If you are a U. S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may sponsor your parents (or in-laws) to come to the United States as visitors.
This guide will help you figure out how to apply for a visit visa for your parents living in another country.
visa application for Parents visiting USA – Steps
- Complete the online visa application form (DS-160) and print the confirmation page.
- Schedule an appointment for an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Pay the non-refundable visa application fee.
- Gather the required documents, including a passport valid for travel to the United States, a photograph, and proof of financial support.
- Attend the visa interview and provide fingerprints if required.
- If approved, the consular officer will issue a visa and attach it to your passport. You can then use the visa to travel to the United States.
Let’s look at each step in detail.
1. Visa Application (DS160 Form)
The DS-160 is an online application form that is used to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to the United States. There are ten sections to the form, which must be completed in English.
Personal Information
In this section, you will be asked to provide your biographical information, including your full name, date, and place of birth, gender, marital status, contact information, and passport information.
Address and Residence Information
In this section, you will be asked to provide your current address and phone number, as well as your permanent address if you have one. You will also be asked about your travel plans, including your intended date of arrival in the United States and your planned departure date.
Employment Information
In this section, you will be asked to provide information about your current employment situation, including your employer’s name and address, your job title, and your salary. You will also be asked about your education and any professional qualifications you may have.
Family Information
In this section, you will be asked to provide information about your immediate family members, including your spouse and children. You will also be asked about your parents and siblings.
Financial Information
In this section, you will be asked to provide information about your financial situation, including your income, assets, and liabilities. You will also be asked about your plans for financing your trip to the United States.
Travel History
In this section, you will be asked to provide information about your travel history, including your countries of citizenship and residence, your dates of travel, and your purpose of travel.
US Visa History
In this section, you will be asked to provide information about any previous applications you have made for a US visa, as well as any visas you have been issued in the past.
Security and Background Information
In this section, you will be asked to provide information about your criminal history, as well as any terrorist activities you may have been involved in. You will also be asked about your medical history and whether you have ever been denied a US visa in the past.
Declaration and Signature
In this section, you will be asked to declare that the information you have provided in the form is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge. You will also be required to sign the form electronically.
2. Schedule the interview
If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, and you have foreign national parents who wish to visit the United States, you will need to help them obtain a visitor visa.
The first step is to schedule an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
To schedule an interview, your parents will need to complete an online application and pay the application fee.
Once the application is complete, they will need to schedule an interview appointment. Appointments are generally available within a few days of the application being submitted.
Your parents will need to bring the following documents to their interview:
- A passport that is valid for travel to the United States and has at least six months of validity remaining
- A printout of the appointment confirmation page
- One photograph taken within the last six months, meeting the requirements described on the photograph requirements page
- Evidence of the purpose of their trips, such as a letter from you inviting them to visit, or documentation of their plans to attend a wedding or other event
- Evidence of their ability to pay for their trips, such as bank statements or a letter from you indicating that you will be financially sponsoring their visit
- If they have previously been denied a U.S. visa, they will need to bring the original denial notice
- If they are applying for a visa to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, they will need to bring a completed ESTA application
3. Pay the fees
There are a few different ways that you can pay the fees for a US visit visa.
The most common way is to pay online with a debit card.
You can also pay in person with cash, a bank money order, or a major credit card. If your visa application is approved, you will be asked to pay the fee at your interview.
The cost of a US visa for parents is $160.
This does not include the cost of the mandatory biometrics appointment, which is an additional $85.
4. Gather documents
In order to obtain a US visitor visa, applicants must schedule an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
During the interview, applicants will be asked to present a variety of documents, including proof of travel plans, proof of financial stability, and proof of ties to their home country.
One of the most important documents for a US visitor visa interview is a letter of invitation.
This letter should be from the person or organization inviting the applicant to the United States.
The letter should include information about the purpose of the visit, as well as the dates and duration of the stay.
Other important documents for a US visitor visa interview include proof of financial stability, such as bank statements and pay stubs, and proof of ties to the applicant’s home country, such as a lease or property ownership.
Applicants may also be asked to provide a resume or CV, as well as letters of recommendation.
5. Attend the visa interview
Once you have submitted your application, you will need to schedule an appointment for a visa interview.
The interview is conducted by a consular officer at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and it is the opportunity for the officer to ask you questions about your travel plans and assess whether you are eligible for a visitor visa.
You should bring several documents with you to your visa interview, including your passport, a copy of your travel itinerary, and evidence of ties to your home country (such as a job letter or bank statement).
The consular officer will likely ask you questions about your travel plans and your reason for wanting to visit the United States.
Be honest in your answers and try to be as specific as possible.
After your interview, the consular officer will either approve or deny your visa application.
If your application is approved, you will be given a visa that allows you to stay in the United States for up to six months.
If your application is denied, you can appeal the decision or reapply for a visa at a later date.
6. Receive visa
After the interview, the visa officer will review your application and supporting documents.
If the officer is satisfied that you have met all the requirements, they will approve your visa. If additional information is needed, the officer may ask for more documentation.
Once your visa is approved, you will receive a visa approval letter.
This letter will list the conditions of your visa and what you need to do to maintain it.
You will also be given an entry visa, which is a sticker placed in your passport. The entry visa allows you to travel to the United States and apply for admission at a port of entry.
After the interview, the visa will be mailed to the address you provided on the DS-160 form. It can take up to two weeks to receive the visa, but it is usually processed within a week.
Summary
There are a few things to keep in mind when planning a visit to the USA on a visit visa:
- Make sure to have all of the necessary documentation in order, including a valid passport and visa.
- Plan your trip in advance and make sure to have a clear itinerary.
- Be prepared for long security lines at airports and other points of entry.
- Familiarize yourself with the customs and culture of the United States before your visit.
All the best!
