Invitation Letters Not Required for B2 Tourist Visa Applicants

Effective March 2015, International Student and Scholar Services will no longer issue "letters of invitation" based on the U.S. Department of State’s confirmation that “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 nonimmigrant tourist visa”

Note: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 nonimmigrant tourist visa. If you do choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember that it is not one of the factors that we use in determining whether to issue or deny a nonimmigrant tourist visa. travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visit/visitor.html

As ISSS has had no reports of visa denials based on the lack of a letter of invitation and given that it is not a required document, we will no longer generate invitation letters.

If you would still like to send your famiy member(s) or friend(s) a letter of invitation, you may use the template to do so.