Kingdom, addressed to a foreigner with whom they have family ties or friendship, inviting them to stay over at their house. It is also a confirmation that they have enough room for the visitor, for the entire period of their stay in the UK.
This letter, also known as a sponsorship letter for UK Visa, can also be written to another format. The letter can be written addressed to the UK consular officer, confirming that they are willing to admit an international with whom they have family ties or friendship, and also that they have enough room for the visitor for the entire period of their stay in the UK. Either version is acceptable.
Why do I Need a UK Visa letter of invitation?
Usually, the visa applicant will have to submit a letter of invitation for a UK visitor visa application. Keep in mind that it is not a must, but it is highly recommended. In order for the letter to be valid and taken into account by the UK consular officer, the host who writes the letter must fulfill the following requirements:
- Be a UK citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
- Be a visitor’s friend, boyfriend/girlfriend or relative.
- Have a registered place (home, flat).
- Have enough room for the visitor during their whole period of stay in the UK.
How to Order a Customized Invitation Letter for UK Visa?
For an easier and quicker way how to order a UK Invitation Letter, you must follow these steps:
- Choose your package. You can choose two types of packages: the Regular and Express package.
- Finish the applicable fee payment. To finish the payment, you must give your personal details, including your first name, last name, country of residence, email address, and details from your credit card. The payment can be done with a credit card or PayPal.
- Complete the Invitation Letter form. Fill out the form with correct and sincere information about you, your guest, and the dates when your guest will enter and depart the UK. Also, ensure you provide correct information regarding the embassy or consulate to which you submit the invitation letter.
- Submit the request. After you finish the invitation letter form with all the correct information, press complete. After that, we will receive your invitation letter form and provide you with the first draft of your letter.
- Receive your invitation letter in your inbox. We will send you the completed invitation letter form as a PDF within two to three days, depending on the type of package you choose.
- Print the Letter of Invitation. After receiving the invitation letter, you must print it, sign it, and send it to your guest. The guest must take the invitation letter, attach other supporting documents, and submit it to the nearest Embassy of the UK in their home country.
How to Write a Letter of Invitation for UK Visa?
Though writing an invitation letter might sound challenging especially for the host, it is actually a very simple thing to do. If you are the host, you will just have to write down why you are willing to admit this person in your house and how long they are going to stay. However, if you still feel clueless here you have a guideline on how to write a letter of invitation for a UK Visa.
Step I
Decide to whom you are going to address the letter, to your guest or the consular officer. It might seem a tricky decision to make, but it does not matter that much. The important thing is what you say and not to whom. In both cases, the consular officer is going to read it.
Step II
If you do not know where to start writing a letter of invitation for a UK visa, write the following information in a list:
- Your full name.
- Your date of birth.
- Your full address and telephone number in the United Kingdom.
- Your occupation.
- Your status in the United Kingdom.
- Visitor’s full name.
- Visitor’s date of birth.
- Visitor’s address and telephone number.
- Visitor’s relationship to the host.
- Visitor’s purpose of the trip.
- How long the guest intends to stay in the UK (specific dates).
- Details on accommodation and living expenses.
- Your signature.
Every sponsorship letter for a UK visa must contain the above-listed information. After writing all this information in a paper, then you can start arranging it in the form of a letter and shaping it.
Sample Invitation Letter for UK Visa
In this guideline, we have given some samples of UK visa invitation letters, which you can check and get an idea of how to write it. Remember that if you address it to the consular officer it needs to be written in a bit more official way, whereas if you address it to your guest then it shall be more of a personal letter.
There is no specific method of how to write an invitation letter. However, here find two UK family visitor visa invitation letter samples, so you will have a clearer idea of how to write one.
Sample I – Letter of invitation addressed to the Consular Officer
This is a sample of an invitation letter for UK visa addressed to the consular officer. The letter should sound more official and contain all the necessary information. If you will be including extra supporting documents, do not forget to mention that in the letter.
[Your address in the UK]
[Date]
Dear Sir / Madam
Application for Family Visitor visa: [Name of family member]
I would like to invite my [type of family member, e.g. mother, father, etc] to visit me in the United Kingdom. [He/she] would like to stay with me in the UK from [date of arrival] until [exit date]. The family member I would like to invite is – [insert name, date of birth and relationship to you e.g. father or mother]
I work as a [occupation] at [workplace] since [month, year], and I have been living in the UK for [number of years] and I am a British [status].
I have enough room for my visitor to stay over at me for the whole duration of [his/her] stay in the UK, at [list your address], which is a private rented property at [list your UK address].
I also obtained a letter from my landlord that gives them permission to stay with me during this period. I have attached it and other documents to support my letter of invitation. Please feel free to contact me if you require any additional information.
Yours faithfully
Name
Email address
Phone number
Signature
Sample II – Letter of invitation addressed to the visitor
This is another sample of a sponsorship letter for a UK visa for family (or friend), which is addressed to the visitor. Try making it sound more familiar so that the consular officer can notice you two have a close relationship.
Date
To: [Visitor’s name]
[Visitor’s Address]
Dear [Visitor],
With this letter, I would like to invite you, my [relationship e.i. sister, friend, father], to visit me and spend your vacation in the UK. We have talked so many times about taking pictures together in front of the [tourist place] or drinking coffee at [tourist place]. I believe it is about time we make these plans come true. You will also have the chance to meet from close the British culture and experience its lifestyle.
I will be taking care of all your expenses while you are here, including the round trip airfare food, medical insurance, and all your other personal expenses. You will be staying at my apartment in [address] since I have enough room for you.
Herewith I am sending all the required documents for getting the necessary tourist visa from, including documents that prove I am a [status in Britain] since [year], and that I work at / study at [workplace or university].
Sincerely,
Host’s name
Host’s name
Full address
Phone Number
Email
Signature
Supporting Documents
In order for what is written in the letter to be taken into account by the consular officer, it is better for the host to send some additional documents alongside the Letter of Invitation. These extra requirements are not a must, but they are still a huge plus in visitor’s favor. These documents are as follows:
- A scanned copy of the host’s ID/passport.
- Evidence of their status in the UK.
- Evidence of means of subsistence (if the host will financially support the guest).
- Proof of home / flat ownership or rental contract.
- Flight itinerary for UK visa application
- You may also add any other document that you believe would help your visitor in getting their visa.