A visa support letter confirms that an employer supports an employee’s or applicant’s visa application. An applicant can use it to demonstrate to immigration authorities the legitimacy of the job offer and the necessity of the employee’s relocation to the destination country.
Also known as “visa sponsorship letters,” visa support letters exist across different countries’ immigration systems, although requirements vary by nation and visa type. While not always mandatory, these letters from employers enhance visa applications by providing immigration officials with evidence of the applicant’s reasons for applying and their relationship to the country where they seek to relocate.
The primary purpose of a visa support letter is to establish trust with authorities by verifying that the applicant has legitimate reasons for entry and will not violate visa conditions. Depending on the country, it may be required for both short-term work visas and long-term residency permits.
When is a visa support letter required?
Visa support letters are typically required or highly recommended during an individual’s visa application process for temporary work, intra-company transfer (transferring from one company location to another across national borders), sponsored employment, or permanent residency sponsorship.
Visa types that require support letters include H-1B in the U.S. and Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2) in the U.K. Note that visa support letters may be referred to by different names: in the U.K., they are called certificates of sponsorship.
These letters are often requested by embassies, consulates, or immigration authorities as part of the supporting documentation.
What should a visa support letter include?
When writing a visa letter of support for talent, make sure to include:
- Company letterhead and contact information. Write the letter on your official company letterhead. This helps prove the letter’s authenticity and shows that it comes from a legitimate business or organization. The letterhead must include the organization’s name, address, and contact information so immigration authorities can quickly verify its authenticity.
- Full legal name of the visa applicant. Clearly state the applicant’s full legal name and include their address, email, phone number, and other contact information. Including these details helps immigration authorities confirm their identity and eliminates potential confusion with other applicants.
- Job title, start date, and brief role description. This information helps immigration authorities understand the purpose of the applicant’s visit and the nature of their work.
- Duration of employment (temporary or permanent). For temporary employment, state the start and end dates. For some visa types, such as the Trade NAFTA (TN) visa—Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking to work in the U.S.—specify a fixed term of employment that does not exceed three years.
- Confirmation of sponsorship and intent to comply with local laws. As an employer, your visa sponsorship letter should confirm that you are officially sponsoring the individual’s visa application and are committed to following all local laws and regulations. This confirmation demonstrates to immigration authorities that the company takes responsibility for supporting the individual once employed and will ensure compliance with employment and immigration requirements in the host country.
- Statement of financial or relocation support (if applicable). If you are providing any financial or relocation support, include that in your visa support letter. This statement assures immigration authorities that the applicant will have resources for travel, accommodation, daily living costs, and other expenses and will not become a financial burden on the destination country. The letter should specify which expenses are covered when financial support is offered. In some cases, bank statements and other supporting documents may be provided to demonstrate the employer’s ability to provide such support.
- Signature of employer representative. Your organization’s HR officer or legal counsel will typically provide the signature. Also include the representative’s title and the date they signed it.
- Notarization stamp. Notarizing the letter of support goes a long way to verify the veracity of your identity as the employer.
Check with the destination country’s immigration authorities or with legal counsel to see if other information must be provided in the visa support letter.
Visa support letter template
The following is a basic template of a visa letter of support. Update and expand it as appropriate to provide a compelling case for immigration authorities to approve the visa application.
[Company Letterhead]
[Date]
To Whom It May Concern,
This letter is to confirm that [Full Name] has been offered a position with [Company Name] as a [Job Title], with an expected start date of [Start Date]. This role is [full-time/part-time] [permanent or temporary] and will be based in [City/State or Region/Country]. The job entails [provide a brief job description here]. [If the employment is temporary, list the start and end dates.]
We are sponsoring [Full Name] for a [Type of Visa] visa and will ensure compliance with all local labor and immigration regulations. [If financial or relocation support will be offered, describe that here.]
Should you require further information, please contact [Name, Title, Contact Info].
Sincerely,
_______ [signature line]
[Name]
[Title]
[Company Name]
Why it matters for employers
A visa support letter matters for employers because it demonstrates the organization’s legitimacy to immigration authorities. By providing a formal endorsement, the letter shows that the employer is a genuine, established entity offering lawful employment to the visa applicant.
Writing quality visa letters of support is critical for globally distributed or relocating teams.
Why? Visa support letters reduce visa rejections by clarifying employment terms and reinforcing the employer brand as supportive of global mobility and compliant hiring practices.
Let Velocity Global manage the visa process for you
Writing a visa letter of support for a current or prospective employee may appear straightforward. However, it requires up-to-date knowledge of best practices and norms in the destination country. Errors can significantly delay the visa approval process—significantly delaying your global expansion.
For these reasons, businesses partner with an Employer of Record like Velocity Global, whose global immigration experts can handle their international visa paperwork.
Want to learn more about hiring globally and compliantly? Contact us for more information.
This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.
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