B Visa

Inviting Friends and Family to Visit the US

For relatives, extended family, and friends to visit you in the U.S., including to come to Commencement in June, they will most likely need to apply for a Visitor's Visa ( B-1/B-2 visa stamp). Unlike student and research visas (F and J), the Visitor's visa is not "sponsored", and so does not have a specific visa document (e.g. form I-20 or DS-2019) with which to apply for the visa stamp. However, there are some guidelines on what a consular official expects of applicants. Applicants should be prepared to explain the following points:

• That the visit to the U.S. will be temporary
• That there are adequate finances to cover the cost of transportation and "cost of living" in the U.S.
• That they have a residence outside the U.S. to which they will return

Suggested Documents:
For the first item listed above, both a letter from you, as well as a formal invitation from your school or department may be necessary. For graduating students, your school can provide you with an official commencement invitation. When you are preparing an invitation letter, be sure to explain your own visa status in the U.S. Copies of your visa documents are not normally necessary, but may be helpful.
For the second item, a letter of invitation from you, and your current bank statement is recommended as evidence of adequate financial support to cover the family's stay in the U.S. Your letter could also include whether your family or friends will be staying with you and will not need a hotel. Your family members can also show their own funding in the form of bank statements. There is also a form called an I-134 Affidavit of Support, which can be completed by you and used in their visa application. It is not a required document for a B visa application, and many people choose not to use it.
The last item, proving the intent to return home can be documented by evidence of a job, family, property or other commitments. The applicants should just be prepared to answer questions about their "intent". The following is guidance from the US Department of State on the issue

Two Step process
The first step is for the visitor to obtain a B visa stamp from a US embassy or consulate overseas. The following guidance is from the US Department of State Please note that Canadian citizens and citizens of and Visa Waiver countries do not need to obtain visa stamps. Please note that visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program will need pre-clearance authorization called ESTA prior traveling.
The second step occurs upon entering the US. At this time a US government official will annotate the visitor's “I-94 card” (a small white card completed prior to entry to the US ) indicating how long the visitor may remain in the US . The length of stay which the US government official grants to the visitor is discretionary, normally no longer than 6 months. Extensions may be requested at a later date.

What can Harvard do for me?
Since the purpose of the visa does not directly involve Harvard's visa sponsorship, the statements you need do not normally come from the HIO. Your academic advisor, department, or school registrar can often make more exact and official statements about commencement than the HIO. A letter encouraging family to attend graduation from your school, official commencement invitations, registrar records, or employer statements are effective documents to use in a visitor's visa application.
Click here to see a Sample Letter[doc]