text: if i want a platonic  friend from  kazakhstan to come visit me, what is the process? do i have to visit her first ? she would only want to spend about 7 days here then head back home . i heard though that any visitor to the united states has to do a letter of intention . what else would i need to do? i dont want her to come over here, and get turned around at the gate for lack of proper documentation the best way for sure is to check with us embassy in astana. http://www.usembassy.kz/consular/visas.shtml i do not think there will be a need for u to visit her first, my reltives and friends visited me in us and canada without any problems.  a visa is issued by a u.s. embassy or consulate. a visa entitles the holder to travel to the united states and apply for admission. it does not guarantee entry. an immigration inspector at the port of entry determines the visa holder's eligibility for admission into the united states and their length of stay. passport which must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the united states (e.g. if you plan to go to the united states for 1 month in march, your passport must be valid at least through october).  form ds-156 - all applicants must have a fully completed electronic visa application form with a clear barcode. this application is 3 pages. no documents will be accepted without this form and applicants will be asked to reschedule their interview for another day.  evidence of the purpose of the trip;  evidence of your intent to depart the u.s. at the end of your trip;  evidence of arrangements made to cover the costs of the trip or convincing evidence of a sponsor, should the applicant not have sufficient funds;  evidence of your personal financial situation, such as a letter verifying your employment;  evidence of a residence outside the united states;  evidence of ties to your home country, which will compel you to return home after a brief stay in the united states.    please be consistent in ur information, do not give false info, because i know some people who were denied the visa for doing so.