Does the B2 Visa Require an Invitation Letter?
APPLY FOR USA VISA ONLINE
Invitation letter for B2 visa
The B2 visa is a regular tourist visa handled at an Embassy or a Consulate to travel to the United States. It is a 'stamp visa' or a 'sticker visa.' The application process for the B2 visa is complicated and requires many supporting documents. Is an invitation letter for a B2 visa necessary?
The US government states that a letter of invitation for B2 visa application is not an essential document. An invitation letter will not help to enter the United States. All applicants need to prove that they are eligible to visit the United States according to their circumstances and life situation, not based on the sponsor assurance.
What is a B2 visa?
With a B2 visa, which is a tourist visitor visa (non-immigration one), its' holders can stay in the United States. The length of the visit, visa validity, and the number of entrances differ depending on the travellers' home country.
It serves for tourism purposes, such as:
- going on a holiday,
- exploring the tourist destinations
- visiting friends/relatives
- going through medical treatment in the US
It does not serve as a work permit.
B2 visa application process
Now that we know that a letter is not necessary to apply for a B2 visa to the United States let's go through the application procedure. Applying for a visitor visa is a bit complicated, as the process requires following many different steps.
To travel to the United States with a B2 visa for visitors, follow this application guide:
- Fill a DS-160 form online with the necessary information and print it out
- Upload a photo (that meets the passport photo standards)
- File the documents at an Embassy or a Consulate and schedule an interview
- Gather the essential supporting documents (that show ties to your home country)
- Go through the visa interview with a consular officer (in-person)
If the consular officer decides that the information you've provided makes you eligible to enter the United States, you can wait for your visa to be issued. The officer may ask the applicant to provide further information on their application.
B2 visa alternative: ESTA
B2 visa application does not require an invitation letter from one of the parents or a relative. However, to apply for a B2 visa, you need to gather many documents and go through a stressful, in-person interview.
This article will help all future US visitors to obtain a visa in a much more effortless way. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is available for all countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
ESTA can be obtained using our website within a maximum of 72 hours! The entire procedure can be completed by each applicant online, using any device with an internet connection. ESTA is delivered to future US visitors' e-mail addresses in a PDF form.
ESTA requirements
It comes as a relief for many travellers to learn that a B2 permit, with its lengthy application procedure and interviews, is no longer universally required for tourism in the US.
In comparison to the B2 permit requirements, ESTA applicants do not need to gather many documents. Each applicant should have the following:
- a valid passport that will not expire for the next 6 months from the planned entry to USA date
- an active e-mail address
ESTA: list of eligible countries
If you are a citizen of one of the countries listed below, you can apply online using our website. ESTA will arrive at your e-mail address within 72 hours (3 business days).
| Andorra | Hungary | Norway |
| Australia | Iceland | Poland |
| Austria | Ireland | Portugal |
| Belgium | Italy | San Marino |
| Brunei | Japan | Singapore |
| Chile | Latvia | Slovakia |
| Czech Republic | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
| Denmark | Lithuania | South Korea |
| Estonia | Luxembourg | Spain |
| Finland | Malta | Sweden |
| France | Monaco | Switzerland |
| Germany | Netherlands | Taiwan |
| Greece | New Zealand | United Kingdom |
ESTA benefits
To apply online, each traveller must fill an online application form (provide your data, name, passport details, phone numbers, e-mail address). Then, choose a preferred method of online payment (from several available on our website) to pay the handling fee (49 Euro), and check your inbox!
ESTA has these benefits for its' holders:
is valid for 2 years from issue
- allows multiple entries in the US
- each visit can be as long as 90 days
- serves for tourism, business, and transit purposes
- applying isintuitive,quick, and can be done entirely from home
- has support team available 24/7
- in case your inquiry would fail to be approved, we grant reimbursement
- average processing time is just 24 hours
- for each future US visitor, a qualified team is on support throughout each step of applying
We double-check all of the provided information to ensure it's correct; we search for any mistakes before sending it to the US government for approval.
Visit the United States and stay for a trip as long as 90 days (three months) using an electronic permit that can be handled within a day!
