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A citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States for a temporary stay must secure a , unless the citizenship of the visitor allows the individual entry to the U.S. through the . Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for tourism (visa category B-2).

How to Apply for a Visitor Visa

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the  for specific steps and how to complete each step.For additional information on Tourism and Visits to the United States, please visit the .

Letter of Invitation

International Services does not issue invitation letters for international visitors to the United States, including for attendance at the Commencement ceremony.

An invitation letter or Affidavit of Support is not required to apply for a nonimmigrant tourist visa.

If you wish to provide a letter of invitation to support your family member’s visa application, the letter should be written by you, the international student, and given directly to the visa applicant. When drafting a personalized letter, consider including the following details:

• Your Information:
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Immigration status in the U.S. (including SEVIS number)
  • U.S. address and telephone number
  • Your relationship to the invited person
• Visitor’s Information:
  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Address and telephone number in their home country
  • Occupation in their home country
• Travel Details:
  • Purpose of the visit and planned accommodations
  • Intended length of stay in the U.S.
  • Expected departure date from the U.S.

While an invitation letter can be helpful, visa approvals are determined by U.S. consular officers based on the applicant’s individual circumstances and ability to demonstrate strong ties to their home country.

Enrollment/ Degree Verification

You may also want to provide your visiting relative with a copy of your enrollment certification or degree verification. You can locate how to obtain your enrollment verification or degree granted on our website –Enrollment/Degree Verification

Compelling Ties to Home Country

One of the most common reasons for a visa denial is the inability of the applicant to prove compelling ties to their home country or that they will return to their home country immediately after their visit to the US.  The following documents may help the applicant to demonstrate strong ties to their home country:

• An employer’s letter describing the applicants position, annual salary, company permission for the trip, and the expected return date to employment.
• Evidence of substantial property and investments in their home country.
• Records of previous trips abroad.