B2 Visa Documents Checklist For Parents | Guide
Process, Sample Documents For US Visitor Visa (B2) For Parents
The B2 Visa documents checklist for parents is important for planning to ensure parents visiting the USA can secure a visa. The B2 visa category is the US tourist visa category.
The B1-B2 visa is a non-immigrant visa, the most important questions that come to everyone’s mind are:
- How to start the process?
- What documents are needed?
- How to apply for a visitor or tourist visa (B2 visa)?
To address these questions we have devised a step-by-step guide. Let’s start by first looking at the most basic requirements.
The B1-B2 Visa category
There are several USA Visa types, out of these the B1-B2 visa is stamped as a single visa and is a multiple-entry visa generally issued with 10 years of validity.
The B1-B2 visa category is the US tourist visa and the US business visa for visiting the United States temporarily.
The B1 B2 visa is for visiting the USA on a tourist visa category and for business travelers for business meetings and other allowed reasons.
Basic Requirements Before You Apply For Parents’ Visas
Before you apply for Parents’ visas i.e. B1 B2 visa, you need to take care of two things:
- Valid passport for your Parents
- Funds available in your bank account for your parents’ travel
The valid passport must not expire at least 6 months post the planned scheduled date of arrival in the USA. There are other documents for visitor visas required and we will discuss them.
Valid Passport For Your Parents
The first and foremost thing that you must plan before applying for a B2 parent’s visa is, to apply for your parent’s passport (if they do not have a Passport)
- Plan the overall time to get a B2 US Visitor visa, by taking into consideration the time it might take to get your parents’ passport.
- If you are from India you can get a new passport for your parents in 30 to 45 days (The time to get a passport can vary depending on the country).
- In India, if you require an urgent passport you can opt for the Tatkal Scheme, Under this scheme you can get a passport in under 15 days (by paying an extra fee). Similar services may be available in other countries.
If your parent’s passport is expiring shortly then you may first want to get the passport renewed before starting the parents’ visitor visa application process.
Funds For Your Parents Travel
If you plan to invite your parents to visit the United States temporarily you need to have enough funds in your bank account (if you are paying for your parent’s trip).
- The US Department of State does not provide official guidance on how much money must be there in your bank account.
- But the word is you must have enough funds to pay for your parents’ trip. Parents can provide financial-related documents to prove the availability of funds.
- Even though the visit may be for a temporary stay at your home you still need to be able to show financial resources for their trip.
A rough estimate would be to calculate the expenses your parents might incur and keep that figure in your bank account taking into calculation:
- Return Flight ticket from home country to USA
- Visitors Insurance
- Local Travel Itinerary
- Other activities that you plan on their trip
An ideal amount to have in your bank account would be somewhere around $10,000 to $15,000 or more to cover their expenses.
Travel insurance or visitor insurance is not a mandatory requirement but is recommended given the high cost of medical treatment in the USA.
A Step-By-Step Process For Parents’ (B2) US Visitor Visa
Here is a step-by-step guide to follow when applying for your parent’s visitor visas.
Employment Verification Letter From Your Company Or Graduation Letter
When you invite your Parents or Family Members the important thing the U.S. Consular officer ideally looks at is:
- Your Current Visa Status
- Supporting Documents for the same
You may need to furnish different sets of documentation based on your status
- As an employee working in the U.S. or
- As a Student studying in the U.S.
Working In The U.S. On H1b, L1, OPT Visa
If you are an employee working in the U.S. on a work visa (H1b, L1, or other visa including OPT or STEM OPT) then:
- You must get an employment verification letter from your current company to verify that you are working in the U.S.
- This is to ascertain that you are paid well and that you can support your parents or family on their visit to the USA
The employment verification letter should have details of:
- Your Joining Date
- Your role in the company
- Your Salary Amount
Some companies directly address the employment verification letter to the consulate, to do so they need some details of your parents or family. They may ask you for these details (of your parents) and their passport copies.
F1 Student – Graduation Invitation
If you’re an F1 international student inviting your parents to your graduation:
- You need to provide them with details of your current status
- Including a copy of your F1 visa, I-20, I-94, and
- Your graduation invitation letter
A Step-By-Step Process To Apply For Parents’ (B2) US Visitor Visa
Follow the below steps to apply for a visitor visa for parents visiting you in the U.S.
Step1:Complete Your DS-160, Book A US Visa Appointment
You must fill in the DS-160 formbefore booking a U.S. Visa stamping appointment for your parents
NOTE: Keep scanned copies of your parent’s passport handy before you start the process, Your employer may also need these copies.
