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U.S. Visa Invitation Letter Guide with Sample Letters

Learn how to write an invitation letter for a u.s. visa with detailed information and two sample invitation letters. get a u.s. visa invitation letter sample today..

Key Takeaways:

• Learn how to write a U.S. visa invitation letter with key components, formatting tips, and sample letters to help you craft your own.
• An invitation letter can be a useful piece of evidence for the U.S. Consulate, showing the visitor’s intent and reason to return.
• Include important details such as your full name, address, relationship with the visitor, purpose of visit, and your intention to cover expenses.

If you’re planning to invite friends or family to visit you in the United States, one of the requirements they may need to fulfill is obtaining a U.S. visa. As a part of this process, an invitation letter written by you can help establish the purpose of their visit. In this blog post, we’ll cover how to write an invitation letter for a U.S. visa and provide two sample invitation letters to help you craft your own.

Understanding the Importance of a U.S. Visa Invitation Letter

A U.S. Visa Invitation Letter is a personal document, and while it is not a mandatory requirement, it can be a useful piece of evidence that shows the U.S. Consulate that the visitor has a reason to return to their home country after visiting the United States. It can also explain why you are inviting them, which may help the consulate understand the visitor’s intent.

Key Components of an Invitation Letter

When writing a U.S. Visa Invitation Letter, it should include the following information:

• Your full name, date of birth, address and telephone number in the United States.
• Your occupation and your status in the United States.
• A clear statement of your relationship with the visiting individual.
• Detailed information on the planned visit including the purposes of traveling, where the visitor will stay, and how long the visit will last.
• Your intention to cover all living expenses, accommodation, and travel costs, if applicable.

It’s also helpful if the letter can include details such as:

• Your legal status in the U.S. (e.g., citizen, permanent resident).
• The visitor’s full name, date of birth, and their address and telephone number.

Remember to sign and date the letter. Attach any supporting documents, like a photocopy of your ID or passport, evidence of your status in the U.S., and proof of your relationship with the visitor.

Also of Interest:

H-1b visa processing times and fees chart, how much is the cost of h-1b application process, formatting the invitation letter.

The U.S. Visa Invitation Letter should be formal, yet personal. It usually does not need to be notarized, but it should be typed and printed on standard paper. The tone should be welcoming and warm, reflecting the personal nature of the invitation.

Sample Invitation Letter 1

Here is a simple sample of what an invitation letter might look like:

[Your Full Name] [Your Street Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date]

Consulate General of [Visitor’s Home Country] [Countries Consular Address]

Subject: Invitation for [Visitor’s Full Name], Passport No: [Visitor’s Passport Number]

Dear Consulate,

I, [Your Full Name], residing at [Your Address], am writing this letter to support the visa application of my [relationship, e.g., friend], [Visitor’s Full Name].

[Visitor’s Full Name] plans to visit the United States briefly for leisure and sightseeing purposes. During their stay, which we anticipate lasting from [arrival date] to [departure date], [he/she/they] will be staying with me at my home. The address is listed above. I will be taking time off work to show [him/her/them] around the city and ensure [he/she/they] experience the diverse cultural heritage of our country.

I am a [Your Occupation] and residing in the U.S. as a [Your Status, e.g., U.S. citizen/permanent resident]. I am providing this letter to attest to my intention to support [Visitor’s Full Name] during [his/her/their] visit. I will ensure to cover all expenses, including but not limited to boarding, food, and travel expenses within the U.S. during the duration of [his/her/their] stay.

Thank you for considering this application. Please feel free to contact me if any further information is required.

[Your Signature] [Typed Name]

Sample Invitation Letter 2

For a different scenario or relationship type, the letter might look slightly different:

[Your Full Name] [Your Occupation] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Date]

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) [Service Center Address]

Subject: Invitation Letter for [Family Member’s Full Name]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I’m writing this letter to provide details regarding my invitation for [Family Member’s Full Name] to visit me in the United States.

My name is [Your Full Name], and I’m a [Your Status, e.g., legal permanent resident] working as a [Your Occupation] here in [City, State]. I live at the address above and have been a resident there for the past [number of years/months] years.

I would like to invite [Family Member’s Full Name], who is my [relationship, e.g., mother/father/sibling] to visit me in the United States for [length of the visit]. During their visit, they will be residing with me at my home.

It has been [number of years/months] years since we last saw each other, and this visit would mean a great deal to both of us. We plan to spend quality time and I will also take them to visit various tourist attractions such as [mention specific places or landmarks].

I will ensure that my [family member’s relationship] will have all the necessary care and resources at their disposal and am prepared to bear all the costs during their stay in the United States.

Attached are copies of documents proving my status in the United States and evidence of my financial ability to support this visit.

Please feel free to reach out to me for any further information or clarification needed to process this request.

Appreciatively,

[Your Signature] [Your Full Name]

When sending the invitation letter, it’s advised to include it with the rest of the applicant’s documentation. Visit the official U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website for further guidelines on supporting documents for visa applications.

Crafting an invitation letter for a U.S. visa is an opportunity to help facilitate a smooth visa application process for someone you care about. By following the guidelines and using the sample invitation letters provided, you can create a welcoming and supportive document that helps underscore the visitor’s intentions and your support during their visit.

Learn Today:

U.S. Consulate: An official office of the U.S. government located in other countries, responsible for providing consular services to U.S. citizens and processing visa applications.

U.S. Visa Invitation Letter: A personal document written by a U.S. resident or citizen inviting someone from another country to visit the United States. It serves as evidence of the purpose of the visit and may provide details about the inviter and the relationship between the inviter and the visitor.

U.S. Consulate General: A high-level diplomatic officer representing the U.S. government and providing consular services to U.S. citizens in other countries.

Relationship: The connection or bond between the inviter and the visitor, such as being friends, family members, or relatives.

Living Expenses: Costs related to day-to-day necessities, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other essential needs.

Legal Status: The immigration status or classification of an individual in the United States, indicating whether they are a citizen, permanent resident, or have another lawful status.

Notarized: The process of having a document officially certified by a notary public, confirming the authenticity of the signatures and the document’s content.

Photocopy: A reproduction or duplicate of an original document made through the use of a photocopier or scanning device.

Supporting Documents: Additional evidence or documentation submitted along with the invitation letter to strengthen the visitor’s visa application, such as a copy of the inviter’s ID or passport, proof of legal status in the U.S., and proof of relationship with the visitor.

USCIS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, an agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for administering the nation’s immigration system.

Service Center: Regional offices of USCIS responsible for processing immigration petitions and applications.

Legal Permanent Resident: An individual who has been granted lawful permanent residence in the United States through obtaining a green card, indicating their status as a permanent resident.

Tourist Attractions: Places or landmarks of interest to visitors that are popular for sightseeing or leisure activities.

Bureau of Consular Affairs: A bureau within the U.S. Department of State responsible for providing visa services, protecting U.S. citizens overseas, and managing U.S. passports and other travel documents.

Visa Application: The process of applying for a visa to enter a country, which involves submitting required forms and supporting documents, attending an interview if necessary, and paying applicable fees.

So, there you have it! Writing an invitation letter for a U.S. visa doesn’t have to be daunting. Just remember to include all the necessary information, keep it warm and personal, and attach any supporting documents. If you want more guidance and sample letters, head over to visaverge.com. They’ve got all the visa-related info you need. Happy letter writing!

This Article in a Nutshell:

To invite friends or family to the U.S., they may need a visa. An invitation letter can help establish the purpose of their visit. Include your contact details, relationship, visit details, and your intention to cover expenses. Keep the tone warm and personal. Remember to sign, date, and attach supporting documents.

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Home » Visas » USA Tourist Visa » Invitation Letter to Visitor

Sample Invitation Letter to Parents for a USA Tourist Visa

Rahul Gupta 123 Park Avenue Iselin, NJ 08830 USA Home: 732-391-9293 Work: 732-733-4087 November 22, 2021

To, Sita & Ram Gupta 123 Shankar Lane Malad(E), Mumbai – 400 027 INDIA 

Sub: Invitation to visit the USA 

Dear Mother and Father, 

I would like to invite both of you to the United States of America to stay with me for six months. It would be very nice to have you with me. During your stay, we would visit various tourist places in the USA, such as New York, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, Disney Land, and Florida.

During your stay in the United States, I will bear all your responsibilities including, but not limited to, financial responsibilities, return air ticket fare to travel from INDIA to the USA and back, travel expenses within the USA, medical insurance, housing, and food. You will stay with me in my apartment located at the above-mentioned address.

During your stay here, you will also get an opportunity to see and experience the western culture, meet different kinds of people, and eat a variety of food. You will also enjoy the nice weather and the nice city I live in.

