This post was most recently updated on May 27th, 2019
What is an Invitation Letter for US Visa?
An invitation letter for US visa, is a letter or document written by a legal resident of USA to request the presence ( or visit ) of a non-US resident to the United States. Writing an invitation letter for US visa can be quite challenging when you have no idea about what is expected. My goal in this article is to show you how to write the letter and also present so samples for inspiration.
If you would like to know how a proper invitation letter for US visa should be written, you have found the right article. In writing an Invitation Letter for US visa (Tourist visa) what is most important is to ensure that all the required information is in the letter.
In 2016 alone (according to CNN) the USA issued over 10 million non-immigrant visas to visitors all over the world. And in 2018 over 9 million non-immigrant visas were issued. Most of these visas were issued based on the belief that these visitors would leave the United States of America at the end of their visit. Although you would not see an invitation letter among the list of documents required for the issuance of a B2 Visa, it is highly suggested that you have one with you when attending a visa interview.
There is no specific method or style for writing an invitation letter. However, you must ensure that all the required information is visible in the letter. Please note that the consulate does not require an invitation letter for the issuance of a B-2 Visa. An invitation letter is a good document to have because it gives more details about the reason for your intended visit to the USA.
In summary, the following should be in the letter of invitation.
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 States of America.
- Details on accommodation and living expenses.
- The date the person you are inviting intends to leave the USA.
Your letter should also include the following information about the person writing the letter:
- Complete name.
- Date of birth.
- Address and telephone number in the United States.
- Occupation.
- Your status in the United States
- A photocopy of a document proving your status in the United States.
How does the visa officer evaluate an invitation letter?
The Chief of the Non-Immigrant Visa Unit at the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca, Morocco, Ms. Nahal Kazemi, participated in a Town Hall meeting with Moroccan Americans, in Washington, where she spoke about various aspects of immigration policies affecting the Moroccan and Moroccan-American community. In this clip, she talks about the invitation letter for US visa.
Before you start writing your letter
If you do not have Grammarly - A grammar checker that I use every day for all my writing, please get it free from here Now. Grammarly. You can read my full story on how I discovered Grammarly here.Sample invitation letter for US Visa written to a Girl Friend
There are two ways to address an invitation letter for US Visa. You could either address it to the visa officer or you could address it to the person you want to invite. Please find below a sample invitation letter addressed to the US consulate! 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 US immigration.
Sample Invitation Letter for US visa Addressed to the US Consulate
January 27th, 2019
United States Consulate General
Address of the Consulate
Dear Honourable Consul,
SADE OMOTOLEWA – PASSPORT NO AO234567 – DATE OF BIRTH (24 JUNE, 1983)
My name is Maya Louhre, and I reside at 4532 68th Street, New York, NY 12546. I am a United States citizen (or lawful permanent resident alien).
I am requesting that you issue a tourist (B-2) visa to my girlfriend Sade Omotolewa who resides at 234 lane, House 2, Mararaba Estate, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. This is to allow her to visit with me in the United States. We have been friends for the past 2 years and I would like her to visit, this summer.
Sade will be visiting with me from June 1st 2019 to June 30th 2019. This will be a great time because we will both be off work at this time. During her stay in the United States, she will stay with me at my home at the address stated above.
I will be responsible for all of her accommodation expenses while she is in the United States. Upon the termination of her visit, she will return to Lagos, Nigeria.
Sade will be presenting this letter to you, together with other evidence to establish her close ties with Nigeria, and to assure you that she will return prior to the expiration of her stay in the United States.
Your kind consideration of this request will be greatly appreciated.
Yours Truly,
Maya Louhre
4532 68th Street, New York, NY 12546
1-202-123-1234
Do not forget to send a scanned copy of your passport or Green card.
Here is an image to give you an idea of how the invitation letter for us visa could be laid out. This is just one way. You may choose to do it another way.
PDF Sample of the Invitation Letter for US visa
Here is a pdf version of the letter! (Sample Invitation letter for USA visa). I have chosen not to include a Microsoft word version so that you are not tempted to use the exact wording of this sample. It is better to use these samples as guides and to write the invitation letter in your own words.
