Inviting Family, Friends to Visit U. S.

Many students want to invite family or friends to visit the U.S. for a short stay. The B-2 visitor visa is ideal for visits of up to 6 months. Key points for the B-2 visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate include:

  • Showing ties to the home country
  • Proving the trip is short
  • Providing travel dates
  • Demonstrating the ability to pay for travel

As a student, you can help by providing some of these documents. The visitor will need to handle the rest.

Documentation Needed

UNK STUDENTS PROVIDE:

  1. Letter of Invitation: Written by you in English, including:
    • Visitor's full name and relationship to you
    • Length of the visit
    • Financial support details (if you are providing support, include evidence—see #4 below)
    • Purpose of the visit (e.g., attending graduation). See page 2 for an example letter.
  2. Graduation Ceremony: If the visit is for your graduation, obtain a letter from the Registrar’s office stating your expected completion date.
  3. Student Status Evidence: Provide a photocopy of your I-20/DS-2019 and a printout of your transcript or current enrollment from MyBLUE.
  4. Financial Support Evidence: If you will support the visit financially, provide:
    • Bank statement showing account history, date opened, and average monthly balance
    • Employment letter or sponsor’s letter
    • Alternatively, submit Form I-134 Affidavit of Support if visitors will pay their own expenses.

FAMILY MEMBER/FRIENDS PROVIDE:

  1. Tourist (B-2) Visa Application: Complete the application process.
  2. Proof of Intent to Return: Documents showing intent to return to the home country before the authorized stay expires, such as:
    • Proof of employment
    • Proof of property or business ownership
    • Bank accounts

Additional Information Needed

Length of Stay:

The initial B-2 visa stay is determined by the port of entry officer, with a maximum of six months. For longer stays, visitors must apply for an extension. There is no limit on the number of extensions, but USCIS needs at least four months to process an extension application. Ensure USCIS receives the application before the current visa expires.

Visa Waiver Program:

Visitors from certain countries can visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. For a list of participating countries and requirements, visit the Department of State website.

Health Insurance Reminder:

Ensure your visitors have health insurance covering their stay in the U.S. Most will need "major medical coverage" for unexpected hospitalizations due to accidents or illnesses. Without coverage, they could incur significant medical debt.

Implications of Overstaying

Precise entry and exit information is kept electronically for all U.S. visa holders. Overstaying a visa will be recorded and can lead to consequences such as reviews with immigration officials, removal from the U.S., or a bar from future entry. Visitors must leave the U.S. by the date stamped in their passport unless they have filed for an extension.

Sample Invitation Letter

Below is a sample invitation letter to help you write your own. Ensure your letter is typed in paragraph form in a Microsoft Word document and includes all the information below.

 

Date: 

United States Consul General

(Address of Foreign Consulate Where Person Will Apply for the Visa – check online)

Dear Honorable Consul:

My name is (Last Name), (First Name) and I reside at (Your US Address). I am a student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney majoring in (Major). I am requesting that a tourist (B-2) visa be issued to (Person you want to invite), in order to allow (her/him) to visit with me in the United States. (She/He) is my (Explain your relationship to the person) and will be visiting with me from (arrival date) to (departure date). (Explain why you want the person to visit).

During (her/his) stay in the United States, (she/he) will stay with me at my residence at the address stated below. I will be responsible for all of (her/his) room and board expenses while (she/he) is in the United States. Upon the termination of (her/his) visit, (she/he) will return to (Country).

Your kind consideration of this request will be greatly appreciated.

Very truly yours,

(Signature)

Name

Address

Email