Hosting Visitors to the U.S.

People often ask how they can help a family member, relative or friend get a visa to visit them in the United States. We appreciate their desire to help and do understand that sometimes the need for a visit can be urgent.

Under U.S. law, however, applicants for visitor visas must qualify on their own for visas to visit the United States.

This is what applicants must do to qualify for visitor visas:

• Complete and sign the required application forms;
• Bring evidence that their visit is temporary and that they will return home after their legally authorized stay; and
• Undergo security clearance procedures

In general, we look at visa applicants with greater scrutiny and more background checks than we did in the past. This leads to longer processing times in many cases.

We understand that you may want to help with the visa process. However, it does not help the applicant if you write a letter of invitation or personally guarantee his or her departure from the United States after the visit is over. The consular officer evaluates each visa application on its own merits according to visa law and procedures.

• Make sure the applicant for a visitor visa has all the information to submit a correct application; and
• Explain fully the standards for visa issuance to the applicant