Complete DS-160 Form Online – For Your Parents
the DS-160 form must be filled out completely and without any mistakes:
- If your parents are not tech-savvy and educated enough to complete the DS-160 form on their own
- It would be better if you fill out the DS-160 form for your parents online
- After completing the DS-160 form, the next steps are to pay the visa fee and schedule your interview appointment.
Booking US Visa Interview Appointment In Native Language For Parents
To get the B2 visa stamping, book a visa appointment at the Embassy/Consulate.
Visa stamping involves:
- Selecting Location
- Selecting Interview Language
- Paying fees
Let’s get into the details for each of the processes:
Select A U.S. Embassy Or Consulate Location For Interview
Select a consulate near your parent’s residence in their home country. If they live in India depending upon the state you live in, select the respective consulate (Consulates have a list of states they serve).
Select Parents US Visa Interview Language
If your parents are not comfortable communicating in English:
- Choose a local language or their preferred mother tongue
- Most U.S. embassies give the option to choose the local language
Schedule Your Visa Interview And Pay The Fees
Schedule your U.S. visa interview appointment booking by visiting www.ustraveldocs.com
- Create your account, follow the process, and pay the fee online for booking an appointment
- Alternatively, you can visit a bank pay there, get a code, and use the code to book an appointment
You do not have to generate individual accounts for your parents, you have the option to add parents together in the same account and book a visa interview appointment.
Step.2 Prepare For B2 Visa (US Visitor Visa) Interview, Documents
Prepare and carry all relevant documents for the U.S. Visitor Visa. You should also send an invitation letter and a sponsorship letter to your parents.
Proof Of Enough Funds – Bank Account Statement
If you are sponsoring your parents or In-laws:
- You must send relevant proof to show there are enough funds in your bank.
- Get a bank verification or bank balance statement letter signed and stamped by the bank officer
Documents For The Visa Interview – Invitation Letter, Visa Officer Cover Letter, Other Documents
The following set of documents listed below must be made ready for the visa interview
Invitation letter: Send an invitation letter to your parents mentioning that you are inviting them to visit you in the U.S.
- You must sign this letter
- This legally supports your parent’s intent to come to the U.S.
- And you inviting them to visit the U.S.
Visa Officer Cover Letter: Send a cover letter with all the documentation addressing the visa officer.
- This keeps track of what is sent and it is easier for the visa officer in case the officer needs to check
Copies of W2 Forms, Pay stubs, Etc: These are optional documentation but recommended to be given to your parents to avoid any issues.
- Copies of W2 Forms (for all the years)
- The last 3 pay stubs or salary statements
- The last three Bank statements
- copy of your valid passport
- I-94
- H1B visa approval (1797)
F1 Student-Status Documents: If you are a student on an F1 visa and not working, do not worry
Send whatever you can to support your current status like I20, etc.
Affidavit of Support I-134 Form (Optional): This is an optional form, You are legally signing this to establish that the applicant will not become a public charge while in the U.S. and that you you take all the liabilities. This supports that you are going to support their entire trip.
Sending Documents to Home Country: Print out everything and sign all the documents
B2 Visa Documents Checklist For Parents
Visitor visas, checklist for visa stamping for parents, the following documents are required:
- Copy of work visa approval notice (H1B, L1, Form I-797)
- Copy of Passport, US visa stamped on passport
- Copy of I-94
- Current employment verification letter
- Copy of bank statements for the last 6 (six) months
- Bank account verification/balance letter
- Copies of last 3 (three) salary statements/pay slips
- Copies of previous years Tax Returns-W2 Forms (If applicable)
- DS forms (If you have filled it and signed it)
- Copy of Green card (If you are not working on a visa)
- Form I-134 (Optional)
The visa application may be rejected if the required documentation is not in order. Double-check at every stage to ensure your parents’ visa application has the documents required and nothing is missing.
US Visitor Visa Documents Checklist For In-Laws
If you are sponsoring your in-laws (such as your mother-in-law or father-in-law), you should also include documents and information related to your spouse along with the above checklist
- Your Spouse’s Passport
- Spouse’s approval notice 1797
- Spouse’s U.S. Visa Copy
- Spouse’s Birth Certificate
- Any other supporting document to prove the relationship (Like a Marriage Certificate)
Additional Supporting Documents From Parents For Visa Interview
Essentially, your parents need to demonstrate strong ties to their home country to ensure they will return after their visit. This can be achieved through robust supporting documentation. The following list of documents is designed to establish their intention to return to their home country:
- Notarized documents for land, property, or buildings
- Bank statements showing sufficient balance
- Pension or employment benefit letters, if applicable
- Fixed deposit certificates or other financial documents
- Tax returns, if available
- Any additional documents demonstrating financial stability and the intent to return
Sample Document Templates For Parents US Visitor Visa
You can use the following templates and use them by making changes to the content to fit your needs:
Parents Invitation Letter Template for visitor visa applicants(B-2)/Parents visas: You should send an invitation letter to your parents, inviting them and indicating whether you intend to cover their expenses while they’re in the US.
