Inviting Someone to Visit You

Per the Department of State Visitor Visa webpage, "Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your visa interview, please remember that it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa."

If a friend or family member wants to visit you in the U.S. to attend your graduation ceremony, sightsee, or just spend time with you, and you still wish to provide your friend/family member an invitation letter as an accompanying document, please review the steps below on writing an invitation letter for your friend/family member.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Download the form letter here, and save it on your computer.

  2. Wherever you see information in bold like this, you must remove the words in bold and input your own information.

  3. Once you have completed the letter, print it out on plain white paper; Stevens letterhead is not needed and will not be provided by ISSS for this purpose.

  4. Sign the letter in blue ink where you see “[Your Signature].”

  5. Send the letter to your friend/family member as a scan or original (preferred) by mail.

  6. Along with the letter, you should provide the following to your friend/family member:

  • Everyone: Send copies of your I-20 and passport ID page (with your picture).

  • If you are a current student (even if you are graduating this semester), send a copy of your official transcript. You can request this from the Office of the Registrar.

  • If you are graduating, send proof of your graduation-- a Letter of Expected Completion. You can request this from the Office of the Registrar (graduate students). If you are on OPT, send a copy of your EAD (front and back) and offer letter for your current job.

If your family members/friends would like additional information on applying for a visitor visa, please refer them to the Department of State's website. Unfortunately, ISSS cannot advise on visitor visas.