Interested in having a family member outside of the United States come to visit you? Generally, a citizen of another country who wishes to enter the United States for a temporary stay needs to apply for a visitor visa. Depending on the citizenship of the visitor, they may be able to enter the United States through the Visa Waiver Program.

If, however, a visitor visa is required, we recommend for your visitor to review the website of the consulate or embassy they intend to apply for their US visa at to be aware of the visa application process and for any updates in their services. To find the website of the consulate or embassy nearest them, they can review this listing of websites of US Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions.

Documents Needed for a Visitor Visa

Minimally, a visitor visa requires these documents:

Additionally, documentation that makes clear the visit is temporary will help strengthen the visa application. This documentation should show proof of ties to the home country. Examples of this documentation include proof of employment, proof of property ownership, proof of finances, and proof of contact with family members in their home country.

Special note for visitors from China:

Travelers with a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 visa in a People's Republic of China passport are required to enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) in order to be admitted to the United States in B1 or B2 status. Travelers using passports from Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Taiwan, or any passport other than a People's Republic of China passport are not affected by the EVUS enrollment requirement. Please review the EVUS enrollment information for further details.

Many students wonder if any document from them or NYU is required for their visitor to secure a visitor visa. Depending on the timing of their visit to the United States, different documentation is recommended.

Recommended Documentation for International Visitors Arriving during Your Studies

If you wish to invite family members, other than your spouse or child, to visit the United States for a short time on a B-2 visitor visa during your studies, it may be helpful to provide them with the following (but check with the consulate where they will apply for a visa):

  • A personal invitation letter, which should include your name, school, relationship to the applicant, name of applicant, applicant’s place and date of birth, dates expected to visit the United States, duration of visit, preferred arrival date, and whether you will provide financial support for the applicant’s visit. Here is a sample letter.
  • NYU enrollment verification.
  • Copies of your I-20 or DS-2019, visa stamp, and I-94 record.
  • Copies of your proof of financial support, such as bank statements, scholarship letters, and/or personal bank statements if you stated that you would provide financial support for the applicant during their stay in the US.

Note that an individual in B1 or B2 status is routinely admitted to the US for a six month period.

Recommended Documentation for International Visitors Arriving for Commencement

If you wish to invite family members to visit the United States for a short time on a B-2 visitor visa for commencement, you may provide them with the following:

  • A personal invitation letter, which should include your name, school, relationship to the applicant, name of applicant, applicant’s place and date of birth, dates expected to visit the United States, duration of visit, preferred arrival date, and whether you will provide financial support for the applicant’s visit. Here is a sample letter.
  • NYU commencement letter of invitation
    • For graduates who are unable to access the StudentLink Center in person, email a request for a Commencement Invitation Letter to StudentLink@nyu.edu from your NYU email address.
  • Copies of your I-20 or DS-2019, visa stamp, and I-94 record.
  • Copies of your proof of financial support, such as bank statements, scholarship letters, and/or personal bank statements if you stated that you would provide financial support for the applicant during their stay in the US.

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