Sample Invitation Letter for US Visa Addressed to the Invited Guest.
January 27th, 2016
Sade Omotolewa
234 lane, House 2,
Mararaba Estate,
Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Dear Sade,
Please consider this as a formal invitation to visit me at my home in 4532 68th Street, New York, NY 12546.
You can visit me during this summer from June 1st – June 30th, 2016. During your visit, I will be on vacation and I can show you the various tourist attractions in New York. During your visit, you can stay at my place and I will be responsible for the transportation expenses around New York.
You may use this as part of your supporting documents during your visa interview!
Yours Truly,
Maya Louhre
1-202-123-1234
GUEST INFORMATION
- Name: SADE OMOTOLEWA –
- PASSPORT NO AO234567 –
- DATE OF BIRTH (24 JUNE, 1983)
- PHONE: 234809569989
- OCCUPATION: LAWYER
- CITIZENSHIP: NIGERIAN
HOST INFORMATION
- NAME: Maya Louhre
- Status in USA: Citizen of USA
- OCCUPATION: Truck Driver
Sample Invitation Letter for US Visa Addressed to an old friend
March 27th, 2019
To whom it may concern,
This is to certify that John Smith will be visiting me in Queens, New York from June 1st, 2019 to September 15st 2019. John has been a close personal friend of mine for eight years and will be staying at my home for the duration of his stay.
My address:
234 Lachine Ave, Queens, New York. 111111. USA
Tel: 111-767-0987.
I am a Citizen of the United States of America
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards,
David Adidas
GUESTS:
Name: Mr. John Smith
Address:.1 Progress Street, Accra, Ghana.
Date of Birth – May 12, 1976
Telephone: +233-803-217-3333
Relationship: Friend.
Do not forget to send a scanned copy of your passport or permanent resident card.
Sample letter of invitation for your girlfriend
Please take note that there is no specific format for an invitation letter. What you need to be concerned about is that you have the necessary information on the letter.
Dave Malay
3444 Mascot Ave, New York,
New York.
23 Month, year
Susan Molly
114 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village,
Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
INVITATION TO VISIT NEW YORK
Hi Babe,
Please use this as a formal invitation to visit me in New York this coming Summer. As discussed on the phone, you may come between May 25 and June 25. This will give you enough time to visit a few places and for us to get to enjoy each other again. I really enjoyed my visit to Manila last summer. I am looking forward to your visit. I have made arrangements for us to visit the Blabla Museum and the [another tourist attraction.]
During your visit, you would be staying at my apartment at 3444 Mascot Ave, New York. I will be responsible for your travel around the USA. You can take this letter for your visa interview as part of the supporting documents for your visa application.
I love you
Insert your signature here – Don’t forget to do this!!!
Dave
Host Information
Name – Dave Malay
Address – 3444 Mascot Ave, New York,
Occupation – Marketing Representative, Widget Company
Status in USA – Citizen
Passport N0 – XXXXXXXXX
Phone No. 12121212112
Guest Information
Name – Susan Molly
Address -114 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Occupation – School Teacher – Go TO School, Secondary School.
Date of Birth – 23 March 1980
Passport No – XXXXXXXX
Telephone No – 12121221212
All you have to do after signing is to send scanned copies of the letter and the Bio-data page (the one with your photo and information) to your girlfriend in Manila. You are free to send any other document that you feel comfortable to send such as proof of your apartment or tax return.
Sample Invitation Letter for US Visa written to a Fiancee’s Mother to attend a wedding
John Gray
93 Compton St,
Kingston, State,
USA
Dear Mrs. Jonathan,
Invitation to attend our wedding
Further to all the plans that have been made over the phone, this is a formal invitation for your visa application!
You are invited to visit us for 4 weeks from July 1st, 2015 to July 31st! This will be so that you can help us with the final preparations for the wedding which you are a major part of on the 25th of July!
A copy of the formal invitation card is attached to this letter as well as the order of events on that day!
While you are here, you will stay with us and we will be responsible for your feeding and transportation around the city.
We look forward to having you here. Peace your daughter would really appreciate your help at this time!
