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Cornell University

International Services

Office of Global Learning

Invite Friends or Family

  • For Families

While you are at Cornell, you may want your friends or family members (other than spouse and children) to visit you for a longer stay of up to six months. The B-2 visitor visa is for designed for these longer visits.

Visits Under Three Months: Visa Waiver Program

For stays of less than three months, your friend or family member may not need to apply for a B-2 visa! Citizens of certain countries are eligible to enter the United States as tourists (WT Waiver Tourist) without obtaining a visa. The eligibility criteria for admission are identical to those for a B-2 visa. 

Application is made through ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and must occur at least 72 hours in advance of travel.

B-2 First Step: Invitation to the U.S.

Before your friend or family member can apply for B-2 status, you need to send the person you are inviting the following information.

Invitation Letter

Write a letter of invitation in English stating that you would like to invite the person for a visit. Your letter should include:

  • The purpose of the visit—for instance, to attend your graduation or celebrate the birth of your child
  • Who will provide financial support for your visiting friend or family member (B-2 visitors are not allowed to receive compensation or work for pay during their stay)

Evidence of Your Visa Status

This evidence is usually a copy of your I-20 (F-1), DS-2019 (J-1), or I-797 (H-1B/O-1).

Evidence of Financial Support 

If you will be supporting the person financially, include evidence of your ability to do so—for example, a bank statement, your Cornell pay stubs, or your assistantship letter. 

How to Apply for a B-2 Visitor Visa

Here are the steps your friend or family member will need to follow to apply for a B-2 visa for a stay of up to six months.

  1. Complete DS-160
  2. Schedule
  3. Gather Docs
  4. Go to Interview


1 Complete DS-160 form.

Complete the form and pay an application fee. Be sure to start the application process well in advance of the travel date.

2 Make a visa interview appointment. 

Find a nearby U.S. consulate or embassy, then follow the links on that embassy’s website to learn more about scheduling a visa appointment and relevant requirements. 

3 Gather documents.

Have these documents ready for the visa interview.

  • Valid passport

And the materials you sent:

  • Invitation letter
  • Evidence of your visa status
  • Evidence of your financial support, if any

Additional materials to show “proof of ties” to your visitor's home country:

  • Bank statements of any accounts they maintain in their home country
  • If they are employed, a letter from their employer stating that they will return to their job after their visit to the United States

4 Attend the visa interview. 

Be prepared to discuss the purpose of the visit, financial support, length of the stay, and plans to return home.