Affidavit/Letter of Support for Tourist Visa

[Aldi & James 2]

We have several friends in Indonesia who want to come stay with us and visit the USA. More than one of them have mentioned needing some kind of “letter of support” to help their non-immigrant visa case. I’m really confused about how such a letter would actually improve their chances of getting a visa. Assuming their job is good, family ties strong, and travel history shows other travel and returns home, they might be able to get a visa. Does anyone know about this letter, whether or not it helps their case, and where this belief they need it comes from if not??

 

Edited November 23, 2019 by Aldi & James

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Some common mythology.  Refer them to the official US page for visas, which says:

 

 

Note: Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html

 

 

 

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

No letter of support needed... visitor visa is on them.... and has nothing to do with being invited to visit someone in the us

[Aldi & James 2]

Thanks all! I’m not sure where this belief about support letters came from, but they’re pretty insistent about it and I’m equally insistent it won’t help, but I’m willing to write it. 
 

Meanwhile, I posted this on the wrong forum, like usual, so hopefully a moderator will come along and put it where it should go. 

[Dashinka 24,593]

22 minutes ago, Aldi & James said:

Thanks all! I’m not sure where this belief about support letters came from, but they’re pretty insistent about it and I’m equally insistent it won’t help, but I’m willing to write it. 
 

Meanwhile, I posted this on the wrong forum, like usual, so hopefully a moderator will come along and put it where it should go. 

If your friends are talking to a visa service or such, they may be hearing about this myth.  As to moving your post, it is best to hit the report button on your OP and ask for a moderator/organizer to move it.

 

Good Luck!

[milimelo 4,500]

~ Moved to tourist visa forum. ~

[Boiler 45,664]

As others have said not only not needed but probably harmful, however may well be easier just to send it, they are happy and meaningless from your perspective.

[J/G 85]

8 hours ago, Aldi & James said:

Thanks all! I’m not sure where this belief about support letters came from, but they’re pretty insistent about it and I’m equally insistent it won’t help, but I’m willing to write it. 
 

Meanwhile, I posted this on the wrong forum, like usual, so hopefully a moderator will come along and put it where it should go. 

From my experience applying for US Visa in Indonesia as an Indonesia the whole process is VERY straight forward. It requires applicant to submit A LOT of documents but all that required are easy to obtain, given if you have the fund and the means to support your own travel. As long as you are able to proof that you still have assets and required to go back to indonesia upon the completion of your trip (i.e. job or other professional ties to Indonesia) and able to show that you have a solid bank account in the last 3 months you're pretty much good to go. It's not guaranteed but you're good. 

For sure the IO will ask the applicant, "What are your plan in the U.S.?" and applicant may answer that they will be visiting this / that city and will be visiting their friends etc. but you as a US citizen is NOT required to give a letter of invitation / guarantee that you'd be hosting / funding the trip. This letter from local national was an old policy (i.e. in the 90's and from my knowledge is only applicable for when Indonesians are applying for Schengen Visa).

 

13 minutes ago, Boiler said:

As others have said not only not needed but probably harmful, however may well be easier just to send it, they are happy and meaningless from your perspective.

This is what I heard to be the situation. Submitting a letter of invitation may result in a red flag for your visiting visa application. 

[geowrian 22,337]

If they really want it and you don't mind the effort, send it, It won't help and could possible hurt...but that's their decision to make.