We would have a nice time together after a long time. So, please begin planning for the trip. I am eagerly waiting for you to visit me. 

Yours lovingly, Rahul Gupta

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How to Write a Sample Invitation Letter for a U.S. Visitor Visa

Home » How to Write a Sample Invitation Letter for a U.S. Visitor Visa

July 25, 2021

There are various mandatory requirements to obtain a visa when visiting the United States. However, a letter of invitation from the American host is not one of them. The U.S. citizen or resident who will host the visiting B-2 visa holder may send a letter, but an invitation is not required. The letter cannot guarantee visa issuance, but it may be helpful in some situations. Many people feel more comfortable sending a letter, and we’ve provided a sample invitation letter for a visitor visa below.

Visitor Visa Requirements

B-2 visa applicants must qualify for the visitor visa according to their own circumstances, not on the basis of a sponsor’s letter or assurances. Based on the merits of the application and interview, a consular officer determines whether or not the applicant qualifies for a visa. In fact, to qualify for a B-2 visitor visa to the United States, applicants must meet the following three criteria:

Have a residence in a foreign country to which they will return to after their temporary visit;

Intend to enter the united states for a period of a specifically limited duration;, will go to the united states to engage in activities consistent with the visa., mistakes on uscis forms can cause costly delays or a denial., b-2 letter of invitation explained.

A B-2 letter of invitation is simply a letter written by the U.S. host to demonstrate that the visitor has a place to stay during the trip to the United States. Generally, the letter carries more weight if written by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. The letter should state that the host is willing and able to accommodate the visitors during the specified duration of the trip. The host may include specific dates or a general period in which the visitor is welcome. It’s also helpful to state if the host and visitor have family ties or are friends. There is no requirement for an invitation letter for visitor visa. Therefore, there are no hard requirements for the letter. With that said, a letter should generally contain the following:

• Host’s full name and contact information
• Guest’s full name and contact information
• Guest’s relationship to the host
• Purpose of the planned visit, including the event (if applicable) or places you will visit
• Duration the visitor will stay with you or where you’ve made arrangements for him or her to stay
• Financial arrangements to cover the guest’s expenses during the visit (if applicable)
• Signature of the host

Write the letter in your own words, but try to be as specific as possible. We’ve included a sample invitation letter for a visitor visa below.

Sample Invitation Letter for Visitor Visa: Friends

Enzo & Gianna Russo Via Torquato Tasso, 26 71010 Lesina FG, Italy

March 22, 2019

Dear Enzo and Gianna,

I would like to invite you to come visit me in the United States this summer. You are welcome to stay at my home during for the duration of the trip. I understand that you have four weeks of holiday, but you are welcome to stay longer if needed.

During your visit, I plan to take you on several excursions to our theme parks (Disneyworld and Universal Orlando) and museums. I know you son is interested in space travel. I’m trying to arrange a visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as well.

I understand you plan to cover your own expenses for travel and incidentals. However, I will submit Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support, to guarantee your financial support.

I look forward to seeing you and your family.

Edwardo Sauvigne 26000 Whispering Trails Ave Winter Have, FL 33884 Home: (863) 555-1212 Mobile: (863) 555-1212

Sample Invitation Letter for a Visitor Visa: Family

Gurpreet & Jyothi Ahuja 337, Rajiv Gandhi St Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119 India

October 1, 2020

Dear Mom and Dad,

I would like to invite you to come visit me in the United States for my wedding on March 6, 2021. In addition to this special event, I am excited to have you spend time with Anika and see our city.

I will cover all of your expenses for the trip, including travel to and from the United States. During your two weeks with us, you will stay at my home, and I will provide all meals. I also plan to purchase you a visitor’s insurance plan and cover any other costs that come up during your trip.

Anika and I are extremely anxious to see you and have you participate in our wedding. We look forward to seeing you in March.

Hiten Ahuja 9601 Skyline Way Grand Prairie, TX 75051 Home: (972) 555-1212 Mobile: (972) 555-1212

Stronger Evidence to Support a B-2 Visa Application

For visitors that are currently unemployed, don’t have property and generally lack financial assets, it can be more difficult to demonstrate strong ties to their home country. In these cases, immigration officials become concerned that they will try to stay in the United States. A Declaration of Financial Support can help remove this doubt.

Known as Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support , the form shows that someone in the United States is willing to take financial responsibility for you. If you can prove that you are financially independent or are employed in your home country, you typically don’t need a Form I-134.

Form I-134 is a reassurance by the U.S. supporter to step in and assist if you unable to pay your expenses during the course of your U.S. visit.

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Invitation Letter Guide for U.S. Visa (B1/B2) Applications

For many individuals planning a visit to the United States on a B1/B2 Visa, presenting a well-crafted invitation letter can significantly strengthen their application. While not mandatory, an invitation letter from a U.S. citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) can positively impact the visa process, especially when it highlights strong ties to the applicant’s home country. Here, we explain what makes an effective invitation letter for a U.S. visitor visa.

Keys to a B Visa Invitation Letter

An effective invitation letter should communicate:

• Host’s Details: Include the host’s name, status in the U.S. (citizen or LPR), contact information, and address.
• Visitor’s Information: Please provide your full name, date of birth, passport number, and contact information.
• Relationship: Clarify the nature of your relationship with the host.
• Visit Details: State the purpose, exact duration, and itinerary of your visit, including accommodation arrangements.
• Financial Responsibility: It should be explicitly mentioned if the host bears any costs.

Structure of the Letter

The letter should originate from the host and detail their relationship with the visitor. It should be dated, contain both parties’ full information, and specify the hosting arrangements and travel dates. Crucially, it should emphasize the temporary nature of the stay in the U.S.

Sample B Visa Invitation Letter

Below is a template of how such a letter might be structured:

[Host’s Full Legal Name]

[Host’s Full U.S. Address]

Dear [Visitor’s Full Legal Name],

I, [Host’s Name], am delighted to invite you to the United States to celebrate my 50th wedding anniversary in Buffalo, NY, on February 21, 2050. You will be accommodated at my Buffalo, NY, residence from February 21 to February 28. Our plans include visiting Niagara Falls, Letchworth State Park, and Fort Niagara. I will cover the costs of your round-trip airfare, food, and medical insurance during your stay. Your presence would mean a lot to us.

[Host’s Signature]

[Host’s Contact Information]

Supporting Documentation

Accompany this letter with relevant documents such as event invitations, proof of roundtrip airfare, host’s identification or passport, accommodation proof, and a detailed travel itinerary.

Insights for B Visa Applicants

For B Visa applicants, remember:

• Dependent Visas: Spouses and children must apply separately for a B-2 visa.
• Employment Restrictions: B-1/B-2 visa holders are prohibited from working in the U.S.
• Visa Validity: A valid U.S. visa in an expired passport remains active; do not remove it from the expired passport.

Crafting an invitation letter with these elements can significantly enhance the credibility of your B1/B2 Visa application and facilitate your travel plans to the United States.

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How to Write a Letter of Invitation for a U.S. Travel Visa

An optional supporting document as part of your b-1/b-2 visa application, in this guide.

• What should the letter say?
• Sample letter of invitation
• Related Information

When applying for a B-1/B-2 travel visa , you have the option to include a letter of invitation from the relative or friend who will be hosting you during your stay in the United States. The letter of invitation is not a requirement for a travel visa, but including one could help strengthen your application .

In this guide we’ll go over what to include in the letter and provide a sample letter of invitation.

Interested in traveling to the U.S.? Our experienced team can help you prepare a strong application and avoid common mistakes that lead to visa denial. Learn more.

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Learn how to increase your chance of travel visa approval, and get unlimited, live application support from start to finish.

What is a letter of invitation?

A letter of invitation is a signed letter from the family member or friend who you will be staying with during your trip to the United States. The purpose of the letter is to confirm that you will have a place to stay during your visit. It is preferable if your host is a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

The letter of invitation is optional and is not required as part of a B-1/B-2 visa application.

A letter of invitation for a B-1/B-2 travel visa should include the following information:

• Name and contact information for the host
• Host’s immigration status (for example, “U.S. citizen”)
• Relationship between the host and the visa applicant
• Visa applicant’s full name and address
• Purpose of the trip
• Exact dates of the trip
• Host’s signature

U.S. immigration can be complex and confusing. Boundless is here to help. Learn more.

Navi Laghari 3, Mm-ii, Panchkuian Road Delhi, Delhi, 110055 India

January 17, 2023

I am inviting you to come visit me in Washington to celebrate my 30th birthday on May 28, 2023. During your one-week trip, from May 25-31, you will stay with me at my house in Seattle. As your sister, I can’t wait to show you the city and take you to museums and go on hikes with you — I know how much you love being in nature. I will pay for your airfare to and from the U.S. and I will also cover your expenses while you are here.

