Visitor Visa Sponsorship

In some cases you may get your visitor visa to the United States with the help of a sponsor. So, for example, your son may live in the United States and you may wish to visit him - he can sponsor your visa application. A sponsor can help both family and friends to visit the country.

The sponsorship program involves your sponsor submitting various documents to support your visit to his/her local embassy/consulate. The documentation here basically tells the government information about your sponsor and about yourself. The information required may vary from country to country and according to the relationship between the sponsor and the person that needs a visa. It is wise therefore to check with an embassy to find out the necessary steps before you make an application.

In general terms, however, a sponsorship here will involve some or all of the following steps. The actual information you have to provide, as a sponsor, will depend on your status in the U.S. (i.e. whether you are a visitor, are working, have a Green Card or are a citizen):

• You will need to complete an Affidavit of Support form (which will need to be notarized).
• If you yourself hold a visitor visa/extension then you’ll need to show copies of your visa and your approval documentation. If you have a Green Card then you’ll need a copy of that and if you are a U.S. citizen then you’ll need a copy of your certificate of citizenship.
• You will have to show certain financial information/documentation - i.e. an account summary from your bank and one or more bank statements.
• Your employer may need to write a letter conforming your employment and salary terms. You may also need a couple of pay slips as well.
• You will probably have to supply evidence of tax returns.
• If you are sponsoring your parents then you’ll need a copy of your full passport and your birth certificate.
• You may be asked to write a letter to the U.S. embassy/consulate in the country of origin of the visitor. This letter applies for a sponsored visa and needs to state that you will take responsibility for covering all costs of their visit.
• You may also need to write a formal letter of invitation to the person you are sponsoring, again stating that you will assume responsibility for all their costs.

The best way to work out exactly what kind of information you will need to either sponsor a visitor or to be sponsored is to check with your local embassy/consulate.