We’ve provided a sample letter for reference, but suggest personalizing it with your touch to make it distinctive.
Employment Letter (Sample letter template for US parents’ visa): You should also provide an employment letter confirming your current position, designation, and salary at your company. A standard employment letter will suffice for this purpose.
Cover Letter For Visa Officer At US Consulate: Including a cover letter for the visa officer that outlines all the documents you are submitting is a smart approach.
Step.3 Attend US Visitor Visa Interview, Sample Questions
Providing all the details to your parents related to you and the work you do in the U.S. along with all the required documents is important
Here are some sample questions that can be expected in the US visitor visa interview:
- What is the purpose of your visit?
- Do you currently work, or are you retired?
- Do you get a pension?
- Have you paid taxes?
- When do you Plan to Go?
- Do you plan to settle down in the U.S. or come back?
- When do you plan to return to India?
- Who lives in the U.S.(Son or Daughter)?
- Which City do they live in?
- What does your Son/Daughter do in the U.S.?
- What is your Son/daughter’s Salary?
- How long have your Son/Daughter lived in the U.S.?
- Did they study in the U.S.?
- Where did they Study?
Step.4 Visa Approval, Getting The Passport
If the B2 visa interview is successful, your parents will be notified that their visa has been approved and their passports will be collected. Once the passports are collected, the B2 Visitor Visa sticker will be affixed, and the passports will be returned to their specified address within a few days.
Should your parents choose to pick up their passports in person, they will receive them with the visa already stamped. The approved B1/B2 or B2 Visitor Visa will appear as shown in the sample screenshot below.
If the visa is not approved, the consular officer will inform your parents and provide a document detailing the reason for the denial. A common reason for B2 visa denial is under section 214(b). If this happens, your parents can reapply. For more information on visa denials, visit State.gov‘s US Visa Denial Reasons page.
We hope your parents receive their US visa during the interview. Lastly, before their trip, they should consider arranging health insurance for their US visit.
Step.5 Travel Health Insurance For Parents
To avoid any financial risk, do not forget to consider the amount for their travel insurance as medical care expenses are extremely high in the U.S.
It’s wise to obtain travel health insurance from a US-based provider who can offer support during a temporary stay in the USA.
If your parents have pre-existing conditions you can consider the following travel insurance for their trip
Popular Travel Insurance Plans – Limited/Fixed Coverage
Popular Travel Insurance Plans – Comprehensive Coverage
Compare Travel Insurance plans
FAQ
What Documents Do I Need For B2 Visa?
To apply for a B2 visa (Tourist Visa) for the United States, you will need the following documents:
- Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States.
- Form DS-160 Confirmation Page: You must complete the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, and bring the confirmation page with you to your interview.
- Visa Appointment Confirmation: Proof that you have scheduled a visa interview appointment.
- Application Fee Payment Receipt: Evidence that you have paid the non-refundable visa application fee.
- Photograph: A recent photograph that meets the U.S. visa photo requirements.
- Travel Itinerary: Details of your trip, including flight information and hotel reservations.
- Proof of Funds: Evidence that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your expenses while in the United States.
- Ties to Your Home Country: Documentation that demonstrates your strong ties to your home country, such as employment records, property ownership, or family connections.
- Letter of Invitation: If you are visiting family or friends, a letter from them inviting you to the United States can be helpful.
- Supporting Documents: Any additional documents that support the purpose of your visit, such as a letter from your employer, business contacts, or medical treatment details if applicable.
Be sure to check the specific requirements and instructions on the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will be applying, as they may have additional requirements.
Do I Need A Tourist Visa Or A Visitor Visa To Enter The United States?
For short-term visits to the US, you’ll need a B2 Visitor Visa, which is for tourism, visiting family or friends, or medical treatment.
Do Tourists Have Access To American Healthcare?
Tourists in the US do not have access to public healthcare services and must pay out-of-pocket for medical care. Tourists should have travel insurance that covers healthcare expenses during their stay.
How long parents Can Stay On A Visitor Visa In The USA?
Parents on a B2 Visitor Visa can typically stay in the US for up to 6 months. The exact length of stay is determined by the Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry and is noted on their I-94 form.