With love,
John Bay
Phone Number
Guest information
Name
Address
Phone
Passport no
Relationship
Please be reminded that you will need to send photocopies your Passport or Immigration documents and bank statements if you are sponsoring the entire trip.
Writing an Invitation Letter is just one piece of the puzzle, your guest may need help with Visa Application or Interview. You may also need to read about B1 B2 Visa Interview Questions and Answers
Sample Invitation Letter for US Visa for Sister
January 27th, 2016
Jessica Hickens Okon
XYZ Street, House 41,
Thuja Villa,
Utako, Abuja Nigeria
Dear Jessica,
Please consider this as a formal invitation to visit me at my home in 4528 58th Street, New York, NY 12547.
You can visit me during this summer from August 1st to August 16th, 2018. During your visit, I will be on vacation and I can show you the various tourist attractions in New York. You can stay at my place and I will be responsible for the transport and feeding expenses in New York.
Please use this as part of your supporting documents during your visa interview!
Yours Truly,
[Signature]
Tochi Larry
1-212-423-1884
GUEST INFORMATION
Name: Jessica Hickens Okon
PASSPORT NO A0004239
DATE OF BIRTH (12th January 1988)
PHONE: 2348025678923
OCCUPATION: Events Planner/Interior Decorator
CITIZENSHIP: Nigerian
HOST INFORMATION
NAME: Tochi Larry
Status in the USA: Citizen of USA
OCCUPATION: Business Writer
*You could also use this as a sample invitation letter for your brother or parent.
Sample Invitation Letter for Us Visa for Aunt
Tochi Larry
4528 58th Street,
New York, NY 12547
Phone Number:1-212-423-1884
Email: tochilarry@gmail.com
[Date]
Aunt Becky
XYZ Street, House 41,
Thuja Villa, Utako, Abuja, Nigeria
Dear Aunt Becky,
I invite you to visit us and spend your vacation in the USA with me. I have plans to visit famous tourist places like [name of tourist places to visit] and also check out those fast food joints you’ve been dying to go to. It will also be an opportunity for you to see and experience the American culture and lifestyle.
I will be taking care of your entire USA tour expenses, including the round-trip airfare food, housing, medical insurance, and all your other personal expenses.
Herewith I am sending all the required documents for getting the necessary tourist visa from the US Consulate, [Name of US Consulate, e.g. Mumbai Consulate]
Sincerely,
[Sponsor’s signature]
Tochi Larry
Sample Invitation Letter for Visitor Visa for In-laws addressed to the US Consulate
United States Consulate General
Address of the Consulate
Dear Honorable Consul,
JESSICA HICKENS OKON – PASSPORT NO A0004239 – DATE OF BIRTH [12th January 1988]
My name is Tochi Larry, and I reside at 4528 58th Street, New York, NY 12546. I am a United States citizen and a lawful permanent resident.
I am requesting that you issue a tourist (B-2) visa to my sister-in-law, Jessica Hickens, who resides in Hs 41, Thuja Villa, Utako Abuja. I’m inviting her over and the visa will allow her to visit with me in the United States. We have been friends for the past 4 years and I would like her to visit, this summer.
Jessica will be visiting with me from August 1st to August 16th, 2018. This will be convenient for us because we will both be off work at this time. During her stay in the United States, she will stay with me at my home at the address stated above. I will be responsible for all of her accommodation expenses while she is in the United States. Upon the termination of her visit, she will return to Abuja, Nigeria.
Jessica will be presenting this letter to you, together with other evidence to establish her close ties with Nigeria and to assure you that she will return prior to the expiration of her stay in the United States.
Your kind consideration of this request will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Tochi Lori
How should the Invitation letter for Visa be delivered?
I suggest you write the invitation letter on a computer, get it printed and signed. You can then scan the signed letter and send it to your guest(s). You can attach scanned copies of your immigration documents and send them via email as well.
What Next After the Invitation Letter is Written?
