Inviting Family Members and Friends

If you want to invite a family member or a friend to visit you in the U.S., they should apply for the Visa Waiver Program, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), or a B-2 (tourist) visa. It is recommended that you prepare a personal invitation letter for your guest. A letter from ISSS is not necessary for a successful B-2 invitation.

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Before traveling, travelers must apply and have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval, and they must meet all the requirements explained below.

Please visit the  for a list of Visa Waiver Program-designated countries.

If you enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, you are not permitted to extend your stay in the United States beyond the initial admission period. You must depart the United States on or before the date on your I-94 admission record when you entered the United States.

Eligibility

  • You must be a citizen or eligible national of a Visa Waiver Program country.
  • You currently do not possess a visitor's visa.
  • Your travel is for 90 days or less.
  • You plan to travel to the U.S. for only business or pleasure.
  • You want to apply for a new authorization for one person or a group of applications for two or more persons.

Required Documents and Information

The following documents and information are required to apply for an ESTA:

  • Valid passport from a VISA Waiver Program Country
  • Traveler鈥檚 valid email address
  • Traveler's home address and phone number
  • Traveler's emergency point of contact phone and email
  • Application fee

Please visit the to see ESTA requirements and the application process.

B-2 Visa

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to travel to the United States for a temporary stay must first obtain a nonimmigrant visa. B-2 visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for people who want to enter the United States temporarily for tourism. Activities permitted with a B-2 visitor visa include, but are not limited to, tourism, vacation, and visits with friends or relatives.

Required Documents

The following documents are required to apply for a B-2 visitor visa:

  • Valid passport
  • Photographs
  • Visa application fee
  • Visa application DS-160

Additional Recommended Documents

To help strengthen your application and admittance into the U.S., we recommend that you provide additional documents to clarify that the visit is temporary and/or is for a specific occasion (e.g., graduation ceremony) and that the visitor will be supported financially while visiting the U.S. Most importantly, the additional documents should show proof of ties to the home country to prove that the visitor does not intend to immigrate to the U.S. Proof of ties to the home country may include economic, social, family, or other commitments showing that the visitor intends to return home after a temporary stay in the U.S.

Examples include:

  • Proof of employment 鈥 a letter from the employer indicating that this individual is currently employed and taking time off but is due back at their job on a specific date.
  • Proof of property ownership 鈥 house, apartment, or business.
  • Proof of contact with other family members in the home country.
  • Proof of finances 鈥 bank statement, stocks, property.
  • A formal letter of invitation written by you indicating the specific reason for the visit (e.g., graduation, wedding, illness, birth of a child). The letter should include information about the purpose of the travel and the planned itinerary or schedule. It may also include information about your U.S. immigration status as an F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor.

Below is a sample invitation letter for your convenience. Copy and paste the text into a Word document, edit to fit your situation, print, sign, and send to your family member or friend. If more than one person is planning on visiting you, each needs his or her own letter of invitation.

Your full name
Your mailing address
 
Date
 
Address for U.S. consulate where visa will be applied for
 
To Whom It May Concern:
 
I am a student or scholar at 性欲社 (性欲社), enrolled in the ___________ degree in ________________ program/conducting research in the _____________ program.
I wish to invite my ____________ to visit me during my studies to _____________________ (for example, attend my graduation, wedding, birth of child). 
 
If other activities or travel will occur, add a sentence 鈥淎fter ____________________, my visitor and I plan on visiting ______________________________ to do some sightseeing.鈥
 
The dates of the visit will be from ________________ to _______________.  In order to enter the U.S., my _______________ will need to apply for the B-2 visa.
 
Relationship:
Last name:
First name:
Date of Birth:                                                                
 
My _____________ will be staying with me during his/her visit at the following address: ____________.  I will provide for his/her living expenses. 
Or:
He/she will be paying for all expenses while visiting me.
 
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Your full name
Your phone number
Your email