One of the most frequently asked questions among internationals living in the US, either during their graduation time, after they start working, or if they are expecting a baby, is: “What is the process to apply for a visitor or tourist visa (B2 visa) for their parents to come to the USA? What documents do they need? How do they start the B2 visa process for their parents ?”
The article below covers the step-by-step process for parents or family members applying for a B2 visitor visa, including sample documents and templates.
Basic Requirements: Passports, Funds for US Trip, Documents
The two most important things you need to plan before applying for a visa are your parents’ passports and the funds required for their travel to the US.
Getting Parents’ Passports
- The first step before you plan the US Tourist B2 Visa is to apply for a passport for your parents, if they do not have one.
- Depending on the country your parents reside, the time to get a passport can vary. Consider the time to get the passport when you plan the overall time to get a B2 Visitor visa for them.
- For example, if you are from India, in the past, it used to take 3 to 6 months; now, with outsourcing to companies like TCS, you can get a new passport in a little under 15 days. Also, there are new schemes, such as Tatkaal, where you can get it in less than a week. If it is an emergency, you can get your passport within seven days, but you must pay an extra fee for Tatkaal.
- Check out the passport application website for details. You may read our article on applying for How to do passport renewal in India to get an idea of the process.
Funds for your parents’ US Trip: Bank Savings for Sponsorship
- If you are paying for your parents’ trip, you need to have enough funds secured.
- There is no official guidance from the US Department of State on how much money you need to have in the bank account. They say the applicants must have enough funds to pay for the trip.
- You can do a ballpark estimate of the expenses that your parents might incur based on flight tickets, local travel, etc., and come up with an amount you think makes sense.
- As a rule of thumb, a good amount totaling up to 12,000 Dollars or more to cover their expenses would be ideal to have in the bank account.
- It is advised to start saving for the same at least few months before and accumulate steadily rather than just borrowing money and putting it in the bank. Again, there is no hard-and-fast rule, just some general guidance.
Also, it is important to secure all the relevant documents about your status in the US, as they would be important for the process. Let’s look at them below.
Employment Letter from your Company or Graduation Letter
When you invite your parents or family, one of the things that a US Consular officer would look at is your current US Visa status and supporting documentation for the same. You may need to get a different set of documentation based on your status in the US either as an employee working in the US or a student studying in the US.
Below are the two common scenarios when applying for B2 visitor visa:
Working in the US(H1B, L1, OPT, Green Card): Employment Letter
If you are working in the US on a work visa, you need to get an employment letter from your current company verifying that you are working in the US on an H1B, L1, or other visa, including Green Card, OPT or STEM OPT. This is to ensure you are in good standing in the US and are getting paid to support your parents’ travel.
Depending on the company, your company may ask for details of your parents or their passport copies and directly address the employment verification letter to the consulate. There is no rule or format given by the US Consulate. You are free to use what your company gives. Check the sample templates section at the end of the article if you want a sample. All they care is if you are employed and in good standing.
The employment verification Letter should have information like when you joined them, what role you are working in, and how much salary you make. Some employers are quick, and some are slow in doing this. Plan well and make sure you have it with you.
International Student on F1 Visa – Graduation Invitation
If you are an F1 international Student inviting your parents for Graduation, you need to send your current status details like your F1 Visa copy, I-94 copy, I-20, and Graduation invitation letter to your parents.
The graduation invitation letter would act as the official invite for them to visit the US. Also, the documents from the school will help the consular officer verify that you are about to graduate and have maintained proper status.
Step-by-Step Process for Parents’ US Visitor Visa (B2)
Below are the various steps you can follow to apply for a visitor visa for parents. Some of these can be done in parallel, but below is a general step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Complete DS-160, Book US Visa Appointment
Before booking your parents’ US Visa stamping appointment, you must fill in Form DS-160, which is nothing but the online Nonimmigrant US Visa application form. Make sure you have scanned copies of your parents’ passports, their education, and employment-related documents before you start the process to avoid issues. Sometimes, your employer may also ask for the same documentation before issuing the employment letter.
Complete Form DS-160 Online for Parents
Unless your parents are well educated and have access to all the facilities, such as a computer with internet access, etc., they may not be able to do DS-160 on their own. It would be better if you filled it out for them and then declared the same at the end. It saves a lot of pain for your parents to fill it out without any mistakes.
Important Info to know before you fill out Form DS-160 Form for Parents
- Separate DS-160 Forms: You must create separate DS-160 application profiles for every visitor visa applicant. If you invite both your mother and father, you must create two DS-160 Profiles online separately for your parents.
- Creating Family Member DS-160 from the “Thank you” page: When you are filling out the first DS-160 form for the first family member, at the end, when you select ‘Email Confirmation’ on the confirmation page, you will go to “Thank you” page and on that page you will have the option to create a family or group application, you can choose the option “Create a Family Application” so that some of the information from your first application will be copied over and imported. Of course, you can change those details as needed before submission.
- Required info to Fill out the DS-160 form: You will need a lot of information like education details, work history, identification info, etc. We have compiled the entire list of required items for DS-160 and tips to fill the same. Read the article: Documents Needed to Fill out DS-160 Form, to get an idea.
