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Visiting the U.S. -- Medical Treatment in the U.S.

Applying for a Tourist Visa | Medical Treatment in the U.S.

You can enter the United States on a B-2 visitor visa for medical treatment. Like a visitor for pleasure, you must apply for a visa and establish that you are qualified for a visa. In addition you need to bring the following information about your medical treatment:

• A diagnosis from a doctor about your medical condition. The doctor must explain why you must go to the U.S. for medical treatment.
• A letter from a doctor or hospital in the United States. This letter must give the following:
• Statement of willingness to treat your medical condition,
• Estimate of the costs of the treatment, including doctor's fees, costs of hospitalization and other medical expenses and,
• Estimate of the length of the treatment.
• Proof that you (or your sponsor) have sufficient funds to pay your travel and medical expenses in the United States.

In the past some visitors have had major medical treatment which they were unable to pay for. To avoid this situation, the consular officer may ask applicants for visas for medical treatment and their sponsors for additional information. They may be asked to show how expenses for follow-up treatment and hospitalization will be met.

Hosting Visitors to the U.S.

People often ask how they can help a family member, relative or friend get a visa to visit them in the United States. We appreciate their desire to help and do understand that sometimes the need for a visit can be urgent.

Under U.S. law, however, applicants for visitor visas must qualify on their own for visas to visit the United States.

This is what applicants must do to qualify for visitor visas:

• Complete and sign the required application forms;
• Bring evidence that their visit is temporary and that they will return home after their legally authorized stay; and
• Undergo security clearance procedures

In general, we look at visa applicants with greater scrutiny and more background checks than we did in the past. This leads to longer processing times in many cases.

We understand that you may want to help with the visa process. However, it does not help the applicant if you write a letter of invitation or personally guarantee his or her departure from the United States after the visit is over. The consular officer evaluates each visa application on its own merits according to visa law and procedures.

• Make sure the applicant for a visitor visa has all the information to submit a correct application; and
• Explain fully the standards for visa issuance to the applicant

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