How do I invite a friend to the States temporarily?

[sl_y_guy 0]

OK I'm sure this is simple but I just don't know. My friend wants to come back to the US, not as a student this time but just as a visitor I suppose. I can invite or sponsor him no problem I just don't know the exact forms/documents or proof I need to do this. He seems to think I can just write a letter and all is good but I am assuming it is a bit more difficult than that. Any information is greatly appreciated!

[Anh map 2,098]

Your friend needs to apply for a visa on their own with the local embassy/consulate.

[Old Dominion 26]

A brief letter of invitation from you, stating that you will be responsible for him financially while in the U.S., won't hurt his application for a visa. That's about all you can do to help.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Your friend needs to apply for a visa on their own with the local embassy/consulate.

Right - and there isn't much sponsoring to be done on a tourist visa . For a Ukrainian that was here before as a student, my understanding is that there is no bonus given for returning on time when the last visa expired. It helps if there is property, spouse, kids, etc. still in Ukraine - or some compelling reason to return. Other than that, just roll the dice.

[lucyrich 20]

We wrote a letter of invitation for my sister-in-law, a Venezuelan citizen. She came here on a tourist visa. The letter explained our own citizenship situation, the reason for the visit, the approximate dates of the visit, and that we would be providing food and a place to stay during her time in the US.

She still had to apply for the visa on her own, and show her own ties to her home country. The letter of invitation helped eliminate the need for her to show that she had enough funds for a hotel room and meals during her visit, and it helped establish her consistent story about why she wanted to make a temporary visit to the US.

She did get the visa, and I believe the letter of invitation was very helpful in her particular case. But under different circumstances, the usefulness of a letter of invitation may not be so great. If a person doesn't seem to have ties to the home country and looks like an immigration risk, the visa may be denied regardless of any letter of invitation (and the letter of invitation might even be used as evidence that the person has ties to the US).

[sl_y_guy 0]

OK I think I get the jist of it now. I figured as much but wasn't exactly sure, knowing that our gov. is red tape crazy right now I just needed some insight. Thanks to all!