How to Write an Invitation Letter for a UK Visa
Planning to invite a family member, friend, or partner to visit you in the UK? A well-written invitation letter could be the difference between visa approval and refusal.
An invitation letter for a UK visa (also known as a sponsorship letter or sponsor letter) is a formal document that supports your visitor's UK Standard Visitor Visa application. It demonstrates genuine ties between you and your guest, proves accommodation arrangements, and shows the Entry Clearance Officer that the visit is legitimate.
This guide covers everything you need to know to write a convincing invitation letter that strengthens the visa application.
What is an Invitation Letter for a UK Visa?
An invitation letter is a formal letter written by someone living in the UK to support another person's visa application. It acts as your personal guarantee that you'll host, accommodate, or support your visitor during their stay.
The UK Home Office doesn't always require an invitation letter, but it significantly strengthens applications for family visits and short-term stays. It helps immigration officers assess whether the applicant has genuine reasons to visit and will return home after their trip.
The letter demonstrates your relationship with the visitor, confirms accommodation arrangements, and outlines financial support if you're sponsoring their trip. Think of it as supporting evidence that adds credibility to the visa application.
Who Can Write an Invitation Letter for a UK Visa?
Not Every letter carries the same weight. You must meet specific criteria to be considered a credible sponsor.
You can write an invitation letter if you are a British citizen, permanent resident with indefinite leave to remain, legal resident with valid immigration status, or an EEA national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
You must also have a genuine relationship with the visitor such as being a friend, relative, partner, or spouse. Additionally, you need to show that you own or rent your accommodation, like a house or flat, with enough space to accommodate the visitor for their entire stay.
All information in the letter must be truthful and accurate. Providing false information can result in visa refusal and potential serious immigration consequences for both you and your visitor.
Who Should the Letter Be Addressed To?
Although the letter invites someone to stay with you, it doesn't need to be addressed directly to the visitor. The invitation letter is simply a formality to convey supporting information to the British Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) or UK consular officer.
You can write as though you're addressing the ECO rather than the visitor. Start the letter with "Dear Sir/Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern" for a formal approach.
What Information Must Be Included in Your Invitation Letter?
A complete invitation letter must contain specific details about you, your visitor, and the planned trip. Missing any of these details could raise concerns with the Entry Clearance Officer.
1. Your Details as the Host
Include your full name, complete UK address with postcode, telephone number and email address, occupation and employer's name, immigration status in the UK (British citizen, ILR holder, or visa type), and your relationship to the visitor.
2. Your Visitor's Details
Clearly identify your guest with their full name as it appears in their passport, date of birth, nationality, current residential address, and your relationship to them including how long you've known each other.
3. Visit Details
Be specific about the purpose of the visit such as tourism, family visit, or attending an event. Include the proposed arrival and departure dates, duration of stay in the UK, and detailed accommodation arrangements stating where they'll be staying.
Outline planned activities or a basic itinerary if applicable, and clearly state the financial arrangements including who will cover travel costs, accommodation expenses, and living costs during the stay.
4. Financial Arrangements
This section requires absolute clarity. State explicitly whether you'll fully financially support the visitor throughout their trip, whether costs will be shared between you and the visitor, or whether the visitor will be self-funding while you provide accommodation only.
If you're covering expenses, be specific about what you'll pay for including food, room and board, and travel costs within the UK. The more transparent you are, the more credible your letter becomes.
What Supporting Documents Should You Include?
An invitation letter alone isn't sufficient. You must provide supporting documents to verify everything you've stated in the letter.
For proof of your UK status, include a copy of your UK passport or evidence of your eVisa, such as your UKVI unique reference number, and something that confirms your status such as a naturalisation certificate if applicable.
Provide proof of accommodation with a tenancy agreement if you rent or property deeds if you own, along with recent utility bills or council tax statements showing your address.
Include proof of financial means with bank statements from the last three to six months, recent payslips, an employment letter on company letterhead, or tax returns if you're self-employed.
