Query around calling parents to USA

[collegian 0]

First off, I apologize if this is not the right forum for this post, since I am not a US citizen.

Hello All,

I want to call my parents to US to visit me for a period of 1.5 months next summer. I graduated this summer and am now working full time on OPT (with F-1 visa status). I was wondering what will be the easiest method to call my parents?

I think I have two options but wanted someone to help me out a little:

1) I haven't taken the graduation walk yet, so I can take the walk next summer and can have the International Student Center of my university send out an invitation letter to my parents.

2) I can collect all the documents needed for calling my parents (tax related docs,employment letter etc.) and send a xerox copy of them to my parents along with an invitation letter.

I was wondering which of them will be easier? Also, is option 1 actually an option? I mean does that option mean that my parents need not show any other documents?

Which of the options has more success rate in terms of visa approval as well as the number of years the visa will be valid?

Please advise.

Thanks!

Edited December 18, 2011 by collegian

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

First off, I apologize if this is not the right forum for this post, since I am not a US citizen.

Hello All,

I want to call my parents to US to visit me for a period of 1.5 months next summer. I graduated this summer and am now working full time on OPT (with F-1 visa status). I was wondering what will be the easiest method to call my parents?

I think I have two options but wanted someone to help me out a little:

1) I haven't taken the graduation walk yet, so I can take the walk next summer and can have the International Student Center of my university send out an invitation letter to my parents.

2) I can collect all the documents needed for calling my parents (tax related docs,employment letter etc.) and send a xerox copy of them to my parents along with an invitation letter.

I was wondering which of them will be easier? Also, is option 1 actually an option? I mean does that option mean that my parents need not show any other documents?

Which of the options has more success rate in terms of visa approval as well as the number of years the visa will be valid?

Please advise.

Thanks!

The US isn't like some countries where you need an invitation in order to get a visitors visa. Anyone who wants a visitors visa can apply, but they must qualify for the visa on their own. An invitation is generally not useful.

What country are your parents from?

[collegian 0]

The US isn't like some countries where you need an invitation in order to get a visitors visa. Anyone who wants a visitors visa can apply, but they must qualify for the visa on their own. An invitation is generally not useful.

What country are your parents from?

Thanks, for the reply. I am not sure what you mean by "they must qualify for the visa on their own". Can you shed some more light on this? My parents are from India.

Also, do you have any idea about what documents do I need to send to my parents in order for the interview?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

You don't need to do anything. You cannot help them get a visa, they must get it by themselves. If you like, you can send a letter of invitation stating why they want to come over but by "must qualify on their own", it means you really cannot do much, they are the ones who have to show why they absolutely MUST return to India after their visit.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thanks, for the reply. I am not sure what you mean by "they must qualify for the visa on their own". Can you shed some more light on this? My parents are from India.

Also, do you have any idea about what documents do I need to send to my parents in order for the interview?

You will not be "inviting" your parents. You don't have to submit any sort of documents. Occasionally, if there is a public charge question then the consulate may request an affidavit of support (I-134) to show that the visitor will be financially supported while they're here. However, most consulates require that the visa applicant be able to prove this on their own. Additionally, you can't submit an affidavit of support because you're neither a US citizen nor a permanent resident. You, like your parents, are a visitor to the United States.

"They must qualify for the visa on their own" means they must be able to convince the consular officer that they have strong ties to their home country that will compel them to return after their visit to the United States, and that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their visit. If the consular officer is convinced then they'll get a B2 visitor's visa. If not then they'll be denied. You don't need to provide them with anything, and it's highly unlikely anything you gave them would help them get a visa. They are essentially the same as anyone else from India applying for a visitors visa.

[milimelo 4,481]

Moving to tourist visa forum.

[collegian 0]

Thanks for the replies. They were insightful.

[jaycali 415]

As other members have said, they need to apply and do the entire process on their own. There is no such thing as an invitation visa. If they're just visiting for less than 90 days, the proper visa is a tourist visa.

You don't do anything. They'll apply for a visa, and go to a visa interview. They'll be required to show strong ties to India, because the CO at the embassy will want to make sure that they do intend to travel back to India within 90 days. Evidence of strong ties could be jobs, home ownership or lease, ownership of other property in India, family ties, civil service etc. Whichever way they want to prove strong ties, make sure they bring proper documentation.

All in all, if they can prove to the CO at the embassy that they have strong ties to India, they're likely to get a visa. If they can't prove strong ties to India, they will not get a visa.

[collegian 0]

As other members have said, they need to apply and do the entire process on their own. There is no such thing as an invitation visa. If they're just visiting for less than 90 days, the proper visa is a tourist visa.

You don't do anything. They'll apply for a visa, and go to a visa interview. They'll be required to show strong ties to India, because the CO at the embassy will want to make sure that they do intend to travel back to India within 90 days. Evidence of strong ties could be jobs, home ownership or lease, ownership of other property in India, family ties, civil service etc. Whichever way they want to prove strong ties, make sure they bring proper documentation.

All in all, if they can prove to the CO at the embassy that they have strong ties to India, they're likely to get a visa. If they can't prove strong ties to India, they will not get a visa.

Thanks for the reply.