The invitation letter is one of the prerequisites for a UK or US visa application in Nigeria.
An additional document as a requirement to get your travel visa is a letter of invitation to visit the United States or the United Kingdom. You can request an invitation letter from your friends and family living abroad.
For instance, you just received a call from a friend, relative, colleague or acquaintance to visit the United States or the United Kingdom. These individuals can send you a mailed copy of an invitation letter with all your planned travel intentions.
This article gives you a view of what an invitation letter looks like.
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Documents needed to explore the UK and U.S.
International passport
A valid International passport that is valid for at least six months before your application. Also, the passport should have empty pages, and not be torn or damaged.
Recent passport photographs
Following the UK or U.S. guidelines, your passport should be recent within six months or less.
Furthermore, there should be no extra coverings or background added.
Visa fee payment and receipt
As evidence of payment, you can make a printout of your visa fee payment.
Visa application form; filled and signed
Flight and accommodation reservations
A reserved return flight ticket is necessary as lodging details are. If you will be staying with any relative, their address, status and phone number should be provided.
Evidence of Funding (bank Statement)
Funds in your account should be enough to cater for your upkeep in the U.S. or UK. Plus you will submit evidence of the inflow and outflow of cash from your existing bank account.
Invitation Letter
This is another document that is required when
Statement of travel intentions
Ideal travel intentions include; study, medical care, tourism, employment offers, business, research, training, permanent relocation and many more. Whatever your purpose for travelling is, it should be clearly explained in a letter.
Medical or travel insurance
As a cover for emergencies, sometimes insurance proof is required. It could be added to the list of documents to present at the embassy.
Tax
Proof of tax payments in your home country especially for business tycoons
When you claim to have business deals or a company in your country, you should provide evidence of tax payment. Also, proof that your income is tied to the business is essential.
Criminal investigation history
As you should not have any pending crime issues to be sorted, a record that you are crime free should be presented.
Certificates of birth, marriage, divorce or educational qualifications
All of these stand for identification and to show that you have proof of your claims.
Medical clearance or certificate
A medical test is usually carried out at designated hospitals. Then, you present the sealed results at the embassy to show that you are healthy and fit to travel.
Vaccination records are also important, like in the case of COVID-19, Tuberculosis, Yellow fever and so on.
Purpose of the United States invitation letter
The U.S. invitation letter is a great backup plan to ensure the smooth processing of your visa. This means that you can present the invitation letter written by the one who has invited you for extra evidence.
Therefore, the letter should be detailed, direct and accurate. Your claim might be further investigated in an interview.
Besides, you should not just intend to travel to the U.S. or UK without a full understanding of what you want to do there.
Furthermore, for medical treatment, an invitation letter is also written to the embassy for clarification. Plus, you will submit this yourself but you need to know what the contents of the letter state.
In addition, knowledge will help you prepare for your visa interview, so as not to contradict the contents of your invitation letter.
The exact time the UK or U.S. invitation letter is needed
Imagine that your daughter just had a baby and you need to visit the United States to assist or see your grandchild(ren). Also, you might need to visit your relatives you have not seen in a while just to have a few moments together.
In this instance, this set of people living in the United States or the United Kingdom is the host inviting you over. Plus, you are the guest invited to the U.S. or UK for a specific duration.
Therefore, they can help you with an invitation letter with all contact information attached and the necessary details.
Plus, the UK or U.S. invitation letter is needed:
- When applying for a tourist, spouse, medical, business or study visa
- As an extra document for your visa processing
- To be submitted along with other documents at the U.S. embassy
- To clarify all doubts that might be attached to your tour
Contents of the U.S. or UK invitation letter
The following is important information to include in your invitation letter;
- The full name of the person or firm inviting you to the U.S. or UK- your host
- Your full name as a guest invited to the United States
- The residential address and contact information( telephone number and email address) of the host
- Your residential address and contact information as a guest invited to the United States
- Relationship with the guest you are inviting to the United States
- The citizenship status of your host with evidence
- Your host’s international passport number and how long they have been residing in the United States
- Your host’s occupation and workplace address, including their exact roles there
- Additional documents like marriage certificates, employment letter, citizenship evidence and so on. This is required to prove the status of your host in the United States.
