Embedded Files
At some point, you may want to invite your parents, other family members, or friends to visit you – either to celebrate commencement with you or to see the U.S.
The following suggestions are meant as advice only and is meant to help your friends or family apply for a visitor’s visa (B-2) at a US consulate or embassy in their home country. We cannot advise how U.S. Consular Officials abroad will approach each individual situation; thus, we cannot guarantee that a letter of invitation from you will allow your friend or family member to obtain a visa to visit you in the U.S.
The State Department has this statement on their official page: “Visa applicants must qualify based on their ties abroad/to their home country, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.”
NOTE: : International Student Services Department no longer provides any invitation letters for family members or friends. This page provides information about how you can prepare your own invitation letter.
BRINGING A SPOUSE OR CHILD: If you are an F-1 Student and you want to invite your spouse or child(ren) to join you in the U.S. as an F-2 dependent, please see our page on processing F-2 Visa Requests.
To facilitate their visa interview process you should do the following:
• Write a letter of invitation – A sample of the letter can be found in this Invitation Letter Template. Include the purpose of the visit, your relationship to the individuals, a statement of your status here, itinerary details and the length of time they will be visiting (usually less than three months). It is best to emphasize the temporary nature of the invitation and to demonstrate their intention to return to their home country following the visit. If you will provide their financial support while they are here, include that information as well.
• Include Enrollment Verification Letter from the Office of the Registrar to confirm your student status – send an email to registrar@sfbc.edu.
• Provide details of the visit – e.g. information about Commencement Ceremony if you are inviting family for graduation.
For additional information about U.S. Consulate/Embassy locations and application procedures, review the U.S. Department of State visa information.
Providing your family members with your invitation letter and supporting documentation may improve their chances of obtaining a visa; however, there is no guarantee a visa will be issued. The success of their request for a visa lies in their ability to prove that they have no intention of staying permanently in the U.S.
What kind of visa should my guest obtain?
Apply for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if Guest from Participating Country
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa, when they meet all requirements explained below. Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel. If the traveler prefers to have a visa in your passport, they may still apply for a visitor (B) visa. For detailed information, please visit Visa Waiver Program.
Apply for a Visitor Visa (B-2)
Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), tourism, pleasure or visiting (visa category B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2). The length of a visitor’s initial permission to stay in B-2 status is determined by the officer at the U.S. port of entry. The maximum initial period is six months. For detailed information about visitor visas and how to apply, please visit Visitor Visa (state.gov).
How can I support my guest’s visitor visa application?
You may write a letter in English inviting your guest to visit you. Include in the letter (1) whom you are inviting, (2) the purpose of the visit, for example, vacation, attend graduation, meet a new baby, (3) the dates or approximate dates of the visit, and (4) any financial support you are offering, for example, cost of travel, room and board. Note that International Student Services Department (ISSD) does not issue invitation letters for guests to visit the U.S.
You may send your guest a copy of your Form I-20, but they should not submit it to the consular officer unless asked for it. Do not send your original I-20 to your guest.
If the purpose of their visit is to attend your graduation, and you have applied to graduate, you may send your guest a copy of your Commencement Registration Confirmation email. For questions regarding Commencement, contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@sfbc.edu. Note that neither ISSD, nor the Registrar's Office provide formal letters or invitations for international guests.
Page updated
Report abuse