I can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Love, [Host’s signature]

Sarika Laghari 9679 46th Ave SW Seattle, WA, 98136 USA Mobile: (206) 591-2342 U.S. Passport Number: 562908832

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Surefire Ways to Write Letter of Invitation for US Visa Application with Real Samples

HOW TO WRITE A LETTER OF INVITATION FOR US VISA

By Deb Pati last updated on October 16, 2020

There was a time, a simpler time, when I used to think that a letter of invitation wouldn’t change a thing. Long before I got that wanderlust that singers sing about and bloggers blog about, and needed to apply for visas.

Now, after having travelled and lived in many countries, and many conversations with people with powerless passports like me, I have come to the understanding that they make a difference.

And if you are traveling to the USA, a letter of invitation for US visa is no doubt helpful and can often add a lot of weight to your application. That being said, a letter of invitation, by itself doesn’t guarantee the issuance of a visa to the applicant.

You still need to fulfill, the US visa requirements such as proof of funds and strong ties to your home country.

This article refers to a US visitor visa invitation letter only. The template can be used for a B1/B2 visa or even a student visa, but not for a US business visa.

Table of Contents

When Do I Need to Provide a US Visa Letter of Invitation?

If you are a US citizen or legal resident, chances are that you want your friend, parents, partner etc. to visit you in the United States. Now if this said person needs a visa to visit the USA, you can help them by writing a letter of invitation for US visa.

You need to write this letter before they submit their visa application. When the applicant submits the documents at the U.S. consulate or Visa Application Center, this letter can go along with the application.

Sample Invitation Letters for US Visa for Tourism

The thing is, there are many ways to write a letter of invitation for US visa. Depending on the relation between the host and guest.

The thing to remember is that the host/sponsor must address a letter to the US consular officer and another one to the US visa applicant.

Here are some examples of invitation letters for visa, that are pretty common.

1. Sample US Visa Invitation Letter for Parents

Writing a US visa invitation letter for parents is probably the easiest and safest. Here is an actual letter written by a friend to invite his parents to the USA.

2. Example of Invitation Letter for Friend

An invitation letter for US visitor visa for friend can be written like this.

[Date] [Host’s name ex- Bob Vance] Address: Phone number: Passport number: Email: To: [Friend’s name] [Friend’s passport number] [Friend’s address] Dear [Friend’s name e.g. Vladimir], So happy to know that you finally decided on the trip to the USA. It would be an honor to invite you to come and host you during your trip from [Date range]. During this time we can visit the statue of liberty, and other famous landmarks in New York. And we can plan to go for some road trips in the tri-state area. I would also like to add that, I will be responsible for your entire USA tour expenses, including the round trip flights, housing, food, and any other personal expenses. I am sending a copy of my passport and rental lease with this letter, to help you with your US tourist visa application. Love, [Signature] Bob Vance

3. Sample Letter to Consulate for Visitor Visa

Your Visa Invitation letter to the United States Consul should look like this.

15/02/2020 Consulate of the United States of America, Bogota, Colombia Dear consular officer, Good day! My name is Christine Bundy. I am a citizen of the United States and I live in 12, Mountain Drive, Portland, OR-97206. I have been working as a teacher at Mountain View High school in Portland for the last five years. I am writing this letter to request you to grant a B-2 tourist visa to my friend Daniela Romero, a citizen of Colombia with passport number AL123456. I have known her for two years. I met her when I was living in Colombia and she took it upon herself to introduce me to her culture, and that’s how we became friends. Daniela will be visiting me in Portland from 08/02/2020 to 11/06/2020, for a period of almost three months. During her stay in the United States, she will stay with me at my home at the address stated above. Daniela will be presenting my letter to you, along with a copy of my driving license as well as other proof. Thank you for your kind consideration. Respectfully yours, Christine Bundy, 12, Mountain Drive, Portland, OR-97206, 203-992-1098 [email protected]

How to Write US Visa Letter of Invitation?

It might seem like writing in ink gives your letter a more personal touch. You are not entirely wrong. It does. But, if we have learnt anything from the boomers and the generations that followed before computers became the norm, it is that handwritings are not often legible. No matter what your mom told you.

So, I would ask you to go ahead and simply type the letter on a word doc (or Hemingway app if you are feeling adventurous), sign it and scan it.

And while writing the letter of invitation for US visa, you must be very very careful about all these things. Under no circumstances should the consular officer get a hunch that it is fake, even if it is not.

A good US Visa invitation letter has three parts usually. It should not be more than one page and should not have any unnecessary information.

A letter of invitation for US Visa should be personal. So, no need to make it sound as if it was written by an attorney.

1. Details of the Host

• Host’s full name, address, email, phone number, and date of birth
• Host’s occupation
• The legal status of the host in the USA and a photocopy of a document proving that. Example- Green card, passport, etc.
• Affidavit of support

2. Details of the Guest

• Guest’s full name, address, phone number, email, and date of birth
• The relationship between guest and host – friend, sister, son, etc.

3. Information about the Trip

• Purpose and duration of the trip
• Details of accommodation arrangments and expenses

Is Letter of Invitation Mandatory for a US Visa?

No it is not. But see, applying for a U.S. visa can often be a not-so-pretty experience, with all the documents and the strict approach that USCIS has adopted.

A US visa invitation letter can smooth the entire process. This letter also demonstrates that as a citizen or legal resident, you, are willing and able to host them in your home and financially support them. And that the probabilities of them overstaying is lower.

Additional Information When Writing a Letter Of invitation To USA

Yes, the invitation letter that you have written has turned out to be the coolest thing you have done since the last Tik Tok challenge. But if you are a little thoughtful and really want to go the extra mile, how about these documents as well?

• Proof of Identity: A scanned copy of the host’s ID or valid passport.
• Proof of accommodation: proof you, the host has a home. Rental agreement or proof of ownership will do the trick.
• Evidence of funds: Bank statements and credit card statements etc. if you will be financially supporting that person.
• An Affidavit of Support: Only in case the host will be financially supporting the guest, then he/she can submit an affidavit of support for the application. You can fill in the  USCIS Form I-134  for this.

Would I Be Liable for my Guest’s Overstay in USA?

Now, that’s a million dollar question. Well, not million dollars! Duh!

So you sent the invitation letter for a friend or cousin. And he/she got a visitor visa to come to the US. You also sent her an affidavit of support in order to back up the invitation.

Now that person has fallen in love with the American dream, and doesn’t want to move his/her ass out of the United States.

Now you have one of these questions.

• Would you be legally responsible to turn her in? Call ICE?
• Would you need to financially support her since you mentioned that in the letter?
• How about just peace out and ignore him/her?

I am no attorney, but I will tell you this. What your “friend” does once he/she sets foot in the USA, that is not really your problem. The ICE or the FBI or the police have bigger issues to worry about.

Once the visa was issued by the consulate, you won’t have to worry about this stuff.

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About Deb Pati

Deb Pati is the founder of The Visa Project. He has lived and traveled in many countries. When he is not travelling, he is either working or writing.

Reader Interactions

August 26, 2021 at 10:37 am

I do not know when this blog was published, I am so grateful that I found it today. Thank you for this, it clarifies so much.

August 27, 2021 at 8:40 am

Thank you Tarryn.

April 14, 2023 at 1:53 am

its informative, thanks bro

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US Visitor Visa(B2) for Parents – Process, Sample Documents

One of the most frequently asked questions among friends, either during graduation time, after they start working in the US, or if they are expecting a baby, is “What is the process to apply for a visitor or tourist visa(B2 visa) to parents to come to the USA? What documents do I need? How do I start ?”

The below article covers the step-by-step process to apply for a B2 visitor visa for parents or family members, including sample documents and templates.

Basic Requirements: Passports,   Funds for US Trip, Documents

The two most important things you need to plan before applying for a visa are passports for your parents and the funds required for their travel to the US.

Getting Parents’ Passports

• The first step before you plan the B2 Visa is to apply for a passport for your parents if they do not have one. 
• Depending on the country, the time to get a passport can vary. Consider the time to get the passport when you plan the overall time to get a B2 Visitor visa for them.
• Check out the passport application website for details. You may read our article on applying for How to do passport renewal in India to get an idea of the process.

Bank Savings for Sponsorship

• If you are paying for your parents’ trip, you need to have enough funds secured for the same.
• There is no official guidance on how much money you need to have in the bank account from the US Department of State. They say the applicants must have enough funds to pay for the trip.
• You can do a ballpark estimate of the expenses that your parents might incur based on flight tickets, local travel, etc., and come up with an amount you think makes sense.
• As a rule of thumb, a good amount totaling up to $10,000 Dollars or more to cover their expenses would be ideal to have in the bank account.
• It is advised to start saving for the same three months before and accumulate steadily rather than just borrowing money and putting it in the bank. Again, there is no hard-and-fast rule, just some general guidance.