- Filling up the Form DS-160, Declaration: If you are filling out forms on behalf of your parents, at the end of the completion of the form DS-160, there is a section that reads ‘Sign and Submit page’, you should fill out your details as a third party and then inform your parents regarding the endorsement of the application by them and help them click on sign and submit button. You may check more info and discussion on sign and submit option.
Where to Fill out DS-160 online at the Official State.gov website
You should go to the Official US Govt State.gov website for DS-160 form Creation. Here is the link: US Govt ceac.state.gov Non-Immigrant Visa Application Website. You may read the below links for any questions on form DS-160.
- US Travel Docs India Official Website: Info on DS-160 form
- US State Govt Website: FAQs on DS-160 form
Once you complete the DS-160 form, the next step is to pay the visa appointment fee and book the slot for the visa interview.
Booking US Visa Interview Appointment, Native Language
You need to book a visa appointment at a US embassy/ consulate to get B2 Visa stamping to travel to the US. It involves paying fees, selecting a location, and interview language. Let’s look in detail.
- US Consulate Location for Interview: Depending on your home country, there may be one or more locations in your country. You need to choose the US Consulate that is close to where your parents live. For instance, in India, each consulate has a list of states that they serve. Depending on your state, you need to select the respective Consulate. You can read US Consulates India – What states they serve, contact info.
- Parents US Visa Interview Language – Mother tongue vs English: If your parents are not comfortable with English, you should choose their preferred mother tongue or native language. Most of the US embassies around the world give you the option to choose the local language.
- India Consulates – No Option to Choose Language in System: Starting from 2023 with the new system in place, in India, you do not have the option to choose the interview language such as your mother tongue like Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, etc. You will only get the option of English. If you feel your parents are not fluent in English, then you can ask them to request a local translator at the US Consulate/ Embassy on the day of the interview. For India, depending on the consulate, some languages may not be available. So, it is important to attend the interview at a location that is relevant for your state. You can check US Consulates Contact Info, Served States for more info. You can email the consulate/ embassy beforehand to be sure as well.
- Scheduling US Visa Interview: The US Visa interview appointment booking is handled by www.ustraveldocs.com website in most countries. Depending on your country, click on the country and choose the relevant website, where you will get the actual website that is used for booking the appointment. For instance, to book a visa appointment in India, you need to use the website USVisaScheduling.com.
- You need to create an account and follow the process in there. You will be asked to pay the fee online for booking an appointment.
- If you cannot pay online, you may need to go to the bank, pay it there, and get a code to use for booking an appointment.
- You do not need two accounts, you can add your parents as family in the same account and book visa interview appointment.
- If you are booking an appointment in India, you can read How to Create Account on USVisaScheduling.com
You can also read the complete guide apply for a US Visa Appointment for step-by-step process.
Step 2: Prepare for US Visitor Visa(B2) Interview, Documents
You will need to prepare and carry all relevant documents for the US Visitor visa interview for your parents. You will need to send them invitation letters, sponsorship letters, and other info. Let’s look at each of them.
Funds Proof – Bank Account Balance Letter, Sample
If you are sponsoring your parent’s or in-laws’ trip, you need to send the relevant proof to show that there are enough funds in your bank. While you can print out the Bank statements online, it is recommended that you go to your Bank and get a Bank verification or Bank Balance Statement Letter signed and stamped by the Bank officer.
Go to the primary bank, where you have your longest-standing account, and the bank with your savings, and ask them to give you a Bank Verification letter for Visa. Depending on the bank, the process can vary.
For instance, at Chase Bank they do it instantly. For Bank of America, or others they make take couple weeks or more. Do this in advance. All they do is, give a letter saying when the bank account was opened and average running balance since opening. It is just a simple letter. If possible, get the visiting card of the bank manager( not necessary, more documentation the better). Check out Sample Bank Verification Letter for Parents Visa
Invitation Letter, Visa Officer Cover Letter, Other Documents
Below are the other set of documents that you will need to have ready for the visa interview, so that your parents or in-laws can show the same.
- Invitation Letter: You need to send an invitation letter to your parents saying that you are inviting them to visit you and sign it. It supports your parent’s intent to come to the US, and you are inviting them to visit. You can get a sample template copy in the below section.
- Visa officer Cover letter: It is recommended to send a cover letter with all the documentation addressing the visa officer. It just lets you keep in track of what you are sending and if visa officer needs to check, it is easier for him and more clear for our parents. See the templates section below.
- Copies of W2 Form, Pay stubs, etc: You will need copies of W2 Forms for all the years, last three pay stubs or salary statements, Last three bank statements, Copy of your passport, I-94, H1B visa approval ( I797). This is extra piece of documentation to be given to your parents to avoid any issues. This is like an optional, I strongly suggest that you carry these documents.
- F1 Student Status Documents: If you are a student on F1 visa and not working, you may not have pay stubs, so do not worry about it. Send whatever you have regarding your current status like I20, etc.
- (Optional ) Affidavit of Support I-134 Form: This is an optional form, which is typically filed with family-based green card applications by sponsors. This is to establish that the applicant will not become public charges while in the United States. If you submit this form, you are legally signing that you take all the liability and they will not become a public charge. You may fill, sign and send the affidavit of support to your parents. It has some basic info. Nothing fancy and tricky out there. All you are telling in this document is that you are going to support their entire trip. You can Download the I-134 Form, Affidavit of Support from USCIS website
- Sending Documents to Home Country: Ideally, you want to print out everything and sign all the documents where you filled forms I-134 (optional), invitation letter and cover letter. Make copies of all the documents as listed above. Send originals of Employment letter and Bank letter. You can use DHL or FedEx. It may cost you anywhere around $60 USD.
