In order to apply for a UK visa it is expected that the applicant submits a sponsorship letter. A sponsorship letter for a UK visa is one written by a citizen or legal resident of the United Kingdom, addressed to a foreigner with whom they have family ties or friendship, inviting them to stay over at their house. It is also a confirmation that they have enough room for the visitor, for the whole period of their visit in the UK.
This letter, also known as a letter of invitation for UK Visa, can also be written in another format. The letter can be written addressed to the UK consular officer, corroborating that they are willing to admit an international with whom they have family ties or friendship, and also that they have enough room for the visitor for the entire period of their stay in the UK. Either one is applicable.
You may ask…
WHY DO I NEED A UK VISA SPONSORSHIP LETTER?
Keep in mind that it is not a must, but it is highly advised. In order for the letter to be valid and taken into account by the UK consular officer, the host who writes the letter must fulfill the following requirements:
• Be a UK citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
• Be a visitor’s friend, boyfriend/girlfriend or relative.
• Have a registered place (home, flat).
• Have enough room for the visitor during their whole period of stay in the UK.
Now you know; so how should you write this letter?
Here’s how…
Though challenging, it is a very easy thing to do. If you are the host, you will just have to write down why you are willing to admit this person in your house and how long they are going to stay. If you still don’t understand, here is a procedure to help.
STEP I
You have to determine to whom you are going to address the letter, to your guest or the consular officer(either of the two methods of writing). It might seem a complicated decision to make, but it does not matter that much. The crucial thing is what you say and not to whom. In both cases, the consular officer is going to read it.
STEP II
If you do not know where to start writing from, then write the following in a list:
• Your full name.
• Your date of birth.
• Your full address and telephone number in the United Kingdom.
• Your occupation.
• Your status in the United Kingdom.
• Visitor’s full name.
• Visitor’s date of birth.
• Visitor’s address and telephone number.
• Visitor’s relationship to the host.
• Visitor’s purpose of the trip.
• How long the guest intends to stay in the UK (specific dates).
• Details on accommodation and living expenses.
• Your signature.
Every sponsorship letter for a UK visa must contain the above-listed information. After writing all this information in a paper, then you can start organizing it in the form of a letter.
Here are some sample you could work with…
SAMPLES OF A SPONSORSHIP LETTER
Recall that if you address it to the consular officer it needs to be written in a bit more official way, whereas if you address it to your guest then it shall be more of a personal letter.
There is no particular strategy of how to write a sponsorship or an invitation letter. However, here you will find two UK family visitor visa samples, so you will have a clearer idea of how to write one.
SAMPLE I – LETTER OF INVITATION ADDRESSED TO THE CONSULAR OFFICER
As earlier mentioned, the letter should sound more official and contain all the necessary information. If you will be including extra supporting documents, do not forget to mention that in the letter.
[Your address in the UK]
[Date]
Dear Sir / Madam
Application for Family Visitor visa: [Name of family member]
I would like to invite my [type of family member, e.g. mother, father, etc] to visit me in the United Kingdom. [He/she] would like to stay with me in the UK from [date of arrival] until [exit date]. The family member I would like to invite is – [insert name, date of birth and relationship to you e.g. father or mother]
I work as a [occupation] at [workplace] since [month, year], and I have been living in the UK for 20 and I am a British [status].
I have enough room for my visitor to stay over at me for the whole duration of [his/her] stay in the UK, at [list your address], which is a private rented property at [list your UK address].
I also obtained a letter from my landlord that gives them permission to stay with me during this period. I have attached it and other documents to support my letter of invitation. Please feel free to contact me if you require any additional information.
Yours faithfully
Name
Email address
Phone number
Signature
SAMPLE II – LETTER OF INVITATION ADDRESSED TO THE VISITOR
This is another sample of a sponsorship letter for a UK visa for family (or friend), which is addressed to the visitor. You should try to make it sound more personal so that the consular officer can notice you two have a close relationship.
Date
To: [Visitor’s name]
[Visitor’s Address]
Dear [Visitor],
With this letter, I would like to invite you, my [relationship e.i. sister, friend, father], to visit me and spend your vacation in the UK. We have talked so many times about taking pictures together in front of the [tourist place] or drinking coffee at [tourist place]. I believe it is about time we make these plans come true. You will also have the chance to meet from close the British culture and experience its lifestyle.
I will be taking care of all your expenses while you are here, including the round trip airfare food, medical insurance, and all your other personal expenses. You will be staying at my apartment in [address] since I have enough room for you.
Herewith I am sending all the required documents for getting the necessary tourist visa from, including documents that prove I am a [status in Britain] since [year], and that I work at / study at [workplace or university].
Sincerely,
Host’s name
Host’s name
Full address
Phone Number
Email
Signature
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS YOU CAN ATTACH
In order for what is written in the letter to be taken into account by the consular officer, it is better for the host to send some supplementary documents alongside the Sponsorship Letter. These extra requirements are not a must, but they are still an added advantage. They are as follows:
• A scanned copy of the host’s ID/passport.
• Evidence of their status in the UK.
• Evidence of means of subsistence (if the host will financially support the guest).
• Proof of home / flat ownership or rental contract.
• Flight itinerary for UK visa application
You may also add any other document that you believe would help your visitor in getting their visa.
Hope this helped?
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