This article was last updated and fact checked on January 28, 2023 by Mani Karthik.
In this article, we’ll show you how to apply for a visit visa to the USA for your parents.
A report by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that as of October 5, 2018, there were 419,637 foreign nationals working in the US on an H1B visa, of which 309,986 were Indians. And, a majority of the Indians working in the United States are engaged in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
So, if you are one of these, you already know that opportunities to visit India to meet your parents come rarely. Instead, it is a better idea to have them visit you in the US.
Worried about how they’ll manage the entire process of getting their B2 visas? You can do most of the work for them. Here’s how.
How to apply visiting visa for parents to USA
To apply for a visitor visa for parents, you will need to complete the Online Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160) and submitted online. The form is available on the Department of State website here.
Here are the steps to apply for a visit visa for parents.
When traveling to USA, travel insurance is much recommended.
Two great plans are, Atlas America and Safe Travels USA.
However there are other choices like these, as well.
1. Get Your Employment Letter
This letter will verify your employment status in the US and provide details, such as job description and salary.
Sometimes, your employer may ask for a scanned copy of your parents’ passports to provide this letter. The time taken for this step completely depends on your employer’s availability. This employment letter will be used by the visa authorities to verify your job status in the US before approving any visa application.
Obtaining a copy of your prior year’s W2 forms is also critical to your B2 tourist visa application success. Also, the required documents are:
Last three pay stubs
Last three bank statements
Your passport and I-94 copy
H1B Visa Approval Copy ( I-797)
2. Get Scanned Copy of Parents’ Passports
This is needed so that you can put in the information required while filling in the electronic visa application form for your parents. Details such as passport number, personal details, photos, etc., will be easily accessible in a scanned copy. It will also reduce the chances of filling incorrect information that could ruin the chances of getting visas.
3. Get Invitation Letter for Parents
The invitation letter is a very important document in the context of B2 visas. You need to send one to your parents in India, inviting them to the US to stay with you. Make sure you ask them to sign the letter too. This will legally support your parents’ intent to visit America on your invitation. But, before writing this letter, take a look at a sample US visa invitation letter.
4. Fill the Visa Application Form and Pay the Fee
While filling the DS-160 application form, keep in mind that you need to fill in separate application forms for each parent. After you have filled in all the information, such as personal details, passport details, travel plan, educational background, etc., you need to pay the application fee.
The processing fee for each DS-160 application is $160. The payment can be done online via various payment modes.
5. Fix Visa Interview at the Embassy for Your Parents
After you get the payment receipt for the visa fee, you can log in and schedule your parents’ visa interview at the closest US embassy or consulate. Remember to opt for a regional language, if your parents are uncomfortable in giving the interview in English.
Ask them to carry the required documents to the visa interview, such as:
- A copy of the interview appointment letter and the DS-160 confirmation page
- Their passports, along with any old passports that they may have
- A 2×2, passport-size photo for each person, in both digital and printed formats.
- The visa fee payment receipts
- Invitation letter that proves the intent of their visit
Finally, reassure your parents that all the officials want to know during the interview is that they intend to return to India before their visas expire and that they or you have the financial means to support their stay in the US. So, they should respond honestly and confidently.
Acing the visa interview is easy. Check out this article to know more about the questions asked in the visit visa interview.
How to Apply Visit Visa to USA for Parents – Infographic
Here’s a quick shareable infographic you can share with your parents.
All the best!
