You’ve chosen to work somewhere new, distant from home, and you’re apprehensive about family trips back and forth. This is a prevalent concern for recent foreign recruits in the US. The question may not come up straight away since you have been preoccupied with ensuring your stay in the US.
When you realize you can’t always spend your short vacation time in the US seeing your family once a year, it will come up. It may not be enough quality time, and your parents may have more time to see you than you do.
The procedure of applying for a US visa for your parents to visit you in the United States is detailed in this booklet.
We’ll explain what documentation you’ll need and how the process works so you can get started and have your family join you in your new home as soon as possible!
Check your parent’s passport
If your parents do not have a passport, now is the time to apply! Make sure your parents’ passports are valid before you handle this crucial step!
It’s impossible to calculate the processing time for each nation. If your parents are Indian, you may have to wait 3 to 6 months for your passport if TCS is not involved. However, outsourcing in India might reduce this time to as little as 15 days.
If you’re in a rush,
In an emergency, you may receive a replacement passport in 7 days! You would have to pay the extra expenses involved with expediting the passport, so bear that in mind while budgeting for your parents’ US tourist visa.
Check with your local government for passport application dates and fees. We offer further information for our Indian readers on how to apply for a passport quickly and simply.
Show Me the Cash!
The US government needs to know that you can support your parents while they are visiting you. For them to accept your application, they need to see a lot of money in your account.
This money is around $10,000 USD, so don’t leave it till the last minute! It is best to accumulate it gradually rather than acquiring loans all at once before applying. It demonstrates you are a responsible customer who can plan and prepare better.
How to Apply for a B2 Visitor Visa for Your Parents
We will first review the primary paperwork necessary for your parents’ final interview and visa stamping in their passports. There is no specific order in which you must complete these steps.
Please bear with us as we endeavor to build the best accurate schedule for you to understand how long the full process takes. The last step details how to arrange the final interview for your parents (if you want to skip ahead to the end).
Then we shall go to the final visa stamping.
Scanned Passports of Your Parents
This is first on the list because it is required for the visa application. Your parents must attend an interview to verify all information on the online application you must submit for them.
You will need a scanned copy of your parent’s documentation with crucial facts so you can fill out the online application.
You will also need the photographs, passport numbers, personal details, and other relevant passport information from the pages. Having a scanned copy ensures everything is done correctly and you don’t waste time on an empty application due to incorrect information.
Aside from the details, your company may ask for a copy of your parent’s passport for the employment verification letter.
We can’t predict how long this will take because it relies on your employer’s time and availability to send you all the relevant information. Some companies may be used to this and can send you something promptly, while others may be inexperienced or overworked and unsure what to do.
In any case, an employment verification letter is required for the application.
In the letter, you state your present H1B visa job, your pay, and your job description As previously stated, the company may request your parent’s passports to provide you with this letter.
Some firms want the appointment letter for the interview your parents must attend to obtain a visa. This step is provided at the conclusion of the article.
Ask your primary bank for a verification letter.
We’ve previously discussed how much money you’ll need to establish you can afford to bring your parents to America. Another bank-related document is the bank verification letter.
Request a bank verification letter for a visa from your principal bank where you have your longest-standing checking and savings accounts. If you have accounts with two banks, you will require letters from each. Some banks provide quick information retrieval, while others require days or weeks, so be sure to verify with your bank ahead of time.
This letter may be charged a cost, for example, Bank of America charges $10 USD. The letter application requires your entire passport name and the consulate to whom the letter is addressed. * Make sure to verify the consulate linked with your parents’ residence.
Then, depending on your bank’s response time, you will receive a letter detailing the account’s opening date and the account’s average operating amount. Ask the bank manager for his contact information so you may present it to the right authorities if any issues arise. It’s not required, but too much documentation is never a negative thing.
W2 Form, paystubs, I-94 and H1B Approval
Obtaining a copy of your W2 forms from the prior year residing in the United States is also required. Also required:
Last three pay stubs
Three months bank statement
Passport photocopy
I-94 copy
H1B Visa Approval Copy ( I-797)
You should mail your parents a copy of your H1B visa approval so they may demonstrate it to the authorities if any issues arise. This is a suggestion, not a requirement.
Invite your parents to visit you in the US.
We realize your parents don’t require an invitation to visit you, but the government needs to verify their motive for entering the nation. The invitation letter you must write expresses your parents’ desire to visit America.
The letter will be written to your parents and will invite them to visit you in America. The letter not only proves your parents’ intent to travel to America, but also that you are sponsoring their visa.
It is a good idea to buy travel insurance for parents visiting USA. Because medical cost in USA are very high and you could end up spending hundreds of Dollars out of pocket finding treatment for visitors.
Making Your Visa Officer Fall in Love With You
The B2 tourist visa process requires a lot of paperwork. It may not be difficult for you to determine what you need and what you have, but it may be tough for the visa officer reviewing your paperwork.
When sending in your application forms, include a cover letter describing the visa procedure and a list of all the papers in your folder. This is optional but shows courtesy to the visa officer examining the application. It will also assist your parents maintain track of all the documentation you need to have your visa stamped.
Obtain an I-134 Support Affidavit (optional)
This paperwork is not necessary and will not reduce your parents’ chances of getting their visas stamped. If you submit this form with your application, you legally assume your parents’ obligations.
You certify that you will assist your parents in all their endeavours and that you will be their only financial supporter. You can fill out this form and email it to your parents for evaluation.
Upload All Documents
This indicates you’re almost done! Aside from the visa stamping appointment, you will need to factor in document retrieval and physical submission to complete the procedure.
Make sure everything is printed and signed. These are the optional I-134 form (part 7), the invitation letter (part 5), the cover letter (part 6) and the DS-160 from the online application.
Send originals of all papers, notably the employment and bank letters, and make copies of everything else for your records.
You can use DHL, UPS, FedEx, or any other reliable postal service. The cost to ship these papers depends on who you pick and how quickly you need them.
Schedule Your Parents’ Visa Stamping
Your parents must get a B1 visa at a US embassy or consulate before travelling to the US. Even if your parents have internet connection and are acquainted with the procedure, it is sometimes advisable to complete it yourself to ensure that the application and documents are filled out correctly. In the “Application prepared by” area, you must sign your name.
The location where your parents acquire their visa stamp depends on where they live. Your parents will be led to the appropriate location based on their address on the application procedure.
If you are arranging a visa stamping appointment, allow 2 weeks before the actual day. It will take time to sort out and send in the necessary documentation. We know how the procedure works and what you need when arranging the visa appointment. See below.
If you see any errors or omissions in this tutorial, please let us know in the comments area below! Please leave a remark below if you have any further information on your parent’s visa experience.
Let us know your worries and questions so we can give you sufficient and relevant information for your immigration requirements.