All You Need to Know About Invitation for U.S Visa
The letter of invitation plays an important role in the U.S visa application process, as it shows that you have support from an individual or organization while you’re in the United States as a visitor, student, or another nonimmigrant status holder. Here are some dos and don’ts on how to write a good letter of invitation so that your visa application goes smoothly and your trip to the U.S. is successful.
What Is A Letter Of Invitation (LOI)
In most cases, you’ll be required to provide an invitation letter from your host or sponsor in order to apply for a visa at your nearest U.S embassy or consulate. An LOI is not like an employment letter or work contract; rather, it’s more like an official offer letter—complete with contact information, dates, accommodations, and additional documentation such as proof of financial support that may be required by your host organization.
Why Do I Need A LOI
A letter of invitation (LOI) is required when applying for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa at any US embassy or consulate abroad. It’s essentially proof that you have been invited to visit someone in America, ideally by an American citizen, who will take responsibility for you while you’re there (for example: offering you accommodation, food, transport). When applying at US Embassy or Consulate abroad, LOI is mandatory.
LOI Formatting
The letter should be formatted in business letter format; that is, with block style, margins, indentations, and so on. The first line is left-justified and blank; all lines after that are ragged-right (the same as body text). Use either Times New Roman or Calibri as your font; no fancy fonts are needed here. Font size is 12 points. The LOI should be typed on one side of 8 1/2 x 11-inch white paper, single-spaced. It should begin with Dear Mr./Ms., followed by a colon, and then your name (for example Dear Mr./Ms.: John Smith). It should end with Sincerely yours (for example: Sincerely yours, John Smith), followed by two spaces and then typed name again.
My Family And Relationships
One of the most important factors in being invited to live in America is having family, friends, or some kind of relationship with an American citizen or resident. This means you’re less likely to be denied a visa because you have someone who can support you financially (i.e., an income) while you’re living in America, which gives you some ‘insurance’ against becoming homeless or jobless once you get there — which could make all your other efforts to prove that you’ll be a productive member of society moot. It is important to highlight how close you are to the invitee. Talk about the memory you have both shared in the past.
Accommodation And Transportation Details
Include details on where your invitee will be staying while in the United States, including address and contact information, as well as who will be paying your travel expenses. Indicate if you plan to drive to the person to the destination or if you are using another form of transportation, such as airfare or train fare.
Financial Support Details for US Invitee
The letter should indicate that financial support is provided to your invitee during his/her trip. The letter must detail what form(s) of financial support is being provided by you and who will provide it (e.g., yourself, your organization, etc.). If funds are contributed to another party, please confirm if those funds are used to pay directly for your invitee’s airfare, lodging expenses, or other costs associated with their trip. Also, attach proof of your financial capability to take care of the invitee.
How Long Will The Invitee Stay?
It depends on where he or she is coming from, where you’re hosting him or her, and other considerations—but in general, if you’re hosting an invitee from another country who will be staying less than 90 days, it’s best to mention your visit details in your invitation letter. You can discuss them in more detail during his or her stay if necessary. If your guest is planning to stay longer than 90 days, however, you’ll need to submit a formal request (Form I-539) to extend his or her visa before that time period expires. The USCIS website has detailed information about extending visas and how long visitors are allowed to remain in the United States without extensions.
Other General Things About LOI
It’s important to be as specific as possible when addressing your letter of invitation to American immigration officials. You want to make sure that you include information on who will be paying for everything (airfare, food, lodging, etc.), where you plan on staying during your trip (including address), what your reasons are for visiting (family visit, tourism) along with information on any plans you may have once in America—do you intend to attend an event? see relatives? Business meetings? If so, why? If not, why not? Do you plan on returning home after your visit or moving permanently to America? If so, how do you intend to support yourself financially while there (i.e., do you have a job lined up?) What is your estimated length of stay in America? Are there any other individuals traveling with you (spouse/children)? Are they listed separately or under your name only? Do they need their own letters of invitation? Be as detailed as possible. To see a good sample of Invitation for U.S Visa and template of writing a good letter, visit https://www.immi-usa.com/invitation-letter-visa/