UK visa resources
Invitation letter
What an invitation or sponsor letter is and what makes a good one — useful supporting evidence, not a formal Home Office requirement.
Important
An invitation letter is a letter from someone in the UK — a host, family member, business or institution — confirming they are inviting you and, often, supporting your visit. It is not a mandatory Home Office document, but it can be helpful supporting evidence for visitor and some family applications. It never replaces meeting the actual visa requirements.
This is practical guidance rather than an official rule.
When it helps
An invitation letter is most commonly used for Standard Visitor applications (visiting family or friends, or a business) to help show the genuine purpose of your visit and where you will stay. The decision still rests on whether you meet the visitor rules.
What a useful letter includes
- Who is inviting you and their relationship to you
- Their UK address and their immigration status or nationality
- The purpose and dates of your visit, and where you will stay
- Whether they will help with any costs, with evidence if so
- Their signature and contact details
Important
An invitation letter is supporting evidence only — you must still meet all the requirements of the route you apply for. Never submit false or exaggerated letters: deception can lead to refusal and a long re-entry ban.
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.