Inviting Family to Visit

Dependent family members (children under the age of 21 and legal spouses) typically accompany students and scholars during their stay in the US for long periods of time in dependent visa statuses like F-2, J-2, H-4 etc.  Occasionally, however, students and scholars may invite non-dependent relatives such as parents, siblings, grandparents and friends to visit them in the US for short periods of time.  These visitors generally enter the US in a visitor visa (B-2) or through the Visa Waiver Program depending on their country of citizenship. Such, visitors should carefully review the US Department of State’s information on entering the US in visitor status.

The US Department of State continues to emphasize that letters of invitation are not required to apply for a visitor visa as they are not factors used in determining visa eligibility. Despite this guidance, some students continue to seek BU assistance with supporting documentation for visitor visa applications.

Students: The ISSO will issue a brief letter confirming you are currently enrolled and then, you can issue an invitation letter to your visitors. International students can log into the ISSOPortal to request a visitor letter which will confirm you are a BU student and document your immigration status. In addition, the BU Office of the Registrar could issue official Proof of Enrollment.

In addition, if your visitor would also like a letter reflecting the details of their travel plans, please review these sample letters to assist you in writing a letter of invitation.

International scholars and employees can reach out to their International Scholar Advisor if they have questions about the inviting visitors to the US.