Securing US Tourist Visas for Parents

Introduction

You’ve finally settled in after years of studying, working hard, and maybe even starting a new chapter of your life here in the U.S. The skyline that once lived only in your dreams is now part of your everyday view. But there’s one thing missing from this picture-perfect life: your parents, who live in another country.

There’s no better way to connect with them than by bringing them to the US to visit and explore its beauty.

How Can You Bring Your Parents to the US With a Tourist Visa?

You can bring your parents to the US on a non-immigrant B-2 visa, which allows them to stay with you legally in the US for up to six months. The B-2 visitor visa is usually for individuals visiting the US for leisure, tourism, or medical treatment.

Upon arrival, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port of entry determine the length of stay allowed for each visit, which is typically granted for up to six months.

What Are the Steps to Secure US Tourist Visas for Parents?

If you wish to bring your parents on a tourist visa to the US for a visit, securing a B2 visa for your parents is the basic requirement. The following are the steps that you will have to follow for a successful application:

  1. Check Visa Eligibility: Since the B2 visa is a non-immigrant visa, it is important for your parents to prove that they have strong ties to their home country and will not extend their stay in the United States to be eligible. You must understand that you can neither apply on their behalf for a B-2 visa nor become their sponsor; you can only guide them along the way.
  2. Filling out Form DS-160: Your parents need to fill out Form DS-160 individually. It is the online visa application form. This form asks for details like Personal information, Travel plans, background information, etc.
  3. Pay the fees: The visa application fee for a B-2 visa is $185 per person. You can also pay it online. 
  4. Visa interview:  Once the DS-160 is submitted and the fee is paid, it’s time to schedule an appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For scheduling the interview, your parents will be required to provide the following details:
    • Passport number
    • DS-160 confirmation number
    • Visa fee payment receipt
  5. Documents required during the interview:  During the visa interview, your parents will be required to bring several documents, which are listed below:
    • The passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond their stay.
    • Passport-size photo as per guidelines.
    • Evidence showing that your parents have strong ties to the home country and intend to return, documents such as property ownership and family connections, serve as solid ground.
    • Travel itinerary including the bookings, hotel reservations, etc.
    • An invitation letter (optional) to your parents, written by you, containing your contact information and stating their purpose of visit and duration of stay.
  6. Attend the Visa Interview: Your parents will be required to go in person to the embassy or consulate for the interview. The interview will last about 10 to 15 minutes, and the consular officer will inquire about the trip and your parents’ ties to the home country.
  7. Wait for the visa decision: After the interview, your parents will have to wait for the decision. If approved, they’ll need to wait for their passport to be returned with the visa stamped inside and then prepare for the trip.

How Long Can Parents Stay on Visitor Visas in the US?

When your parents enter the United States on a B-2 visitor visa, the Customs and Border Protection Officer at the airport or port determines the exact duration of their stay, which is usually noted on their form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).

If they wish to stay beyond their permitted time, they have to apply for an extension using Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) before their current stay expires.  Also, the extension is not automatic; they will have to prove that:

  1. Their stay in the U.S. will remain temporary
  2. They have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during the extended stay
  3. They have a valid and compelling reason for the extension
  4. They intend to depart the U.S. promptly once the extension period ends

How Can FileRight Help You?

Parents are important to our lives, and meeting them can give you the utmost pleasure. But complicated immigration legal work becomes difficult when you are away from them, and they have to do it themselves. 

We can help you at Fileright. It offers a free quiz to check your eligibility. Answer a few simple questions, and our software will guide you through determining whether your parents meet the eligibility requirements. 

We have made the process much easier by combining technology and expert legal guidance to provide you with the required immigration.

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