Ireland Visa Invitation Letter Sample (2026)

If you are living in Ireland and inviting a friend or family member to visit, you need to write a formal invitation letter for their Ireland visa application. The letter is submitted to INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service) along with the applicant's documents. What you must include — and whether you need to attach your bank statements — depends on whether you are covering their costs or they are funding their own trip.

Last updated: June 2026

Two Scenarios — Which Applies to You?

Scenario	Host Documents Required
Host covering applicant's costs (accommodation + expenses)	Invitation letter + proof of address + IRP card/passport + 3 months bank statements + payslips
Applicant is self-funding (paying their own way)	Invitation letter + proof of address + IRP card/passport only — bank statements not required

Template 1 — Host Covering Applicant's Costs (Family or Friend Visit)

Use this template when you are paying for or contributing to the applicant's accommodation and living expenses during their stay. You must attach 3 months of bank statements and payslips as supporting documents.


            [Your Full Name]
            [Your Full Irish Address]
            [City, County, Eircode]
            [Your Email Address]
            [Your Phone Number]
            [Date — DD/MM/YYYY]

            To the Visa Officer,
            Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS),
            13/14 Burgh Quay,
            Dublin 2,
            Ireland

            Re: Invitation Letter in Support of Visa Application — [Applicant's Full Name]

            Dear Visa Officer,

            I am writing to invite [Applicant's Full Name], [Applicant's Date of Birth], a national of [Applicant's Country], to visit me in Ireland from [Intended Arrival Date] to [Intended Departure Date] ([Number of Days] days).

            My relationship to the applicant: [state clearly — e.g. "I am their sister", "I am their close friend of 12 years", "I am their uncle"].

            I have been living in Ireland since [Year] and currently reside at the above address. I am [employed as / self-employed as] [Job Title] at [Employer Name / Business Name].

            During the applicant's stay, they will be accommodated at my home at the address above. I will be covering their accommodation and daily living expenses for the duration of their visit. I am enclosing three months of bank statements and payslips as evidence of my financial capacity to support this visit.

            The purpose of this visit is [e.g. "a family reunion", "to attend my daughter's graduation", "a holiday visit"]. The applicant intends to return to [Home Country] on [Return Date] and has strong ties to their home country including [e.g. "full-time employment", "dependent children", "property ownership"].

            I confirm that all information in this letter is truthful and accurate. I accept responsibility for ensuring the applicant complies with all conditions of their Irish visa.

            Enclosed with this letter:
            - Copy of my Irish Residence Permit (IRP) / Irish passport
            - Proof of address (utility bill dated within 3 months)
            - 3 months bank statements
            - 3 months payslips

            Yours sincerely,

            [Your Signature]
            [Your Printed Full Name]
            [Date]

Template 2 — Applicant Is Self-Funding (Family or Friend Visit)

Use this template when the applicant is paying for their own trip — flights, accommodation, and daily expenses come from their own funds. In this case you do not need to provide bank statements. Your letter simply confirms the relationship, provides accommodation, and confirms they are welcome to stay.


            [Your Full Name]
            [Your Full Irish Address]
            [City, County, Eircode]
            [Your Email Address]
            [Your Phone Number]
            [Date — DD/MM/YYYY]

            To the Visa Officer,
            Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS),
            13/14 Burgh Quay,
            Dublin 2,
            Ireland

            Re: Invitation Letter in Support of Visa Application — [Applicant's Full Name]

            Dear Visa Officer,

            I am writing to invite [Applicant's Full Name], [Applicant's Date of Birth], a national of [Applicant's Country], to visit me in Ireland from [Intended Arrival Date] to [Intended Departure Date] ([Number of Days] days).

            My relationship to the applicant: [state clearly — e.g. "I am their brother", "I am their long-standing friend", "I am their cousin"].

            I have been living in Ireland since [Year] and currently reside at the above address.

            During their visit, [Applicant's First Name] will be staying at my home. They are funding their own trip independently — including all flights, travel expenses, and personal costs. Proof of their financial means is enclosed with their visa application.

            The purpose of this visit is [e.g. "a personal visit", "to attend a family celebration", "a holiday"]. [Applicant's First Name] intends to return to [Home Country] on [Return Date].

            I confirm that all information in this letter is truthful and accurate.

            Enclosed with this letter:
            - Copy of my Irish Residence Permit (IRP) / Irish passport
            - Proof of address (utility bill dated within 3 months)

            Yours sincerely,

            [Your Signature]
            [Your Printed Full Name]
            [Date]

What Must Every Invitation Letter Include?

Your full name and complete Irish address
Your relationship to the applicant — be specific, not vague
Exact dates of the planned visit
Where the applicant will stay (your home address)
Whether you are covering their costs or they are self-funding — state this clearly
A statement that the applicant intends to return to their home country
Your original handwritten signature and the date

Documents to Attach With Your Invitation Letter

Document	Host Covering Costs	Applicant Self-Funding
Signed invitation letter	Yes	Yes
Copy of IRP card or Irish passport	Yes	Yes
Utility bill (dated within 3 months)	Yes	Yes
3 months bank statements	Yes	No
3 months payslips or employment letter	Yes	No

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Vague relationship description: "A friend" is weak — write "a close friend I have known since 2015" or "my younger sister"
No dates: Always include exact intended arrival and departure dates
Unsigned letter: A printed letter without a handwritten signature is not accepted
Contradicting the applicant's documents: If your letter says you are covering costs but the applicant has also submitted their own bank statements showing sufficient funds, clarify this — it should not be contradictory
Old proof of address: Utility bill must be dated within the last 3 months — an older bill will be rejected
Not stating return intent: Always mention that the applicant intends to return home — this directly addresses the embassy's biggest concern

Official References

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the person inviting me to Ireland need to provide bank statements?

Only if they are covering your costs during the visit. If your host is paying for your accommodation and expenses, they must provide 3 months of bank statements and payslips. If you are self-funding your trip, your host only needs to provide their invitation letter, proof of Irish address, and a copy of their IRP card or passport.

Does an invitation letter need to be notarised for Ireland visa?

No. An Ireland visa invitation letter does not need to be notarised or stamped. It must be signed by hand, on paper, and accompanied by supporting documents (proof of address, IRP card). A notarised letter is not required and will not add value to the application.

Can I use an invitation letter if I am staying in a hotel?

No — invitation letters are for applicants staying with a host in Ireland. If you are staying in a hotel, Airbnb, or other paid accommodation, you submit the booking confirmation instead. An invitation letter is only relevant when a person in Ireland is providing accommodation in their home.

What if my host is an Irish citizen, not an IRP holder?

Irish citizens provide a copy of their Irish passport instead of an IRP card. Everything else in the invitation letter and supporting documents remains the same.

How long should an invitation letter be?

One page is standard and sufficient. INIS officers read many letters — a clear, concise letter covering all required points is more effective than a lengthy one. Use the templates above as a guide.

Does the invitation letter need to be on official letterhead?

No — for personal (family or friend) visits, plain paper is acceptable. The letter must be handwritten in signature only; the rest can be typed and printed. Business invitation letters from companies should be on company letterhead.