Living Abroad Tips

How to write an invitation letter for a US visa

Emma-Jane Stogdon

28.03.25

Read time 2 minutes

If you are travelling from the UK to the USA soon to visit family or friends, or for a business trip, you might want to get an invitation letter from your host. A letter of invitation can be useful during the visa process, but it needs to be written in a specific way.

So, how do you write an invitation letter for a US visa? We’ve put together a guide covering the format of the letter, the details your US host should include, and which visa requires an invitation letter.

We will also share a handy way to manage visa expenses and your finances while abroad. The Wise card can be used in 150+ countries, including the US, letting you spend and withdraw cash like a local and at the mid-market exchange rate for low fees*.

What is a letter of invitation?

A letter of invitation is a document written to invite someone to visit you in another country. In this case, an invitation letter for a US visa is written by your host in the US to support your visa application. It typically explains the purpose of your visit and who you will be staying with.¹

Which US visas require a letter of invitation?

A letter of invitation is not required for any US visa, but it can be a helpful addition to your visa application¹. Invitation letters are typically written for B1 and B2 visas, as well as the J1 visa.

The B1 visa is issued for business reasons, the B2 visa’s most frequent purpose is tourism and the J1 visa is the academic or exchange visitor programme visa.

close up of B1 and B2 visa

Who can write a letter of invitation for a US visa?

An invitation letter for a US visa can be written by any US resident, whether they’re a citizen or not. The only condition is that the person writing the letter is connected to you in some way. So, this could be a family member, a friend or a business associate living in the US¹.

What information should be included in a US letter of invitation?

The invitation letter for a US visa should be addressed to the US Embassy in the UK. Here’s what it should include:¹

Personal information of the writer (full name, address, contact information and residence status)
Your personal information (full name, address, contact information and date of birth)
Your relationship to the writer (friend, family member, business associate etc.)
The purpose of your visit (a business meeting, tourism, specific events etc.)
Your arrival and departure dates
Your accommodation details (home, hotel or Airbnb address)
Whether the writer will cover your expenses
The writer’s signature

This is the required information, but more can be added if necessary. The more details in the letter, the higher your chances of getting a visa.

Once you have the letter, you should include it in your visa application, along with the rest of the documents.

Use Wise to send money internationally

You should now know what an invitation letter for a US visa should include. You might need to include other details based on your specific situation, but this covers the most important information.

And if you’re looking for a way to handle your finances while abroad, you should check out the Wise account. With the Wise account, you can send money between the UK and the USA for low, transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate.

You can also get the Wise card and start spending in USD as soon as you arrive. The Wise card can be used in 150+ countries, automatically converting your pounds to the local currency whenever you spend, with a small, upfront currency conversion fee*.

Sources used:

1. Manifest Law - how to write an invitation letter for a US visa

Sources last checked on date: 17-Feb-2025

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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