My first time trying to apply for a visa with a letter from a friend (citizen) in LA

[arken 4,201]

13 hours ago, HumbertoR said:

I know that it only adds points.

There are no such points. Of course you can bring a letter of invitation from your friends or relatives in the US but the CO may not even look at it. 
However, if you have a letter of invitation to work and the CO looks at it, it will be a straight visa denial solely due to that letter.

 

If you want to bring the letter anyway, just have your friends in the US write it stating the true reason why they want you there.

[Imperium 81]

A visitor visa is to visit for pleasure with an intent to return to your home country. In order to show intent, one must establish ties abroad that will compel him to not abandon his residence abroad and return to it.

 

9FAM Visas; https://fam.state.gov/fam/09fam/09fam040202.html

9 FAM 402.2-2(A)  (U) Introduction to B Visas

(CT:VISA-778;   05-13-2019)

(U) Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), or for pleasure (B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).

9 FAM 402.2-2(B)  (U) Temporary Visitors

(CT:VISA-1288;   05-21-2021)

a. (U) Factors to be used in determining entitlement to Temporary Visitor Classification are as follows:

(1)  (U) In determining whether visa applicants are entitled to temporary visitor classification, you must assess whether the applicants:

(a)  (U) Have a residence in a foreign country, which they do not intend to abandon;

(b)  (U) Intend to enter the United States for a period of specifically limited duration; and

(c)  (U) Seek admission for the sole purpose of engaging in legitimate activities relating to business or pleasure.

(2)  (U) If an applicant for a B-1/B-2 visa fails to meet one or more of the above criteria, you must refuse the applicant under section 214(b) of the INA.  (See 9 FAM 302 for a complete discussion on Refusals Under INA 214(b)).

b. (U) If you doubt an applicant’s intent to return abroad, the applicant cannot satisfy your doubts by offering to leave a child, spouse, or other dependent abroad.

9 FAM 402.2-2(C)  (U) Residence Abroad

(CT:VISA-1288;   05-21-2021)

(U) The term “residence” is defined in INA 101(a)(33) as the place of general abode; the place of general abode of a person means his principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent.  Only the following visa categories are subject to residence abroad requirements:  B, F, H (except H1), J, M, O2, P, and Q.  When adjudicating this requirement, it is essential to view the requirement within the nature of the visa classification.  See 9 FAM 401.1-3(E) for a more in-depth definition of residence abroad.

9 FAM 402.2-2(D)  (U) Temporary Period of Stay

(CT:VISA-1288;   05-21-2021)

a. (U) Although “temporary” is not specifically defined by either statute or regulation, it generally signifies a limited period of stay.  The fact that the period of stay in a given case may exceed six months or a year is not in itself controlling, if you are satisfied that the intended stay has a time limitation and is not indefinite in nature.

b. (U) The period projected for the visit must be consistent with the stated purpose of the trip.  The applicant must establish with reasonable certainty that departure from the United States will take place upon completion of the temporary visit. 

c.  (U) The applicant must have specific and realistic plans for the entire period of the contemplated visit.

d. (U) In evaluating these cases, you should not focus on the absolute length of the stay, but on whether the stay has some finite limit.  For example, the temporariness requirement would be met in a case where the cohabitating partner will accompany, and depart with, the "principal" applicant on a two-year work assignment or a four-year degree program.

[El Escocés 217]

6 hours ago, African Zealot said:

Furthermore if you’re coming for an event like I did 25 years ago for a world tournament in Washington DC

You had me looking up the 1994 World Cup. 

[African Zealot 1,457]

2 hours ago, El Escocés said:

You had me looking up the 1994 World Cup. 

25 years ago doesn’t quite put us to 1994 😁.  This event was in 1997.

[Babu Frik 1,232]

Are they evening processing tourist visa applications right now?

Last I checked they weren't

But as someone else said you have to show strong ties.

People have been turned down even showing they own property.

[Coco8 1,059]

On 1/6/2022 at 7:08 AM, African Zealot said:

Furthermore if you’re coming for an event like I did 25 years ago for a world tournament in Washington DC, they may ask for a letter on official letterhead from the organizers confirming your participation (which they did in my case).

Your case is different, though. For attending conferences or tournaments, or anything of the sort, they might ask you for an invitation or acceptance letter at the consulate interview, so it's always good to have it. Also, if you got funding to attend, then it's important to take it. 

 

I've seen cases in which they approved a visitor visa for only the span of the conference rather than giving a 5 or 10 year visitor visa.