Visiting the USA with just a letter?? Doesn’t sound right.

[IWishAttila 0]

I was told today that one of my friends, Hungarian citizen living in London went to the citizens advise bureau and they told him that if his other friend that lives in the USA were to write a letter requesting him to visit the USA he would be allowed. The letter would require personal info like name address, phone, etc of the person living in the USA so customs would believe there was someone he was actually staying with. He was told he would be considered a visitor and not a tourist and when he reached customs in the USA that they would determine the length of his stay.

Has anyone ever heard of this? From everything I have researched I have never heard of such thing.

[pax 0]

I was told today that one of my friends, Hungarian citizen living in London went to the citizens advise bureau and they told him that if his other friend that lives in the USA were to write a letter requesting him to visit the USA he would be allowed. The letter would require personal info like name address, phone, etc of the person living in the USA so customs would believe there was someone he was actually staying with. He was told he would be considered a visitor and not a tourist and when he reached customs in the USA that they would determine the length of his stay.

Has anyone ever heard of this? From everything I have researched I have never heard of such thing.

Kind of. An invitation letter can help a person to get a B-2 (visitor's) visa, but it's not a sure thing. Your Hungarian friend can apply for a B-2 visa with or without an invitation letter.

Is he legally resident in the UK? If so, he can apply for his B-2 in London and see if he can get it. If he gets it, it can be approved for a stay of up to 6 months when he attempts to enter the States, but the immigration officers typically approve a much shorter stay--maybe a month or 6 weeks. And he will only be admitted to the States at the officer's discretion--a visa is not a sure thing, either.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

An invitation may help an applicant secure a B2 visa but it does in no way obligate the Consulate to issue one. They still look at the whole picture, first and foremost at the likelihood of the applicant to return from the US when or before their B2 status expires. Social and economic ties to the home-country is typically the most important factor that a CO considers when deciding whether or not to grant a B2 visa.

Edited April 25, 2006 by ET-US2004

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I was told today that one of my friends, Hungarian citizen living in London went to the citizens advise bureau and they told him that if his other friend that lives in the USA were to write a letter requesting him to visit the USA he would be allowed. The letter would require personal info like name address, phone, etc of the person living in the USA so customs would believe there was someone he was actually staying with. He was told he would be considered a visitor and not a tourist and when he reached customs in the USA that they would determine the length of his stay.

Has anyone ever heard of this? From everything I have researched I have never heard of such thing.

There's always more to any story.

I like the one where the foreign spouse get citizenship upon marrying a US Citizen.

[germangel 0]

There's always more to any story.

I like the one where the foreign spouse get citizenship upon marrying a US Citizen.

Yeah, I heard that one too. It's always funny, especially cos my in-laws think that's true. They don't seem to get that I have to do all this EAD, SSn and then driver's license stuff. They always tell me to just go there and get it, I am after all married to a USC. I only laugh and tell them they are so cute!!

[almaty 19]

allot of folks here believe that...they are surprised when they find out the process..

Edited April 25, 2006 by almaty2004

[IWishAttila 0]

My friend lives and works in London, but is a Hungarian citizen. What are the chances he is able to visit the USA on a B2 Visa? As far as I know he has a job that will write a letter him a letter stating he will return to work, but as far as strong ties to the UK all his family is in Hungary and I am thinking that’s where they will deny him. My other friend also stated that he was going to pay for all expenses that the Hungarian would incur in the USA and that he would be staying with him so as far as money goes to take abroad it wouldn’t be that much. Maybe just food when they go out and souvenirs to bring back to the UK.

What is the difference between a B2 Visa and a tourist Visa? I cant seem to find any information on the internet that breaks the two Visas down.

Also from what I read would he have better luck if he purchased a plane ticket and in the letter that my friend would be writing him, write down the dates that he would be leaving and coming back from the USA?

[Lowen/Zhang 0]

The only thing I have ever heard of like that is a letter requesting a visit and then use the letter to obtain a tourist visa. But never heard just buy a ticket and come over with just a letter.

[Nessa 23]

if u could show a letter at the border and get in the states, Mexico would be uninhabited

[kc456 0]

What is the difference between a B2 Visa and a tourist Visa? I cant seem to find any information on the internet that breaks the two Visas down.

Also from what I read would he have better luck if he purchased a plane ticket and in the letter that my friend would be writing him, write down the dates that he would be leaving and coming back from the USA?

B2 is a tourist visa; they are one and the same. One should not purchase a ticket (unless it's fully refundable), since you may still get denied. The tickets do not make getting the visa any easier. Putting dates of visit on the invitation is a good idea though.