Also, it is important to secure all the relevant documents about your status in the US as they would be important for the process. Let’s look at them below.

Employment Letter from your Company or Graduation Letter

When you invite your parents or family, one of the things that a US Consular officer would look at is your current US Visa status and supporting documentation for the same. You may need to get a different set of documentation based on your status as an employee working in the US or a student studying in the US.

Below are the two main options based on your situation:

Working in the US on a Visa (H1B, L1, OPT , Green Card) – Employment Letter

If you are working on a work visa, you need to get an employment letter from your current company verifying that you are working in the US on H1B, L1, or other visa, including Green Card, OPT or STEM OPT. This is to make sure you are in good standing in the US and are getting paid to support the travel of your parents.

Depending on the company, your company may ask for details of your parents or their passport copies and directly address the employment verification letter to the consulate. There is no rule or format given by the US Consulate. You are free to use what your company gives. Check the sample templates section at the end of the article, if you want a sample. All they care is if you are employed and in good standing.

The employment verification Letter should have information like when you joined them, what role you are working in, and how much salary you make. Some employers are quick, and some are slow in doing this. Plan well and make sure you have it with you.

International Student on F1 Visa – Graduation Invitation

If you are an F1 international Student inviting your parents for Graduation, you need to send your current status details like your F1 Visa copy, I-94 copy , I-20, and Graduation invitation letter to your parents. This would act like an invite as well as supporting documentation for them.

Step-by-Step Process for Parents’ US Visitor Visa (B2)

Below are the various steps that you can follow to apply for a visitor visa for parents. Some of these can be done in parallel, but below is a general step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Complete DS-160, Book US Visa Appointment

Before booking your parents’ US Visa stamping appointment, you must fill in Form DS-160, which is nothing but the online Nonimmigrant US Visa application form. Make sure you have scan copies of their passports before you start the process to avoid issues. Sometimes, your employer may also ask for the same for documentation.

Complete Form DS-160 Online for Parents   

Unless your parents are well educated and have all the facilities, such as a computer with internet access, etc., they may not be able to do DS-160 on their own. It would be better if you fill it out for them and then declare the same at the end. It saves a lot of pain for your parents to fill it out without any mistakes.

Important Info to know before you fill out Form DS-160 Form for Parents

• Separate DS-160 Forms: You must create separate DS-160 application profiles for every visitor visa applicant. If you invite both your mother and father, you must create two DS-160 Profiles online separately for your parents.
• Creating Family Member DS-160 from the Thank you page : When you are filling out the first DS-160 form for the first family member, at the end, when you select ‘Email Confirmation’ on the confirmation page, you will go to “Thank you ” page and on that page you will have the option to create a family or group application, you can choose this option so that some of the information from your first application will be copied over and imported. Of course, you can change those details as needed.
• Required info to Fill DS-160 form: You will need a lot of information like education details, work history, identification info, etc. We have compiled the entire list of required items for DS-160 and tips to fill the same. Read the article: Documents Needed to Fill out DS-160 Form, to get an idea.
• Filling up the DS-160, Declaration: If you are filling out forms on behalf of your parents, at the end of the completion of DS-160 form, there is a section that reads ‘Sign and Submit page’, you should fill out your details as a third party and then inform your parents regarding the endorsement of the application by them and help them click on sign and submit button. You may check more info and discussion on sign and submit  option.

Where to Fill out DS-160 online at the Official State.gov website

You should go to the Official US Govt State.gov website for DS-160 form Creation. Here is the link: US Govt ceac.state.gov Non-Immigrant Visa Application Website

• If you have any questions, you can visit any of the below links to fill the DS-160 form.  
• US Travel Docs India Official Website:   Info on DS-160 form
• US State Govt Website:  FAQs on DS-160 form

Once you complete the DS-160 form, next step is to pay the fee and book visa interview appointment.

Booking US Visa Interview Appointment , Native Language

You need to book a visa appointment at a US embassy/ consulate to get B2 Visa stamping to travel to the US. It involves paying fees, selecting a location, and interview language. Let’s look in detail.

• US Consulate Location for Interview: Depending on your home country, there may be one or more locations in your country. You need to choose the US Consulate that is close to where your parents live. For instance, in India, each consulate has a list of states that they serve. Depending on your state, you need to select the respective Consulate. You can read US Consulates India – What states they serve, contact info .
• India Consulates – No Option to Choose Language in System: Starting from 2023 with the new system in place, in India, you do not have the option to choose the interview language such as your mother tongue like  Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, etc. You will only get the option of English. If you feel your parents are not fluent in English, then you can ask them to request a local translator at the US Consulate/ Embassy on the day of the interview. For India, depending on the consulate, some languages may not be available. So, it is important to attend the interview at a location that is relevant for your state. You can check US Consulates Contact Info, Served States for more info. You can email the consulate/ embassy beforehand to be sure as well.
• You need to create an account and follow the process in there. You will be asked to pay the fee online for booking an appointment.
• If you cannot pay online, you may need to go to the bank, pay it there, and get a code to use for booking an appointment.
• You do not need two accounts, you can add your parents as family in the same account and book visa interview appointment.
• If you are booking an appointment in India, you can read How to Create Account on USVisaScheduling.com

You can also read the complete guide apply for a US Visa Appointment for step-by-step process.

Step 2: Prepare for US Visitor Visa(B2) Interview, Documents

You will need to prepare and carry all relevant documents for the US Visitor visa interview for your parents. You will need to send them invite letters, sponsorship letters and other info. Let’s look at each of them.

Funds Proof – Bank Account Balance Lette r, Sample

If you are sponsoring your parents or in-laws trip, you need to send the relevant proof to show that there are enough funds in your bank. While you can print out the Bank statements online, it is recommend that you go to your Bank and get a Bank verification or Bank Balance Statement Letter signed and stamped by the Bank officer.

Go to the primary bank, where you have your longest standing account and the bank which has your savings and ask them to give you a Bank Verification letter for Visa. Depending on the bank, the process can vary.

For instance, at Chase Bank they do it instantly. For Bank of America, or others they make take couple weeks or more. Do this in advance.  All they do is, give a letter saying when the bank account was opened and average running balance since opening.  It is just a simple letter. If possible, get the visiting card of the bank manager( not necessary, more documentation the better). Check out   Sample Bank Verification Letter for Parents Visa

Invitation Letter, Visa Officer Cover Letter, Other Documents

Below are the other set of documents that you will need to have ready for the visa interview, so that your parents or in-laws can show the same.

• Invitation Letter: You need to send an invitation letter to your parents saying that you are inviting them to visit you and sign it. It supports your parents intent to come to the US and  you are inviting them to visit. You can get a sample template copy in the below section.
• Visa officer Cover letter: It is recommended to send a cover letter with all the documentation addressing the visa officer. It just lets you keep in track of what you are sending and if visa officer needs to check, it is easier for him and more clear for our parents. See the templates section below.
• Copies of W2 Form, Pay stubs, etc : You will need copies of W2 Forms for all the years, last three pay stubs or salary statements, Last three bank statements, Copy of your passport, I-94, H1B visa approval ( I797). This is extra piece of documentation to be given to your parents to avoid any issues. This is like an optional, I strongly suggest that you carry these documents.
• F1 Student Status Documents: If you are a student on F1 visa and not working, you may not have pay stubs, so do not worry about it. Send whatever you have regarding your current status like I20, etc.
• (Optional ) Affidavit of Support I-134 Form: This is an optional form, which is typically filed with family-based green card applications by sponsors. This is to establish that the applicant will not become public charges while in the United States. If you submit this form, you are legally signing that you take all the liability and they will not become a public charge. You may fill, sign and send the affidavit of support to your parents.  It has some basic info. Nothing fancy and tricky out there. All you are telling in this document is that you are going to support their entire trip.  You can Download the I-134 Form, Affidavit of Support from USCIS website
• Sending Documents to Home Country: Ideally, you want to print out everything and sign all the documents where you filled forms I-134 (optional), invitation letter and cover letter. Make copies of all the documents as listed above. Send originals of Employment letter and Bank letter. You can use DHL or FedEx. It may cost you up to $60 USD.

Below is the checklist of B2 visitor visa stamping documents for parents.

Parents US Visitor Visa(B2) Documents Checklist

Below are the documents that Parents need to carry from their side

• DS-160 Form Submission Confirmation letter
• US Visa Appointment Confirmation Letter

Below are the documents parents need to carry related to their sponsor(son or daughter) in the US or if they would be staying with them.

