Invite Friends or Family

During your studies at DePauw, you may want to invite family or friends to visit you. Please refer to the information below for additional information about this process.

Inviting a Friend or Family Member to the U.S.

Your friend or family member will likely need to provide the documentation below (along with other required documents) when they apply for the visa to visit you. 

Invitation Letter

Request an invitation letter through the International Student Portal that you can give to your friend or family member. (Note the International Student Portal is for international students only. U.S. Citizens needing invitation letters should contact intlstudents@depauw.edu for assistance.)

In the “Invitation Letter Request” you will need to submit information about the purpose of the visit, the approximate dates of the visit, and the names and passport information of your friends or family. 

Evidence of Your Visa Status

Typically, you will need to share a copy of your I-20 or DS-2019 with your friends and family for their visa application.

Evidence of Financial Support

The invitation letter that DePauw provides indicates that your friend or family member will be providing their own funding for the visit. 

Visa Waivers for Stays of Less Than Three Months

Citizens of some countries may be eligible to travel to the United States without applying for a B-2 (tourist) visa through a consulate. 

Application to enter the United States is instead made through the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and must be submitted at least 72 hours in advance. Refer to the ESTA website for eligibility and details.