A UK Visitor Visa Sponsor is a friend or family member in the UK who provides financial support, accommodation, or both for someone applying to visit the United Kingdom. This comprehensive 2026 guide covers everything sponsors and applicants need to know—including how to answer tricky application form questions like "why are they helping to pay for your visit?" and "evidence that your sponsor is not, or will not be, in breach of UK immigration laws", plus sponsor document requirements, bank balance guidance, and sample invitation letter templates.
Understanding UK Visitor Visa Sponsor Support 2026
When applying for a UK Standard Visitor Visa, applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient funds for their trip. If an applicant lacks adequate personal funds, a sponsor—typically a friend or family member in the UK—can provide financial support. The sponsor's documents become critical evidence in the visa application form.
According to Paragraphs V 4.3 and V 4.4 of Appendix V of the Immigration Rules, a third party may provide support for a visitor's maintenance and accommodation. The sponsor may also be required to sign a sponsorship undertaking under Paragraph 35 Part 1 of the Immigration Rules.
UK Visitor Visa Sponsor Requirements 2026
To sponsor a visitor to the UK, you must provide comprehensive documentation proving your immigration status, financial capacity, and relationship with the applicant. The Home Office will scrutinise these sponsor documents for UK visitor visa applications carefully.
What documents does a UK visitor visa sponsor need to provide?
A UK visitor visa sponsor must provide: a formal invitation/sponsorship letter, proof of immigration status (British passport or residence permit), 6 months of bank statements showing sufficient funds, proof of accommodation, employment letter or evidence of income, and evidence of the relationship with the visitor. If relevant, evidence that the sponsor is not in breach of UK immigration laws.
- Sponsorship/Invitation letter (on headed paper if available)
- Copy of British passport bio-data page OR residence permit/BRP
- Last 6 months' bank statements (showing regular income and savings)
- Employment letter OR self-employment evidence OR pension statements
- Proof of accommodation (mortgage statement, tenancy agreement, utility bills)
- Evidence of relationship (photos, communication history, birth/marriage certificates)
- Council tax bill (to confirm address)
- Evidence of immigration compliance (if sponsor has previous breaches)
"Why Are They Helping to Pay for Your Visit?" - How to Answer
This is one of the most commonly searched questions from the UK visitor visa application form. The question "Why are they helping to pay for your visit?" appears when you indicate that someone else (a sponsor) is providing financial support for your trip. Entry clearance officers want to understand the genuine reason behind the sponsorship.
How do I answer "why are they helping to pay for your visit" on the UK visa form?
Explain the genuine relationship and reason for sponsorship. For family visits: "My [relationship], [Name], is sponsoring my visit because they want me to visit them in the UK and spend time together as family. They are financially stable and have offered to cover my expenses as a gesture of family support." Be honest, concise, and emphasise the genuine nature of your relationship.
Your answer should explain who is sponsoring you, your relationship with them, and why they are willing to provide financial support. The key is demonstrating that the sponsorship is genuine and that the sponsor has legitimate reasons to support your visit.
How do I answer "evidence of support you will receive from your sponsor"?
List the specific support being provided: "My sponsor, [Name], will provide: accommodation at their home address [address], daily living expenses including food and local transport, and they have covered my visa application fee and flight costs. Evidence attached includes their bank statements showing sufficient funds, invitation letter, and proof of accommodation."
When answering the question "evidence of support you will receive from your sponsor, including details of what support is being provided and how", be specific about the type and extent of support:
- Accommodation: "Free accommodation at sponsor's home" OR "Sponsor will pay for hotel at [name/address]"
- Daily expenses: "Sponsor will cover food, local transport, and incidental expenses"
- Travel costs: "Sponsor has purchased my flight tickets" OR "Will reimburse travel costs"
- Visa fee: "Sponsor paid the £127 visa application fee"
- Evidence attached: List documents proving the above (bank statements, booking confirmations)
Evidence That Your Sponsor is Not in Breach of UK Immigration Laws
The UK visa application form asks for "evidence that your sponsor is not, or will not be, in breach of UK immigration laws at the time of your visit." This is one of the most commonly searched questions, with thousands of applicants seeking guidance on what evidence to provide.
What is "evidence that your sponsor is not, or will not be, in breach of UK immigration laws"?