Below is the checklist of B2 visitor visa stamping documents for parents.
Parents US Visitor Visa(B2) Documents Checklist
Below are the documents that Parents need to carry from their side
- Passport
- DS-160 Form Submission Confirmation letter
- US Visa Appointment Confirmation Letter
Below are the documents parents need to carry related to their sponsor(son or daughter) in the US or if they would be staying with them.
- Copy of work visa approval notice from USCIS ( H1B/ L1 Approval Notice Form I-797).
- Copy of Passport, US Visa stamped on passport.
- Copy of I-94. (Check How to get I-94 Online )
- Current Employment verification letter
- Copy of Bank statements from the last six months.
- Bank Account verification/ balance letter.
- Copies of last three salary statements/ pay slips.
- Copies of previous years Tax Returns –W2 forms ( if applicable).
- DS forms (if you have filled it and signed the same)
- Copy of Green Card ( if you are not working on visa )
- Form I-134 ( Optional )
US Visitor Visa(B2) Documents Checklist for in-laws
If you are sponsoring your in-laws like mother-in-law or father-in-law, in addition to the above checklist of documents, you need to include your spouse’s details and documents as well along with the package.
- Your Spouse’s Passport
- Spouse’s approval notice I797
- Spouse’s US Visa Copy
- Any other supporting documents like a marriage certificate to prove the relationship.
- Spouse Birth Certificate
Thanks to Rajesh for suggesting the above after his bad experience of missing the documents of his in-laws.
Additional Supporting Documents by Parents for Visa Interview
Fundamentally, your parents have to prove that they have enough ties in their home country so that they would return after their trip. Some of the ways that can be done is by good supporting documentation. The below list of documents is intended to prove that they will return to home country:
- Notarized documents of land/ sites, buildings ( any kind of property).
- Bank Statements with enough balance
- Pension/employment benefits letters, if applicable.
- Fixed deposits and any financial-related documents.
- If there are Tax returns, then carry them as well
- Any other documents that show you are financially strong and you will come back.
If you do not have all the documents or big property back home, it is OK. No big deal. Because, you are the one in the US, who is sponsoring the visitor visa for your parents. So, do not worry. Also, if your parents are older, then they are fine.
You may join our Telegram B2 Visa Community Group to ask questions or share your experiences.
Sample Document Templates for Parents US Visitor Visa
Below are some of the templates that you can use. Make sure you change the content to fit it for your situation.
- Parents US Visitor Visa Invite Letter Template: You need to send an invitation letter to your parents saying that you are inviting them and also specify, if you plan to pay for their expenses when in US. We have given a sample letter, but I recommend you edit it with your own flavor and make it unique: Invitation Letter Templates for Visitor (B-2) / Parents Visa
- Employment letter Sample Letter Template for US Parents Visa: You should also send an employment letter that tells that you are employed in your company with your designation and salary. It can be any standard employment letter. You may use: Employment letter Template for Parents Visa USA
- Cover Letter for Visa Officer at US Consulate: It is a good idea to put in a cover letter to the visa officer listing all the documents you are sending. You may use : Cover Letter for Visa officer – Parents visa USA
These are just standard templates that you can use, no hard fast rule that it has to be in this format. We highly encourage you to use them as guideline only and create your own letters with your own flavour, so that it looks unique.
Step 3: Attend Biometrics & US Visitor Visa Interview Appointments
Once you have all the documents ready, the next step is to attend the Biometrics appointment at a US Visa Application Center(VAC) and give biometrics on that required day. After the biometrics are taken, parents must carry all the documents listed in the above checklist and attend the visa interview on the respective date and time.
Having all the documents is essential, but the most important thing is to give your parents confidence and all the details related to you and what you do in the US so that they can answer the questions. You need to coach your parents to do well in the interview.
You can expect to see questions like the ones listed below for your parents in the visa interview.:
- Who lives in the US? Son or Daughter?
- What does your Son or Daughter do in the US?
- Did they study in the US?
- Where did they study?
- What does your son or daughter do for work?
- Which city do they live in?
- Do you plan to settle down there or come back?
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- When do you plan to go?
- When do you plan to return to India?
- What is your son or daughter’s salary?
- How long have your son or daughter lived in the US?
- Do you currently work, or are you retired?
- Do you get a pension? Have you paid taxes?
You can check out previous US Visitor Visa experiences at the below links
- Collection of Latest B1/B2 Visitor Visa Stamping Experiences
- Parents US Visa Stamping Experience -Telugu
- English Stamping Experience US Parents Visa.
Step 4: B2 Visa Approval, Passport with Visa
If the B2 visa interview went well, your parents would be informed that their visa was approved and their passports would be collected. If the passports are collected, then they can expect the actual B2 Visitor Visa foil to be glued in their passport and delivered to their given address within a few days.
If your parents chose to pick up a passport, they could collect the same with the visa stamped in it. The approved B1/B2 or B2 Visitor Visa glued in the passport would look in the screenshot below.
