Inviting Family or Friends to Visit you in the U.S.

Often we are asked to write letters of invitation for family members who want to visit you in
the U.S. This is most typical around graduation or other important campus events (Parents and
Family Weekend, for example). Family members (other than your spouse and children) wishing
to visit the U.S. must apply for a tourist visa at the US embassy or consulate in their home
countries. Willamette University and the OIE are not financially responsible for visiting
family members or friends and cannot therefore issue letters of invitation or other
documentation for tourist visa applications.

Instead, we recommend that you make sure your family members have the following evidence
which will be helpful during the visa application process:

• Invitation letter from you: Write a letter of invitation that includes the following: your name and your reason for living in the US, the names of your family members who wish to visit, the purpose and approximate length of the visit, and whether you will provide room and board or any other financial assistance for the visit.
• Your evidence of funding: If you provide room and board or any other specific expenses of the trip (such as airfare), you should supply evidence of your funding such as a bank statement or employment letter. There is no minimum dollar amount that you must reflect, but you should indicate an amount that is reasonable for the level of support you are providing.
• Evidence of your status in the US: provide your family members with a copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 (do NOT send the original) and other documents verifying your status in the US. It is not necessary to get a new I-20 or DS-2019 when inviting family members.
• Evidence of intent to return home: Your family members must prove that they will return home after visiting the US. Documents showing employment, property ownership, close family relations in home country, or enrollment in school (in the home country) are considered good evidence of intent to return home.
• Family Members’ Evidence of Funding: If your family members intend to cover their own expenses, they should provide a bank statement, employment verification or other evidence of funding.

The US State Department/Bureau of Consular Affairs has a website (www.travel.state.gov)
with additional information about applying for a tourist visa. In addition, many individual
consulates will have more specific information about inviting family members on their websites.
You can find links to US Consulates around the world on the above site or at www.embassyworld.com.