If you are on H-1B and want to invite your parents to USA, here is the document checklist for B-2 visa. B-2 visa is issued by the U.S. consulate to the foreign citizens seeking entry into the United States temporarily.

Most parents of Indians residing in the U.S. would plan to come over and visit their family as well as the have a trip and visit places in the U.S. In this case, a B-2 visa which is the tourist/visitor visa is issued. The B-2 visa can be issued for a period of 3 months to 10 years. It’s more likely that, the visa issued is either for 6 months or for 10 years during the current time period.

Questions to consider before sponsoring B-2 Visa:

Who is sponsoring for the visa?

It is important to decide who is going to sponsor the trip to the United States. Is going to be you or your parents? Supporting documents needs to be collected in either of the scenario.

Interview in which language?

Although your parents know English, it might be difficult for them to understand the American accent by the VO officer. I would advise you to have them take the interview in their native language, unless they are confident of doing well in English at the interview.

Do I have a good bank balance?

It’s beneficial to show an average of $5000-$7500 per person in your bank account. Try to maintain a good bank balance at least from 2-3 months before you take the bank statement. It would also aid if you could show around 7 to 10 lakhs INR in your parent’s bank account. This is not compulsory, but an added advantage.

Document Check list:

From Sponsor:

• I-797 – Proof of Status
• Employment verification letter
• Pay Stubs (Salary Slips)
• W-2 Forms
• Bank Statements
• Bank Account Verification Letter
• Invitation letter to your parents on your behalf
• Letter to US Consulate
• I-134 Affidavit of support
• LCA
• Your Complete Passport Xerox (Including I-94 and Information pages)
• H-1B Data Collection Supplement
• Letter from Petitioner to USCIS
• Attorney’s Cover Letter
• G-28
• I-129
• I-129H Supplement forms
• Evidence Of Beneficiary’s status
• Original Birth Certificate
• Company Insurance Letter (Not compulsory)
• Benefits Documents (Not compulsory)

From Your Parents:                                                            

• VFS Interview Appointment Letter
• DS-160 Confirmation Page with CEAC bar code
• HDFC receipt (Carry all receipts)
• Original Passport
• Original Passport Xerox
• 2×2 inch photos(50 mm square) – 1 or 2 photos
• Bank Statements With Passbooks (Original and Xerox for each)
• Letter of Evidence on reason to come back to India
• Proof Of Funds (Bank Statements, Bonds, Property Documents)
• Tax ID
• Pan ID
• Your Business Card if you have any
• No Objection letter(NOC) (If applicant could get one at their work location)
• Salary Slips
• Pension related Docs (If the applicant gets pension)
• Employment verification documents
• Tax returns of last 3 years
• Evidence of Assets to come back to India (Auditor Documents)
• Photos with son/daughter living in the U.S. (If any)

Tips:

• Visa officer will check whether the candidate will return back to home country after US visit. So, it is important to show that he/she has strong ties with the home country. Strong ties can be proved by showing the following evidence.

• Owning properties like houses/land
• Job/Business in the home country.
• Relationships with family and friends in the home country.

• Tell the VO officer that your purpose of your visit is to travel in US and visiting family and friends.
• Many H-1B people invite their parents or in laws when they are expecting a baby. It will give a NEGATIVE impression if they mention that the purpose is to help during and after delivery. So, make sure that the reason for visiting is just tourism purpose.
• Make sure to request for a translator if your parents have problems in speaking and understanding English.