If the visa were not approved, the consular officer would inform your parents and give them a piece of paper indicating the reason for Visa denial. One of the common reasons for visa denial for B2 visitor visa is 214(b). If your parents are unlucky, they can again reapply. You can read more on it at State.gov US Visa Denials reasons.
Hopefully, your parents get their US Visa in the interview. One last thing, before they go to the US, is to look at health insurance for their US Travel.
Health Insurance for Parents: After you get the US Visa and plan to arrive in the US, having visitors health insurance is important for parents to avoid any unforeseen health conditions, when in the USA. It is always a good idea to get Health Insurance from a US vendor, who can support you. We recommend Buying Parents Insurance at Visitors Coverage – Parents Insurance as they have US support and you can compare all insurance plans.
Common FAQs
Yes, US Consulates in India are doing both in-person interviews as well as dropbox appointments for parents B2 visitor visas. There are no restrictions.
All the appointments that are available on USVisaScheduling.com for 2026, 2027 and beyond are all real appointments. They are not placeholder appointments like in the past.
That’s it folks…not so much complex, all you need to do is get all the list of documents and have things rolling as per plan and schedule.
Do you have any other ideas or documents that are important ? Do share your experience and thoughts.
Hello,
I am switching from F-1 student visa to H4 dependent and my husband is on H1. We want to sponsor my parents to come to the US for my pregnancy in June. When should I start the visa process (latest)? Also, my parents don’t have property or sufficient funds of their own and are supported by my sister in India. However, my husband owns properties in India. Will getting a visitors visa be a problem for my parents?
I’m a GC holder working and residing in US. I would like to sponsor B2 visa my parents to visit me for a couple of months. I’m the only child for my parents. They are retired and I support them financially. There are a couple of lands in my name in my home country which are gaurdians of. They have a car and a two wheeler too. They live in a rented apartment.
How to prove their ties back to home country in this case? Will the documents of the vehicles and lands be sufficient?
Thanks,
Manz
Hello Manz,
I believe it should be fine. Just make sure all your documents are in place, and they answer confidently.
Tia
Dear Sir/Madam,
I started working in US from past 6 months.I like to apply visa for my parents.
As i will be not having W2 filled,can i apply visa to them.
Thanks in advance
Regards
NP
Hello,
I am planning to Sponsor my parents for USA visit visa, but they don’t have any property to show in india? nor they have and strong ties to show why would they return? but they are working right now, don’t have pay stubs to show but can get letter from employer. Kindly help with what should be done. Their visa has been rejected twice before, but that time I had shown my F1 status. now I am on H1b.
Thanks,
Tia
If my parents wants to apply for visit visa without my sponsor, like they have job, house, accounts with good amount,my unmarried siblings, then does embassy need sme proof/ verification from me? If yes then Documented form or telephonic? N hws if they arrange thier residence by thier own? Is tht still fine?
Hi,
Please answer for my below questions , that would be greate.
1) Can i get Bank Account Verification letter from Bank1 and Last 3 or 6 months Bank statement in Bank2?
2) Visa application Fee, whether i can pay it from USA or after Filling DS 160,my parents need to pay the fee Axis/Citi bank at India?
3) Can i pay Visa application fee all the Axis Bank Branch at Tamilnadu , India or specific city in Tamilnadu
Thanks
Muthu
Hello Saurabh,
Thanks for providing such a useful platform through your blog. I am phd student in US and wants to apply for parents visa. They will sponsor themselves except they will stay with me. So all i need to have separate DS-160 form for both, invitation letter, my visa copy, US apartment leased on my name (the place they gonna live) and of-course funds of my parents (bank statements and property documents). Please add if i need any other document. Also, how can i make sure that they give interview together i.e. on one counter?
Hi,
I am on L1 B visa and I am getting paid in India, Even my perdiem is paid in INR and is deposited in my Indian Account. Id ont have any pay stubs of USA. My Spouse is also working for last 3 months and she is on L2 (dependent visa).
1. Will it be fine if I sponsor my parents with my Indian pay stubs and indian bank account details?
2. Will it be better if me and my spouse both sponsor my parents.
Please suggest. Thanks.
Hi!
I just graduated from university and started my job on OPT however I postponed my walk till December so my mother and brother could visit. However I want my brother to come within the next couple of months and my mom to come for a shorter time closer to graduation like in December. Can you advise me as to what I will need from my side to facilitate their visits? I don’t have a lot of money in my account because I just started working and they can’t possibly expect me to have these funds … plus I want them to visit mainly for the purpose of my graduation so I can tell my dad to show the funds on his end. Would really appreciate detailed advice in this regard.
Hello Saurabh,
My mother holds British passport, n she is residing in India since last 55 years, she has PIO card now.She has compelted her educationn has lead her whole life in India. She just visited UK once. She is 65 years old and a widow.
I am planning to call her on visitor visa to USA.
Is it okay for her to attend visitor visa interview for USA from Mumbai?
Will the above situation affect her chance of getting the visa?
Thanks
Great very helpfull guide. I have a question that what if i apply for my mother and my father at same time? normally if both apply they give visa to only one of them. what is the best solution?
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks for the forum. Its really helpful. Need a small assistance/clarification.