• Copy of work visa approval notice from USCIS ( H1B/ L1 Approval Notice Form I-797 ).
• Copy of Passport, US Visa stamped on passport.
• Copy of I-94.  (Check How to get I-94 Online )
• Current Employment verification letter
• Copy of Bank statements from the last six months.
• Bank Account verification/ balance letter.
• Copies of last three salary statements/ pay slips.
• Copies of previous years Tax Returns –W2 forms ( if applicable).
• DS forms (if you have filled it and signed the same)
• Copy of Green Card ( if you are not working on visa )
• Form I-134 ( Optional )

US Visitor Visa(B2) Documents Checklist for in-laws

If you are sponsoring for your in-laws like mother-in-law or father-in-law, in addition to above checklist of documents, you need to include spouse’s details and documents as well along with the package.

• Your Spouse’s Passport
• Spouse’s approval notice I797
• Spouse’s US Visa Copy
• Any other supporting documents like marriage certificate to prove the relationship.
• Spouse Birth Certificate

Thanks to Rajesh for suggesting the above after his bad experience of missing the documents of in-laws.

Additional Supporting documents by Parents for Visa Interview

Fundamentally, your parents have to prove that they have enough ties in their home country, so that they would return after their trip.  Some of the ways that can be done is by good supporting documentation. The below list of documents are intended to prove that they will return to home country:

• Notarized documents of land/ sites, buildings ( any kind of property).
• Bank Statements with enough balance
• Pension / employment benefits letters, if applicable.
• Fixed deposits, any financial related documents.
• If there are Tax returns, then carry them as well
• Any other documents that shows your financially strong and you will come back.

If you do not have all documents or big property back home, it is OK. No big deal. Because, you are the one in the US, who is sponsoring the visitor visa for your parents. So, do not worry. Also, if your parents are older, then they are fine.

You may join our Telegram B2 Visa Community Group to ask questions or share your experiences.

Sample Document Templates for Parents US Visitor Visa

Below are some of the templates that you can use. Make sure you change the content to fit it for your situation.

• Parents US Visitor Visa Invite Letter Template: You need to send an invitation letter to your parents saying that you are inviting them and also specify, if you plan to pay for their expenses when in US. We have given a sample letter, but I recommend you edit it with your own flavour and make it unique :  Invitation Letter Templates for Visitor (B-2) / Parents Visa
• Employment letter Sample Letter Template for US Parents Visa : You should also send an employment letter that tells that you are employed in your company with your designation and salary. It can be any standard employment letter. You may use : Employment letter Template for Parents Visa USA
• Cover Letter for Visa Officer at US Consulate:  It is a good idea to put in a cover letter to the visa officer listing all the documents you are sending. You may use : Cover Letter for Visa officer – Parents visa USA

These are just standard templates that you can use, no hard fast rule that it has to be in this format. We highly encourage you to use them as guideline only and create your own letters with your own flavour, so that it looks unique.

Step 3: Attend Biometrics & US Visitor Visa Interview Appointments

Once you have all the documents ready, the next step is to attend the Biometrics appointment at a US Visa Application Center(VAC) and give biometrics on that required day. After the biometrics are taken, parents must carry all the documents listed in the above checklist and attend the visa interview on the respective date and time.

Having all the documents is essential, but the most important thing is to give your parents confidence and all the details related to you and what you do in the US so that they can answer the questions. You need to coach your parents to do well in the interview.

You can expect to see questions like the below for your parents in the visa interview.:

• Who lives in the US? Son or Daughter?
• What does your Son or Daughter do in the US?
• Did they study in the US?
• Where did they study?
• What does your son or daughter do for work?
• Which city do they live in?
• Do you plan to settle down there or come back?
• What is the purpose of your visit?
• When do you plan to go?
• When do you plan to return to India?
• What is your son or daughter’s salary?
• How long have your son or daughter lived in the US?
• Do you currently work, or are you retired?
• Do you get a pension? Have you paid taxes?

You can check out previous US Visitor Visa experiences at below links 

• Collection of Latest B1/B2 Visitor Visa Stamping Experiences
• Parents US Visa Stamping Experience -Telugu  
• English Stamping Experience US Parents Visa .

Step 4: B2 Visa Approval, Passport with Visa

If the B2 visa interview went well, your parents would be informed that their visa was approved and their passports would be collected. If the passports are collected, then they can expect the actual B2 Visitor Visa foil to be glued in their passport and delivered to their given address within a few days.

If your parents chose to pick up a passport, they could collect the same with the visa stamped in it. The approved B1/B2 or B2 Visitor Visa glued in the passport would look in the screenshot below.

If the visa were not approved, the consular officer would inform your parents and give them a piece of paper indicating the reason for Visa denial. One of the common reasons for visa denial for B2 visitor visa is 214(b). If your parents are unlucky, they can again reapply. You can read more on it at State.gov US Visa Denials reasons .

Hopefully, your parents get their US Visa in the interview. One last thing, before they go to the US, is to look at health insurance for their US Travel.

Health Insurance for Parents:  After you get the US Visa and plan to arrive in the US, having visitors health insurance is important for parents to avoid any unforeseen health conditions, when in the USA. It is always a good idea to get Health Insurance from a US vendor, who can support you. We recommend Buying Parents Insurance at Visitors Coverage – Parents Insurance as they have US support and you can compare all insurance plans.

Common FAQs

Yes, US Consulates in India are doing both in-person interviews as well as dropbox appointments for parents B2 visitor visas. There are no restrictions.

All the appointments that are available on USVisaScheduling.com for 2024, 2025 and beyond are all real appointments. They are not placeholder appointments like in the past.

That’s it folks…not so much complex, all you need to do is get all the list of documents and have things rolling as per plan and schedule.

Do you have any other ideas or documents that are important ?  Do share your experience and thoughts.

Other Articles

1,792 comments.

Hi, Applying B1\B2 Visa Renewal Interview Renewal for parents, seen the below details on the US Visa Scheduling portal effective 1st April so seeking the clarification.

“”””Regardless, of the location of the consular post for which the interview waiver appointment is scheduled, applicants can still submit their documents free of cost at any of the five Visa Application Centers in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, or New Delhi””””

As currently only New Delhi VAC is having appointments for B2 Visa Renewal – Interview weaver category, Pls. suggest if the applicants can submit the documents at Chennai VAC at the same time for which appointment is booked at New Delhi.

For example if the applicants book B2 Visa Renewal Interview Waiver case appointment for New Delhi VAC at 29th April 10 AM, can at the same time instead of going to New Delhi VAC can the applicants visit Chennai VAC and provide the documents and finger prints ?

Did any one of you gone through this experience recently, Pls. help.

Thanks in Advance.

Mahi, Technically, there is no fingerprints for renewal, it is usually submitting documents. Yes, you can do that at any location. The only catch is, if you were to be picked for interview, then you would need to go to New Delhi.

Hi, I am preparing documents for my parent’s upcoming US B2 visitor visa appointment , i have some doubts if you can guide me then that will be the best .

1. My parents does not have birth certificate but they do have school leaving certificate in which DOB is mentioned & as per my research you can submit that as proof if DOB certificate is not available ? (Am i correct ?) 2. I already fill DS-160 form 1 year ago , earlier the reason was my sister’s baby shower function but due to interview slots unavailability it dragged , so should need to fill DS-160 form again with the new reason or that will be ok ? 3. I want local translator (Gujarati) for my parents , should i have to do any process before interview or can i request for the translator at a time of interview ? Or if no one is available that moment then can i be the translator for my parents ?

Thanks in advance.

Me and my wife have submitted DS160 and got confirmation. Can U explain how to pay visa fee and what step next? Thanx.

Om Dutta, You need to register an account on USVisaScheduling.com and pay fee. Check How to create account at USVisaScheduling.com

Hi, Firstly, thank you so much for this post, it is really helpful! I am working on OPT and I have my grad walk in May this year, I am applying for B2 visa for my parents and younger brother right now. My younger brother is giving his 10th Standard Board exams right now, and the results will be announced in May end. I have below questions – 1. I am putting him as a student, with the school details as his current school, is that alright? 2. Also my brother’s case makes him a candidate for rejection? And will this affect my parent’s visa too? My father works as an employee at a Logistics Company and my mom is a homemaker and we don’t have any property to our name. Thank you for the help!

I have applied B1/B2 visa for my parents i am currently on H4 Visa and we have applied my Parents visa based on my sister F1 visa . so in this case do i need to send my documents and my husband documents along with Sister Documents? if yes what all documents should we send?

Note : I have added my Info in DS160 but my husband info was not given in DS160

Hi i have b1/b2 as visa class on appointment letter instead of b2 for my parents. WIll this be fine if the visa class is correct on DS160?

Shilpa, Well, it is good to keep them consistent. Ideally, all of them should be B2. Try to call the customer service and see, if anything can be done. You can also create a new DS-160.

