UK Visitor Visa Sponsorship: Full Requirements, Document Checklist & Invitation Letter Template (2025 Guide)

For families in the UK, one of the most common questions is: “How do I sponsor my parents, relatives, or friends to visit me in Britain?”

Applying for a UK Standard Visitor Visa as a sponsor involves more than just sending a simple invitation letter. The UK Home Office requires clear, documentary evidence that the visitor is genuinely coming for a short trip and will leave afterward. This evidence primarily comes from the financial, accommodation, and commitment proofs provided by the UK sponsor.

This comprehensive guide, updated for 2025, explains the full sponsor process, including eligibility, documents, templates, realistic timelines, and detailed answers to the most common financial questions to help you avoid costly application refusals.

🔑 Section 1: UK Visitor Visa Sponsorship Eligibility and Rules

The first step in a successful application is understanding the exact role and responsibility of the sponsor.

Who Can Be a Sponsor?

A sponsor is typically a UK resident who is either a British Citizen or an Individual Settled in the UK (i.e., holding Indefinite Leave to Remain or BRP/EU Settlement Status).

If you are in the UK on a temporary visa (e.g., Skilled Worker, Student Visa), you can still sponsor a visitor, but the caseworker will scrutinize your application more closely to ensure your own immigration status is secure and you meet all financial requirements.

Sponsor Responsibilities: The ‘Genuineness’ Test

The sponsor’s main role is to help the visitor satisfy the caseworker on the following two key points:

1. Accommodation & Support: To confirm the visitor has a place to stay and will be supported financially during their entire stay without using public funds.
2. Departure Intention: To help prove the visitor has a clear intention to leave the UK at the end of their visit, often by clarifying the purpose of the trip (e.g., attending a wedding, meeting a new grandchild).

📋 Section 2: The Definitive Sponsor Document Checklist (UK Resident)

Providing clear, recent, and authentic documentation is the single most important factor. Use this detailed checklist to compile your ‘Sponsor Pack’ before the visitor submits their application.

Document Required	Specific Requirements (for Maximum Authority)
1. Invitation Letter	Signed and dated. Addressed to UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI). Must contain the full names, passport numbers, relationship (e.g., mother), and the exact proposed start and end dates of the visit.
2. Proof of Immigration Status	A clear, colour copy of your UK Passport photo page or your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) front and back.
3. Address Proof	Two separate documents showing your current UK residence, such as a Council Tax Bill, Tenancy Agreement, Mortgage Statement, or recent Utility Bill. Must be dated within the last 3 months.
4. Proof of Accommodation	If you own/rent, a copy of your tenancy agreement or land registry documents showing your name. If you live in shared accommodation, a formal letter from your landlord confirming the visitor can stay.
Crucial Note on Overcrowding: You must ensure that hosting the visitor does not result in statutory overcrowding under UK housing law. If your accommodation is small, consider providing floor plans or a letter from your landlord confirming the total number of residents and that hosting the visitor is permissible.
5. Bank Statements (Financial Proof)	Official bank statements covering a continuous period of at least six months. These must show a stable pattern of income and expenditure. Crucial: The final statement must be dated within 31 days of the online application submission. (See Section 4 for detailed financial rules).
6. Employment/Income Proof	A recent letter from your UK employer confirming your job, annual salary, and start date. Also provide your last 3–6 months of payslips. If self-employed, provide your most recent SA302/Tax Return and business bank statements.
7. Proof of Relationship	Documents verifying your link to the applicant, such as a Birth Certificate (for parents), Marriage Certificate, or photographs showing you together over a period of time.

The Role of the Invitation Letter (Template Provided)

The invitation letter is your narrative. It must be professional and include five key pieces of information:

1. Your Status: Your full name, UK address, and UK immigration status (e.g., British Citizen).
2. The Visitor: Their full name, passport number, and exact relationship to you.
3. The Dates: The precise start and end dates of the proposed trip.
4. The Commitment: A clear statement that you will provide accommodation and/or financial support.
5. The Return Plan: A brief statement encouraging the visa to be granted and confirming the visitor’s intent to return home.

