Inviting Family Members to Visit

In order for family members to enter the United States, they must obtain their own visas. This is true whether there is family coming to your graduation ceremony or to visit you in the United States.

If visiting family includes your spouse or your child under the age of 18, there may be provisions to add them to your I-20 or DS2019.  Parents and other family members coming for a limited stay should come either under the visa waiver program, or, if they are from an eligible country, on a tourist, or B-2, visa.

Preparing the following documents and sending them to your family member(s) may help to support their application for B-2 tourist visas:

• A letter of invitation to the family member in your language and translated to English
• A letter in English addressed, “To Whom It May Concern." Remember to:
• Explain the reason for the visit
• Provide verification, if possible
• Indicate what support you will provide
• Indicate the time period of visit
• Indicate where you will travel or if there are no travel plans
• Provide a copy of your I-20 or DS2019
• Provide copies of paycheck stubs and other financial resources
• Provide a copy of academic transcript if a student