This post was most recently updated on May 29th, 2019
How to write an Invitation Letter for UK Visa?
An Invitation Letter for UK Visa is one of the documents that an intending visitor to the UK will use to show the reason for their visit. Although an invitation letter can be very useful, it is not required for obtaining a visitor visa to the UK. It is, however, a good idea to send one to your guest to make their application as robust as possible. Writing an invitation letter for a UK visitor’s visa can be challenging if you do not know what to write.
To write a good letter, what is important is to ensure that all the required information is in the letter. There is no specific method or style once all the required information is visible in the letter. This letter is sometimes referred to as sponsorship letter for UK visa
In summary, the following should be on the invitation letter.
Your letter should include the following information about the person being invited:
- Complete name.
- Date of birth.
- The person’s address and telephone number.
- Your relationship to the person being invited.
- The purpose of the trip.
- How long the person you are inviting intends to stay in the United Kingdom.
- Details on accommodation and living expenses.
- The date the person you are inviting intends to leave the United Kingdom.
Your letter must also include the following information about the person writing the letter:
- Complete name.
- Date of birth.
- Address and telephone number in the United Kingdom.
- Occupation.
- Your status in the United Kingdom
- A photocopy of documents proving your status in the United Kingdom and financial Status.
Find a list of documents required for visa application here
Writing an Invitation Letter is just one piece of the puzzle, your guest may need help with Visa Application or Interview.
To whom do you address your Invitation Letter for Visa
Invitation letter for visa purposes can be addressed to either the guest (the person you are inviting) or the Consular Office, Embassy or Visa Application Center. In most cases, the letter will be given to the guest to attach to their application for a visa. This means that whether you address the letter to your guest or the Embassy, you will still send the letter to your guest.
Before you start writing your letter
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Below is a sample invitation letter for UK Visa. The names on it are fictitious but this format has been used and visas have been issued using this format. There are other formats that can be used. The most important thing is for the information required to be on it. Remember that this is just a sample and we are not in any way connected to the British High Commission.
The following sample invitation letter is written for a friend. You could use the same format for a parent, parents, cousin, uncle or business partners. All you need to do is adjust the text as it suits each situation.
January 27th, 2019
David Smith
191 Masons Avenue,
London HA3 5AH
United Kingdom
+44 020 8876 1234
To Whom It May Concern:
Application for a Standard Visitor Visa: Dorcas Odu; May 13 1980; Passport No: AO345678
I am writing to confirm I wish to invite Dorcas Odu to visit me in the UK for 3 weeks in order to have a short holiday. I hope she will be able to come on 20th of June 2019.
I am a British Citizen and Electrical Engineer Working at DemsTech in London. I will be on vacation at that time.
I am able to accommodate her for the duration of her stay in the UK. Please find attached evidence of my accommodation.
I have enclosed the following documents:
• Copy of passport
• Tenancy agreement
Should you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully
David Smith
Do not forget to send a scanned copy of your passport. You do not have to notarize the letter.
How to get a UK Visa
Sample Invitation Letter for UK Visa written to a father
As a British Citizen or anyone who has an eligible status in the UK, you are entitled to have a guest visit you from different parts of the world. Many students come to the UK to study from all over the world, these students often need to have their parent or other relatives visit them. Find below a sample invitation letter written by a Naturalized British Citizen who wants his father to visit him in the UK.
Please take note that you can use the same format to invite a mother, uncle, brother, sister, grandparents. All you have to do is adjust the letter to reflect the different relationships. If your situation is different, simply state your case and let your guest present himself. In some cases, you may mention something about your guest but that is not necessary. This letter is just a document that shows that your guest really has a reason to come to the UK.
The sample below is just one format for an invitation letter. There are very many other formats. You may choose to write the letter directly to your guest. In both cases, however, it is your guest that you send the letter to.
204 Rye Lane,
Peckham
London,
SE15 4RZUK
12 Nov 2018
British High Commission
Upper Hill Road
Nairobi
Dear Sir/Madam
Application for Visit Visa: JAMES DONALD MARK – PASSPORT NO – 123456
I am writing to confirm that I Moses Kevin Mark am inviting Mr JAMES DONALD MARK to visit me in the UK.
Mr JAMES DONALD MARK is my father. His passport number is 123456 and his date of birth is 20 April 1945.
He is going to visit the UK from Feb 13, 2019, and will be staying for 10 days. He would be leaving on Feb 23, 2019.During his stay in UK, he will be staying with me and I will be responsible for his transportation in and around the UK.
I am a British Citizen with passport No – 234565. I currently work at British Airways and reside at 201 Rye Lane, Peckham. I have attached a copy of the Biodata page of my Passport and my tenancy agreement.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information.
Yours faithfully,
Moses Kevin Mark
Moses@ba.com
44-078-111-1111
Sample Formal Letter of Invitation for Standard Visitor Visa to the UK written to a husband and wife
Below is a sample letter of invitation. The names on it are fictitious but this format has been used and visas have been issued using this format.
