HELPING WITH VISAS TO THE UNITED STATES
Information for U.S. Citizens About Visas to the United States
What is a non-immigrant visa?
U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIVs) are for non-Americans who wish to travel to the United States temporarily, such as tourists, students, exchange visitors and temporary workers.
A visa does not grant the bearer the right to enter the United States. A visa allows the bearer to apply for entry to the U.S. in a certain classification (e.g. student [F], visitor [B], or temporary worker [H]). The Department of State (DOS) is responsible for visa adjudication at U.S. Embassies and Consulates outside of the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration inspectors at the port of entry determine admission into the United States, as well as length of stay and conditions of stay in the U.S. The information on a nonimmigrant visa only relates to when the traveler may apply for entry into the United States. DHS immigration inspectors will record the terms of the traveler's admission on the Arrival/Departure Record (I-94 white or I-94W green) and in the traveler's passport.
Can I write a letter of support for a visa application?
Of course you may do so, but please send such a letter to the visa applicant and let the applicant bring the letter to his/her appointment. The Embassy where the applicant applies cannot store your letter and retrieve it at the time of the application, and work cannot begin on any visa case until an application has actually been submitted. Providing advance notice to the Embassy of an upcoming application does not expedite issuance of a visa. U.S. immigration law makes no provisions for offers of guarantee or sponsorship. Each applicant must qualify on his/her own merits.
We cannot guarantee issuance in any case, and cannot guarantee a visa will be ready on a specific day even if the applicant is fully qualified. Note that re-applications, made after a person has been found ineligible for a visa, can take additional processing time. Therefore, we advise all visa applicants not to make unchangeable travel plans in anticipation that a visa will be available on a certain day. Like any of the other planning that goes into an important trip, applicants should apply for their visas well in advance of any intended travel.