- Your purpose for travelling is clearly explained
- List all places you intend to visit during your stay in the U.S.
- Evidence of how your trip will be funded; who will pay for your expenses which covers feeding, flight and accommodation.
- Duration of stay and where you will be staying during your trip
How to write the UK or United States invitation letter
To write the U.S. invitation letter, you should take note of the following points;
- The UK or U.S. invitation letter is a formal one. This should include two addresses ( the host’s and where the letter is directed)
- The letter can be addressed to the U.S. embassy.
In this case, the address of the embassy either in Lagos or Abuja should be included. This can also be done based on proximity to the embassy.
For example, someone who lives in Gwagwalada would prefer to submit a visa application in Abuja. As well, someone who lives in Ikeja would prefer to visit the U.S. embassy in Lagos for visa processing.
- The letter can be directed to you as a guest, which you will submit at the embassy as well.
Once your address is included in the letter, you must present it at the embassy with supporting evidence.
- You should be aware of all information attached to the letter
To avoid errors or false claims, you should stick to all information included in the letter. This includes the date of birth, address, relationship with the host, passport number and intended country of visit.
- Unnecessary information should be avoided; be direct and straight to the point.
Irrelevant information should be excluded from the letter. This can alter the essence of the letter and not reflect its reality.
- A signature should be appended at the end of your letter
At the end of your letter, a signature with the date and other important details should be included for clarity.
Sample of the UK and U.S. invitation letter
A sample of an invitation letter to the United States is given below;
18th November 2022
Mr Ezekiel G. Ikenna
581 N Temple Ave
Starke, Florida(FL), 32091
(262) 653-6273
[email protected]
U.S. Embassy, Abuja
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central District Area, Abuja
Nigeria
Dear Consul,
INVITATION LETTER TO THE UNITED STATES
I am Ezekiel G. Ikenna, I live at 581 N Temple Avenue, Starke, Florida(FL), 32091. I am a legal permanent resident of the United States.
This letter is written on behalf of SARAH IKENNA with the PASSPORT number A0185734.
I request that you grant my mother Sarah Ikenna, a Nigerian residing at 5, Olayiwola estate, Ketu Lagos a tourist visa to the United States.
I am getting married to my lovely wife in the United States and my mother is expected to be there to grace the occasion.
Sarah will be coming over on the 28th of November 2022 and will leave on the 10th of December 2022. The wedding is scheduled to hold on the 3rd of December, 2022 by 9 am at Florida Faith Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
During her stay, I will be fully accountable for her upkeep, accommodation and personal expenses while she is in the United States of America. She will be staying with me at the address stated above.
She will be returning to Lagos, Nigeria upon the termination of her visit.
This letter will be submitted to you by Sarah. She will also be submitting to you other proof to ascertain her close relations with Nigeria and to assure you that she will return to Nigeria on the 10th of December 2022.
Your thoughtful consideration of this request will be much appreciated.
Yours Faithfully,
Name and Surname
581 N Temple Ave Starke,
Florida(FL), 32091
Phone
Email
(Signature and date)
If you also want to direct the application to the guest, you should include their address in the letter with all details.
Conclusion
Although, it has been realised that an invitation letter does not guarantee a successful visa application. However, you must have a backup plan.
This will give the officials at the embassy a clue that you have a direct purpose for visiting the United States or the UK. Also, you should note that all other documents requested at the embassy must be provided.
Therefore, if you are struggling with the arrangement of information in your invitation letter, you can direct all questions to Travelwaka for further assistance.
Wish you the best!
If you Need Help With Processing German Interview Date in Nigeria
Need A Trusted Travel Agency to help With Visa Processes/Appointment dates in Nigeria? Kindly contact Travelwaka
Website: www.travelwaka.com/contact_us
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