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
Hello sir .. My name is Javed and i am from pakistan. My US citizen friend wants me to visit him there. Can you please tell ke what documents i have to present in U.S Embassy in Pakistan and what documents my U.S friend have to send me ? As i am student only.. Thank you
Hi, My parent are US Citizen and have invited my wife, son and I to come over next month which will be my son first birthday. The complicated thing here is that my wife is French but had over stayed in the US before she was 16 at that time, now 28, so she has to apply for a Visa. I on the other hand have visited US before but filed for an immigrant visa which was started since 1996, but when the application was taking too long I decided to move to the UK to study and since then resided here with a resident Visa. What do you suggest or what is the guarantee the Visa will be issued.
I am a US citizen and work for my state government. I have my fiancé in Ivory Coast of Africa and I want him to come here to visit before we marry. What do I need to do first.
Hello pls I’m lizzy my fiancee is a U.S citizen and he want me to visit him pls what should we do pls I need help pls
hi, i have a american citizen friend that send me invitation letter with photocopy of her driving liecence and social security card..
can that enogh for my prove of interview?
hello sir,my friend send me invitation letter with copy of driving licence and social security card, can i used that for interview?
Yes it is okay! How ever you need to make sure your end is well covered.
Hi good morning my name is neisha trying to get some information but I only seeing where it saying reply ..and this is someone elses answer so I don’t know if am doing it the right thing …..my big sister is a citizen of the us and she getting married and want me and my sister to be her bridesmaids so she want to invite my mom and myself and my 2 other sister but she have no clue how to go about it or what she need to do so ..We haven’t seeing her in 7years …I apply last year for the visa but they turn me Down I state that me and my cousin was going for vacation and I didn’t get it .but now my sister getting married and we really want to attend can u plz tell us how to go about it am living in the cayman islands. ..my mom and sisters in a different Countries. .
Hi Neisha,
All hope is not lost even though you were refused once! Your sister should send you an invitation letter, including a copy of the wedding invitation and other documents that shows the wedding and your relationship with her if you have any! You can then prepare a very good application using the visa application kit that can be found here
http://www.visainterview.info/
I hope you get it this time! Your sister can send an invitation to cover you and your sisters and another for the one in a different country.
It’s usually not easy to get a visa for every one in the family . I encourage you to make an effort though. Use the visa application kit to help you prepare properly!
http://www.visainterview.info/
Dear admin, can one travel to the US wit invitation without coming back to his own country . Does it have any effect on the person that send the invitation letter?
Hi Teco,
If you do not plan to go back to your country. It is difficult to get a visa. However if you get one and do not return, it may or may not affect the one who invited you. There is no clear proof that it does affect. What I know is that a lot of data is collected from the documents you submit to the consulate.
hw can.my girl friend invte me to.American.am in ghana now
Hi,
I am residing in India and I am working here.
My friend is staying in California since a couple of years with a H1B VISA. He wants me to visit US this September on a pleasure trip. I am yet to apply for a B2 VISA. When I browsed through I find that an invite letter is required for me to apply for a B2 VISA.
What should be the documents that he needs to send me?
Please clarify
Robertjames
thanks for your kind immigration advice now I’ve got a few question regarding my planned trip to the United States am Ugandan citizen working in the United Arab Emirates but currently in my annual vacation in Uganda the thing is my friend in Columbia is inviting me to go see her in Missouri but she’s got no passport but she’s an American citizen by birth I’ve gotten property in my country and am married with one kid but they are not traveling with me what will be the best advice for me
Hi is it wise to mention ur pregnancy status in the invitation letter?
Not really unless that is why you are inviting your husband or the father of the baby
hello sir,i am a U.S GRREN CARD HOLDER ….ONLY BEEN HERE FOR 2 YEARS AND GRADUATING NEXT YEAR,I WANT TO INVITE MY AUNTY FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY…IS IT POSSIBLE SIR/? YOUR RESPONSE WILL BE REALLY APPRECIATED SIR
Yes, you can! All you need to be qualified to invite someone is to be legally in the USA. You are.
Hello , I have a question, I’m studying abroad. And I have a girlfriend she is from USA, so she wants to invite me to USA for two weeks. And her parents will send me an invitation. So I’m scare they will reject me. So what do I do, should I tell them in embassy that she is my girlfriend?
Hello sir,
I have two question:
My mother is coming to the US to live with me as I petition for her as a US citizen but I am wondering if my brother can accompany her to the us if so How?
Second question
My wedding anniversary is in august of this year but I rescheduled it because I want my brother to be part of it. Can I invite him to come for the wedding anniversary if so how?
Hi Joe, I’m not in the best position to answer this! You may need an immigration lawyer! However I believe you can always invite your brother for a visit! If he has strong ties to his country he will get the visa, as it is, it looks like he won’t go back once the visa is granted because you and his mom are there! With a well prepared application you may be able to get him a visitors visa – b2
Hello sir.
I would like to invite my fiancée from the Philippines so she can meet my family before we get married in her home country. How should I send my invitation to her once I compose it?
my wife is 50years old and im 35 she want to come here for our wedding i just needed you to help me on how to write invitation letter to her and what i needed to do and how i can get my visa fast cos i have to go meet my wife there and state a life together
i just came back from Nigeria and if she stay in a motel she dont need a invitation letter because i didnt need one
im a Nigerian and she coming here
Hi, i am a citizen of pakistan , my friend ashley lives in Kansas,US ,how can she invite me there in US for permanent studies and residence there.
No Asad, invitations are only for temporary visits
Hi i am trying to get a visa b with my boyfriend. He lives in nigeria. I was gonna visit him but due to a medical condition i cannot visit him. He is willing to come here and visit. This will be the first time we meet. He wants to come here for the fall and chritmas. He will return home where he has work and his own house. He is willing to pay for his own travel expenses. What can we do to strengthen our case so we can meet. How can we word our invite letter. We have been dating for almost a year
Hi Elizabeth, there is not much you can do to strengthen your invitation! However he can strengthen his application by showing that he will return to Nigeria! A letter from his employer, landed properties and so on should help! It’s not really easy to convince the visa officer that he will return but with good documentation he may receive the visa! All you have to do right now is write that he is your friend! Internet friendship does not carry a lot of weight because lots of people have been defrauded and the visa officers know this! So he will need to show lots of proof
hi
pls I want to invite my mum to the us, just want to know do I need to include my bank statement and W2 form to show my income and I don’t make much ,is it going to be a problem. secondly can I asked friends for affidavit of support.
Hi Henry, if your mum does not have a good job to finance her trip, then you would need to show that you are able to sponsor her with your bank statement
hi
pls I want to invite my mum to the us, just want to know do I need to include my bank statement and W2 form to show my income and I don’t make much ,is it going to be a problem. secondly can I asked friends for affidavit of support. I leave here with my wife and two kid which my wife is a citizen but Im a green card holder
You can invite her as long as you can prove that she would go back home!
sir, I am a Nigerian and resides Nigeria. I will like to for a visit visa to the united States of America.. pls what are the necessary documents that I need to provide and submit for it. thanks
Hi Matthew, you need a b2 visa! Visit this website for more information http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visit/visitor.html