How to Write invitation letter for US visa application in 2022

What Is an Invitation Letter?

A letter of invitation is a formal letter that a US legal resident or citizen writes to invite their foreign relative to their home. Through this letter, the host confirms that they are able to accommodate the guest into their home and guarantees that the visitor will return home once their visa expires.

Additionally, the host must prove the relationship between them and the guest, and that they have enough funds to cover their entire period of stay in the United States.

The letter of invitation, by no means, guarantees the issuance of a visa to the applicant. The applicant has to fulfil the other US visa requirements such as means of subsistence, proving strong ties to their home country, etc. and go through the application process for a US visa in order to be granted with a visa. In addition, the applicant must show that they will use the visa appropriately.

Samples of Invitation Letters for US Visitor Visa

Below you can find two samples of invitation letter for US visa. The sponsor must address a letter to the consular officer and another one to the US visa applicant. They can write this letter to invite parents, relatives, friends, and any other guest.

Sample of letter of invitation addressed to the consular officer

[Date]
United States Consulate General
[Address of the Consulate]

Dear Honorable Consul,

[Visitor’s Name] – PASSPORT NO XXXXXXXX – Born on [Visitor’s Date of Birth]

My name is [Host’s Name], residing at [Host’s Address] and I am a United States citizen (or lawful permanent resident alien).

I am requesting that you issue a tourist (B-2) visa to [Visitor’s Name] who resides at [Visitor’s Address]. This is to allow him to visit me in the United States. We have known and been friends for the past 3 years and I would like him to visit me this summer.

[Visitor’s Name] will be visiting me from [Date of Entry] to [Date of Exit]. This will be a great time because we will both be off work at this time. During his / her stay in the United States, he/she will stay with me at my home at the address stated above.

I will be responsible for his / her accommodation expenses while he / she is in the United States. Upon the termination of his / her visit, he / she will return to [Visitor’s Hometown].

[Visitor’s Name] will be presenting this letter to you, together with other evidence to establish his close ties with [Visitor’s Home Country], and to assure you that he / she will return prior to the expiration of his / her stay in the United States.

Your kind consideration of this request will be highly appreciated.

Yours Truly,
[Host’s Name]
[Host’s Address]
[Host’ Phone Number]
[Host’s signature]

Sample of letter of invitation addressed to the guest

[Date]
[Host’s name]
[Full address]
USA
Phone Numbers:
(Work): [(xxx) xxx-xxxx]
(Home): [(xxx) xxx-xxxx]
Email: [email address]

To:
[Visitor’s name]
[Visitor’s Address]

Dear [Visitor],
I invite you to visit us and spend your vacation in USA with us. We have planned to visit famous tourist places like [name of tourist places to visit]. 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,
[Host ‘s name]
[Host’s signature]

Sample invitation letter addressed to parents

Why Do I Need to Provide a US Visa Letter of Invitation?

Usually, the visa applicant will have to submit a letter of invitation for a B2 visa application which is a US Tourist Visa. Keep in mind that it is not a must, but it is highly recommended. The host must fulfill the following requirements in order for the letter of invitation to be valid:

• Be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
• Be your friend, boyfriend/girlfriend or relative
• Have a registered place (home, flat)
• Have enough room for the applicant

How to Write a Letter of Invitation for US Visa?

Writing a letter of invitation might seem challenging for both, the host and the guest. However, the process of writing it is very simple. The letter should be addressed either to the consular officer or to the guest.

When writing it, the guest must be very careful to include in the letter all of the required information which is:

• Host’s full name.
• Host’s date of birth.
• Host’s address and telephone number in the United States.
• Host’s occupation.
• Host’s status in the United States.
• A photocopy of a document proving the host’s status in the United States.
• Guest’s full name.
• Guest’s date of birth.
• Guest’s address and telephone number.
• Proof of the guest’s relationship to the host.
• The purpose of the trip.
• Information on how long the guest intends to stay in the United States of America (specific dates).
• Details on accommodation and living expenses.
• Signature of the host.

The letter, when addressed to the guest, does not have to sound official. It should be more personal, so that you show you have close relations with the guest. If the letter of invitation for USA contains the above-listed details, then the letter is okay.

Additional Documents

Since the Letter of Invitation is not a requirement, the host is not obliged to send other documents alongside with it. Still, it would be very thoughtful if the applicant submitted any of the following documents alongside with the Letter of Invitation:

• A scanned copy of host’s ID / passport
• Evidence of means of subsistence (if the host will financially support the guest)
• Proof of home / flat ownership or rental contract
• Flight itinerary for US visa application – You can submit dummy ticket as proof of flight itinerary.
• Affidavit of Support – which is a USCIS Form I-134, available on the USCIS website. This should be submitted only in case the host plans to financially support the guest.

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