
How to Sponsor Someone for a US Tourist Visa
- Formal Invitation Letter. You need to write a letter to the applicant that clearly expresses your wish to sponsor them. ...
- Letter to the US Consulate. In addition to the invitation letter, you need to write another letter addressed to the US consulate.
- Accurately Filled Form I-534. ...
- Proof of Financial Stability. ...
- Residency Information. ...
- Some Useful Tips. ...
How to sponsor a tourist visa for the USA?
So, if you are sponsoring such a US trip, there are some documents that you need to provide the visitor. This will help them apply for their tourist visa and increase the chances of visa approval. Here are the most important documents required. You need to write a letter to the applicant that clearly expresses your wish to sponsor them.
How to sponsor a visitor on a temporary H1-B visa?
Even workers on a temporary H1-B, L or E visa can sponsor and invite loved ones to visit the US . So, if you are sponsoring such a US trip, there are some documents that you need to provide the visitor. This will help them apply for their tourist visa and increase the chances of visa approval. Here are the most important documents required.
How to invite someone on visitor visa in USA?
Sponsor documents required for inviting someone on Visitor Visa. To invite your parents, friends, or any other relatives to USA, the sponsor needs to provide a few documents to get the visitor visa approved by the USA Consulate. Below is a list of documents required from the sponsor in USA. Completed and notarized Affidavit of Support form I-134.
What documents do I need to sponsor a visitor visa?
(See a sample letter to US consulate for visitor visa ). 4. Financial documents ( To demonstrate your financial ability as a sponsor) Bank statements : Latest two bank statements. Bank account verification letter to prove your bank account and bank balance (See a sample bank account verification letter for visitor visa ).
What are the allowed reasons to sponsor a tourist visa?
What does sponsorship mean in travel?
How can sponsorship help?
How to invite parents or family members to USA?
What does it mean to sponsor a trip?
Does having a sponsor guarantee a visa?
Is sponsorship necessary for US visitor visa?
See 2 more

Can I sponsor a friend for a tourist visa?
If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and you have a friend or relative who seeks to come to the U.S. as a tourist (on a B-2 visitor visa), you might be able to help the person by providing a letter of invitation.
How do you sponsor a tourist?
To sponsor a visitor, the supporter prepares Form I-134, Affidavit of Support. He or she must submit the I-134 affidavit, a letter of invitation, and supporting documents as evidence of their financial ability to bear the expenses of the trip.
Can I sponsor my girlfriend for tourist visa USA?
You cannot sponsor your significant other to live with you, only visit. At the moment there isn't an unmarried partner visa available. Your partner should be your legal spouse or your fiancé. As a general rule, you will have to complete an I-130 Form (Petition for Alien Relative).
How much does it cost to sponsor a visa?
How Much Will Sponsoring an H1-B Visa Cost an Employer? An H-1B Visa (or H-1B transfer) will cost you around $5000 (including government fees). Immigration lawyer fees should costs $2000 to $3000, while filing fees are around $3000.
How many people you can sponsor for visitor visa?
Yes, you may sponsor more than one person if you want to. If you are invited to apply, you can sponsor your parents and grandparents. To do so, you will need to submit separate applications for each person (or couple) you sponsor. We will process each application separately.
Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a friend for a visa?
Unfortunately, the only way that you can sponsor a person's visa or green card application is if you are the non-citizen's employer, relative, or fiancé(e). The U.S. immigration laws do not allow you to sponsor someone just because they are your friend.
Can I get married on a tourist visa to a U.S. citizen 2022?
The short answer to this complex question is yes, you can get married to someone who has entered the U.S. on a visitor visa. Generally, anyone from a foreign country enters the U.S. with a visa.
How can I bring my foreign girlfriend to USA?
The fiancé(e) K-1 nonimmigrant visa is for the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen. The K-1 visa permits the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) to travel to the United States and marry his or her U.S. citizen sponsor within 90 days of arrival. You can learn more about fiancé(e) visas on usvisas.state.gov.
Can I marry my American boyfriend on a tourist visa?
Yes, you can get married in the U.S. while on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or a visa waiver program. However, coming to the U.S. as a visitor with the sole purpose of getting married and then filing for adjustment of status is considered fraud.
Can I sponsor an immigrant that is a non family member?
Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a non-family member for immigration? Unfortunately, no, you can't petition for a foreign national's visa or green card if they aren't a family member.
How long does visa sponsorship take?
The USCIS generally takes three to six months to process a completed application, but employers may choose to expedite the process by paying for premium processing, which guarantees the USCIS will adjudicate the petition within 15 days. For more information, see How Do I Use the Premium Processing Service?
Who can sponsor for US visa?
