Question by RyanB: How do I invite my friend from Russia to the US officially so they can get a visa fast?
I’m from the US and my friend from Russia said she wanted me to get her an official visa invitation so she can get a visa fast. How can I get her an official invitation so she can come visit for a week or a couple months??
Answers and Views:
Answer by Charlie
A letter of invitation will in no way affect the speediness of the visa processing. The only thing it does is show that the person will have a place to stay while in the U.S. and therefore not need as much cash on hand when he enters. It may or may not help a bit. Often, visa officers at the embassy interview pay no attention to these letters at all. The BIG issue visa officers are interested in at the interview is if the applicant can show compelling evidence that he will return to his home when he is supposed to…and not overstay his visa. He needs to have a home, business, job waiting for him, money in the bank…things that will compel him to return. She needs to use the 2nd site below to begin her application for a B-2 tourist visa and follow all directions there. When he gets to the spot where he needs to make his visa appointment, it will tell him how long the wait time is. See last 2 sites for info and sample invitaion letters. Remember, unless the person is coming to the u.S. for a family event like a wedding on a certain date, or to attend a conference or class on a certain date…getting the visa appointment dated expedited is not going to happen.
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What do you think?
VINCENT DIGIOVANNA says
PLEASE ANSWER ASAP! MARCH12,18
MY FRIEND HAS HER VISA BUT WAS TOLD THAT SHE HAD TO PROVE BY CASH WHEN SHE ENTERS THE U.S. A REQUIREMENT OF PROOF OF $25 A DAY FOR A FULL 180 DAYS ($4500) THE ENTIRE TIME OF HER VISA OR JUST $25 A DAY FOR HER 30 DAY($750) OR LESS STAY. IS THIS A TRUE STATEMENT. SHE WOULD BE LEAVING TOMORROW FROM RUSSIA THRU NEW YORK TO NASHVILLE, TN. PLEASE I NEED AN ANSWER RIGHT AWAY . IS THIS TRUE? WHICH RULE IS CORRECT….$750 OR$4500. IS THIS A SCAM?
VINCENT DIGIOVANNA 615-513-4486
Mark says
Yes, it may be a scam. Usually you should provide some proof (credit card, bank account) for the period of your stay. Go asap to Yahoo Answers. There are much more people there.
GPapenburg says
As Charlie has already told you a letter of invitation would not speed up the application process. Tourist visa are processed on "first applied – first served" basis. The only way to speed up the process is to apply for the visa at a consulate with lower waiting time for a visa interview. The present waiting times (in calendar days) for a B1/B2 visa are:
• Moscow – 20 days
• St. Petersburg – 7 days
• Vladivostok – 2 days
• Yekaterinburg – 2 days
..