Documentation Available for Seniors Inviting Immediate Family from Outside the U.S. to Attend Commencement
If you would like to invite your immediate family members living outside the United States to attend commencement they may need to apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist visa at the American Embassy in their home country. More information from Slater International Center regarding the process for inviting family members to visit the United States is available. Please note: Providing your family members with this documentation may improve their chances of obtaining a visa; however, there is no guarantee a visa will be issued. The success of their request for a visa lies in their ability to prove that they have no intention of staying permanently in the U.S. and that they have adequate funding available for their stay.
Upon request, the Registrar’s Office will provide seniors with a letter to support the visa application process. Make your request by by completing the following google form.
Please allow 3 business days for processing your letter request. Once completed, you will be notified by email and you may pick up the letter at the Registrar’s Office (Schneider Center) Monday - Friday between 9:45AM and 4:30PM.
Below is the template of the letter that will be produced:
Date
U.S. Embassy/Consulate <Name>
Non-immigrant visa section
<Name of Country>
Dear Sir or Madam:
Wellesley College’s Commencement will be celebrated on <Graduation Date> which is a significant and festive occasion. Students are encouraged to invite their family members. <Name of student> is currently enrolled as a full-time student in a program at Wellesley College leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree and is expected to participate in the commencement ceremony. <Name of student> would like to invite her <relationship (parent(s), brother, sister, grandparents)>, <Invited Guests Name as is listed on their passport>, to Commencement. Her guest(s) will need visitors’ visas to travel to the United States. We would appreciate any consideration that may be given to their applications to allow them to travel. More information regarding the commencement ceremony is available on the Wellesley College website (https://www.wellesley.edu/events/commencement).
Sincerely,
Carol R. M. Shanmugaratnam
Registrar