To be eligible to apply for an IV, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by an immediate relative who is at least 21 years of age and is either a U.S. citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (that is, a green-card holder).
How can I sponsor a visitor to USA?
How to Get a Sponsorship: 8 Key TacticsResearch potential sponsors. Look at your existing supporters. ... Tell your organization's story. ... Provide sponsor incentives. ... Reach out to established companies. ... Use data to legitimize your pitch. ... Find the right contact. ... Build a connection over time. ... Follow up.
What documents do I need to invite someone to the USA?
Below is a list of the recommended documents to include with an Invitation Letter:Scanned copy of host's ID or passport.Evidence of means of financial subsistence.Proof of homeownership or rental contract.An itinerary of the planned visit.Documentation of the host's time off from work for the visit.
Can I sponsor an immigrant that is a non family member?
Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a non-family member for immigration? Unfortunately, no, you can't petition for a foreign national's visa or green card if they aren't a family member.
Who can sponsor my travel?
If you are wondering who are travel sponsors. They can be anyone in the travel industry: a country tourism board, an airline, a hotel chain, or a tour company.
Can my friend a US citizen sponsor me to come to The US to live ... - Avvo
If your wedding date is approximately 1 year away, now is the time for your fiancee to file his or her petition. It will likely take 8+ months or more for you to get your visa, but since you just want a small wedding then you can avoid some of the logistical problems if it ends up taking a while due to unforeseen events or delays.
Can a US Tourist Visa Be Sponsored by a US Relative? - Immihelp
Some people ask whether a tourist visa for the US can really be sponsored. Since 1999, immihelp ®.com has provided excellent, comprehensive, and detailed information about how people living in the US can show that they are willing to financially help when their relatives visit the US.These relatives may be unable to take care of their expenses for the US trip themselves.
USA Visitors Visa Sponsor Documents - Sponsor Document Checklist
3. Letter to US Consulate. Letter to US Consulate requesting that visa be granted to the person you are sponsoring. (See a sample letter to US consulate for visitor visa).; 4. Financial documents ( To demonstrate your financial ability as a sponsor). Bank statements: Latest two bank statements.; Bank account verification letter to prove your bank account and bank balance (See a sample bank ...
FAQ for Sponsoring a Tourist Visa for the USA - Immihelp
Q: I am sponsoring my relatives, can I send the guarantee letter to the consulate so that the consulate can give them a visa? A: Having a sponsor or offer to guarantee a person’s return to their home country does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. US immigration law makes no provisions for offers of guarantee or bond for issuing a non-immigrant visa.
COMPLETE guide to U.S. Tourist Visa sponsor documents [2022] - Stilt Blog
Tourist Visa Sponsor Documents Guide Posted by Frank Gogol Updated on May 10, 2022. According to reports, there were as many as 419,637 foreign nationals residing and working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa as of October 5, 2018. If you’re one of them and want to have your parents or relatives to visit you, then you need to apply for a visitor’s visa, which is a B1 visa.
What are the allowed reasons to sponsor a tourist visa?
Family get-togethers, weddings, funerals, medical treatment, graduation ceremony, or any other event, which the consulate officer can see as a legitimate reason for the trip.
What does sponsorship mean in travel?
In general, sponsorship means the sponsor is taking the responsibility to take care of all the expenses for the visitor's trip.
How can sponsorship help?
Although consulate and visa authorities look for the overall eligibly of the visa applicant, having a legitimate and qualified sponsor can increase the chances of getting the visitor visa.
How to invite parents or family members to USA?
If you legally live and earn in USA and want to invite/sponsor trip for your parents, relatives or friends, you can do so by providing certain documents, most commonly an Affidavit of Support Form I-134, a letter of invitation, and supporting documents as evidence to your financial ability to bear the expenses of the trip.
What does it mean to sponsor a trip?
Sponsorship indicates that the person sponsoring the trip will be able to bear the cost of travel USA and less chances of becoming public burden. It makes it easy for authorities to establish a contact / relationship with a US resident, just in case. This may be useful from security perspective as well.
Does having a sponsor guarantee a visa?
Remember that having a sponsor does not guarantee that the visa will be granted. Individual applicants must fulfill and qualify for the US visa. Consulate will judge the applicant according to various criteria including a background check, a valid reason for travel, strong ties to the home country, evidence of funds, legitimacy of travel plan, etc.
Is sponsorship necessary for US visitor visa?
Sponsorship is not mandatory for US Visitor or tourist visa. An individual who has a good financial background and who meets the other requirements for visa grant, can get visitor visa without a sponsorship.
Can you sponsor a visitor if you send them an invitation letter?
If you just send them an invitation letter, you are just inviting them, you are not really sponsoring them. In that case, the visitor would have to prove that they have the financial means to visit the U.S. on their own.
