Invitation Letter

For a Family Member or Friend to Visit the United States

U.S. Embassies and Consulates do not require an invitation letter for family members of F-1 students to apply for a visitor visa. Therefore, ISSA does not provide invitation letters for the purpose of inviting family members to visit the United States.

As a courtesy to our students, ISSA offers a sample letter template for those who wish to draft their own invitation letter for immediate family members (such as parents, grandparents, and siblings). Please note that this letter is optional and provided solely as a courtesy.

Suggestions for helping your visitor apply for a (B-2) tourist visa:

  1. Your visitor should visit the U.S. embassy website in his/her home country for specific guidance in applying for a tourist visa and for the necessary forms. Click here for a list of U.S. consulates.
  2. You can write a letter addressed to a U.S. Non-immigrant visa officer inviting your family member or friend to visit you. Below is a template for you to use. At the bottom of this page there is a link to a sample letter so you know what your letter will look like. Make copies of your I-20, passport, visa, and I-94 card to provide along with your invitation letter. You may also wish to include a copy of your transcript. If you wish to wish to send a copy of your transcript. Request it from the Registrar online or in person in Woody Hall.
  3. Your visitor will need to provide proof of finances for his/her entire stay in the U.S.
  4. Your visitor will also need to provide evidence of his/her intent to return home after the visit.
  5. Have your visitor(s) present all the above documents at his/her/their visa appointment at the closest American Embassy/Consulate.

There are no guarantees that the consulate will issue a visitor’s visa, and occasionally they are denied.


Template for letter of invitation

Your California mailing address
City, CA, zip code, USA

Today’s Date

Non Immigrant Section
Consulate of the United States
Name of City
Country

Dear U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa Officer:

I am an international student on an F-1 visa attending the University of La Verne in La Verne, California.

My legal name:          Given name FAMILY NAME
Date of Birth:              Name of month, day, 4 digit year
SEVIS ID#                   (the number above the bar code on your I-20)
My Major:                   (I-20 page 1, number 5)
Level:                         (I-20 page 1, number 4)
Program start date:    (I-20 page 1, number 5)
Program end date:     (I-20 page 1, number 5)

I would like to invite my _____________________ (relationship of visitor) to the United States to ______________ (visit me, travel, attend graduation on XX date, etc.). He/she plans to stay with me for __________________ weeks/months. I have attached a copy of my F-1 visa, my current I-20, my I-94 (small white card stapled inside your passport by U.S. immigration).

I am inviting:
Name:                                    Given name FAMILY NAME
Date of birth:                          Name of month day, 4 digit year                                             
Travel dates:                          Planned date of U.S. entry and departure

Note: If you are inviting more than one person, add the information for each person you are inviting

Thank you for your assistance in considering this request for a visitor’s visa.

Sincerely,
(Your Signature)
Given name Family name
Email address
Telephone number

To see a sample letter, CLICK HERE (pdf file)