Letter Of Invitation

[killblues]

Hi All,

My tgf is preparing an application for a uk visitors visa and my mum and my daughter have offered to write letters of invitation to help her case.

I just need to know if the letter should be addressed to my gf or does it need to be a more formal letter addressed to the eco?

Thanks

[beano2274]

It is a letter informing the Embassy about the sponsors ability to offer accommodation to your TGF.

I would make it formal, with "To whom it may concern"

Good luck, make sure you use this website to gather all information about documents needed, make sure you can prove a stable relationship for a period longer than 6 months.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Ensure you advise which visa your are applying for on the covering letter .

[7by7]

It is a letter informing the Embassy about the sponsors ability to offer accommodation to your TGF.

Not really; that would be the sponsor's letter.

Killblues, you are the sponsor. If you are providing accommodation etc. then you should detail this in your letter. Also include a brief history of the relationship, future plans together and the reason for visiting the UK at this time.

A letter of invitation is simply just that; an invitation to visit, with details of any previous meetings between the writer and the applicant, or expressing the wish for such a meeting if it has not already taken place. It should not include any details of accommodation or finances unless the writer is providing same.

[tahaan]

I agree with 7by7. Mine was simply, Dear Son of course you are welcome ....

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Dear Sir/ Madam

I would like to confirm my son and his partner are invited to stay at the above residential address which we own.

If you require any further help feel to contact us,

Yours Sincerely blah blah

Hows that

[blakegeee]

We wrote one personal letter from my mom to my TGF (at that time) to stay at her house, pay tickets, etc etc in one letter. Then we wrote a more formal letter to the Embassy confirming that she has made this invitation. It felt more natural in both respects. And make sure you cover any possible problems the Embassy could have with your GF going there. Give them no excuse to say no. She has a place to stay, more than enough money already in her bank, tickets already confirmed and paid, etc.

[7by7]

With respect, I must take issue with a coupe of your points

more than enough money already in her bank, tickets already confirmed and paid, etc.

If someone else is paying for the trip then there is no need for any money in the applicant's bank. Indeed, large unexplained deposits will arouse the ECOs suspicions.

The official advice from the embassy and UK Visas is to not purchase any tickets until the visa has been issued. Although including an itinerary is a good idea.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

This obsession people have with large sums in the partners account is ridiculous especially when the partner is paying.

If you are sponsoring the trip it is your account which is important.

[blakegeee]

This obsession people have with large sums in the partners account is ridiculous especially when the partner is paying.

If you are sponsoring the trip it is your account which is important.

I don't think its me that has an obsession about this. This is the first time I ever even mentioned it. Apparently this is a soft spot for you...weird...and rediculous yes!

In any case, it worked for me 2 out of 2 times bringing my wife to Canada which must be one of the most difficult countries for a Thai to be accepted to. To me, if a person is traveling to another country relying completely on one other person financially, this could very likely lead to problems. So if the person traveling has their own "spending money" (not a "large unexplained deposit"), than that's one less potential problem the Embassy might see about approving the trip. My point is to cover in advance any concerns the Embassy could have about the trip.

[killblues]

Thanks all, for the help and advice.

[Mercury]

This obsession people have with large sums in the partners account is ridiculous especially when the partner is paying.

If you are sponsoring the trip it is your account which is important.

I don't think its me that has an obsession about this. This is the first time I ever even mentioned it. Apparently this is a soft spot for you...weird...and rediculous yes!

In any case, it worked for me 2 out of 2 times bringing my wife to Canada which must be one of the most difficult countries for a Thai to be accepted to. To me, if a person is traveling to another country relying completely on one other person financially, this could very likely lead to problems. So if the person traveling has their own "spending money" (not a "large unexplained deposit"), than that's one less potential problem the Embassy might see about approving the trip. My point is to cover in advance any concerns the Embassy could have about the trip.

I guess the embassy is also concerned about what would happen in the immediate aftermath of a deterioration in the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor. If she had zero money, then that raises issues. Lots of other arguments could be put forward. Personally, I don't see much wrong with a large explained transfer of money to her account with a corresponding debit in your account.

[blakegeee]

This obsession people have with large sums in the partners account is ridiculous especially when the partner is paying.

If you are sponsoring the trip it is your account which is important.

I don't think its me that has an obsession about this. This is the first time I ever even mentioned it. Apparently this is a soft spot for you...weird...and rediculous yes!

In any case, it worked for me 2 out of 2 times bringing my wife to Canada which must be one of the most difficult countries for a Thai to be accepted to. To me, if a person is traveling to another country relying completely on one other person financially, this could very likely lead to problems. So if the person traveling has their own "spending money" (not a "large unexplained deposit"), than that's one less potential problem the Embassy might see about approving the trip. My point is to cover in advance any concerns the Embassy could have about the trip.

I guess the embassy is also concerned about what would happen in the immediate aftermath of a deterioration in the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor. If she had zero money, then that raises issues. Lots of other arguments could be put forward. Personally, I don't see much wrong with a large explained transfer of money to her account with a corresponding debit in your account.

Exactly my point. Oh ya and about the tickets, a Thai travel agent can print you off an itinerary that shows the tickets as "confirmed" so it would appear to be paid for although they really haven't been. And the travel agent can cancel them without any fee if needed.

Edited August 27, 2009 by blakegeee

[7by7]

I know very little about the Canadian immigration rules and procedures.

I do know something of the UK rules and procedures, and as far as the UK is concerned:-

A sudden unexplained large(ish) deposit into the applicants bank will cause suspicions and questions in the ECO's mind.

There is no need to buy or even merely reserve a ticket before applying for the visa; in fact the official advice is not to.

Blakagee, different countries have different requirements, what is a requirement for Canada is not necessarily a requirement for the UK, and vice versa.