Inviting a Relative or Friend to Visit
Office of International Education

As an ESF student maintaining F-1 or J-1 immigration status in the United States, you may want to invite relatives or friends to visit you. If the person you are inviting does not qualify for the visa waiver program and is not a dependent (legal spouse or child) eligible for F-2 or J-2 status, s/he will need to request a visitor's tourist visa (B-2) from a United States Consulate or Embassy. Simply requesting a B-2 visa does not guarantee that the Consulate or Embassy will grant the visa to the applicant; appropriate visa status is required for entry to the U.S.

Because relatives (other than your dependent spouse and minor children) and friends are not eligible for F-2 or J-2 status, you nor the Office of international Education has an official role in their visit to the United States.  Although there are no specific procedures for inviting relatives and friends, the following information and guidelines may be helpful to you.

• Write your own letter of invitation to your relative(s).
  • You may want to include the proposed dates of the visit and why you are inviting them (e.g., to attend your graduation)
  • You may also want to include your ESF program information (e.g., program of study, degree level, and anticipated graduation date).
    
• Write a letter to the United States Consular Officer in the city where your relative(s) will apply for their visas.  In the letter, include the following information:
  • The name(s) of the individual(s) you are inviting.
  • The reason you are inviting them.
  • How long, you wish them to stay. 
  • You may also want to include what expenses they will have during their visit to the United States: accommodations, if their meals will be provided for them, and what activities they will do.
  • If you plan to provide some, or all, of their living expenses in the U.S., you may want provide the following information for them to take to the U.S. Consulate:
    • An appointment letter from your department showing the source and amount of any University funding; or
    • A recent letter from you sponsor(s) indicating that they are still supporting you; or
    • A letter from your bank indicating the date you opened your account, the current account balance, and (if possible) the average balance over the past 12 months.
      
• The person whom you invite should show evidence that s/he has finances that are adequate for the length of stay in the United States.  These finances may come from you or from their own savings.  They should also be prepared to show evidence that they have a reason to return home following their visit.  They may be asked to show a round-trip ticket.
  
• You may want to advise your relatives/friends to review the non-immigrant visa interviewing tips provided by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
• Additionally, you might also consider requesting a letter of registration, Certificate of Enrollment, or transcript from the Registrar’s Office confirming your continued enrollment status at SUNY-ESF.