Letter of invitation and letter of guarantee for a Japan visa

When someone in Japan invites you, for a family visit or for business, they usually provide two letters: a Letter of Invitation (招へい理由書) explaining why they invite you, and a Letter of Guarantee (身元保証書) promising to cover your stay. Your host fills them in and sends them to you to submit with your application.

Both blank forms are on our Japan visa forms page. For two or more applicants, the host also fills in the List of Visa Applicants (申請人名簿). When a company invites, it adds the Details of Company form.

What goes in the Letter of Invitation

• Date, and the embassy or consulate-general of Japan it is addressed to (the city where you apply)
• The inviting person: full name, address in Japan and phone (or company name, department and contact person)
• The visa applicant: full name in the Latin alphabet as in the passport, sex, date of birth, nationality and occupation; for a group, the representative and the number of other applicants
• (1) Purpose of invitation
• (2) Background to the invitation, explained in detail
• (3) Relationship with the visa applicant(s)

If the inviter is also the guarantor, the form allows writing “Same as guarantor” for the inviter’s details.

What goes in the Letter of Guarantee

• Date, and the embassy or consulate-general of Japan it is addressed to
• The visa applicant: name as in the passport, sex, date of birth, nationality and occupation; for a group, the representative and the number of other applicants
• What the guarantor guarantees: (1) expenses during the stay in Japan, (2) return travel expenses, (3) compliance with Japanese laws and regulations
• The guarantor: full name, date of birth, address, phone, occupation or organization, and relationship with the applicant

Embassies usually ask the guarantor for supporting documents too, such as proof of income or tax, a residence certificate, or proof of the family relationship. The list depends on your nationality and the embassy, so check it before your host sends the papers.

Practical tips for the host

• Write the applicant’s name exactly as in their passport.
• Keep dates, purpose and accommodation consistent with the applicant’s visa form and Schedule of Stay.
• Date the letters and fill in every box; a company adds its name and the title of the person writing.
• Send the letters to the applicant, not to the embassy: the applicant submits everything together.