This evidence proves your UK-based sponsor is legally residing in the UK and complying with all immigration requirements. For most sponsors, this simply means providing a copy of their British passport (for citizens) or their valid visa/BRP showing they have permission to remain in the UK. If the sponsor has a history of immigration violations, additional documentation may be required.
The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that the person inviting and supporting a visitor is themselves legally in the UK and complying with immigration rules. Entry clearance officers need confidence that the sponsor is a credible supporter of the application.
What evidence should I provide to show my sponsor is not in breach?
Sample Letter: Sponsor in Breach of UK Immigration Laws Evidence
If your sponsor has had previous immigration issues that have been resolved, the following letter template can help demonstrate their current compliance. This is only needed if there is a history of violations—most sponsors do not need this letter.
[Sponsor's Full Name]
[Sponsor's Address]
[Date]
To: Entry Clearance Officer
Re: Evidence of Compliance with UK Immigration Laws
Dear Sir/Madam,
I, [Sponsor's Full Name], confirm that I am not, nor will I be, in breach of UK immigration laws at the time of [Applicant's Name]'s proposed visit to the UK.
My current immigration status: [British Citizen / ILR holder / Valid [Visa Type] holder until [Date]]
[If applicable: I acknowledge that I previously [brief description of past issue]. This matter was fully resolved on [Date] and I have since maintained full compliance with UK immigration requirements. I enclose [specify documents] as evidence.]
I confirm my commitment to complying with all immigration laws and supporting [Applicant's Name]'s visit in accordance with the terms of their visa.
Yours faithfully,
[Sponsor's Signature and Name]
UK Visitor Visa Sponsor Bank Balance Requirements 2026
While there is no official minimum bank balance requirement for UK visitor visa sponsors, the financial evidence for UK visitor visa applications must demonstrate that the sponsor can genuinely afford to support the visitor without financial strain.
How much money do I need to sponsor a visitor to the UK?
There is no fixed amount, but sponsors should demonstrate they can cover all estimated costs (typically £50-£150 per day depending on location) while maintaining their own financial stability. For a 2-week visit, sponsors should ideally show savings of £3,000-£5,000 above their regular expenses, plus evidence of stable regular income. Bank statements should show consistent income patterns, not sudden large deposits.
Note: Costs are lower if the visitor stays at the sponsor's home. These figures assume some external accommodation, meals out, transport, and activities. London visits typically cost more than other UK cities.
Bank Statement Requirements for UK Visitor Visa Sponsor
- Duration: Last 6 months of bank statements
- Format: Official bank statements (stamped if printed), or online statements with bank letterhead
- Show regular income: Consistent salary deposits demonstrate financial stability
- Avoid "funds parking": Sudden large deposits shortly before application raise red flags
- Account details: Statement must show sponsor's name, address, and account number
- Surplus funds: Balance should comfortably exceed estimated visit costs plus sponsor's regular expenses
Sponsorship Letter for UK Visitor Visa: Sample Templates
A sponsorship letter (also called an invitation letter) is a key document supporting the visa application. The UK visitor visa sponsorship letter should clearly explain who you are, your relationship with the visitor, what support you're providing, and confirm the visitor will leave the UK.
What should a sponsorship letter for UK visitor visa include?
A UK visa sponsorship letter should include: your full name, address, and contact details; your immigration status; your relationship with the visitor; the purpose and duration of the visit; specific support being provided (accommodation, finances); confirmation the visitor will leave at the end; and a list of attached supporting documents. Sign the letter and date it.
[Sponsor's Full Name]
[Full UK Address]
[Phone Number] | [Email Address]
[Date]
To: Entry Clearance Officer
Re: Sponsorship Letter for [Visitor's Full Name] - UK Visitor Visa Application
Dear Entry Clearance Officer,
I, [Sponsor's Full Name], am writing to formally invite and sponsor my [relationship], [Visitor's Full Name], to visit me in the United Kingdom from [start date] to [end date] for [duration, e.g., two weeks].
About Me:
I am a [British citizen/ILR holder/valid visa holder]. I have lived at my current address for [duration] and work as a [job title] at [employer], where I have been employed for [duration]. My annual income is approximately £[amount].
Our Relationship:
[Visitor's Name] is my [relationship]. [Brief description of relationship history and how you maintain contact.]
Purpose of Visit:
The purpose of this visit is [tourism and family reunion / attending a wedding / meeting grandchildren / other specific purpose].
