Is an invitation letter required?
Technically, an invitation letter is not a required document for a B2 visa application. However, it is strongly recommended and is standard practice — especially when the applicant is visiting a family member in the US.
US Consulates receive thousands of B2 applications from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. An invitation letter helps the visa officer understand the purpose of the visit, the relationship, and the host's financial ability to support the visit. Without one, the applicant has to explain these things at the interview with no supporting documentation.
The letter should come from the person in the US (you), not from the applicant. It should be signed and ideally accompanied by copies of your immigration status documents, pay stubs, and bank statements.
What to include in the invitation letter
**Your information:** - Full name, address, phone number, email - Immigration status (US citizen, Green Card holder, H1B, etc.) and your visa/status document number - Relationship to the applicant
**Applicant information:** - Full name (as on passport), date of birth, passport number - Current address in the home country
**Purpose of visit:** - Reason for visit (tourism, attending a family event, seeing grandchildren, medical visit, etc.) - Planned dates and duration - Where they will stay (your address)
**Financial responsibility:** - Statement that you will be responsible for their expenses during the visit (or that they are self-sufficient — pick whichever is accurate) - Optional: mention that they have ties to their home country (property, pension, other family) that ensure they will return
**Your signature** (and date)
Template: B2 Visa Invitation Letter
--- [Your Full Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP] [Phone] | [Email] [Date]
To: US Visa Officer
Re: Invitation for [Applicant's Full Name] — B2 Tourist Visa
I, [Your Full Name], am writing to invite my [relationship — e.g., parents / mother / father-in-law], [Applicant's Full Name] (Date of Birth: [DOB], Passport No: [Passport Number]), to visit me in the United States.
I am a [US Citizen / Lawful Permanent Resident / H1B visa holder — select one] residing at [Your Address]. [If H1B: I have been living and working in the USA since [year] on an H1B visa sponsored by [Employer Name].]
The purpose of this visit is [tourism / attending my graduation / meeting their grandchildren / etc.]. My [relative] plans to stay from approximately [Start Date] to [End Date] — approximately [X] weeks/months — at my home address listed above.
During their stay, I will [be responsible for / assist with] their accommodation, transportation, and daily expenses. [Or: They are financially self-sufficient and will cover their own expenses from their savings/pension.]
[Optional: Add details like: My mother owns a home in [City, India] and has a pension from [Employer/Government]. She has strong ties to India and will return after her visit.]
I respectfully request that you grant the B2 tourist visa to allow my [relative] to visit. Please feel free to contact me at [Phone/Email] if you need any additional information.
Sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Printed Name] [Date] ---
**Documents to attach with the letter:** Copy of your passport / Green Card / H1B I-797 approval notice, most recent pay stubs (2–3 months), bank statements (2–3 months), property documents if you own a home.