Once you have written an invitation letter, you send it with copies of your documents as listed above to your guest. Your guest will them obtain and fill out an application for visa form. The procedure for obtaining and filling out these forms as well as cost varies from country to country. It is the responsibility of your guest to contact the embassy or consulate of the country they want to visit to find out the procedure. Most embassies have these procedures listed on their websites. You can find links to some of these websites on the right-hand side of this page.
In many cases, your guest would need to schedule an appointment for a visa interview online. In some countries, the visa office will contact your guest to give him or her a date for a visa interview. During this interview, several questions will be asked to determine their eligibility for a visitor visa and to confirm that what they wrote in their application is true.
If the visa officer is satisfied with the answers they provide to her questions, they will be issued a visa. The visa office will then instruct them on when to come back for their international passport with the visa already placed in it.
Is an Invitation Letter for Visa really necessary?
Many countries required an invitation letter for the issuance of a visitor visa in the past. These days however, some countries have stated that an invitation letter for visa application is not required.
Nevertheless, they require proof of the purpose of your visit and an invitation letter in many cases is the only proof you have that you want to go and visit your cousin or girlfriend for a few weeks.
If however you want to visit the USA for example and you have no friend there, you do not need to look for an invitation letter from a stranger. Find ways of showing that you are visiting the country as a tourist and that would satisfy the requirement to show proof of the purpose of your visit. Read what the US visa office has to say on this issue
Hi..My girlfriend a US citizen living in California want to send me an invitation letter but she doesn’t know where delivered…Is Town Hall ?
This website has a lot of interesting questions and answers but on the Official State Dept it states specifically that NO LETTER IS REQUIRED AND THAT LETTERS ARE NOT CONSIDERED IN APPROVING A VISA! So why do do you keep providing this advice? What am I missing?
You are right Chris! You can still choose to provide a letter as one of the documents to support and prove the purpose of your trip! Instead of simply stating the purpose, a letter can do that for you! For others who simply want to go for tourism, or who do not have any relatives they can still travel without an invitation!
Again Chris,
Here is the link to the page on the US website!
As I mentioned earlier, these samples are to help should a person choose to submit one! They are not required but they stand as proof of purpose for visit!
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html
Hi,
I live in Indonesia and my good friend is an American citizen who lives and will be getting married in California, where I will be attending as a bridesmaid. I am planning to stay at her house during my 1 week visit, is a letter addressed to the consulate enough to fulfill the requirements necessary?
Thanks in advance!
Yes it will
Hello,
My girlfriend is currently on student Visa in USA, and I want to visit her on a short vacation.
What are the documents required for the tourist visa? From her end as well as my end.
hello I would like to invite my boy friend from camerron we have been dating for a year and half now.i don’t have a passport .the inivitation letter that I have to write where do I send it after I am done with it.
hello,
uhm.. my brother in law is sending me invitation for his wedding, and our family has been really close and beyond that we are childhood friends too…so i want to ask whether i should tell during my interview about my family who are already settled there as it would be more likely for them to think that i would not be returning back… though i must come back as i have pledged to serve my community for 5 yrs atleast.
please guide me whether i should inform them about my family or i should just stick to my relations with the bride n grooms … pls guide me i want to join famly gathering
hello,
i’m an officer of the Nigeria Police Force, what are the documents i need to put in place before facing an interview?
I’ll be expecting your response ASAP. Thanks
Hi,
I’m in Ghana and a student.
I have introductory letter and affidavits of support. The person who gave me the affidavits of support said it’s not important to get the invitation letter if l have the affidavits of support from him… i am confuse.