To prove your relationship with the visitor, attach photographs together taken at different times, communication history such as emails or message screenshots, and evidence of previous visits if they've visited you before.
Additional supporting evidence might include flight or travel bookings if already arranged, hotel reservations if staying elsewhere during the trip, and event tickets such as wedding invitations or concert tickets if relevant.
The more comprehensive your supporting documentation, the stronger the visa application becomes. Don't hold back on providing evidence of genuine ties and financial capability.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Invitation Letter
Writing your invitation letter becomes straightforward when you follow these steps systematically.
Step 1: Use Proper Letter Format
Start with your full contact details at the top including your name, complete address, phone number, and email. Add the date below your details, then include an appropriate salutation such as "To Whom It May Concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam".
Step 2: Write a Clear Opening Statement
Get straight to the point in your opening paragraph. State clearly that you're inviting a specific person (include their full name and date of birth) to visit you in the UK. Mention the dates they'll be staying and where they'll be accommodated. It is essential to clarify your relationship with the visitor, such as brother, friend, mother and so on.
Step 3: Provide Comprehensive Details
Explain the purpose of the visit such as spending time together, sightseeing, or attending a family event. Specify the exact or approximate dates and duration of the stay. Describe accommodation arrangements in detail, mentioning if you'll also stay elsewhere during the trip.
Step 4: Address Financial Matters
Be explicit about who will bear which expenses. If you're fully supporting them, state this clearly and reference your financial capacity. If costs are shared or they're self-funding, specify this arrangement to avoid any ambiguity.
Step 5: Close Professionally
Offer to provide additional information if needed and include your contact details for follow-up. Sign and date the letter with a handwritten signature, then print your name below. A professional closing like "Yours faithfully" works well.
Sample Invitation Letter
Here's a template you can adapt to your circumstances. Remember that this is just an example, you must detail all the relevant information when you draft your invitation letter:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
Application for UK Visitor Visa for [visitor’s name]
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to invite my mother, [visitor’s name, with date of birth], to visit me [your full name, with date of birth] in the United Kingdom. She will stay with me [length of stay] at my address in [location] from [start date] to [end date].
[visitor’s name] is my biological mother, and the purpose of this trip will be to spend Christmas together, go sightseeing, and visit family friends in local areas of interest.
I am a British citizen by birth and work as a [occupation] at [company name]. I fully intend to financially support [visitor’s name] for the duration of the trip, including food, room and board, and travel costs within the UK. I have more than enough room in my three-bedroom house to comfortably accommodate [visitor’s name] for the entire stay.
Please find attached copies of my British passport, tenancy agreement, recent payslips, and bank statements from the last six months to confirm I have the necessary funds to support this visit. If you require any further information from me, please don't hesitate to contact me using the details provided above.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Your Name]
Trusted Immigration Advice: How MGBe Legal Supports You
Writing an invitation letter might seem straightforward, but mistakes can lead to costly visa refusals and delays. At MGBe Legal, we've successfully assisted countless clients with UK Standard Visitor Visas, Spouse and Unmarried Partner Visas, and family visit applications.
Our immigration lawyers are regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) and accredited at Level 3 by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). We understand exactly what the Home Office looks for and how to present your case effectively.
We can draft a professional invitation letter, review your supporting documents, identify potential issues before submission, and provide guidance throughout the entire visa application process.
If you have had a visitor visa refusal, we can assist with challenging the refusal or submit a new application.
Conclusion
Writing an invitation letter for a UK visa is straightforward when you know what to include. Focus on being specific with dates and financial arrangements, provide comprehensive supporting documents, and ensure consistency across all application materials.
Whether you're inviting family for a holiday, hosting your spouse before their Spouse and Unmarried Partner Visa application, or welcoming friends to the UK, a well-prepared invitation letter significantly improves approval chances.
Need expert assistance with your UK visa invitation letter? Contact MGBe Legal today to ensure your application is complete, accurate, and compelling.
