US Visitor Visa (B2) for Parents: Procedure, Sample Documents (2023)

One of the most frequently asked questions among friends, whether during college, after starting work in the US, or when expecting a baby, is “What is the process of applying for a visitor or tourist (B2) visa for parents? come to the US? What documents do I need? How do I start?". The following article covers the step-by-step process of applying for a B2 visa for parents or family visitors, including sample documents and templates.

BasicRequirements – passports,Travel money USA

The two most important things to plan in advance before applying for a visa are your parents' passports and the necessary funds for your trip.

• the passports of the parents: The first step is to apply for a passport for your parents if they don't have one. Depending on the country, the time it takes to receive your passport may vary, so be aware of this time throughout the US visa application process for your B2 visa. For example, if you are from India, it used to take 3-6 months, now by outsourcing to TCS, you can get your passport in just under 15 days. Also, there are new Tatkaal rules, if it is an emergency and you can get your passport within 7 days, but you have to pay an additional fee. Visit the passport application website for more information. You can read our article on how to applyPassport renewal in Indiacan give you an idea.
• Bank savings through sponsorship: You need sufficient financial resources for your parents' trip. Make sure you save a substantial total of $10,000 or more to cover your expenses. It is recommended to start saving 3 months in advance and accumulate it steadily instead of just borrowing money and depositing it in the bank. There is no hard and fast rule. Just a tip.

Step-by-Step Process for Parents US Visitor Visa (B2)

Below are the different steps you can take to apply for a Parent Visitor Visa. Some of them can be done in parallel, but below is a general step-by-step guide.

Job or degree certificate from your company

If you invite your parents or family members, one of the things the US consular officer will do is verify your current visa status and supporting documentation. Depending on your status as an employee working in the US or as a student studying in the US, you may need to obtain different documentation. Details are below

Work in the United States with a visa (H1B, L1, OPT)

If you are working on a work visa, you must obtain a work letter from your current company confirming that you are working in the United States on an H1B, L1, or other visa, including OPT or STEM OPT. This is to ensure that you have a good reputation in the US and that you get paid to pay for your parents' trip.

Depending on the company, your company may request information about your parents or copies of your passports and send proof of employment directly to the consulate. There's no rule that says it has to be in a specific format. See the sample templates section at the end if you would like a sample. All that matters is that you are employed and in good standing.

The employment confirmation letter should include information such as: B. when you joined, what role you have and how much you earn. Some employers are quick and others slow to do this. Plan well and make sure you have it with you.

F1 Student - Graduation Invitation

If you are an international F1 student inviting your parents to graduate, you must send your current status details such as a copy of F1 visa, I-94, I-20 and a letter of invitation to graduate to your parents.

Complete Form DS-160, Make an Appointment for a US Visa.

Before you can schedule an appointment to have your parents' U.S. visa stamped, you must complete the DS-160 form. Make sure you have scanned copies of your passport before beginning the process to avoid any problems. Your employer may also need them.

Complete the DS-160 Parent Form online

Unless your parents are well educated and have all the facilities such as a computer with internet access, etc., they may not be able to take the DS-160 alone. It would be better if you fill it out for them and state the same at the end. It will save your parents a lot of pain to complete it without mistakes.

• Separate DS-160-Formulare:You must create separate DS-160 registration profiles for each person applying for a visa. If you invite your mother and father, you must create two online DS-160 profiles for your parents.
• Create a DS-160 family member from the thank you page: When you fill out the first DS-160 form for the first family member, at the end, if you select "Email Confirmation" on the confirmation page, you will get to"Gracias’ and on this page you have the opportunity to create a family or group application. You can select this option to copy and import some information from your first application. You can of course change this information as required.
• Information Required to Complete Form DS-160:You will need a lot of information such as education details, employment history, identification information etc. We know the full list of items required for the DS-160 and tips on how to fill them out. ReadCompleting Form DS-160, Required Documentsto get a full idea.
• Conclusion of the DS-160, explanation:If you are filling out forms on behalf of your parents, there is a section at the bottom of Form DS-160 about “Subscribe and send page', there you have to enter your details as a third party and then inform your parents about the approval of the app and help them click the "Sign and Send" button. you can checkLearn more and discuss Sign and SendPossibility.
• Complete the DS-160 online at the official State.gov website: You must go to the US Govt State.gov official website to create the DS-160 form. Here is the link:US Government website ceac.state.gov
  • If you have any questions, you can visit one of the links below to fill out the DS-160 form.
  • US Travel Docs India Official Website:DS-160 Form Information
  • US State Government website:Frequently asked questions about Form DS-160

After completing the DS-160 form, the next step is to pay the fee and schedule a visa interview.