[Sponsor Invitation Letter Template]

[Your Full Name]
[Your Address in the UK]
[City, Postcode]
[Date]

UK Visas & Immigration
Home Office
[City where VFS application will be submitted by applicant, e.g., Mumbai]

Subject: Invitation for [Visitor’s Full Name, Passport Number] - UK Standard Visitor Visa

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to formally invite my [relationship – e.g., mother], [Full Name], who holds Passport Number [Number], to visit me in the UK.

The purpose of the visit is [State clear purpose, e.g., to spend time with her new grandchild / to attend my graduation ceremony] and the proposed dates of travel are from [Start Date] to [End Date], a total stay of [Number] days.

I am a [Your Immigration Status – e.g., British Citizen / ILR Holder] residing at the above address. I will ensure [Visitor’s Name] has accommodation at my home and [State financial commitment, e.g., I will be financially responsible for all their costs, including food, transport, and a return ticket]. Enclosed are copies of my financial, accommodation, and status documents.

[Visitor’s Name] intends to return to India after the visit due to ongoing commitments, including [list 2-3 ties, e.g., an established job, property ownership, and other immediate family].

I kindly request you to grant the UK Standard Visitor Visa for this purpose.

Yours sincerely,

[Signature]
[Full Name]
[Contact Number]

🔎 Section 3: Applicant Document Checklist (India Resident)

The sponsor’s documents are critical, but the applicant must also satisfy the criteria. Over-reliance on the sponsor’s documents only is a common mistake.

Document Required	Importance for the Applicant
1. Valid Passport	Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned date of departure from the UK.
2. Visa Application Form	Submitted via the official UKVI portal online.
3. Financial Proof	Applicant’s own bank statements (ideally 6 months) showing their funds are available. This is crucial for proving independence and strong ties to India.
4. Proof of Ties to India	Job Letter: Confirmation of employment and salary, plus a letter stating leave has been granted and the date they must return to work. Property: Proof of ownership (if applicable). Family: Proof of family left behind (e.g., spouse or children).
5. Proposed Travel Itinerary	A detailed schedule of proposed activities (e.g., visiting London, Edinburgh, family events). Do not book non-refundable tickets.

💰 Section 4: Financial Requirements & Proof

Crucial Clarification: No Fixed Minimum Income Threshold

The most important fact to know is this: There is no fixed minimum income threshold or specific bank balance required for a Standard Visitor Visa sponsor.

This is the key difference between a Standard Visitor Visa and the UK Family/Partner Visa, which does require a minimum household income (currently set at £29,000 for first-time applicants as of 2025). For a Standard Visitor Visa, the Home Office caseworker assesses your credibility and capacity to support the visitor relative to your existing living costs.

UKVI’s Core Financial Criteria

Instead of a fixed amount, you must satisfy the caseworker that:

• Sufficient Funds: The total money available (from the sponsor, the applicant, or both) is enough to cover all reasonable costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, daily expenses, and incidentals).
• Affordability: The sponsor’s financial commitment (if applicable) does not create a financial burden on them, suggesting the money will run out during the visitor’s stay.
• Genuineness: The funds have been consistently available and are not “ghost funds” borrowed just before the application.

The £100/Day Rule of Thumb

While there is no legal minimum, caseworkers often look for a reasonable daily budget.

A Strong Guideline: A general guideline is to show that funds are available to cover the visitor’s essential expenses at a rate of $\text{£}100$ to £120 per day of the planned trip, plus the cost of the return flight. The sponsor must demonstrate they can comfortably cover this in addition to their own UK living costs.

What if the Funds are from a Third Party (Credible Promises)?

Official Rule: If the applicant is relying on your (the sponsor’s) money, the caseworker must be satisfied that the funds are genuinely available, and the support is credible. The sponsor must not be in breach of UK immigration law. This is why the comprehensive sponsor documents (employment, bank statements) are vital, as they prove the sponsor’s capacity to provide the promised support.

