EIU Office of International Students and Scholars

B-2 Tourist Visa for Inviting Family and Friends

Inviting family and friends to visit you in the United States can be a wonderful experience. For short visits of less than six months, the B-2 Tourist Visa is an appropriate option. This visa is suitable for visitors who do not qualify for dependent visas like the F-2 or J-2 (e.g., parents, siblings, cousins). As an F-1 or J-1 student at Eastern Illinois University, you can assist in the B-2 visa application process by providing certain supporting documents.

How to Support a B-2 Visa Application

When your family or friends apply for a B-2 Tourist Visa, they will need to present a variety of documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. While this is not an exhaustive list, you can provide the following key documents to support their application:

1. Letter of Invitation

Write a personalized letter of invitation for your family or friend’s B-2 visa application. The letter should be in English and include:

• Visitor’s Details: Names and relationships of the visitor(s) to you.
• Visit Information: Estimated duration of their stay in the U.S.
• Your Status: Mention that you are a student at Eastern Illinois University.
• Program Information: The expected completion date of your studies.

For detailed guidance on crafting the invitation letter, refer to the USCIS guidelines for writing a support letter.

You can download an invitation letter template from the EIU Commencement Office here.

2. Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support)

If you will provide financial support or accommodation to your visitors, you may include Form I-134, Affidavit of Support. This form is a sworn statement of your ability to financially support your visitor(s) during their stay.

• Notary Public: The form must be signed in the presence of a Notary Public.
• Financial Proof: Include evidence such as bank statements or a scholarship letter to demonstrate your financial capacity.

You can download Form I-134 from the USCIS website.

3. Certificate of Enrollment

A general certificate confirming your status as a student at Eastern Illinois University can be helpful. This certificate can be requested from the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). It verifies your enrollment and requests favorable consideration for the B-2 visa application.

You can also request a verification of enrollment from the EIU Office of the Registrar here.

Additional Considerations

When inviting family and friends on a B-2 visa, keep in mind the following:

• Nonimmigrant Status: Visitors on a B-2 visa generally cannot change to another nonimmigrant status while in the U.S.
• Enrollment Restrictions: B-2 visa holders are not permitted to enroll in classes at Eastern Illinois University.
• Purpose of Visit: If the visitor intends to engage in activities beyond tourism, such as studying or working, they must obtain the appropriate visa before entering the U.S.

Extending Stay

In some cases, visitors on a B-2 visa may apply for an extension of their stay in the U.S. This can be done by submitting Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.

• Form I-539: This form can be used to request an extension and should be filed before their current authorized stay expires.

For more information and to download Form I-539, visit the USCIS Form I-539 page.

Helpful Links and Resources

• U.S. Embassies and Consulates: For information about visa applications and scheduling an appointment, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.
• USCIS Visa Information: Detailed information about the B-2 Tourist Visa can be found on the USCIS website.