Can you send documents to the consulate?
A: No. The U.S. consulate has no way to track the documents sent by the sponsors and match it to the applicants (visitors). Do not send them to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate/CGI. The sponsor should send the documents directly to the applicant, who can share them with the consular officer at the time of the interview.
Do parents have to show sponsorship documents at the time of visa interview?
You should do that even if your parents were not asked to show sponsorship documents at the time of their visa interview.
Does a sponsor guarantee a visa?
A: Having a sponsor or offer to guarantee a person’s return to their home country does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. U.S. immigration law makes no provisions for offers of guarantee or bond for issuing a non -immigrant visa. The burden of proof of non-immigrant intent is entirely on the applicant. Send all documents directly to the applicant.
Can you sponsor someone?
A: You can sponsor anyone you like. However, the closer the relationship or bond, the easier it would be to justify why you are sponsoring them.
What forms do I need to renew my visa?
If you’re on a visa, like an H1 or L1, then a copy of your visa along with Form I-797 and I-94. If at the time of applying your visa has expired or is set to expire, then you can submit copies of the renewed petitions.
Is a letter of invitation mandatory?
Letter of Invitation. Unlike Form I-134, the Letter of Invitation is not mandatory, but it is special in its own way as it makes the process smoother. This letter is written to your parents or relatives who wish to come to the U.S. on a tourist visa. The main topics to touch on in the Letter of Invitation are:
What is US visa sponsorship?
Traditionally, a US visa sponsorship has been associated with an employer or close family member filing an immigration petition with the US government. This would be for obtaining a green card for their employee or close family member. It has also been associated with certain nonimmigrant petitions such as a work visa (e.g., H, L visa) as well as a family visa (e.g., Fiancé or K visa). In all of those petitions, the petitioner initiates the process by requesting the US government to grant the immigration benefit to the beneficiary. In that process, among other things, the petitioner, which is either an employer or family member, shows to the US government that they have enough financial resources to either pay the employee or take care of the expenses of the family member. Without such sponsorship, the beneficiary is unable to get the immigration benefit.
What do you need to show when applying for a visitor visa?
When people apply for a visitors visa, among other things, they have to show that they have strong ties to their home country and that they intend to return to their home country after their temporary stay in the U.S.
What do you need to show for a tourist visa?
When people apply for a tourist visa (visitors visa), among other things, they have to show that they have strong ties to their home country and that they intend to return to their home country after their temporary stay in the US. They also have to show that there is enough money available to take care of the expenses for their US trip such as air tickets, visitors insurance, lodging/boarding, transportation expenses, tourism expenses and all other expenses.
Can I sponsor a trip on DS-160?
To put in other words, ‘Visa’ is not sponsored, but ‘trip’ is sponsored, if that makes any of the doubters more comfortable. Anybody can pay for the expenses. In fact, there are three distinct questions in DS-160 Form: contact person in the U.S., who are you visiting, and who is paying for your trip. They can all be different (although it is better to have the first and second person as the same). The person you are visiting (who is a sponsor) should be of legal status in the U.S. and that does not mean having a valid Visa, but a valid I-94, green card, or a U.S. citizenship. Questions in the DS-160 alone are enough proof that others can pay for the trip expenses of the visitors, if they themselves are unable to do so. If it were not allowed, there would be no such questions in the first place.
Can relatives in the US visit the US?
In short, whatever name you call, relatives in the US are always allowed to financially help their relatives visit the US.
Do you have to have money to travel to the US?
However, there is absolutely no requirement that only the visitors themselves have to come up with that money and that they must have their own money to fund the US trip. For example, there are many elderly parents in India who are genuine visitors to the US, but don’t have the finances to fund their own trip. However, they have their son or daughter that lives in the US who can very well fund their trip. There is absolutely nothing wrong in a US relative showing proof that he or she has enough money to take care of their parents’ or in-laws’ trip to the US. To show that they are sincere about it and to also show the proof of the same, they fill the Form I-134, Affidavit of Support , and provide other supporting documents. This is to show their income and savings to convince the visa officer that the helping relative indeed has that kind of money.
Can DS 160 be used as proof of other people's ability to pay for trip expenses?
Questions in the DS-160 alone are enough proof that others can pay for the trip expenses of the visitors, if they themselves are unable to do so. If it were not allowed, there would be no such questions in the first place.
How to get a tourist visa in the US?
The USCIS does a thorough background check of the sponsor before approving a tourist visa. And, apart from the financial details, they also need proof of your residency status. To satisfy this need, you will have to provide the following documents: 1 A copy of your passport 2 Employment verification letter, if you are working in a US-based company 3 Copies of I-94, I-797, L1 and H1 visa (if applicable) 4 Permanent residents need to give a copy of the front and back of their Green Card, along with their certificate of citizenship.
