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]
Here is a sample invitation letter for parents visiting the United States.