Avoiding the Financial ‘Red Flags’

• Large, Sudden Deposits: Any large sums of money deposited into the sponsor’s or applicant’s account just before the application must be explained with documentary evidence (e.g., sale of property, inheritance letter). Unexplained deposits lead to immediate suspicion.
• The 28-Day Rule: While the sponsor must show 6 months of statements for stability, the money the applicant is relying on must typically meet the 28-day rule. The closing balance must have been held in the account for a continuous period of at least 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the date of the online application submission.
• Is Form SU07 Required? (Sponsorship Undertaking): No, it is not. The Sponsorship Undertaking (Form SU07) is a binding legal declaration reserved for specific, complex settlement visa routes (e.g., Adult Dependent Relative) and is not required for a Standard Visitor Visa. Use only the standard Invitation/Sponsorship Letter.

📅 Section 5: Step-by-Step Application Process and Timeline Planning

Turning the application process into a step-by-step guide is crucial for user experience and can also lead to Featured Snippet capture.

The 7-Step Application Process

1. Sponsor Preparation (1–2 Weeks): The UK sponsor prepares the invitation letter and gathers all supporting documents (bank statements, payslips, address proof). This ensures the pack is complete before the online process begins.
2. Applicant Fills UKVI Online Form: The applicant in India completes the form on the official UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal. They must accurately state the reason for the visit, the duration, and where they will stay.
3. Pay Visa Fee (Updated): The applicant pays the visa fee online (The current fee for a 6-month Standard Visitor Visa is approximately £127 as of late 2025).
4. Book VFS Appointment in India: The applicant books an appointment at their nearest VFS Global centre for document submission and biometrics.
5. Submit Documents: The applicant submits their pack and the sponsor’s pack at the VFS centre. All documents must be clearly labelled.
6. Biometrics & Possible Interview: The applicant provides fingerprints and a photograph (biometrics). A short interview is sometimes requested.
7. Wait for Processing and Collect Decision: The applicant waits for the decision. The passport is collected from the VFS centre.

Timeline Planning (Setting Realistic Expectations)

Stage	Estimated Time	Key Action
Preparation	1–2 Weeks	Sponsor gathers all financial and accommodation documents (this takes the longest).
Application & VFS	Week 3	Applicant submits the online form, pays the fee, and attends the VFS appointment.
Processing Time (Updated)	3 Weeks (Standard)	UKVI targets 90% of non-settlement visas to be decided within 3 weeks (15 working days) after the biometrics appointment.
Total Time	4–6 Weeks Before Travel	Plan to submit the application at least 1.5 to 2 months before the intended travel date to account for peak periods or minor delays.

Expert Tip: You can pay an extra fee for Priority Service (usually 5 working days) or Super Priority Service (next day) if available, but this is often costly and does not guarantee an outcome.

❌ Section 6: Common Mistakes to Avoid (Crucial for Approval)

Identifying refusal reasons helps applicants submit a stronger, cleaner case.

Five Reasons Why Visitor Visas Are Refused

1. Insufficient Ties to India: The most common reason. The caseworker is not convinced the visitor will leave the UK.
   • Solution: Provide strong evidence of job stability, property ownership, and close family remaining in India.
2. Financial Discrepancies: The money shown in the sponsor’s or applicant’s account is not clearly explained, or the statements show the sponsor cannot afford to maintain themselves and the visitor.
   • Solution: Clearly explain all large deposits and ensure 6 months of stable financial history is provided.
3. Vague Invitation Letter: The dates, names, relationship, or purpose of the visit are not clearly stated or do not match the visitor’s online application form.
   • Solution: Use the template provided above and ensure complete alignment with the visitor’s application.
4. Over-Reliance on Sponsor’s Documents Only: The applicant shows little to no personal financial history, making them appear entirely dependent, which can be viewed negatively if they have a stable job/life in India.
   • Solution: The applicant must submit their own bank statements and proof of local ties.
5. Accommodation Issue: The sponsor’s home is clearly too small or overcrowded to reasonably host the visitor (e.g., a one-bedroom flat hosting a family of five).
   • Solution: If this is a concern, consider a paid hotel booking for the visitor for a portion of the trip to mitigate risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help?

Need Help? DiuMitra provides advisory-only support for UK Visit Visa sponsorships. We help with invitation letters, sponsor packs, and checklist reviews to avoid costly rejections.

⚠️ Disclaimer: All services are offered on an advisory basis only. We do not act as legal, immigration, or financial representatives, and we do not guarantee outcomes. Applications and submissions remain the responsibility of the individual.