SPONSORSHIP CORRESPONDENCE SAMPLE

It is important to bear in mind that there is no sure formula for composing an invitation letter. Each application takes place in a set of unique circumstances varying from simple to complex, and no sample can aspire to address all of these.

In general terms, the topics to cover are:

Your own immigration status in the UK
Your relationship to the applicant, if you are friends, then a brief history of your relationship
Why and when you are inviting the applicant
Evidence of your financial and employment history
Evidence of your ability to accommodate the applicant
Evidence that you have a basic understanding of the rules for visitors to the UK
A reasonable estimate of what you expect the costs of the visit to be.

Topics that would be irrelevant or inappropriate might include:

Anything about your sexual relationship
Any kind of assurance that the applicant does not intend on violating his/her visa (this is the applicant's responsibility, not yours)
The applicant's previous immigration history
The applicant's job or career - except as it pertains to your relationship.

And finally these tips:

Owing to the sophistication of forgerers, your attachments should be originals.
We are now recommending that a photocopy be included with every original.
When submitting original bank statements, the sort code and account number can be blackened out in order to prevent identity theft; this information can be given separately.
When submitting original salary slips, the National Insurance Number can be blackened out in order to prevent identity theft; this information can be given separately.
It is perfectly acceptable to give the applicant a sealed envelop with all your attachments inside. Mark the envelop "CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS: To be opened by the ECO". And include a self-addressed envelop so they can be sent back to you.

Don't overdo it with photographs and mementos
If you opt to include email or chat transcripts, be VERY careful about what they contain
If you have any questions whatever about what to put in your letter, consult an advisor. You can locate an advisor near you at the Law Society's "find a solicitor" site.

Take note that the sample correspondence on this site has been accessed many times over, thus composing a letter verbatim from the text given in these samples might reflect adversely upon your credibility.