Writing a Letter to Support a Visa Application (with Sample)
Use this sample letter to support a visa application as a template for your formal support letter.
Last updated on December 1, 2023
A letter to support a visa application can help when someone applies for a visa to enter another country. Often the application is more readily accepted if a relative or a friend who is a citizen of the country requesting to be visited writes this letter. Sometimes the consulate will ask for a support letter.
Another thing to consider is that by writing the letter, the person may be agreeing to sponsor or provide financial support for the visitor for the duration of their visit.
The letter and any documents that are sent to accompany the letter may need to be notarized. Check to see if this is required by the embassy. Make an extra copy to keep in case the original is not received.
What the Letter Must Contain
The letter to support a visa application must be addressed to the embassy of the country where the visitor lives. This is written at the top of the page on the left side. It can be sent to the person applying for the visa application.
Another thing to consider is that by writing the letter, the person may be agreeing to sponsor or provide financial support for the visitor for the duration of their visit.
The letter and any documents that are sent to accompany the letter may need to be notarized. Check to see if this is required by the embassy. Make an extra copy to keep in case the original is not received.
What the Letter Must Contain
The letter to support a visa application must be addressed to the embassy of the country where the visitor lives. This is written at the top of the page on the left side. It can be sent to the person applying for the visa application.
Skip two lines and put the full name of the person writing the letter and their address. Skip two lines and put the letter writers work and home phone numbers and their email address. Skip two lines and add the subject such as “request for a visa for friend”.
Skip one line and put the greeting. Skip a line and begin with the body of the letter. This part must include:
Skip one line and put the greeting. Skip a line and begin with the body of the letter. This part must include:
- The full name of the person who will be visiting as it is written on his or her birth certificate
- The person's date of birth
- Their mailing address, physical address if different from the mailing address
- Their phone number and any other contact information
State the Reason
The person writing the letter to support a visa application will also need to state the reason for the visit such as business, to visit family, or visiting as a tourist.
It will need information that pertains to support they will provide for the visitor. This includes income if required, the type of housing where the visitor will stay, and who will pay for their expenses while they are there.
Depending on the country, proof of income and bank statements may be required so an attachment with this information will need to be included.
All of this information should be recent. Some countries require a birth certificate or passport to prove the citizenship of the person writing the letter as well.
The person writing the letter to support a visa application will also need to state the reason for the visit such as business, to visit family, or visiting as a tourist.
It will need information that pertains to support they will provide for the visitor. This includes income if required, the type of housing where the visitor will stay, and who will pay for their expenses while they are there.
Depending on the country, proof of income and bank statements may be required so an attachment with this information will need to be included.
All of this information should be recent. Some countries require a birth certificate or passport to prove the citizenship of the person writing the letter as well.
Sample Letter to Support Visa Application
Name of the Embassy where the letter is being sent
Address of the Embassy where the letter is being sent
(Senders Name) example: John Smith
(Senders Address) 123 1st Street
City, State 12345
USA
Work Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Email Address
Subject: Request for a visa for family visit, tourism
Dear Madam/Sir,
My name is (example: John Smith). My position is (Title of Job) at (Name of Company), (Address of Company). My yearly income is (Income Amount).
I would like for my (friend, mother and father, sister), (Name of relative or friend), born (Date of Birth of friend or relative) who lives at (Friend or Relative's Address including Country) to visit me in the United States for (length of time of visit) beginning (the month and year the visit will start).
The reason for (their, his, or her) visit is to spend time with family as well as visit places of interest in the United States. While visiting (they, he, or she) will stay with (me, us) at (same address as above). I will provide (her, his, or their) living expenses including personal, housing, food, travel, and medical.
I am requesting that a visa be granted to allow (her, him, them) to visit the United States. I will ensure (she, he, they) leave the United States before the stay expires. If you have any questions, please contact me at one of the telephone numbers provided or my email.
Sincerely,
Signed full name of letter writer
Printed full name of letter writer
By Andre Bradley