Even though a letter is not required or used to determine if a person is issued a visa, You can write a letter of invitation on your own.

For Extended Family (a letter of invitation is not used for determining if a person will be issued a visa)

Include the purpose of the visit, the relationship to the individual, a statement of the student's or scholar's status here, and the length of time the family will be visiting (usually less than three months). If the individual has a job to which they plan to return, it is good to mention it. If the student or scholar plans to provide for the family's support while they are in the U.S., include that information as well. Use this template to prepare a customized letter.

Students If you require a enrollment verification letter, you can request this from the Registrar's Office. To request an official transcript, visit the Transcript Request page.

Scholars can request a letter from the departmental staff person who assists visiting scholars or host professor which indicates that you are a scholar in good standing in the department, your reason for being here, that you wish to return to your home country at the end of your research or teaching, and, if applicable, the amount of funding being provided by the department.

Your family members or friends should also bring "proof of ties" to home country with them when they apply for the visa stamp at the U.S. Consulate, such as:

• • copies of deeds to any property (land, house, apartment) they own in their home country
• • bank statements of any accounts they maintain at home
• • if they are employed, they could bring a letter from the employer stating they will return to the job after the U.S. visit
• • all other documentation as specifically required by the Embassy or Consulate (check website for the necessary documentation: http://usembassy.state.gov/)

• • Visitors in B-2 status may have a difficult time changing status in the U.S. to a different visa category. B-2 visitors are advised NOT to enroll in classes at a U.S. university or college.
• • B-2 visitors may apply for an extension of stay with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services by filing an I-539 and demonstrating finances and purpose of the extension. The Form I-539 form, instructions, and fees can be found at www.uscis.gov.
• • Note: The length of the visa does not equate to the length of stay. When visitors enter the U.S., their documents will be inspected by a U.S. border official. The officer will determine the amount of time the visitor will be permitted to remain in the U.S. and write that date on the I-94 Arrival/Departure record. The maximum period of admission for a regular B-2 visitor is 6 months.
• • For detailed information about the B-2 nonimmigrant visa, go to: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourismvisit.html
• • If your friend is a citizen of a country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), check the State Department's website (Note: a visa waiver visitor may NOT change status from within the U.S. under any circumstances): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html