I have recently shifted to US (barely 2 months) and i have the reqd amount (10000$) in US bank but tenure is small.
I am planningto invite my father in august with visa processing next month. Do you think its advisable for me to invite him as i have short span of history in USA.
I have my cousin sister staying here for morethan 5 years. Can i ask her to invite instead of me as it will be more weighed.? Please advice!!!
Hi Saurabh,
i am planning to visit US in june on visit visa. i have few queries, kindly pls clarify
1) last year i applied for H1 and it got denied bcs of client letter. I dint even go for stamping. ( will this be an issue, when i go for visit visa stamping)
2) one of friend ( US born citizen) is inviting me, and she will provide letter for me and she shows all her pay slips and bank balance and all other required docs.
3) i am showing around 18 lakhs in my account, is that enough?? or do i need to show anything else. as i don’t have any other property on my name.
4) i would like to stay for 4 months, will visa be given for 4 months?
5) and lastly, my friend who is inviting me was my colleague(worked on same project, she is US and me in india), we both never met in person, will visa office asks this? and does he ask what is the reason for traveling? anyways i am jus going on vacation.
please answer my question…it would be great help.
also thanks for helping many ppl like and solving their queries.
Thanks
Hi saurabh,
could u pls give ur views on my queries.. i really need it badly..
thanks
Please help me to right a letter to help my mom bring my grandmother to USA with a visa, I am a US Army sergeant for two years and I have been in the military service for 5 years. My grandmother was rejected the first time in 2012. I would like to know how to write a letter to the US Embassy of Ecuador to let them know that I would like to see my grandmother for 12 years and I missed her a lot. My son born in February 2014 and I would love her to see my son, as you know Us army will not let me travel to Ecuador because I am working here. Please help me.
Thanks and God Bless you
Carolina Cevallos.
Hi,
The above information is very useful for me. Thanks for the detailed description about the documents.
Hello. Could you give me a sample letter of a visitor’s visa application to South africa that the parent Has to write to say that they are allowing and supporting the child during a period of 1month of her holiday in south africa! The parent are not in South africa though. As in not a sponsoring letter. Thank you so much
Hello,
I am on H1-B,
I am inviting my parents to visit on B2 and I am sponsoring them.
I know that I have to fill 2 seperate DS-160 and make 2 sets of each document.
But I want to make sure their interview is together, I mean at the same visa office window, interviwed together by the same visa officer.
One reason for this is I want my mom to answer everything in our native language as my dad panics at the interview.
Can you please help me how can I book the intervew and submit the DS- 160?
Is there a different procedure for this?
Hi Saurabh,
I am sponsoring my parents & need your help. I mainly looking for answers to #1
1. What documents should be handed over to the visa officer upfront.
2. What documents should be submitted only upon request (i.e only shown if Visa officer asks for it.)
Thanks
RA
Hi,
I am asking this question, as I could not find any thread relating to my situation.
I am in US for 1.5 years in H1B Visa and I am planning to invite my Mom(Widow) and my Sister(Unmarried, 27 Age, works in Central Government for last 5 years) to US. I have few question on this,
1. Is it a good practice to invite Mom and Unmarried sister? My friend’s said its not advisable to take appointments of unmarried sister and mom at the same time as the interviewer may think that they may not return back to India. But my Mom knows only Tamil, moreover she is little scared of facing the interview.
2. If I make my Mom to attend interview separately, would there be any employees in chennai consulate to guide her? Because she does not know to monitor and read the number that is visible in display TV.
3. We don’t have any property in India. But my mom has a bank balance of 10,000,00 and my sister has 5,00,000. What could be the possible documents that can be provided from my sister to prove that she will come back to India?
Please suggest and I appreciate any help.
Thanks!
Hi
I am planning to bring my parents to US. Reg the bank balance. Should we have 10,000 dollars? What is the minimum balance that we should show?
Thanks
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks for helping the people about visa issues.
I need some suggestions regarding my case…
I came to US in October 2011 and in December 2011 I tried for visa for my parents and the visa officer rejected saying “please try after an year”. My wife was pregnant during that time and we desperately needed a visa. So, I tried immediately in January 2012 and it got rejected with the same reason. The officer asked my parents (in native language) to try after an year.
Now, I want to try again, may be during April 2014.
1. Do you think the previous rejections will have any effect on the next interview ???
2. There is a lot of property and gold with my parents (around 4 crores)… Would it help to mention this during interview ???
3. My father takes care of accounts in a business (no records and business is not owned by us)… What could be done in this case to prove he is working or any other options ???
4. Would it help if they attend separately ???
Thanks in advance.
-Suresh.
Friends,
I have a question on B2 visa i was going through whole forum to see any one asked this question or not. so my question is.
I am Planning to Invite my Parents in that do i need to take 2 DD from bank or just 1 is enough for both of them.
Please reply if any one did.
thanks
Swetha
Hi saurabh,
First of all I appreciate your efforts to answer our queries.
I live here with my wife and I am on H1b visa .It is going to expire in September .My I94 will be expiring in October. My company will apply for extension next month in February .My wife is pregnant and her due date is August. I am planning to invite my parents in august and they are planning to attend interview in March. As my h1b is going to expire in 6 months can I apply for their visa and invite them in august.
