Definition
A signed letter in which someone else, such as a parent, spouse, employer or host abroad, confirms they will pay for your trip, with their proof of income attached. Embassies need it when the applicant's own finances don't cover the travel.
When you need one
- A student travelling on a parent's money
- A homemaker whose spouse is paying
- Retired parents visiting children abroad
- An employee on a business trip paid by the company
- A guest hosted by a friend or relative in another country
What to attach
The letter alone is worth little. Attach the sponsor's ID, proof of relationship (birth or marriage certificate), recent bank statements, and salary slips or ITRs. If the sponsor lives abroad, add their passport and residence permit or visa.
Hosts abroad: formal invitations
Some Schengen countries have official forms for hosts. Germany's Verpflichtungserklärung (formal obligation letter) is issued by the host's local foreigners' authority, and France uses an attestation d'accueil from the town hall. These carry more weight than a simple letter but take time to obtain.
Example
A Bengaluru couple's son works in Munich and invites them for six weeks in June. He gets a formal obligation letter from his local authority confirming he will cover their costs. The parents still submit their own pension statements, bank statements and property papers to show they will return to India, and their cover letter mentions the invitation and their return date.
Practical advice
- The sponsor's finances should cover the trip comfortably.
- Even when fully sponsored, the applicant should show ties to India: a job, property, family.
- Sign and date the letter within a month of the application, and include the sponsor's phone number.
- For business trips, use company letterhead with GST and registration details.
Our visa assistance team can review the sponsor's documents before you submit.