Inviting family and friends to visit you
If you would like to invite a relative or friend to come and visit
you in the UK they may require immigration permission to enter the UK
as a visitor. To find out if Entry Clearance is required please visit the
Home Office website.
When making their application your visitor
will need to supply certain original documents and should
check exactly what is required by reading the application form and
guidance notes. Along with other specified documents your visitor will
usually have to provide:
- specified evidence to show that they can pay for the trip and that they have
enough money to support themselves without working or getting any
help from public funds and;
- evidence that they intend to leave the UK at the end of their
visit (for example, a letter from their employer) and;
- recent proof of your registration at the University of Essex,
you can request a Certificate of Registration using
the
Student Documentation Ordering System and;
- a copy of the photograph page in your passport and a copy of
your UK visa (entry clearance sticker or Biometric Residence Permit)
and;
- a letter of invitation from you, see the guidance below.
A formal letter of invitation from the University is not
required.
Graduation
If you wish to invite friends or relatives to visit you to attend your Graduation,
together with your letter of invitation your guests could also supply copies of emails
sent to you by the University confirming details of your ceremony.
If your student visa is no longer valid and you wish to return to the UK to attend
your ceremony you will need to apply for a visitor visa for yourself. You can request
a letter from the Graduation Office.
Your letter of invitation
Write a letter, addressed to the Entry Clearance Officer at the
Embassy where your visitor is applying for their visa. Include in your
letter:
- the full name and date of birth of the proposed visitor(s) and
their relationship to you (parent, friend, etc) and;
- why they want to come and visit you (for a holiday, to attend
your graduation, etc.) and;
- how long they want to stay in the UK and, if possible, their
proposed arrival and departure dates and;
- where they intend to stay; if they plan to stay with you, give
your full address (if you would like your visitor to stay with you
in University accommodation you will need permission from your
local
accommodation office
(please note this is usually only possible for a maximum of three days
and may not be possible at all at certain times of the year)
and;
- your own immigration status in the UK (for example, Tier 4
(General) visa)
What to do next
Send your original invitation letter, copies of your passport page
and UK visa and original Certificate of Registration to your friend or
relative so they can include them with their visitor visa
application.
More information
To find out more about making an Entry Clearance
application to come to the UK to visit friends or family please see
the
Home Office.