Many students and scholars would like to host family and friends to come to the U.S. for short-term visits, especially for holidays or special occasions like graduation. The following information about visitors visas.

Visiting the U.S.

The standard visa options for visiting the U.S. as a tourist are the following:

• using a B-2 (or a combination B-1 / B-2) visitors visa, or
• through the Visa Waiver Program, which allows “visa free” travel as long as the traveler is from a participating Visa Waiver country and has valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) on the day of their arrival.

Note: Canadian citizens do not require visas to enter the U.S., and can request B-2 visitor status at a U.S. land border crossing or port of entry. B-1/B-2 visitors from China may need to register their upcoming travel in EVUS (Electronic Visa Update System).

B-2 and WT Status

Persons who enter as tourists on a B-2 visitors visa are normally given stays of up to six months. Persons who enter on the Visa Waiver Program with ESTA clearance are given WT (waiver - tourism) status for stays of up to 90 days. WT status cannot be extended.

B-2 and WT visitors are only permitted to engage in tourism or similar recreational activity and may not be employed or engage in degree study. Recreational study (e.g., a short not-for-credit class such as an arts or cooking class) that is incidental is permitted.

Applying for a B-2 Visa and Visa Wait Times

Persons who need to apply for a B-2 visa should refer to the U.S. State Department's Visitors Visa web page for a list of required steps and documentation. The State Department also provides general information and tips about applying for a visitors visa. 

It is strongly recommended to start the B-2 visa application early! Applying early is strongly recommended, as visa appointment wait times for B-1/B-2 visas are currently taking many months at many U.S. consular locations. In most situations, visa interviews are now required and applicants may be subjected to enhanced visa scrutiny. Consult the Global Visa Wait Times page to review the approximate visa appointment wait times for the consulate where your family or relatives might apply for a visa.

Update (2025/2026): Travel Bans and Visa Bond Pilot Program

Since 2025, there are a variety of restrictions and conditions that may affect individuals planning to come to the U.S. as B-1 / B-2 visitors. These include travel ban restrictions on the issuance of B-1 / B-2 visas, as well as a new Visa Bond program.

• Travel Bans: As of January 1, 2026, up to forty countries are subject to a travel ban that includes restrictions on the issuance of B-1 / B-2 visitor visas. For a complete list, refer to our Current Travel Restrictions by Presidential Proclamation page. While certain exceptions apply, in most cases new visas will not be issued while the Travel Ban remains in effect for that country.
• Visa Bond Pilot Program: Since August 5, 2025, there has been temporary final rule creating a 1-year temporary pilot program affecting B-1/B-2 visa applicants from certain countries. Under this program, visa applicants will be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 in order to be issued a B-1/B-2 visa. The bond must be paid only AFTER being directed by a visa officer to do so. The government indicates that the bond will be returned once the traveler has returned to their country. Travelers will be required to arrive at and depart from certain ports of entry. See the announcement by the Department of State for a current list of countries subject to B visa bonds.

Unfortunately, these are federal government restrictions and outside of Brown's ability to control. Contact isss@brown.edu if you have any questions regarding travel bans and/or the Visa Bond Pilot Program

Invitation Letters

The U.S. State Department has indicated that a letter of invitation is NOT required to apply for a visitor's visa, and invitation letters and affidavits are NOT considered when deciding whether or not to approve a visitors visa. Instead, visa approval is primarily dependent on the individual applicant's ability to show continued ties to their home country that they will not abandon after coming to the U.S. Proof of home country ties could include evidence such as the following:

• a letter from a home country employer confirming that the visitor has a job that they will return to by a certain date
• evidence of other family members in their home country that they are expected to return to after their visit
• evidence of property or business ownership or similar commitments in the home country that they will not abandon
• a travel reservation or itinerary that demonstrates the visit will be for a specific period, with a commitment to depart the US by a certain date.

Writing your own invitation letter: Because invitation letters are not a required document, ISSS is no longer able to produce them. However, you may choose to provide your family and friends with your own personal invitation using this sample personal invitation letter template.