I may sound stupid but i am not aware how long is the wait time to get b1/b2 visa interview scheduled for delhi in person? I have applied b2 visa for my parents and its the first time visa for them so in person interview is required. Will they be releasing visa slots like they do for h1b or are all visa slots already booked for nexy 1-1.5 yr?

Need some help. My parents have a B2 visiting visa interview next month and I am gathering all the required documents. I felt inviting using the graduation invitation letter is easier than direct invitation. I got my degree in 2016 but I never did the graduation walk, my college has confirmed that I am eligible to do the graduation walk in December so I got the required invitation letter but I am checking with the community if this is the best path forward for the visa interview considering it has been so long since I got my degree?

Thanks, Sagar

Sagar, Frankly, it does not matter. Having said that, Graduation Walk is a big deal for many and it can be a nice way to invite your parents. It could be a good reason to share with VO as well, if asked.

Thanks for your reply, Kumar.

Is the bank statement, account verification, and other financial documents required if I am inviting with the graduation walk invitation letter?

Sagar, Not really, if they are going to be sponsoring the trip. Usually, if you are sponsoring the trip, it helps to carry them. Again, these are supporting documents and not mandated by them to show.

I’m so thankful for this comprehensive guide on the US visitor visa for parents. It’s not easy to find such detailed information in one place. Your blog post addresses common concerns and provides practical advice. Keep up the excellent work! check -t.ly/NaxHX for more details related to this blog

Hi can you help out I have apply US visa for my parents, my graduation and grad walk completed I am on OPT, if interviewer ask my parents, what is your son doing? What answers should they have to reply? Please reply

Deepthi, You should exactly answer what you are doing on OPT. Never cook up answers.

Please show me the step-by-step process of requesting my mother’s US Visitor Visa(B2). I am a US-born and raised citizen and would like to request my mother to visit the US. What documents would I need? Where would I apply? Please help me with a step-by-step process.

Erica, The process is exactly same as what is outlined above. Re-read the article.

My father is 80 above and he has only drop box appointment, can my mom drop off his documents along with her documents ? I guess he doesn’t need to go to OFC right ? Please advise.

Naveen, Yes, he does not need to go. Yes, your Mom can drop off documents. Carry an authorization letter from your dad to make life easier during submission and pickup.

Hi, I filled the application for parents in 2021 and they have visa interview in October 2023. In DS-160, we filled the intend travel dates back in 2021. But because of COVID, there were no interview slots. Do we need to fill a new DS-160 now to change the intend travel dates? or the older version is still fine?

How do we satisfy this “Your travel itinerary and/or other explanation about your planned trip.” Do we need to book tickets beforehand? or is it not necessary?

Thanks for your post. Very informative!

1) How imp. is form I-134 if parent is 80+ pension holder and have sufficient amt. In his bank in india. 2) if not filling I134 should we(GC holder) still submit our pay check, bank statements etc. 3) if son in law filled Ds160 cover letter for supporting documents should be signex by him only

My sister graduated from BTech in August 2022 and has been preparing for CAT exam by attending coaching center since then. In the primary occupation section of ds160, should I mention UNEMPLOYED(with above explanation) or STUDENT(with coaching center details)?

Eshwar, Coaching Center is not really an institution that gives degree like University. You should mention unemployed.

I am working on OPT.In DS160 of my parents, i have mentioned that they will be sponsoring their trip. Is it better to provide my sponsorship or is it ok if they themselves sponsor..what are the documents required

403 Permission Denied You do not have permission for this request /wp-content/uploads/securepdfs/2018/10/US-Parents-Visa-Cover-letter-for-Consulate-for-B2-Visa.pdf

Sample Document Templates for Parents US Visitor Visa link is not working , Says permission Denied , Please help

Yeah, says Permission denied. Have downloaded

Thanks for the detailed writeup

Can you please confirm if – 1. Photo will be taken at the VAC or parents need to take photos themselves to the appointment

2. Also we suddenly got the appointment rescheduled for next week( it was originally end of 2023) . There is not enough time to get letter from bank and send originals via post.

Are copies of my US Bank statements enough , or will it cause any problem from any previous experience. Should I postpone the appointment.

Hi, I scheduled appointment for my parents B1/B2 in AUG 2021, the interview is on APRIL 2023. I saw a rule that DS 160 is only valid for 1 year which means it’s almost 1.5years since I booked the appointment.my only doubt is do my parents need to file new DS 160 and take it to the interview or does the old one is fine? Please help !

You need to update their existing DS160 with the recent information applicable.

I have a similar situation. Does updating the DS 160 form with recent information mean i’ll need to apply for new interview dates? Or the original appointment dates still stand.

Hi, in my fathers application DA-160 I have selected visa category as B1/B2 instead of B2. He has already taken appointment too. Will there be any issue because of visa category? Should I fill out a new DS-160 with visa type as B2 before the interview or is it okay to select visa type as B1/B2.

Hello, in my fathers visa application DS-160 I have selected visa category as B1/B2 instead of only B2. Will there be any issue in the interview because of this? Should I fill out a new DS-160 with B2 as category. He has already take the appointment date with B1/B2 category selected.

Hi, My current H1B visa validity is up to September 1st, 2023. My company will be soon filing for extension. I am sponsoring my parents B2 visa. They have got the interviewed scheduled later in this month (March 2023). I have got all the documents ready. My question is will my current visa validity be an issue during their interview?

I am on similar boat. My i-94 is valid till July 2nd 2023. I am still looking for appointment. Should I wait till I get my i797 approved and new i-94 or can I book an appointment if I get one soon. Can you let us know what the experience of your parents was. TIA

Hi, I am on H1b. My mother already has a valid B1/B2 visa and she is visiting to USA this month. Because of my i94 expiring sooner(due to passport expiry), I plan my aunt (mother’s sister) who is US citizen to send her invitation letter for immigration purpose at point of entry. Can you please provide some guidance on what documents of Aunt will be required to be carried in this case?

Currently I got my H1B stamping done in January 2023 and I’m still in India.

I want to apply B1/B2 for my mother and travel with her to US(my first time travel to US)

Can I book slot with her without myself going there atleast once ? Will they ask any additional questions? What are the chances of rejection

Hi, My parents have B2 visa interview slot mid march. I am sponsoring for there visit. The last name in there passport and my passport is different ( there is a spelling mistake). Would it be a reason for rejecting visa. And also are there any other documents that I can provide to support this situation. Please help me.

I am having the same issue. But my husband is sponsoring for my parents. Did your parents get the visa now?

We booked visa interview for both mom and dad, but my dad is not in a position to go for the interview. can my mom go for the interview and able to get visa for both ??

purni, No, I highly doubt it for normal cases. If you are going to the US for medical treatment, you may try to explain the same to US embassy and ask for exception, I have not seen anyone get stamping without going to interview for normal cases. Do update how it goes.

Hi im married to a citizen in usa ( married for three years now) , my paper work is still in process. is there going to be any problem if my husband sponsers my mother for tourist visa to usa from India ? Will there be any issue since my papers are still in process?

Ana, It should not be as long as the person is able to support with relevant documentation on how he will pay for the trip.

Hi, My husband is a H1 visa holder and i got H4 recently and my mother will be giving her B2 visa interview in march. So i had a query regarding her B2 related documents. My husband is going to sponsor her trip completely also i am going to travel with her to US. But the thing is my mother is not together with my father like in 2020 due to conflicts my mother left the house along with me and now she is living in a rented apartment. So for showing proof of funds she has got her mutual funds and the money she invested after her retirement also she has some problem with the pension as the pension application is under process not sure when it will get resolved.But for property she dosnt have those papers as they are with my father and the house is under boths name but the papers are difficult to obtain as my father wont give them. So what documents can be shared in this case. Can someone help me out?

vedanti, If your husband is going to sponsor, all the documents of your mother related to finances are irrelevant. Frankly, all of these documents are just supporting ones and not required. Tell her to be confident. Carry the bank statement from your husband, and whatever documents she has and be honest and say the reason for visit. Try to keep it simple and answer confidently.

What to reply in case if they ask her why im still here and not in us. What should be the reason in that case for visiting. Only son in law is present in US. So what can be better? That visiting son in law or both and tourism?

Vedanti, You should tell the truth. Do not make up anything and answer, they will identify false answers easily. Tell the truth!

I am on H1b Visa I have applied B1/B2 visa for my parents. Do I need to fill I-134 form as well. They have sufficient amount in their accounts and they are running business in India. Still do I need to fill I-134?

Ram, It is optional and not needed.

Hi Kumar, I am currently on H1B and I want my parents to come visit me on B2 visa. Is it fine for my parents to sponsor their trip on their own instead of me and what are the disadvantages of doing that?