Schedule an interview for an American visa, Native language

You must make a visa appointment at the US Embassy/Consulate to have your B2 visa stamped for entry into the US, including payment of fees, selection of an interview location, and language. Let's see in detail.

• U.S. Consulate location for interview:Depending on your home country, there may be one or more locations in your country. You must choose the US consulate that is closest to where your parents live. For example, in India, each consulate has a list of the states it serves. Depending on the federal state, you must select the respective consulate.

• Interview Language for US Parental Visas: Native vs. English:If your parents are unfamiliar with English, you should choose your preferred native or native language. Most US embassies offer the option to choose the local language. For example, in India, you can choose the interview language like your native language like Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, etc. If you think your parents are not fluent in English, it is better to choose their mother tongue instead of English to make them feel comfortable. and communicate clearly when asked to do so by the visa officer.
• US Visa Interview Schedule:The interview reservation for the American visa is made bywww.ustraveldocs.comwebsite in most countries. Depending on the country, click on the country and select the relevant website. For example it would be for Indiawww.ustraveldocs.com/en.
  • You need to create an account and follow the process there. You must pay the fee online to make an appointment.
  • If you can't pay online, you can go to the bank, pay there and get the code to use to make an appointment.
  • You don't need two accounts, you can add your parents as a family under the same account and arrange a visa interview.

You can readComplete Guide to Applying for a US Visa Appointmentfor the step-by-step process.

Prepare for US Visitor Visa (B2) Interview, Documents

You must prepare all relevant documents and bring them to your parents' US visitor visa interview. You must send letters of invitation, letters of sponsorship and other information. Let's look at each of them.

Fund test -Account balance letterr, Probe

If you are sponsoring your parents' or in-laws' trip, you must provide proof of sufficient funds to your bank. Although you can print bank statements online, it is recommended that you go to your bank and obtain a bank check or statement letter signed and stamped by the bank clerk.

Go to the main bank where you have your oldest account and the bank that has your savings and ask them for a Visa bank confirmation letter. The process may vary depending on the bank. Chase usually does this immediately. At Bank of America or others, it takes a few weeks or more. Do this in advance. You just hand over a letter stating when the bank account was opened and the average balance since opening. It's just a simple letter. If possible, get the bank manager's business card (not necessary, the more documentation the better). TestSample Bank Confirmation Letter for Parental Visa

Invitation letter, visa officer introduction letter, other documents

Below are other documents you will need to have ready for your visa interview so your parents or in-laws can show the same.

• Letter of invitation:You must send your parents an invitation letter saying you are inviting them to visit and sign it. You legally support your parents' intention to come to the United States and invite them to visit. Download copies of the sample templates below.
• Letter of Introduction from the Visa Officer:It is recommended to send a letter of introduction with all supporting documents to the visa officer. This makes it easy for you to keep track of what you are submitting and if the visa officer needs to review it, it's easier for them and clearer for our parents. See the Templates section below.
• Copies of the W2 form, payment receipts, etc.:You will need copies of each year's W2 forms, your last three paychecks or pay slips, your last three bank statements, a copy of your passport, I-94, H1B (I797) visa approval. This is additional documentation that must be given to your parents to avoid problems. This is optional, I strongly recommend you bring these documents with you.
• F1 Student - StatusdokumenteIf you're a student on an F1 visa and not working, you may not have paychecks, so don't worry about that. Send everything you have about your current status like I20 etc.
• (Optional) Formular I-134 Affidavit of Support:This is an optional form that sponsors typically submit with family green card applications. This is to establish that the applicant will not be publicly accused while in the United States. By submitting this form you legally sign that you accept full responsibility and will not become a public liability. You can fill out the Statement of Support, sign it and send it to your parents. It contains basic information. Nothing fancy and complicated out there. All you are saying in this document is that you will support them on their journey. You canDownload Form I-134, Affidavit of Support from the USCIS website
• Sending documents to the country of origin:Ideally, you want to print and sign all of the documents where you have completed the Forms I-134 (optional), Invitation Letter, and Cover Letter. Make copies of all documents listed above. Submit the original work letter and bank letter. You can use DHL or FedEx. It can cost up to $60.