Support Being Provided:
• Accommodation: [Visitor's Name] will stay at my home address above
• Financial support: I will cover all living expenses including food, transport, and activities
• [If applicable: I have paid for their visa application fee and/or flight tickets]
I confirm that I am not in breach of UK immigration laws and have the financial means to support this visit without recourse to public funds.
I understand and confirm that [Visitor's Name] will leave the UK at the end of their visit and return to [their home country] where they have [ties such as employment, property, family].
Documents Enclosed:
1. Copy of my [British passport / BRP]
2. Last 6 months' bank statements
3. Employment letter / proof of income
4. Proof of accommodation (utility bill / council tax)
5. Evidence of our relationship (photos / communication)
Please contact me at [phone/email] if you require any additional information.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Sponsor's Full Name]
- For "why are they helping to pay?" – explain the genuine relationship and natural reason for support
- For "evidence sponsor not in breach" – British passport or valid BRP is usually sufficient
- Provide 6 months of bank statements showing stable income and sufficient savings
- Sponsorship letter should detail: relationship, purpose, support provided, and attached documents
- All documents must be consistent with each other and with the application form answers
Frequently Asked Questions: UK Visitor Visa Sponsor
Why are they helping to pay for your visit? How should I answer?
Explain the genuine reason based on your relationship. For family: "My [relationship] wants me to visit them and spend quality time together. As family, they have offered to support my visit financially." For friends: "My close friend has invited me to attend [event/celebration] and has offered to cover my expenses as a gesture of friendship." Keep it concise (2-4 sentences) and ensure consistency with your sponsor's letter.
What is evidence that your sponsor is not in breach of UK immigration laws?
For British citizens, a copy of their British passport bio-data page is sufficient. For others with ILR or valid visas, a copy of their BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) proving lawful status is required. EU Settlement Scheme holders can provide their digital status share code or Home Office confirmation letter. Only if the sponsor has past immigration violations do they need additional documentation like solicitor letters explaining the resolved issues.
How much bank balance does a UK visitor visa sponsor need?
There is no official minimum, but sponsors should demonstrate they can cover estimated visit costs (typically £50-£150 per day) while maintaining their own financial stability. For a 2-week visit, having £3,000-£5,000 in savings above regular expenses is advisable. More important than absolute amounts is showing consistent income and avoiding sudden large "parked" deposits just before the application.
Do I need my own bank statement if I have a sponsor?
Yes, it's still recommended. Even with a sponsor, providing your own bank statements strengthens your application by demonstrating your financial ties to your home country—an important factor in showing you will return after your visit. Your bank statements don't need to show as much money as they would without a sponsor, but they should show stable finances and employment.
What is the minimum bank balance for UK tourist visa from India?
There is no official minimum. However, for a 1-2 week trip, Indian applicants should show approximately ₹3,75,000 to ₹5,00,000 (roughly £3,500-£5,000) combining their own funds and sponsor support. For couples, around ₹6,00,000 to ₹7,00,000 is advisable. If fully sponsored, the applicant should still show some personal funds plus strong ties to India. The key is demonstrating the combined finances can genuinely cover all trip costs.
Can a friend sponsor a UK visitor visa?
Yes, a friend can sponsor a UK visitor visa. However, friend sponsorships receive more scrutiny than family sponsorships because the relationship is harder to verify. You must provide strong evidence of the genuine friendship: how you met, how long you've known each other, communication history (messages, call logs), photos together, and any previous visits. The sponsor must still meet all financial and immigration status requirements.
How many months of bank statements are required for UK visitor visa sponsor?
Sponsors should provide the last 6 months of bank statements. This allows entry clearance officers to assess the sponsor's income patterns, regular expenses, and overall financial stability. Statements should show consistent salary or income deposits, not just a high balance. Electronic statements are acceptable if they display the bank's logo, sponsor's name, address, account number, and transaction history.
What is a sponsorship undertaking for UK visa?
A sponsorship undertaking is a formal commitment under Paragraph 35 Part 1 of the Immigration Rules where the sponsor agrees to be responsible for the visitor's maintenance, accommodation, and care without recourse to public funds. If the visitor claims public funds during their stay, these costs may be legally recoverable from the sponsor. The undertaking is typically included within the sponsorship letter rather than being a separate document.
For further guidance on UK visitor visa requirements, see our guides on common visa refusal reasons, visa processing times, and the official GOV.UK visitor visa guidance.