Moses is a 35 year old accountant that lives in Stevenage UK. On his last trip to Hong Kong 4 years ago he met Cindy and Dave (Kenyan citizens) who are also accountants attending the same conference that Moses went to attend. They have been corresponding since then over Facebook and phone calls. This year Cindy and Dave decided to visit Moses in Stevenage Uk.
Here is a sample formal invitation letter that Moses would write to invite Cindy and Dave to UK. This particular letter is addressed to the Consular Officer rather than to Cindy and Dave. All the necessary information are included in the letter. This letter forms one of the supporting documents for the visa application.
February 27th, 2018
(The Address of Moses can be formatted like a personal letterhead)
Moses Mark
234 Jessop Road,
Stevenage, Hertfordshire
SG1 5LL, United Kingdom
+44 020 8669 1234
The Consular
British High Commission
P.O. Box 30465-00100,
Upper Hill Rd,
Nairobi City, Kenya
Dear Consular,
Application for Standard Visitor Visa for Dave Malaba and Cindy Malaba
I am writing to confirm I wish to invite my friends Dave and Cindy to visit me in the UK for 3 weeks during their vacation from April 1, 2018 to April 21, 2018.
I am a British Citizen and a chartered accountant Working at Frank and Coopers Chartered Accountants. I have known Dave and Cindy for 5 years, they are both chartered accountants in Nairobi Kenya. They will be staying at my home in Stevenage during their visit. Please find attached evidence of my accommodation.
Here are some more details about Dave and Cindy Malaba
Dave Malaba
Date of Birth: January 1st 1980
Passport No: 000000000
Occupation: Chartered Accountant
Address: 234 karibu St, Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone: +200-000-0000
Cindy Malaba
Date of Birth: May 1st 1985
Passport No: 000000000
Occupation: Chartered Accountant
Address: 234 karibu St, Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone: +200-000-0000
I have enclosed the following documents:
• Copy of passport
• Tenancy agreement
Should you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully,
Moses Mark
Do not forget to send a scanned copy of your passport. You do not have to notarize the letter.
Sponsorship Declaration to accompany invitation letter for UK visa.
It is possible that you may want to invite a family member or friend who is not in the position to sponsor themselves to the UK or you have simply chosen to sponsor their trip as a gift. If this is the case, it is advisable to fill out a sponsorship declaration form which can then be attached to the invitation letter for UK visa application. You may also choose to write a sponsorship letter.
Once the sponsorship declaration is filled and signed, send them to your guest. (Here is the form again)
How should the Invitation letter for Visa be delivered?
There is no stipulated way of delivery for your letter of invitation. You can mail it to your guest or scan it and send via email. Some countries however, require that the letter be notarized. In this case, you have to find a way to get the original copy to your guest. In USA, Canada and United Kingdom, a scanned copy of the invitation letter for visa can be sent.
What happens next? After you send the Invitation Letter?
You guest would add the letter to their Visa Application package. They would then submit the application package to the British Embassy in their country or to a visa application collection company (depending on the company). They would pay the visa application fees and wait for an interview with the visa officer at the British Embassy. The procedure for issuing a standard UK visa differs from country to country. What I have provided is just a general overview.
Here is a suggestion of how much the visa fees are as at 2019 according to UK government site.
A Standard Visitor Visa costs £95.
The fee for a long-term Standard Visitor visa depends on its length:
- 2 years – £361
- 5 years – £655
- 10 years – £822
Other Invitation Letters for UK Visa
Now check out our Ultimate Visa Interview or Application Kit.
Good day I have a bf from uk we plan to meet this year I need document to visit in UK I invitation letter
Here in Philippines very strict to enter in UK I visit my bf only holiday I don’t have bank statement he sponsor me what can I do can you help me thanks
Does anybody knows , should this letter signed or stamped by municipality or city hall?
Hello sir am from nigeria and my girlfriend wen to send me invetiontion letter to cum pls I wen to ask if the letter get to me what will. I need to cum to uk again
Hello there!
You work is very much appreciated. My boyfriend is a self employed UK British Citizen. He wants me to visit him in the UK for three weeks, however we will be staying in a cottage in one of the villages of which he will be paying. He will also be taking care of my other expenses. I will like to know, what documents are required of him, to help me with the processing of my visa, and also our chances of securing the visa.
Please I am a Ghanaian citizen but schools in Russia and would apply for a visa from Russia. Do I need to fill the visa forms in addition or just submit the invitation letter?
Hello everyone, I’m working in Delhi(India). My friend running a retail company in UK. Kindly educate me if he send me letter of Invite from UK. than how i can apply work visa for UK.
is it possible to visit UK though its my first time?
I m very interested to visit uk.i have a friend in uk he is permanent resident of uk,and also he is running some of the business on his name.we only have relation is just friend.we used to contact since 2011 to till date using emails and contact directly everyday.he is origin british born and im the nepali passport holder do he right to sponshership for 3weeks holiday visa for me?
I hope wil get positive response from your team.
