letter of invitation to the US?

hello everyone,

my polish boyfriend's sister and her boyfriend would like to visit us in the US. my boyfriend is telling me i need to extend an invitation to his sister's boyfriend so he can visit. i've never heard of this, and i was just doing some checking online and it seems like a letter of invitation is not needed and doesn't help. has anyone ever heard of this? or have any info about the situation? this is where i was looking:

warsaw.usembassy.gov/poland/q3_2005.html

unitedstatesvisas.gov/visiting.html

thanks for any help or insight!

Why would you have to extend an invitation? Why can't your boyfriend do it? I think what is meant by the "letter of invitation" is more a sponsorship....meaning you are vouching that the person is coming into the US under a tourist visa and is financially capable to take care of himself while here, eliminating the likelihood that he's planning to stay and work, thus becoming an illegal immigrant. If you dig deep enough, I know there's info on it in the 2nd website you posted. Good luck!

i would have to since i'm a citizen. i spoke to my polish teacher about this today and she told me the letter is a good idea. from what i'm reading it doesn't help at all, but i suppose it can't hurt for me to write it.

The first time my gf went to the embassy, they didn't even look at the letter. So, I guess it can help..or not at all. I'd do it anyway.

You know what they look for? They are looking for some kind of proof that will convince the consul that you will return back to Poland. Best chances are if you have a wife and child, a job because they know you will come back.
I had a sponsor letter written for my bf. It did not help but it wouldn't hurt to have one. They really don't look at it. It used to be that you need an affidavid of support, but they don't require that either anymore.
They are mainly looking for some kind of guarantee that you will return to Poland. The beginning of the year is easier to get a visa than later in the year because they only give out so many and become more picky later. And it also depends on the consul you talk to and you need a little luck too.
Don't go to Scott Renner. He's a consul and doesn't like giving visas.

Hmmm don't really think that the letter will do a whole lot... used to work at the consulate in FF/Main, and I have friends in the Visa section. For a tourist visa, Show strong ties to Poland - job, going to school, studying, etc., your mom & dad, child, etc., and owning property. Show that you have a good life in Poland to go back to at the end of your vacation/visit! True that you do need luck. These visa folks can be moody and it all depends on the who you get to do the interview. I think Krysia's right about going at the beginning of the year.

I have a friend who got his visa in Krakow & when his gf tried to get one a month later, so they could visit the US together & travel around, she was denied. We think it was because she didn't show strong enough ties & the interviewer thought maybe she was looking for a hubby to marry in the US. Go figure.