MM, Yes, they can. There are no disadvantages to that. As long as they have the financials to support them for the trip, they should be fine.

I am in the usa on a h1b, also i have my aunt living here and she is a citizen. My mother wishes to come to states to meet her on a b2 visa.

would it be okay if my aunt provides the invitation letter instead of me? will there be uncomfortable questions asked in the interview and can this cause complications.

Mohsin, As said, both works. yes, there could some tricky questions as well, why sister, when you have son, etc. So, best to go with your letter.

I am on a h1b visa and I have an aunt(moms sister) who is a US citizen. Is it advisable to have my aunt send the invitation for the B2 visa for my mom and dad, instead of me sending it. Will this create trouble during the interview.

Mohsin, It does not matter. Either works. It is best for you to send as you will be the main person sponsoring her and she would mainly stay with you. Again, it is a choice, both works.

Hello, I am an H1 B holder and having B2 visa interview for my mother next month. Does cover letter/ Invitation letter or any documents needs my signature OR just send soft copy and print out would do. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Vishal, There is no official rule that tells you need a wet signature. It is just suggested. Personally, I sent it. As long as there is an invite, it should work as well. It is your discretion.

My father is 74 year old and is suffering from depression and now having some memory loss too. Can I accompany him for b2 visa interview

Nidhi, Sorry to hear. You can request consulate for the same. You need to write to them indicating the same. You can accompany as a translator as well. Need to plan ahead.

For a B2 visa if VISA officer requires further documents or details will they notify us what is required or they reject the visa, does anyone know or has any experience, please share.

Sandeep, They will tell immediately if they want more documents. If not, they can issued 214b and ask to reapply, which does not require any documents.

Hi, 1. Should I choose B1/B2 category in DS-160 or only B2 when applying for visa for my parents? 2. I’m applying for tourist visa for my parents as well as 28 year old brother(unmarried) – can all 3 of them attend the same appointment slot?

Hitesh, 1. It would be B2 2. Well, as he is 28 years old, not sure. You can check with customer service. If under 21, can add for sure under dependent.

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Letter of invitation

Sometimes, when you apply for a visa to visit Canada, we ask you to give us a letter of invitation from someone in Canada.

A letter of invitation does not guarantee that we will issue a visa. Visa officers assess you to decide whether you meet the terms of Canada's immigration law.

Information for the person writing the letter of invitation

Writing a letter of invitation does not mean you are legally responsible for the visitor once he or she gets to Canada. You should still write the letter in good faith. You must tell the truth and plan to keep the promises you make in the letter.

Send your letter (notarized, if the visa office asks for that) to the person you are inviting to Canada. The person must then send this letter to the Canadian embassy or consulate outside of Canada when he or she applies for a temporary resident visa.

You must include this information about the person you are inviting :

• complete name,
• date of birth,
• address and telephone number,
• your relationship to the person,
• the purpose of the trip,
• how long the person plans to stay in Canada,
• where the person will stay, and how he or she will pay for things, and
• when the person plans to leave Canada.

You must include this information about yourself :

• address and telephone number in Canada,
• whether you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident,
• a Canadian birth certificate, if you were born in Canada,
• a Canadian citizenship card, if you are a naturalized citizen, or
• a copy of your PR card or your IMM 1000 proof of landing, if you are a permanent resident,
• details of your family, such as names and dates of birth of your spouse and dependants (this is mandatory for the parent and grandparent super visa ), and
• the total number of people living in your household, including people you sponsored whose sponsorship is still in effect (this is mandatory for the parent and grandparent super visa ).

For the parent and grandparent super visa only , you must also provide:

• a written and signed promise of your financial support for your parents or grandparents for their entire stay in Canada, and
• proof that your income meets or is above the low-income cut-off (LICO) for the total number of people, including the visiting parents or grandparents.

This information is only a guide. You must write the letter of invitation yourself. Some visa offices may ask that a notary public notarize your letter.

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Invite family to visit, required documentation.

Please refer to the specific U.S. Embassy website that your family will be going to for their interview.

Consular officials from the U.S. Department of State have stated that an invitation letter from the school is not required to process a visitor visa application. However, you as the student can write an invitation letter to invite your family to visit. Please see the template letter below. PLEASE NOTE: UNT does not issue invitation letters for family visits.

Suggested Documentation

The following suggestions are meant as ADVICE only. We cannot guarantee how U.S. consulates will approach each individual situation.

• A letter from you to your invitee, in English, inviting him/her for a visit
• Evidence of your valid student status
• Copies of your transcript and/or current enrollment
• A photocopy of your I-20 or DS-2019, passport, visa and I-94 card
• Evidence of your ability to financially support your visitor during their stay (for example, your assistantship letter or a bank statement). This evidence is needed only if your visitor does not have the funds to support himself or herself during the visit to the U.S.

Suggested Invitation Letter Format

If you would like to send a support letter to your friends or family to visit you in the U.S., you may wish to use the template below. This letter should come from the UNT student. A letter is not required from UNT to invite family to visit. This invitation letter from the student should be sent to the person who will be applying for the visa, and that person should present it to the U.S. consulate along with the application for the tourist (B-2) visa.

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 U.S. Address). I am a student at the University of North Texas 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 me in the United States. (She/He) is my (Explain your relationship to the person) and will be visiting 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

The US Travel Guide

Sample Invitation Letter For Visitor Visa For Parents

Sample invitation letter for visitor visa for parents | sample invitation letter for tourist visa.

This sample Invitation Letter can be used for any country’s tourist visa. Copy this sample Invitation letter for visitor visa. Make appropriate changes and send to your parents, relatives, friends or anyone you want to sponsor. Keep this invitation letter simple and straightforward. No need to put unnecessary things.

Date: mm /dd /yyyy

Rajesh Kumar

abc St. Somerville  New Jersey, 08876, USA.

Work phone number:  (000)-000-0000.

Home Phone number:   (111)-111-1111.

Email : [email protected].

< Name of the person you are calling  >

< Address of the person you are calling>

Dear Papa, Mommy,

I am fine here, and hope that you are fine too. With utmost pleasure I am inviting you to visit us and spend your vacation in the USA with us. During your vacation here, we will visit many places in the US such as Niagara falls, New York, Atlantic City, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and many such places.

You will get a chance to experience and learn American culture. You will meet different kinds of people . You will taste different variety of foods. America is really a beautiful country. It has so many rich heritage. There are so many national parks here with full of natural beauty. So you should visit at least once.

I will be taking care of your entire USA tour expenses. I will be also taking care of your round trip air fare to USA, medical insurance, housing, travel within US, food, and any other personal expenses. You will be staying with us at our residence.

I enclose you herewith all the required documents for getting the tourist visa from the US Consulate, Chennai.

I am eagerly waiting for your arrival in the USA. Hope to see you soon.

Your Loving son

Click here to know more about B1 B2 visa.

Click here for latest B1 B2 visa questions and answers.

Click here for B2 application process and documents.

Note : I have a small request. I want to be an independent woman and I’m working hard. Could you please like and subscribe to my kids learning YouTube channel and help me by clicking this link  “ pro kids learning TV YouTube  channel “.

Simple step by step procedure. How To Apply for B2 Visa For Parents and Relatives. Documents Required for visitor visa.

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After Hamas killed his mother, an Israeli man chooses peace over vengeance

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Carmel Neta was on the phone with his mother, Adrienne, when Hamas militants stormed her kibbutz on the morning of Oct. 7. He could hear panic in her voice and screams in the distance.

Neta, 39, did his best to calm her, urging her to take refuge in a safe room and then guiding her in a meditation. Two of his siblings were also on the call, and promised their mom that when the attack was over, they would all travel together to Paris.

They were still on the line as the assailants burst into Adrienne’s home. They heard her plead with the intruders in Arabic, which she had picked up while working as a midwife for Palestinian and Bedouin families in southern Israel. Then the call cut out.

Adrienne, 66, died in the massacre at Kibbutz Beeri — one of about 1,200 people killed across the country that day in the deadliest attack in Israel’s history.

In the months that followed, angst and anger flared. Tensions between Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel simmered and support for a two-state-solution plummeted . As more than 300,000 army reservists were called up for duty and Israel launched a punishing campaign in Gaza, a grim, wartime mentality took hold.

Carmel knew it all would have pained his mother.

A native Californian, Adrienne believed different cultures could and should coexist . She had raised her four children to respect Palestinians, and had been deeply moved when Carmel and his wife had enrolled their two young children in an experimental bilingual school in which students from diverse backgrounds learned together in Hebrew and Arabic.

And so, after her death, Carmel tried not to get angry. He did not seek revenge. To honor his mother, he drew closer to his Palestinian neighbors and the school. During a bleak time, the school was a source of light — and hope. If schoolchildren could get along, couldn’t the adults do so too?