Why do USCIS want to know if you are capable of financial support?
Since you will the sole provider for the applicant during their stay in the US, the USCIS will want to know if you are capable of such financial support. The reason is that they don’t want the applicant to become a liability for the US government.
Do you send all documents to the applicant?
Send all the documents to the applicant well before they are required . This will help them to attach it with their visa application and also carry them to the interview.
Can sponsorship help you get a visa?
Ask the applicant to clearly explain the relationship you hold with them during the visa interview. Although sponsorship won’t necessarily guarantee that the person will get the visa, but it will increase their chances of approval.
Do I need a copy of my green card for 2021?
Permanent residents need to give a copy of the front and back of their Green Card, along with their certificate of citizenship. If you’re traveling in 2021, I recommend checking out the updated travel rules for USA.
Do you need a background check for a tourist visa?
The USCIS does a thorough background check of the sponsor before approving a tourist visa. And, apart from the financial details, they also need proof of your residency status. To satisfy this need, you will have to provide the following documents:
What is a letter to the US consulate?
Letter to US Consulate requesting that visa be granted to the person you are sponsoring. (See a sample letter to US consulate for visitor visa ).
Do I need a copy of my passport for my child?
Copy of passport of the sponsoring child. Note: If you are sponsoring your in-laws, birth certificate and passport (all pages) copies are required for the child of the visa applicant, i.e. your spouse).
What is a visa for a foreigner?
A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.
What happens after a visa interview?
After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this required.
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).
Where to schedule a visa interview?
You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.
What evidence is needed to show the purpose of a trip?
Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.
Can a visa be voided?
Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ). Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States.
Do you need an interview for a visa?
Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.
What are the allowed reasons to sponsor a tourist visa?
Family get-togethers, weddings, funerals, medical treatment, graduation ceremony, or any other event, which the consulate officer can see as a legitimate reason for the trip.
What does sponsorship mean in travel?
In general, sponsorship means the sponsor is taking the responsibility to take care of all the expenses for the visitor's trip.
How can sponsorship help?
Although consulate and visa authorities look for the overall eligibly of the visa applicant, having a legitimate and qualified sponsor can increase the chances of getting the visitor visa.
How to invite parents or family members to USA?
If you legally live and earn in USA and want to invite/sponsor trip for your parents, relatives or friends, you can do so by providing certain documents, most commonly an Affidavit of Support Form I-134, a letter of invitation, and supporting documents as evidence to your financial ability to bear the expenses of the trip.
What does it mean to sponsor a trip?
Sponsorship indicates that the person sponsoring the trip will be able to bear the cost of travel USA and less chances of becoming public burden. It makes it easy for authorities to establish a contact / relationship with a US resident, just in case. This may be useful from security perspective as well.
Does having a sponsor guarantee a visa?
Remember that having a sponsor does not guarantee that the visa will be granted. Individual applicants must fulfill and qualify for the US visa. Consulate will judge the applicant according to various criteria including a background check, a valid reason for travel, strong ties to the home country, evidence of funds, legitimacy of travel plan, etc.
Is sponsorship necessary for US visitor visa?
Sponsorship is not mandatory for US Visitor or tourist visa. An individual who has a good financial background and who meets the other requirements for visa grant, can get visitor visa without a sponsorship.

Tourist Visa Sponsor Documents
- To bring a parent or parents to the U.S. on a B visa, you will need to gather or create several supporting documents, including: 1. Affidavit of Support Form (Form I-134) 2. Tourist Visa Invitation Letter 3. Tourist Visa Sponsor Letter 4. Financial Documents 5. Proof of Sponsor’s Residency Status Each of these items is discussed in more detail belo...
Additional Documents For Parents Visiting Children in The U.S.
- These documentsaren’t necessary but may be asked for during the scheduled interview with the USCIS. It’s always a wise decision to carry them or their photocopies along with you to avoid confusion and delays. The additional documents for parents visiting their children in the U.S. are: 1. Birth certificates of children. Photocopies are sufficient, but if that isn’t available, an affidavit …
Frequently Asked Questions For The Sponsor
- Do sponsors need to send the documents to a U.S. consulate or directly to VFS?
Sponsors don’t need to submit the documents. The applicant should submit the documents and carry those to the interviews scheduled with the USCIS. - Is filing Form I-134 separately necessary for each visitor?
If you’re applying for your mother and father or your in-laws, then a single form is sufficient. If you’re applying for a mix of both, then you might be required to submit different forms. If the sponsoring members are husband and wife, then there is no need to send separate forms from …