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Immigration & Visas vocabulary · Documents & Evidence

Cover letter

Meaning in immigration & visas, with examples

nounCommon term

In immigration & visas, cover letter means: A short letter sent with an application that explains who you are, why you are travelling and which documents you have included.

In Turkish: niyet mektubu, ön yazı, açıklama mektubu

How it is used

Not always required, but often used to explain unusual details, such as a gap in employment or a sponsor paying the costs. It is usually addressed to the visa officer and kept to one page. British English also says covering letter.

Example sentences

  1. In my cover letter I explained that my company is paying for the trip.

  2. Keep your cover letter short and list the documents you are enclosing.

Common collocations

  • write a cover letter
  • covering letter
  • letter to the visa officer
  • list of enclosures
  • supporting documentsThe papers you send with an application to prove what you say in the form, such as bank statements, letters from employers or hotel bookings.
  • invitation letterA letter from a person, company or organisation in the destination country that invites you, explains the reason for the visit and sometimes promises to cover costs.
  • travel itineraryA plan of your trip showing dates, places, flights and where you will stay, often included with a short-stay visa application.
  • visa applicationA formal request for a visa, made up of a completed form, the required documents, the fee and often an appointment to give fingerprints.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Documents & Evidence

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.