I have a question regarding the correspondence the officer is expecting the sponsor

to provide for a visitor's visa to the UK.

Is the officer expecting to examine two letters from me: (1) a letter addressed to the embassy (letter of sponsorship) providing details of my occupation, the accommodation available and other supporting evidence and (2) a letter addressed to my friend inviting her to stay. If so, is the latter referred to as a 'letter of invitation'. I have read some information on a different web site that indicates the 'letter of invitation' is addressed to the embassy but wouldn’t this be the same as the letter of sponsorship?

Also, is there any preference whether these letters are handwritten or typed?

Thanks

You don't really need a letter of invitation addressed to the applicant as it will be apparent to the visa officer that it's been written solely for his/her benefit. It is accepted that you will have verbally invited the applicant to visit. However, you can mention the invitation in your sponsor's letter if you wish; i.e. "I have invited xxxx to the UK for a 1 month holiday." etc. For the sake of legibility, I'd type the letter.

Scouse.