Updated: 16/11/2010

Inviting family or friends to visit the UK

If you want to invite your family as dependants please see the International Student Office for information and advice. Do not use this leaflet. Your family or friends need to check if they need a visa to visit the UK. Ask them to fill in the interactive questionnaire at: www.ukvisas.gov.uk If they do need a visitor visa they must carefully read the guidance notes (INF2) for applying for a visitor visa: www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf2visitors Forms There are two different application forms: VAF1A - for tourism or visiting friends in the UK. VAF1B - for visiting family in the UK. Documents There is no specific list of documents they must show to get this visa, nor is there a specific amount of money that you or they must hold. Your visitor will need to show UKBA that s/he: wants to visit the UK for 6 months or less intends to leave the UK at the end of their visit has enough money to support themselves does not intend to work in the UK

Invitation letter To help your visitor to get a visitor visa you can write them an invitation letter and provide them with some supporting documents. Post these to your family or friends and they can submit it with their visa application and documents. Each person you invite will need their own original letter and documents from you. You can copy out the letter template on the next page. You will need to change it to reflect your personal situation. If you are financially supporting your visitor you will need to send an original bank statement, to demonstrate your funds. If your visitor is staying with you then you must send your accommodation contract/tenancy agreement to show you have room for them. If they are staying in a hotel then you can submit a hotel booking, or they can book their own hotel or show that they have funds to do so. You will always need to send them a copy of your passport details page and visa page or copy of your Biometric Residence Permit. You will also always need to send a letter from the University confirming you are a student. If you are inviting your visitor for your graduation ceremony this letter may include details of your ceremony. You can request this letter from Student Services in the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Building.

Invitation letter template Use this as a template to invite your visitor. You will need to change this to reflect your situation. [Your UK address] Date .. To Whom It May Concern: I, [your name] [your date of birth], would like to invite my [friend/wife/husband/mother etc.] [their name] to stay with me as my visitor during my stay in Leeds. I am a full-time registered student studying in the department of [ ] at the University of Leeds. I have adequate accommodation and sufficient funding to sustain him/her/them during his/her/their visit. Or I have enclosed a hotel booking (or neither if not applicable) I am enclosing the following documents: 1. 2. 3. 4. A copy of my passport and/or Biometric Residence Permit showing my present visa conditions A University registration letter A copy of my accommodation contract / tenancy agreement (if applicable) A copy of a recent bank statement and sponsorship letter (if applicable)

Yours faithfully, Signature and name

Please also be aware that visitors are not eligible for NHS health treatment. Your visitors should arrange their own travel/health insurance.

International Student Office 18 Blenheim Terrace (across the road from Parkinson Steps, near the banks) Tel: 0113 343 3930 E-mail: internationalstudents@leeds.ac.uk Website: www.leeds.ac.uk/international/studentsupport.html