To apply for the UK visit visa it is required that the applicant submits an invitation letter. A letter of invitation for the UK visit 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 in 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.
In order for the letter to be valid and taken into account by the UK consular officer, the host who writes the letter must fulfil the following requirements:
- must be a UK citizen or lawful permanent resident
- must be a visitor’s friend, boyfriend/girlfriend or relative
- must have a registered place (home, flat)
- must have enough room for the visitor during their whole period of stay in the UK
How to Write a Letter of Invitation for a 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. Download a sample invitation letter here.
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 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.
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 favour.
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
- You may also add any other document that you believe would help your visitor in getting their visa.