hello admin ,i love this website very helpful awesome .i m from india 24 years old i am ready apply for b2 us visa and my friend who lives in usa she sending me notarize invitation letter with scanned copy of passport and i dont have any bank status and financial authority etc., and i want to know can my father sponsor me? and i will need what type of documents like affidavit etc? and what words will be in affidavit?…. please i m waiting for your reply by mail
hello friend , i want to come usa to visit . i am khalil from bangladesh 28 years old . i am ready apply for b2 us visa and my have not any friend without you, so i wish you help me . my contact no +8801719392131 imo id ‘ khalil kkk” skype id ” khalil31200 ” facebook id ” khalilur rahman “
Hi Admin and all that can help answer my question. Please help me out. My uncles Ex wife who happen to be a US citizen want to send me an invitation to visit her . She have divorced my uncle so many years ago so due to our relationships She wants me to visit her so that her kids will acquainted with me because very soon the kids will visit us here in Nigeria. So she is asking me to send her a draft of the invitation letter so she can fix her details. Also she want to know if she will forward the letter to American embassey here in nigeria or she will email me directly so I can present it to the embassey. I want also to know if there are other documents I will go along with. I am an OND holder and will go back to school after my visit. Also my uncle is not aware of the visit because of the quarrels they have before and she is asking for instruction because she has no idea of visa processing. Thanks and God bless you.
Hello Izu, the invitation letter is just one of the documents you will need. You still need to go through the visa application process.
Here is a link to more information about visa to the USA
http://nigeria.usembassy.gov/non-immigrant_visas.html
hi sir plz i want to ask you
my sister is american citizen and want to send me an invitation
how long time she will take to finish the invitation and send it to me
thnx
Your letters are very helpful. Thanks for finding time to do this for free. I hope I get to the US soon.
I w live in the usa and would like to go get married to my fiancé in nigeria do i need an invitation letter
Hi Leia, yes you need to be invited to Nigeria by your Fiance. You may also apply to Nigeria as a tourist. An invitation letter is not difficult so that may be okay.
Hi, I’m Juddy. I’m in Nigeria. My fiance invited me last year with B1b2, but I was declined. Now we are married and he wants to invite me for delivery. Which visa is better and how do we go about it ?cos I wouldn’t like a second denial.
Hi Judy! Once you are married, it is difficult to get a visa to visit. They visa officer would want your husband to file for you to join him permanently in the USA! In the meantime, he will need to visit you. If he is a US citizen, your baby will be a US citizen too even if born outside the USA.
https://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/spouse/bringing-spouses-live-united-states-permanent-residents
Hello,
I’m from Morocco. My friend from US she wants to send me an invitation to visit her. I’m working in Morocco but I don’t have a good income and I don’t have my own car or house. So If she sends me an invitation it’s easy to get visa or I need to have a lot of money that will get it.
Hi Khalid,
It’s difficult to get a visa if you cannot prove to the visa officer that you have enough reason to want to go back to Morocco after your visit.
hello,
i’m from philippines and im currently here at sultante of oman my wife requested as to stay here under resident visa. then my mom want me and my baby to visit her for just three months cause this is the first time she will meet his grandson as well as we didn’t saw each other for almost 5 yrs now… only me and my baby will visit her… my wife cant come with us cause she have a work here..
my mom will send 2 letters? for US consulate her in Oman and other one is for me?
how much show money do i need?
is it OK my mom will send the letter of invitation to my email and i will just print it out? or it must be the original notarize letter?
thank you!!!
hello,
I am currently living in the states under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). However, I am enlisted in the army which will soon grant me citizenship . My shipment date is soon.My family is having a going away party for me, and there is a friend in Haiti that I would like to invite. Even tough I am not a green card holder or a citizen yet, can you please tell me if I am eligible to send that person a letter of invitation since I am about to become an active soldier? If I am, please tell me what documents that I should send to both the embassy and my friend to support the invitation. I thank you in advance for all your advises.
Hi Danou, because an invitation letter is not a required document for visa application, you friend may be better of applying to visit as a tourist. Should you invite your friend, they would need to show that they would not follow the same path as you. I would suggest that you encourage your friend to visit as a tourist. They simply need to choose your city, choose some tourist attraction, make a hotel reservation, prepare documentation that shows that they will return to their home country.
Hello Admin,
I was in relationship with a Namibian lady, while i was there on official mission, now i am back in Nigeria and she informed me on phone that she is pregnant, she wants me to come and meet is parents for marriage pre arrangement in Namibia, please give me a tip on how she needs to write the letter.
hi, I am a gospel artist from Nigeria.
A church in U S want me to come sing in their church in U S, but they have not invited anyone before, can you please help me with the details of the invite, and what other step am I suppose to take.
Thank you
kunle.