Rahul
I am just wondering whether Rahul got any reply for his post?? I am kind of in a similar situation and any response would be much appreciated!!
Thanks
Hi Rahul, Sreehari,
I was in a similar situation till last week, and after checking different forums I found that having H1B expiring in few months does not have any impact on B2 visa. My H1B and i-94 are expiring in 3 months from now and my parents went for B2 visa this week and got it approved. Consulate didn’t even ask for my visa/approval letter.
You both should be good. Good luck with the interview.
B2Applicant, Thanks for your note. I am planning to bring my mother here and I see lot of comments/posts on the bank balance that we need to maintain in our US bank account, I would be sponsoring the trip and all visa related cost, however I may not have a good balance at the moment. Will that be a significant factor in approving the visa request?
Hi all,
I came to US on H4 in March 2013 and started working on H1 from October 2013. I have payslips from October 1 till date. I want to invite my parents to visit me.
My spouse has been here since October 2012 (more than an year now) on H1. Spouse has higher salary, better bank balance and ofcourse more number of payslips and W2s.
Pls suggest the best option for sending the invitation letter and being sponsor – Me, Spouse or Joint?
PS: Saurabh: i’ll really appreciate your opinion on this pls.
H1 Spouse,
You can send the invitation letter and include copy of your recent payslips. It doesn’t matter who has higher salary, as long as the one inviting has enough funds to take care of the expenses. In other words, if you are getting 5K per month, and spouse is getting 6K, you can still sponsor them as 5K is good enough to take care of expenses.
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks for this forum. My parents visa has been rejected twice and we are in the process of analyzing what went wrong and will be reapplying again.
As mentioned above, we should have property papers – The house that we have in India is with my grandparents name and we recently bought other house which is in our name. So my parents do not have any property on their name directly.
So how should we handle this scenario?
Any help/suggestions are highly appreciated.
Regards,
Hi Roshan, can you please tell us how you prepared, what all documents you provided from your side as well as your parents’ side?
Above details will help understand the situation better and we can contribute to your assessment of the situation
Hi Saurabh
I am sponsoring my in laws for the visitor visa this week. Can I sponsor my parents now in two weeks time? Will it create any problem? Is there any time limit? Also is it fine to send scanned copies of documents like bank verification letter, invitation letter etc. or do I have to send the originals to them through courier?
Looking forward for your reply.
Thanks
Lily
Lily,
It should not be an issue. They can appear for visa interview 2 weeks from now. You can send them scanned copies.
Hi Saurabh,
I am planning to visit US along with my wife in Dec 2013 to see my son who is employed in Denver. We have applied for visitor visa and the visa interview is in the first week of Nov 2013. It is a self sponsored trip for a month. I am retired from a reputed Indian company. My wife is a homemaker. I have good bank balance coupled with very good stock portfolio. We live in our own house plus invested in property under construction. My pension income is not high. Could the last statement become an issue ? Regards,
Hi,
I am planning to bring my parents for a short visit to US, I am on L1 visa in US from last 3-4 years with short trips on vacations to India. They just got retired and have properties/bank balance to show ties back home.
Only issue I face is, My I-94 Validity is until Jan,2014, would it cause any hindrance in there Visa application.
Hi,
I am planning to get my Parents to the US.
I have gone through the posts and they are very helpful.
I just want to confirm If the documents we are collecting (My Docs + my parents docs), do we need to send somewhere?(to the US consulate). like the way we do for our H1B processing?
Or they just have to carry all the documents with them? Thanks again!
Hello,
I want to apply visa for my parents and in laws next month. I am currently on OPT (F-1) and my wife is here as dependent on F2 Visa. I have graduated in August 2012. Can I apply for visa inviting them to my graduation ceremony. I can go to graduation ceremony in Dec 2013.
Can 4 of them go together for visa interview or they need to go seperately?
Any suggestions for this visa application are appreciated.
Thank You
AUGUST 12 2013, TEXAS
My parents went for B2 Visa interview on the 12th August and their VisaWAS approved. They haven’t got the passports back yet. However, below is a checklist that covers all the important documents one should carry.
US state website mentions below required documents here:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html#documentation
The document mentioned at the above link are:
-Passport valid for travel to the U.S.
-Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page
-Application fee payment receipt,
-Additional Documentation
– For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:
1. The purpose of your trip;
2. Your intent to depart the U.S. after your trip; and/or
3. Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.
The first set of documents are an obvious anyway. DS160, passport etc are required to event set foot inside the US consulate. However the set of additional set of documents is where it gets unclear. Below is the compilation of all the documents.
The documents were divided in to three folders:
1. Gate Pass Folder – contains documents that enable to enter US consulate.
2. Identification Folder – contains documents to establish their identity and the legal status of their US staying child.
3. US stay support document – Contains documents that establishes that they can support their stay in US and will not become a public charge on the US government.