Adrienne Neta was of hearty Irish stock, with light skin and a mass of fiery red hair.

She grew up in California and was a skilled flutist and violinist, performing with the California Philharmonic Orchestra. At 21, she fell in love with an Israeli man who was traveling across the U.S. after finishing his compulsory military service. Soon after, she followed him back to Israel, to his home in Beeri.

Be’eri had been established in 1946, two years before the founding of the state of Israel, by secular Zionists inspired by the socialist ideal of communal living. The kibbutz was centered on a sprawling collective farm and printing press, and all residents were expected to pitch in.

Adrienne took happily to kibbutz life. She loved being crouched in the dirt for hours, tending to vegetables, and the way families looked after one another’s children. Residents walked around barefoot. Few had locks on their doors.

Beeri lies just a few miles from the Gaza Strip, and for many years before 2007 — when Israel and Egypt imposed a blockade on the enclave — Palestinians would commute to the kibbutz to work.

Adrienne was always friendly with the Palestinian workers, Carmel said, and with the Bedouin and Palestinian families whose babies she delivered while working at a hospital in the Negev desert. “She was known as someone who treated everyone as a human being,” he said.

Carmel, the second oldest son, had inherited Adrienne’s red hair and blue eyes, and many of her political beliefs.

After serving in the army in the occupied West Bank , where he grew increasingly uncomfortable with the brusque way soldiers treated Palestinians, he returned to the kibbutz with new eyes.

“It was a paradise to live in,” he said of Beeri. “But 2 kilometers away you see a fence, and you know it’s hell on the other side.”

The kibbutz was an experiment in radical living, but only for Jewish Israelis, he felt. “What kind of movement is it if there are no Arabs?” Carmel wondered.

Along with his wife, Inbal, 36, whom he had met while she was teaching at a school in Beeri, he decided to move to Haifa, a tech hub two hours north that is known as one of Israel’s most ethnically mixed cities. The couple wanted children, and wanted to raise them alongside Palestinians.

On a recent morning, an 8-year-old girl stood in a sunlit classroom, giving a presentation on the history of chocolate. She swerved between languages, speaking in Hebrew while she described chocolate’s origins, then switching to Arabic when she used numbers. When she finished, her classmates showered her with a chorus of thank yous — “ shukran ” in Arabic, “ toda ” in Hebrew.

Pre-university education in Israel is largely segregated, with Jews and Palestinian Christians and Muslims almost exclusively attending separate schools. But in 1998, two educators — one Palestinian, one Israeli — founded a network of schools that would do things very differently.

At the Hand in Hand school in Haifa and five sister schools around the country, a diverse mix of students study in both Hebrew and Arabic. Each class is taught by two teachers — one Palestinian, and the other Jewish. The curriculum includes lessons on the Holocaust as well as the Nakba, the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 creation of Israel.

About six years ago, Inbal began teaching at Haifa’s branch of Hand in Hand, and she and Carmel enrolled their toddler Lily in the pre-kindergarten program.

Lily immediately took to Arabic. Carmel often sent videos of her babbling in the language — or singing songs side by side with Palestinian classmates — to his mother, who cried tears of pride. “She was really into it,” he said. Sometimes they discussed what it meant that such scenes were rare in Israel.

Carmel had learned some Arabic while in the army. “But it was the Arabic of the occupation,” he said. “You learn to shout into a microphone: ‘Get out of the house, you are surrounded.’ Or: ‘Get out of the car.’”

Through Lily and his 2-year-old son, Dror, who began school last year, he has acquired a wider, and gentler, vocabulary.

The school’s mission was always to reach parents, not just their children. It invited them on community camping trips, Haifa history tours and to parties to mark holidays including Easter, Passover and Ramadan.

A few years ago, Carmel participated in a series of dialogue sessions, where, over the course of several months, parents shared their personal histories. Sometimes the conversations became tense as they veered into politics. But people ultimately found common ground.

“Everyone is so different,” Carmel said. “I come from a kibbutz. Others grew up in Arab villages outside of Nazareth. But it always comes back to the kids and our hopes for the future. It’s very different stories starting from very different points, but you see these lines coming together.”

It was a bold experiment in a country that for years had been moving to the right. Still, no one was prepared for the test that was about to come.

For several days in the wake of Oct. 7, Carmel and his siblings didn’t know what had happened to their mother after the call dropped. They held on to a grotesque hope: that she had been taken hostage.

But eventually, officials confirmed it: She was dead.

Carmel and his siblings went into mourning. For their mother, for their friends who had been killed or taken hostage and for the kibbutz itself, which had been largely destroyed by flames and fighting. “I’m grieving for my mother and for the place I grew up,” Carmel said. “My story, my history, has been wiped out.”

But he was acutely aware of how his pain fit into a larger patchwork of suffering.

He thought about parents who have lost children on both sides of the conflict. He thought about starvation in the Gaza Strip. “Yes, I’m here with my tragedy,” he said. “But there are people without anything to drink or eat.”

For the Hand in Hand community in Haifa, the events of Oct. 7 and the subsequent war were paralyzing at first. Jewish Israeli families felt their sense of safety had been shattered. Palestinians were horrified by the Hamas attacks, but also bothered by the sense that they were expected to condemn them, and afraid of Israel’s response to come.

“It was a feeling of grief. Of awkwardness,” said Safi Mansour, a Palestinian citizen of Israel who helped found Hand in Hand’s Haifa branch. “People were overly careful talking to each other. Everyone was hesitant.”

The school hosted a series of conversation circles for parents that were often very tense. There were lots of tears. Sometimes raised voices.

But the meetings revealed something else. All of the school’s parents, regardless of their background, faced similar issues: the fear of a wider war and the challenge of how to explain what was happening to their children.

Rebecca Sullum, a community organizer for the school, said the community was brought together by a simple question: “What’s it like to parent kids right now?”

For Carmel and Inbal, it has not been easy. They assure their kids that they are safe, even as rocket sirens wail, telling them the war is between good people and bad people. They make it clear, though, that they’re not talking about Israelis versus Palestinians.

“I don’t see the Gazan people as my enemy,” Carmel said. “I see their leaders and my leaders as the enemy.”

Parents from the school have become an important support network for Carmel’s family since Oct. 7. He grew closer to the Palestinian father of a child in Lily’s grade. This spring, the friendship blossomed into a business partnership. The men are launching a startup together.

The war has hardened many people, including Carmel’s father, who is alive because he happened to be visiting Carmel in Haifa on Oct. 7. He recently moved back to Beeri and is one of only a handful of people living there.

“He doesn’t see any path to peace,” Carmel said. “He is angry at the Palestinian people.”

Like many Israelis, his father is also frustrated with his government.

Carmel, who shares that anger, recently attended a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. It was gutting, he said. He kept having the urge to send photos of the action to his mother, who last year participated often in protests against Netanyahu’s planned judicial reform. Carmel had hoped that his grief would have evolved by now, six months after his mother’s death. “But it feels like this is life now.”

Some of Carmel’s friends have fled the country — mostly for Europe. He and Inbal have discussed following them. His grandfather’s family left Europe ahead of the Holocaust. Sometimes he wonders: “How did they know when to leave? How did they decide, ‘This place cannot be changed and we need to migrate?’”

But he knows his mother would have wanted him and his siblings to stay and fight to make Israel better.

“I think she would ask me why I’m still working ... and not doing more,” he said. He has a friend — the son of a slain peace activist — who quit his job to devote himself full time to calling for peace. Recently he spoke to members of the Haifa Hand in Hand community.

After the death of his mother was confirmed, Carmel’s family began preparing for shiva , the Jewish ritual of mourning.

As word spread about Adrienne, many Palestinian community members felt an urge to attend her shiva , but weren’t sure they’d be welcome. They asked community leaders such as Sullum: “Do people want us there? Because if there’s even one person who doesn’t want us, we won’t go.”

Carmel’s response was immediate: “Of course.”

“My mother dedicated her life to bringing life into this world and seeing people as equals,” he told Sullum and many of the dozens of families who ended up coming to the shiva . “Everyone’s welcome here.”

The ceremony was held at a family home with an ample backyard. Inside, the parents talked and mourned and wept, together. Outside, the children played.

More to Read

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April 24, 2024

This 5-year-old from Gaza is learning to live with one leg and untold loss

Letters to the Editor: Scripture is up for interpretation. But is Israel’s war in Gaza revenge?

March 26, 2024

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Columbia protesters say they’re at an impasse with administrators, will continue anti-war camp

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April 26, 2024

Egypt sends delegation to Israel, its latest effort to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas

U.S. found Israeli military unit committed human rights abuses before Gaza war, Blinken says