Visiting the US for a holiday is on the bucket list of most travelers around the world. This North American country has lot to offer. Right from breathtaking landscapes to dynamic cities and iconic landmarks, the United States of America is brimming with incredible attractions. But before you start making your plans for your US holiday, it is necessary to get your US visa. And anyone who has applied for a US tourist visa would know how difficult and overwhelming it can be. There is countless paperwork to be done along with the visa interview. And sometimes, even with all the preparations, your US visa application may get rejected. This is why having additional support in the form of an invitation letter may make all the difference. Here is everything you need to know about the letter of invitation USA.
What is an Invitation Letter for US Visa?
An invitation letter is a letter written by a person in the US to invite a foreigner to the country. The invitation letter is written for two types of US visas: B1 (business visa) and B2 (tourist visa). Invitation letter for business visas is written by companies/businesses in the US to invite foreigners to attend a meeting or a conference. On the other hand, an invitation letter for a tourist visa is written to invite a family member or friend to the US for visiting, tourism, a family event, special occasion, or get-together.
Who Can Write an Invitation Letter for a US Visa?
The person writing an invitation letter should be a legal resident of the US. This includes a US Green Card Holder or a US citizen. Apart from the valid residential status, it is important that the person has a home in the US (either rented or owned). The person should be living and working in the US and has to provide the name and address of the organization he/she is working in.
What Should be Included in the Letter of Invitation for US Visa?
Here are the key components of an invitation letter for a US visa.
- Details of the Letter Writer: The letter should include all the information about the letter writer. This includes first and last names, date of birth, passport number, address, phone number, etc.
- Details of the Visa Applicant: The letter should also include the details of the visa applicant. This includes his/her full name, passport number, date of birth, address, etc.
- Purpose of the Visit: The letter of invitation should specify why the visa applicant wants to visit the country. It could be tourism, a business meeting, a get-together, a celebration, or any other event. The purpose should match with the purpose mentioned in the visa application.
- Relationship with the Applicant: The letter writer should establish his/her relationship with the invitee in the letter. It could be parents, siblings, spouse, children, friends, business associates, etc.
- Details of the Visit: This includes the duration of the stay and when the person would arrive and depart from the US.
- Financial Support Proof: If the host is going to support the guest financially during his/her visit to the US, it should be clearly mentioned in the letter.
- Accommodation Proof: If the visa applicant is going to stay in the host’s home in the US, this should be mentioned in the letter of invitation.
The letter writer must assure the visa official that the guest would leave the US to return to his/her home country before the visa expires. The letter should end with the name and signature of the host.
Sample Invitation Letter USA Visa
There are two ways of writing an invitation letter: one is to address it to the visa official, while the other is to address it to the invitee. Both are acceptable, although both the letters would be read by the visa official. Here we have provided both the US visa invitation letter formats.
Sample #1 Letter Addresses to Visa Official
You can use this letter format to address the letter to the US visa official.
(Name of the Host/Letter Writer)
(Address of the Host)
(City, State, Zip code)
(Phone Number)
(Email Address)
(Date)
(Consular Office)
U.S. Embassy
(City, Country of the Visa Applicant)
Subject: Inviting (Name of the Applicant) to the US for a family get-together and tourism purpose.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am (your full name), working at (name of your company) as (job title) since (year of starting the job). I have been living in the US for the past 15 years and am a legal US citizen (passport number).
This letter is an invitation to (full name of the visitor) to visit me in the United States for a family get-together and a few weeks of sightseeing as well. (Name of the visitor) would be in the US from (date of arrival) to (date of departure).
(Name of the visitor) would be staying with me at (address) and I would take care of all his/her expenses during the stay, including accommodation, food, transportation, and sightseeing.
I assure you that (name of the visitor) will be returning to (home country) on the date mentioned in the letter. Hence, I would appreciate it if you consider (name of the visitor’s) visa application. Kindly contact me if you need any further details.
Sincerely,
(Full Name of the Host)
(Signature)
Sample #2 Letter Addressed to Visa Applicant or Visitor
In case you do not want to use the above template, you can use this sample of invitation letter for US visa.
(Name of the Host/Letter Writer)
(Address of the Host)
(City, State, Zip code)
(Phone Number)
(Email Address)
(Date)
(Name of the Visitor)
(Address)
Subject: Inviting you to my wedding in the US
Dear (Full name of the visitor),
I, (name of the host), am excited to invite you, my (relationship with the visitor), to my wedding in (the place in the US) on (date of the wedding). I hope you arrive two weeks before the wedding date, i.e., (date of arrival) and stay for a week more, i.e., till (date of departure).
During your stay in the US, you will be accommodated in my home at (address). I would also like to take you around the city to see some of the important landmarks like (list the places you would like to visit with the person). I would be taking care of all your expenses, including your flight tickets and travel insurance.
I am looking forward to seeing you here. Your presence at my wedding would mean a lot to me.
Sincerely,
(Host’s name)
(Host’s Signature)
USA Visa
Easy Documentation
Online Payment Option
FAQs About Letter of Invitation for a US Visa
1. Is invitation letter for US visa a mandatory document?
No. A letter of document is not a mandatory document for a US visa application like a passport or your financial documents.
2. Will an invitation letter guarantee US visa approval?
No, submitting an invitation letter will not guarantee that your US visa will be approved. However, this document strengthens your application and adds credibility to it.
3. Do I need to submit any supporting documents along with the letter?
Yes, submitting a few important documents would make your letter seem more authentic. Some of the documents that the letter writer should submit are as follows:
- Copy of the host’s US passport or green card
- Proof of residence (leased/owned)
- Proof of employment
- Copy of passport
- Proof of relationship with the visitor (marriage certificate, photographs, etc.)
4. What should be the tone of the letter?
If you are addressing the letter to the visa consular, the tone of the letter should be formal. In case you are addressing it to the visitor, the tone can be casual. But do not use any foul language in the letter even in that case. In both cases, keep the letter short and crisp.
5. What are the common mistakes people make while writing an invitation letter for US visa?
The common mistakes that people make while writing a letter of invitation are as follows:
- Spelling errors
- Informal tone
- Vague or unclear purpose of visit
- Unclear travel dates
- Not mentioning the personal details of the host/visitor
- Not providing the right documents, especially the financial ones
Conclusion
A letter of invitation for a US visa is not always necessary. But knowing that there is someone who has your back in the US would enhance the visa official’s confidence in your application. Hence, it would be a good idea to submit one along with your US visa application.