(You can use the copy of the Original. YOU NEED NOT SEND ANY ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS FROM USA. Scan and send them the documents like I797, Bank letter etc., to take print outs )
The divided folder checklist can be seen here:
http://www.viewdocsonline.com/document/s7qb5z
or
http://www.scribd.com/doc/159887176/US-B2-Visa-Interview-Checklist-for-Parents
Invitation Letter sample can be found here:
http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/sample-invitation-letter-parents.html
Letter to consulate sample can be found here:
http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/sample-consulate-letter-visitors-visa.html
I-134 affidavit document is not required per se as H1b cannot sponsor B2 visa. However to show that they can take care of the expenses in US including housing and lodging, an affidavit can be prepared and SHOWN ONLY if the Visa officer asks for it. If both mother and father are applying, you need separate affidavit for each of them. In the affidavit, write your mother’s or father’s name and mention the other as the spouse. It need not be notarized but only signed. Latest I-134 can be found here:
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fe3647a55773d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
Questions asked:
1. Purpose of Visit.
2. For how Long you want be in US?
3. What do you do now?
4. What did you do while you were in Job?
5. What does your Child do in USA ?
Some Tips :
1. Coach your parents to emphasize on the fact they would want to come back after a stipulated time and they will not stay there more than allowed. They can emphasize this using the property documents.
2. Coach your parents to ask “Sorry I didn’t understand the question. Could You please repeat it?” to visa officer in case the question is not clear
3. Choose a language during booking appointment in which parents are well conversant
4. If any of your parents was in military or defence, please truthfully answer if they had any firearms training.
5. If they want the passport to be delivered to the residence address, then they would have to play extra to Bluedart during the interview process. Else the passport will come to the central blue dart place in the city chosen at the appointment booking process.
6. Please advice them to be at the place half an hour before the scheduled time
7. Please give them a checklist of the required documents and explain to them what each documents is and why it is required. Refer to the Checklist given in this post to know more.
8. Ask parents to be dressed soberly and be confident. Not indifferent, but confident and cordial.
9. Customer care and track your passport:
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-main-contactus.asp
Redbus2us.com is really my life saver.Especially the answers from Sourabh are really helpful for me.I posted couple of questions here few years back when i was completely new to all these visa procedures.Now, i am realizing in what level the answers from sourabh got helped me. Thank you very much sourabh. I really appreciate your help.
PRASHANTH,
I am glad that forum and I were able to help you in your immigration process.
Good luck 🙂
Hi,
i am applying B2 visa for my mother.i got all documents except Birth certificate.Is it really need to carry birth certificate at the time of visa interview.Please suggest.
Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Prashanth.
Prashanth,
It can be applied even w/o it. Do you have their name mentioned in your passport? You can use that as an alternate. Also send some family pictures of you all together to show the relationship.
Hi Saurabh,
I would like to know whether the invitation letter to parents should be sent as an hard copy to them or I can sign and send the scan copy by mail so that they can take printout and take them along to consulate.
Thanks,
Vikram
Vikram,
You can sign it, scan it, email it and they can take the print-out.
Hi- My parents already have a visiting visa valid for 10 years (expiring 2015) which they had got when they traveled to US in 2005 to visit my sister. Now they are planning to travel this November to US to visit me. Is there any other visa related document/sponsor document or anything like that which i need to get ready or i can simply go ahead for the ticket booking?
Can you please help?
Thank you so much
Theck,
They can use the previous visa stamp as it has not expired. They should carry information about their daughter (contact details, employment, residence etc). If possible, she can send them an invitation letter over email as well.
Hi,
Will they check sponsor’s credit history for visitor visa? Even tough i have good bank balance i do not have a good credit history, so will this have any impact for my parents visa.
Sushal,
Your credit history will not impact the outcome of their visa stamping.
hai,
can i my sponsor my parents,since i sponsor my in laws last month?
Sri,
Yes, you can.
Very informative article. My wife’s uncle was able to get visa without any trouble, thanks for the guidance.
Nanda, Good to hear. If you can share the experience of preparation and visa interview with us, we will post it for readers, it would be helpful. You can use the link on top ‘Share your experience’
Do they need to have a Photo with them for OfC or interview? On Appointment letter it asks only for below 14 years old.
Hi Saurabh,
I would like to know how soon we can re-apply/renew B2 visa. My parents visa is getting expired in April 2014. Is it 6 months before the expiration date?
Please reply.
Thanks,
Vikram
Vikram,
I am not sure about the right answer. You can post this question in Q&A forum and address it to sudeep travels. He is knowledgable about such questions.
Hey Saurabh or any of friends pls reply,
I am planning to book visitor visa appointment in tamil in chennai embassy.
Can i know how long will it take to book an appointment in tamil???
????
Geetha Raj,
Wait times vary from day to day. You will have to check for next available dates on the visa scheduling website for Tamil language.
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks for this blog, it really helps.
I have few questions to make sure we’re doing our best for my mother in law’s visitor visa.
We were anyhow planning to bring my mother in law here and now we got a reason.
Since I’m pregnant right now and on H1, I would like invite my mother in law. Can she tell this to consulate officer? I hope they trust and not think of possible immigrant.
She has enough property on her name to show them.
Can you suggest if we can tell them the truth?
Appreciate your reaponse.
Thanks
Yes, you can tell them truth. Make sure for everything you say, you have enough documents to support it. Eg. if you say that you are pregnant and want your mother-in-law to visit you, you should give hospital or clinical documents to support your statement. Also give expected date of delivery and related documents to make it strong.
If that is the only reason, you need to change your invitation letter accordingly.
I want Mom in US,
Here is something to go through.