Thanks
Sagar
Hi I’m a British citizen and my wife is British citizen I have a 8 year girl and my wife is depressed I would like to invite my sister from Afghanistan to helping me with day by day life for someone time but I’m only working as 24 hours job a week I get some benefits I don’t know if I would be able to invite her or not would they give her visa to visit uk thanks
Dear sir
Sir I need a reference letter, from Zenith bank, to attach to my statement of account, to sponsored one of my worker, sir how can I write a reference letter to the bank sir please sir help me,
Hi, my gf plans on going back to the UK with me for the summer. we plan on staying for less than a month. i’m a UK citizen working in china and she is a Chinese citizen. do i need to write an invitation letter? or should I get my mum to write it as she is currently living in the UK.
thanks
You could write the letter! The letter is just a small part of the process. What matters the most is being able to show that she would come back with you after the visit.
Hi
I want to ask question regarding invitation letter. My uncle is living in England having British nationality and he would like to invite me his son marriage party via invitation letter.
I’m employee of Starwood hotels. And I have plan to spend my vacation at back home but this time he force me to come and spend time with me in uk.what documents I need to apply for visa procedure of United Kingdom .do I need to attached my bank statement as well with documents ?
Hey,
I live in the Dominican Republic. I have a friend in England who would like me to visit. I would like to know if i should book the interview after or before she sends the letter. Is the UK embassy going to call me whenever they get the invitation letter or i should go by myself?
Hi Grissel,
The invitation letter is just one of the documents you would need for the visa interview. If the dates available for interview are far off, then you can book for the interview before the letter is written. However, I suggest you find out the visa interview process in your country to know exactly what to do. It’s different from country to country.
Hi, I have a doubt. I’m going to travel with a friend and other friend of us are gonna give us the sponsor letter. Is there a problem if he give two letters for the same dates? I mean a letter for the friend is gonna be travel with me.
I hope someone can help me with this.
Thanks a lot
Erika
Hi, I have written an invitation letter, do I need to post it to my friend to use to apply for visa? Or can I just scan and email it to my friend to print off? Thanks
Hi Amy,
You can scan and email it to your friend to print it off. I have done this several times and it worked.
post will be better because it will look more original
Hi admin am prince 25yrs of age my uncle is in uk and he want to invit me …am a clearing agent in a company at the same time an assistant cell leader in my church but there is no money in my account …… Is there any way out? And pls can you teach me how to write my introdutry letter .
Good evening Sir, I live in Spain but my Sister lives in the Uk I only have reaidential permit here in Spain and she wants to send me
Letter of invitation for 2 weeks to come see her. With the letter lf invitation at the uk embassy can I be given a visa to visit her or is there any other document that will be needed from me? Please kindly reply me Thanks.
How are you Mr Dems. I’m Filipina living in dubai, and month ago I started chatting on facebook with Britist Man and he said he will bring me to UK by applying fiancee visa. My question is there possibility for me to grant fiancee visa even we’re not meet each other in person. if not granted, what other option we can do? thanks!!!
Hi Susan, there is a possibility that the fiancee visa would work. However, only a consular officer has the power to determine that. What I would suggest is that as you build your relationship you both decide if you are ready to try it out. If this does not work out, he may need to come over to dubai.
someone is sponsoring from Ghana to visit ma uncle and in the invitation letter my uncle says he will be providing me boarding and lodging and lI wanted to no if in the writing of the sponsorship letter the person sponsoring me should state he is sponsoring me with airline ticket only or I should add something to it
I’m a UK citizen currently living in the UK. myself and my partner who is a Chinese citizen where hoping to go to the UK on holiday, i plan to introduce her to my family but her visa got rejected because they don’t believe are relationship is legit and my parents are willing to accommodate us. We are having trouble as i am unsure how to right the letter showing how i’m willing to support us both on are holiday and don’t have access to my UK accounts where one third of my funds are. I have payed for attractions in London and booked the hotel both of which where provided alongside a signed copy of my passport. My parents have given me a letter of invention but i believe it is very casual and are only communication is via facebook. I am extremely distressed as I have only one month of and can’t get a refund on the attractions and hotel. My family are all expecting us to visit them as i have been here for nearly two years and haven’t returned home since then. I’m not entirely sure how to write a letter proving are relationship is legitimate. I can provide a bank statement from my Chinese account but only a screen cap of my online UK account.
Hi Adam, I can imagine your distress! The original problem is that you mentioned that she is your partner. If you had allowed her to apply on her own, she may have had a better chance (assuming that she has enough documentation to show that she will return to China after her visit).
As it is now, it is very difficult for her to receive the visa. No matter how you write the invitation letter, this will not change the situation. What you need is a way to prove that she must return to China after the visit.
You may need to go without her this time, document your relationship over the next couple of months (pictures and communication) and then try again.
I think once you have new documents you are eligible to apply again. It will cost you again though.
Hi Sir/Madam,I am Vivian Nationality of Indian if i need to go UK what are the procedure and how can i know that the employee in UK is true or not .Because i got an appointment letter from UK company.
Please Consider and help me in this case.