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
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 UK Visa written to a friend
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.
Hello My name is Mustapha i have live in UK for for 3 years and am not in UK now buh i want to invit my friend who live in Ghana is it way to invit him in this way or not thank you?
You may not be qualified to invite anyone to UK if you are not legally in UK
Hi
I wondering if you could help me with my questions.
I would like to invite my mother in law to visit her granchildrens in UK.
Last year (2016) she got refused and in her refusal letter says automatic refusal period for up to 10 years. On that time she has applied as a turist didnt mentioned that she got relatives here .
This year i am trying to send her invitation letter with supporting declaration and she got 2 properties over there also she is unemployed.
I would like to know how likely she wil get visa? Does it worth to apply or she get refused automatically( as her previous appl stated) ??
Looking forward to hearing from u asap
Thx
Hi Enam,
I am not familiar with the term automatic refusal for up to 10 years, so I am sorry I am not in the best position to advise you on this particular issue. I will research and get back to you.
Hi
Can anyone tell me please how to send invitation letter? Will it be okay and acceptable if i send it via Email? Please need a urgent reply.
Dear Admin
If I will receive a job letter from British citizen then what is the procedure to avail or obtain visa and what cost will be ?
admin pls my aunt send me an invitation letter an other document by may 2017,can i till use it July 2017 to apply for visa.
Sure Opeyemi,
On what dates did your aunt say you will be visiting?
hi my name IS Alfred and i am a student in china and my cousin wants to send me an invitation letter to visit the UK what kind of documents does he need to send to me here to attach my application.
Hi Alfred,
You need The invitation letter and proof of immigration status in uk.
Dear admin,
please I just have a question about visit visa for my parents,
I am not working at the moment and unable to work, in this case can I invite my parents to visit me? they will financially supporting themselves for expenses and I they can stay in my house for that period.
and also how can I provide a letter slips while I am not working? many thanks in advance.
Regards
Kani
Hi Kani,
You are eligible to invite your parents whether you are working or not. No need to mention that you are not working. Simply put your occupation on the letter.
Hi
I will be visiting friends in the Uk however will stay with one of my friends. I am paying for my trip and other expenses and have funds in my account. My friend is letting me stay with him . Do I still require an invitation letter? He is Greek and has been living in the Uk for more than 10 years however his current passport has expired . Does he need to send a copy of the passport with the invitation letter.
Thank
You
Hi Devashnee
He can send you a simple invitation letter. It doesn’t matter that the passport is expired if it is a British passport.
What is important is that he shows that he is legal in the uk.
Hi Admin,
I stay in the UK, with work visa valid till March’18. My marriage is on Dec’17, and I need to apply in advance, for a tourist visa for my would be wife to bring her along and stay together during Dec-March. Please let me know what are the exact documents I would need.
Thanks,
Tuhin Som
Hi Tuhin,
This is a very specific case. I do not know exactly what you can do. You may try inviting her as a tourist to come and visit the UK.
Hi admin
Hello sir i am from i india. I m selected for a modeling show to participate in it. Which is held in uk next month . They will send me a invitation letter. Should i need more document from them or not.. When i submit my documents with invitation letter in india uk embassy.. Is it must to attend an interview. Or nt
Thnks
Hi Malkeet,
They will send you all that you need. Just try to present a good and honest application. No one can tell you if you will be invited for an interview or not. I will suggest you prepare for one.
Hello
My name is SHILE from NIGERIA my girlfriend is in uk she is sponsoring my visit ,ticket,accomodation everything and she is sending me the INVITATION LETTER. She got a good job,a car , a house and good money in her bank account…In short I won’t use my own money.Since I work as a trader,so all the money that always enter my bank account is up to #300,000 or #400,000 per month and all my I have in my bank account now is #300,000…How do I put all this together for me to be granted the visa,i need help I don’t know how to put everything so my visiting visa can be approved
Hi admin,
I am from Pakistan and on uk spouse visa i have been in UK for around 1 and a half year and i am earning around 16000£ annualy and have my own rented flat with paying council tax i want to invite my sister for my son’s 2nd birthday which is held in January 2018.
So can i invite her or not? And if yes then how can i write a letter to her.
Regards,
A Chaudhry
Hello sir, I’m from Nepal, still I’m working in Jordan, there was my friend in UK, I want to visit UK, he will help me for the UK visa, can I go from Jordan to UK,
Dear Admin,
One of my friend sent from the UK for the invitation letter to invite me. whether the invitation letter email copy enough or original required to submit to VISA application centre??
Won’t it work if I invite my Russian partner for a student visa? If not, will it converts to student visa from tourist once she entered UK?
Please I am a student in Ghana, my uncle will be inviting me for a holidays, is it possible he will have to state my school name and program I read in the school in the invitation letter?
It is not necessary! But there is no problem if he does so in the invitation letter.
Hello dear Dems
I am shahab from Pakistan my friend from uk we meet in online He invite me to come London so please let me know what we need actually my friend have accommodation etc He will pay for my everything so tell me the procedures I will be very much thankful
hi admin ,
i want to make a vistor invitation letter for my parents but i am on benefits i dont have ajob now ,they have a good bank statment to stay in the uk for a period, they will be able to finience themselves.
is that will work to get visa or not ? thank you very much
my boyfriend is employed and regular payslips but doesn’t have savings. i on the other hand, am employed and have some savings of my own. i plan to go to UK for a three week visit to him, and will be staying at his place the entire time. so basically, he will sponsor my accommodation, but not necessarily my entire stay. plane tickets etc. will also be paid by myself. would letter of invitation suffice? would it also suffice if he will only include a copy of the lease contract for his place and payslips, without bank statements? please advise. thank you.
Hello sir
I want to invite my friend to come to visit me in UK London for 3 weeks. He normally lives in Guinea – Bissau West Africa but he is currently in Lisbon on holidays . Back home he works in a bank and pays his own rent. Myself I have a two bedroom house and I pay my own rent. I work and get paid enough to support him while he’s staying . Do I or him need to provide anymore information? As it takes quite a while for a letter to get posted to him in Lisbon can I send my formal letter by email him or the UK embassy in Lisbon?
AM WINIFRED A UGANDAN BUT THERE’S A FRIEND I MET ONLINE HES AN ENGLAND CITIZEN BY BIRTH AND WE HAVE BECOME PARTNERS IN THAT WE WANT TO GET MARRIED THOUGH DUE TO HIS HEALTH PROBLEM HES NOT WORKING CURRENTLY AND AM NOT EITHER SINCE AM STILL STUDYING I WANNA VISIT HIM IN UK BUT THE REASON FOR THIS VISIT IS FOR US TO GET MARRIED ALL HIS FAMILY MEMBERS APPROVED OF THIS .WILL BE ABLE TO GET A VISA
Hi Winnifred,
You will need to apply for family visa
https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/partner-spouse