Thanks … that link is scary Saurabh…I guess I should not let consulate understand that we are calling her for the pregnancy.
Also, I would like to know If I need to send few original documents..? like my husband’s birth certificate? one of my friends didn’t send any original like you mentioned on the link or documents for this visa, still they got approved, may be their good luck.
I want Mom in US,
Original documents need not to be sent for visitor’s visa. You can send copies.
Hi,
I want to start my parents visitor visa process. I checked all the documents check list and i had a question on w2. I was previous on H4 and recently from past 5 months am on H1 and i have pretty good bank balance but since i have not completed one full financial year i do not have any w2 in my name so should i wait till next year for my parents visa?? or is there any other document i need to furnish instead of w2.
Sushal,
It is ok not to submit W-2 if you haven’t completed one calendar year in US while working. Are you including your spouse in the invitation? If yes, then may be add spouse’s W-2 for last year.
Hi
My Parents Visa got rejected [214(b)] t times. But question is , though They have additional supporting documents to show they have property, etc in India, but Officer didn’t event look at those documents and not even taken those documents to see and rejected application only by looking at D160 and Passport. Is this the process? Most of the ppl talking about submitting documents, but where ? No one accepted documents before interview and at interview no one accepted documents.
Thanks
Panky
Panky,
It is the officer’s discretion whether to ask for additional documents or just deny it based on what information he is seeing on his screen. Not much one can do about it.
My Parents visa got denied last year , reason :possible immigrant. I am on h4 and my husband was sponsoring the trip.
1) Will it make any difference if I sponsor the trip. Since I have sufficient balance in my bank account. But I am on h4.
2) We have another option that my father self sponsors the trip . My father is retired, He does not have any property on his name. He has sufficient bank balance in terms of FD, etc. He currently stays with my brother. He has property on his fathers name. Also my mother has a property but it is family property so the property document has the name of all the members of her family listed , which will be divided among everybody. So I am not sure how to show all this.
3) The third option is my brother sponsors the trip. My brother is CA , he has property on his name and enough bank balance. My father stays with him.
My parents do not have any option of migrating here. They are very happy in India with my brother. Also my mother’s mom stays with them. She is 90 up so they have to go back for her. How to show all this to make a strong case?
Interviewer do not ask any questions so we do not know how to convince them.
Can you please advice.
I am on h4 and my husband is on h1.
My parents are self sponsoring their trip. What kind of document do we need to send from US?
I guess we need to send the Visa documents, Invitation letter?
Do we need to send I134 Affidavit , Bank statements etc?
Please advice…
Th,
You should still send an invitation letter along w/ your address so that the officer knows where they will be staying in US and what’s the purpose of the trip. They have to show the funds themselves i.e. their own bank statements etc. You should also send copies of your visa documents including employment letter.
I am on h4 and I had applied for b2 visa for my parents last year. The visa got rejected as possible migrant. They didn’t check the bank statements , they asked him if he has any property. We had shown my husband is sponsoring their visa.
This year we are filing the visa again.We are showing that my father is sponsoring the trip. He worked as a consultant so he did not had a fixed income , now my father is retired. He does not have any pension. But he has enough bank balance in term of cash,FD and other investments around 12 lacs. Is this enough? Also he does not have any property on his name? He has property on his father’s name . My mother has a ancestral property on her name but it is her maiden name. He is currently staying with my younger brother family. He has a house but since he was consultant that time he could not take a loan so it is on my brothers name.
My parents have no intention of staying in USA they are staying with their two sons and enjoying their life there. So I am not sure how to convince the interviewer the same. I just need them to visit me here in USA once.
Please advice what to do.
I am currently on h4 and my husband is onh1. We are planning calling my parents. I had a couple of questions which if answered would be highly appreciable;
1) Does the sponsor needs to be my husband or even can I sponsor them. We both have a joint account so financial stability evidence should not be a concern. Please advise.
2) All the documentation needs to be the same for sponsoring parents or in laws? Please suggest
Thanks..:)
AK,
1. Either can be the sponsor. If it is your parents, then its better for you to be the sponsor
2. Yes, they are the same
Thanks Saurabh but I was wondering about what to enter under employment section on form i134 since am not currently employed.
Please suggest!!
AK,
When I sponsored my parents, I didn’t even complete the I-134 form. I don’t think it is mandatory. I usually just submit an invitation letter on personal stationary along w/ other financial/rental documents.
Thanks Saurabh…
My parents don’t have any property in India and my father was an Accountant so no pay stubs and no pensions. Is that would be an issue while requesting for a tourist visa for my parents?
Naveen,
He may have to show good enough social-financial ties w/ home country so that officer is confident that he will return to home country after the stay in US.
My father is retired in Feb 2013 (he gets pension) and my mother is house wife. But he doesn’t have much property except some land. So, he can just show the land document and pension.
Should that be fine?
Neelu,
They may have to show good enough social-financial ties w/ home country so that officer is confident that they will return to home country after the stay in US.
Hello,
I am sponsoring my parents they have properties but on my mother name and it is different in passport. it is arround 1,50,10,000. what can we do..and only letter of properties and business by Chartered Accounted is enough.
Ankit,
What’s different in passport? They can show their IT returns to show the assets they own in their home country.