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Yamada International House
56 E. Union Street
Athens, OH 45701
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Visitors and Dependents

Dependents and Visitors

While studying at Ohio University, you may wish to invite your family and/or friends to visit you in the U.S. To be eligible to visit you, your family and/or friends may need to apply for a visitor visa unless their country of citizenship is listed as a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) participant.

Additionally, you may wish to bring your spouse or dependents to the U.S. with you while you pursue your education at OHIO. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 may accompany you to the U.S. if they meet immigration qualifications.

How To Invite Friends and Family To Visit

If your friends and family are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), they may need to apply for a visitor visa. Visitor visas are non-immigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2). Potential visitors can learn more at the following U.S. Department of State website. 

An invitation letter from a school official is not required for friends or relatives applying for a visitor's visa (B visa) and will not be a factor used to determine whether a visa is issued or denied. However, students may write an invitation letter as additional documentation for their visitor.

How To Write an Invitation Letter

You can make two versions of the letter, one in your own language and one in English. If more than one friend or relative will be visiting at the same time, it is okay to write one letter for both visitors.

Your invitation letter can include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Your name and immigration status in the United States
  • If you are an F-1 or J-1 student, your status as a full-time student at Ohio University as well as your degree level and field of study.
  • If you are a J-1 Visiting Scholar or H-1B Employee, your job title within the department that you are working for at Ohio University
  • Name and date of birth of the visitor(s)
  • Your relationship with the visitor (parent, sibling, friend, etc.)
  • Reason for the visit (to attend graduation ceremony, birth of a child, tourism, etc.)
  • Approximate arrival and departure dates of the visitor
  • How the visitor will be financially supported during the visit.
    • If you will be supporting the visitor during their time in the United States, it is recommended you supply a copy of your bank statement showing that sufficient funds are available for living expenses.
  • Statement that the visit is temporary, and that the visitor will be returning home by the specified departure date.
    • The visitor should be prepared to provide evidence of their intentions to return home, such as proof of continuing employment, proof of property ownership or evidence of any other compelling reasons for needing to return home.
  • You may also wish to provide your visitor with a copy (do NOT send the originals) of your:
    • I-94 record
    • Immigration Document (I-20 / DS-2019 / H1B approval notice, etc.) 

Inviting Dependents to the U.S.

If you wish to invite a spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21, they may qualify for the F-2 visa if you hold a F-1, or a J-2 if you hold a J-1. You can make F-2 I-20 or J-2 DS-2019 requests through iCats.