Below is a B2 visitor visa stamp checklist for parents

US Visitor Visa Document Checklist for Parents (B2)

• Copy of work visa approval letter (H1B, L1 – Form I-797).
• Copy of passport, US visa stamped in passport.
• Copy of I-94. ( TestHow to get the I-94 online)
• Current employment confirmation letter
• Copy of bank statements for the last 6 months.
• Bank Account/Balance Confirmation Letter.
• Copies of the last three payslips/paychecks.
• Copies of tax returns for previous years – W2 forms (if applicable).
• DS forms (if completed and signed by you)
• Copy of Green Card (if not working on a visa)
• Formular I-134 (Optional)

US Visitor Visa (B2) Document Checklist for In-Laws

If your in-laws, such as B. Mother-in-law or Father-in-law, you must include your spouse's details and documents with the package in addition to the document checklist above.

• Your spouse's passport
• Spousal Approval Notice I797
• Copy of spouse's US visa
• Any other supporting documents such as marriage certificate to prove the relationship.
• Spouse's birth certificate

Many thanks to Rajesh who suggested the above after his bad experience of losing his in-laws documents.

You can join ourTelegramm B2 Visa Community Groupto ask questions or share your experiences.

Sample document templates for parents with US visitor visas

Below are some of the templates you can use. Be sure to adapt the content to your situation.

• US Visitor Visa Invitation Letter Template for Parents:You must send your parents a letter of invitation stating that you are inviting them and also stating whether you intend to pay your expenses once you are in the United States. We gave you a sample letter, but I recommend editing it with your own taste and making it unique:Visitor Invitation Letter (B-2)/Parent Visa
• US Parent Visa for Employment Letter Sample Letter Template: You must also provide a letter of employment stating that you are employed by your company with your designation and salary. It can be any standard cover letter. You can use:Employment Letter Template for US Visa Parents
• Letter of Introduction to the US Consulate Visa Officer:It is a good idea to send the visa officer a letter of recommendation detailing all the documents you are submitting. You can use:Cover Letter from the Visa Officer – US Parental Visa

These are just default templates that you can use. There is no hard and fast rule that it should be in this format. We strongly recommend that you just use them as a guide and create your own texts with your own flavor to make them unique.

Additional support documents for parents for the visa interview

Crucially, your parents need to show they have enough ties to their home country for them to return after their trip. One way to achieve this is with good supporting documentation. The following list of documents should prove that you will return to your home country:

• Notarial deeds of land/sites, buildings (any type of property).
• Account statements with sufficient funds
• Pension/unemployment benefit letters, if applicable.
• Fixed deposits, all related financial documents.
• If there are tax returns, bring them with you.
• All other documents proving your financial strength will be returned to you.

If you don't have all the documents or a large plot of land at home, that's fine. It's not a big deal. Because you are the one in the United States sponsoring your parents' visitor visa. So don't worry. Even if your parents are older, they are fine.

Take sample US visitor visa interview questions

It's important to have all the documents, but the most important thing is to give your parents confidence and get all the details about you and your work in the US so they can answer the questions. You need to train your parents to do well in the interview. You can expect to see questions like the following for your parents at the visa interview.

• Who lives in the US? son or daughter?
• What is your son or daughter doing in the United States?
• Did you study in the US?
• Where did you study?
• What is your son or daughter doing?
• In which city do you live?
• Do you want to settle there or go back?
• What is the purpose of your visit?
• When are you planning to leave?
• When do you intend to return to India?
• What is the salary of your son or daughter?
• How long has your son or daughter lived in the United States?
• Do you work or are you retired?
• Involve pension? Did you pay taxes?

You can see some experiences likeUS Visa Stamping Experience for Parents-TelugujUS parental visa experience with English stamp.

I hope your parents get the US visa in the interview. One last thing is health insurance.

Health insurance for parents:After obtaining a US visa and planning to come to the US, visitor health insurance is important for parents to avoid unforeseen health issues during their stay in the US. It's always a good idea to get health insurance from a US provider who can help you. We recommend taking out parental insurance inVisitor Coverage - Parental Coveragesince they have American support and you can compare all insurance plans.

General FAQs

That's it folks... it's not that complex, just get the entire list of docs and make sure everything works according to the plan and schedule.

Do you have other ideas or documents that are important? Share your experiences and thoughts.