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Charge/Chargeable

Answer

Charge/Chargeable: There are numerical limits on the number of immigrant visas that can be granted to aliens form any one foreign country.  This limit is the same for all countries.  The limit is based on place of birth, not citizenship.  Where the immigrant is "charged", means that person is counted towards a given country's numerical limit.  For example, an immigrant born in Ethiopia is "charged" to Ethiopia, and therefore counted towards reaching the numerical limit for that country.  The person would be "charged" to Ethiopia, even if the immigrant born in Ethiopia was born of Yemeni parents and has a passport from Yemen.

Although immigrants are normally "charged" to their country of birth, and immigrant is sometimes able to claim another for the sake of immigration.  You would do this if it helps the immigrant in reaching the "cut-off date" date faster.  For example, suppose you were born in India, but your spouse was born in Sudan.  The "cut-off date" for a person born in India is earlier in family fourth preference immigration category than the "cut-off date" for a person born in Sudan.  We can "charge" you to Sudan, rather than India, and you can use the more favorable cut-off date for Sudan.  Therefore, you would be able to immigrate years earlier with a chargeability to Sudan than a chargeability to India.

About letter of invitation

A "Letter of invitation" is supplementary information that explains a visa applicant's intended purpose of travel and often useful. A letter of invitation explaining the nature of applicant's business in the U.S. and the nature of the relationship between the inviting party and the applicant is helpful. By writing a letter of invitation, you are not legally responsible for the visitor once they get to USA, but you should provide the letter in good faith. You must give truthful information and intend to keep the promises you made in the letter.

Letter of invitation from a U.S. sponsor

Letter of invitation from a U.S. sponsor will not necessarily guarantee that the holder will receive a visa. The consular officer evaluates each visa application on its own merits according to visa law and procedures. The best help that a U.S. Citizen can give to a visitor visa applicant is to make sure that applicant has all the information they need to submit a correct application and explain fully the standards for visa issuance.