Sample Invitation Letter to Visit USA for Parents (B1/B2 Visa)
Updated: 4 days ago
[Date]
To,
[Parent's Name]
[Parent's Address]
Subject: Invitation to visit the USA
Dear Mom and Dad,
I would like to invite you to the USA and stay with me for [3 months]. It would be very nice to have you with me here. During your stay, we would like to visit various tourist places in [Your State] such as [Example Tourist Locations].
During your stay in the United States, I will bear all your responsibilities, including but not limited to, financial commitments, air ticket fare to travel from India to the USA and back, travel expenses within the USA, medical insurance, housing, and food, and all your expenses.
During your entire trip, you will stay with me at my house located at [Your Address]. I am sending you all the required documents: my passport copy, US visa, I-94, pay slips, proof of funds, etc. for you to apply for a US visitor’s visa (B-2) at the US Consulate in [Consulate Location].
During your stay here, you will also get an opportunity to see and experience Western culture, meet different kinds of people, and try a variety of food. You will also enjoy the nice weather that we have here in [Your City, State]. I am looking forward to seeing you here.
With Love,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Contact Number]
Below, I am sharing a few more B1/B2 visa invitation letter samples for parents to visit the USA. However, it's not compulsory to mention these reasons, and tourism alone is generally sufficient with the highest success rate in obtaining approval for a US tourist visa. I would recommend sticking to tourism as the reason for travel.
Table of Contents: Invitation letter for parents to visit USA (visitor visa)
Sample Invitation Letter for Parents to Visit USA for Pregnancy
[Date]
To,
[Parent's Name]
[Parent's Address]
Subject: Invitation Letter for Parents to Visit the USA
Dear Mom and Dad,
I am writing to invite you to share in the joy of our pregnancy. As you know, [partner’s name] and I are expecting a baby in [month, year], and we would be honored if you could be part of this special time in our lives.
We are grateful for your love and support, and we believe that your presence during this time will bring us comfort and joy. We would love for you to be a part of the pregnancy journey, from attending prenatal appointments with us to sharing the excitement of baby showers and other celebrations.
Throughout your trip of [4 months], you will be staying at my residence located at [address]. I am sending you all the required documents: my passport copy, US visa, I-94, pay slips, and proof of funds for you to apply for a visitor's visa (B-2) at the US Consulate in [Consulate location].
We know that you will be wonderful grandparents and we can’t wait to see you. Your presence and support will be invaluable to us as we prepare for this new chapter in our lives. Thank you for your love and support, and we look forward to sharing this exciting journey with you.
Warmest regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Contact Number]
Sample Invitation Letter for Visitor Visa for Parents to Consulate
[Date]
To,
The U.S. Consulate General,
U.S. embassy [Shantipath]
[Chanakya Puri, New Delhi, 110021]
Sub: Request for Visitor Visa (B-2) for my parents
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am, [Your name], working as [Your profession] at [Company's name, location]. I would like to invite my parents, [Father's full name] and [Mother's full name] residing at [Home country complete address] to visit me for about [2-3 months, do not exceed 6 months].
The purpose of their travel to the US is to visit me and visit some other tourist locations in the United States of America. During their visit, they will stay with me at my residential address mentioned at the end.
I have enough funds in the bank to cover all the expenses related to my parent's visit to the US. I am employed full-time with an annual salary of [xxx, xxx $] per year. I will bear all their expenses: round trip airfare from [Your city, India] to the USA, housing, flight tickets for travel within the US, health insurance, food, and all other personal expenses.
I am enclosing the following documents for visa issuance:
Copy of my passport
Copy of my [Permanent resident card, or other legal document]
Copy of my latest three salary slips
Proof of funds from bank [Bank's name]
Copies of 2 months of my bank statements
I would appreciate it if you could kindly grant my parents a US visitor visa (B-2) to visit me and visit other places in the USA. I will personally make sure that they leave the USA on time, before the expiration of their authorized stay.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Your name]
[US full address]
Mobile number: +1 (123)-(456)-(7890)
Email address: [Your email]
Sample Invitation Letter for US Visa for Parents for Graduation
[Date]
To,
[Parent's Name]
[Parent's Address]
Subject: Invitation to visit for my graduation ceremony
Dear Mom and Dad,
I hope this letter finds you both in good health and spirits. I am excited to announce that my graduation ceremony is coming up soon, and I would be honored if you could attend and stay here for [a month].
As you know, this is a very important moment for me, and it would mean the world to have you by my side on this special day. The ceremony will be held on [insert date], at [insert time], at [insert location].
I am proud of all the hard work and dedication that has gone into achieving this milestone, and I would love to share this experience with you. Because of your love, support, and encouragement, I have come this far, and I could not have done it without you.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you attend, so I can make the necessary arrangements. I am looking forward to seeing you both and celebrating together.
Thank you for everything you do for me. I love you both very much.
With love and gratitude,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Contact Number]
How to Write an Invitation Letter for a Parents Visa
Ensure you include the following details if you write the invitation letter for parents yourself. These are not compulsory but nice to include so that your parents can get a tourist visa in one shot.
The letter should be in English.
It should have the name of your parents and their relationship with you - father, mother, in-laws.
Purpose of their visit like tourism, graduation ceremony, etc.
Dates of their stay with the approximate length of visit.
Location of their visit like where are they staying, with you or hotel, etc.
Proof of funds like how their visit will be funded, who will be funding, etc.
Invitation Letter for US Visitor Visa
In general, If you're writing an invitation letter for a US visa for parents, family members, or friends applying for a US visitor visa, keep these six points in mind to make your invitation letter effective and well-prepared.
Language: The letter must be written in English.
Invited Person: Include the full name of the person being invited. Mention your relationship with the invited person (friend, brother, sister, family, etc.).
Purpose of Visit: Clearly state the reason for their visit (tourism, medical treatment, family event, etc.).
Dates of Stay: Provide the approximate dates of their stay in the US and duration of stay. Remember it should be beyond 6 months in one stretch.
Location of Visit: Specify where the invited person will be staying during their visit.
Proof of Funds: Explain how their visit will be financially supported. Mention who will be funding their expenses (you, themself, etc.).
US Visitor Visa Waiting Time
The waiting time for US visitor visa appointments can fluctuate significantly, ranging from a few weeks to several months depending on your visit's time of year and your location. You can check the current US visa appointment wait times on the US Department of State website.
Just enter the city where you intend to attend the interview, and the current appointment wait time will be displayed for various visa types. You need to look at the B1/B2 visitor visa wait time.
For instance, as of March 2024, the US visitor visa waiting time for India is as follows:
US visitor visa waiting time India | Location |
455 days | Mumbai |
189 days | Delhi |
485 days | Chennai |
182 days | Kolkata |
U.S. Embassy Locations
If you're unsure about the location of the US embassy near you, you can easily find the details on the US embassy website. Just enter your location, and it will provide you with the physical address and contact information for the nearest US embassy.
If you're unable to locate the embassy, simply scroll down on the US embassy website, and you'll find a list of locations arranged alphabetically. It's recommended to verify embassy details on their official website for the most up-to-date information. For instance, here are the details for the U.S. embassy in Denmark.
B2 Visa Interview Questions for Parents
Now that you know where and when to attend the interview, it's essential to engage in basic interview preparation. During the B1/B2 visa interview, the officer may ask you a range of questions. You can read about this in the following blog.
However, before we dive into B1/B2 visa interview questions, it's important to understand why you need to prepare for the B1/B2 visa interview.
US Visa Rejection Rate
In the fiscal year 2022, the US tourist visa rejection rate for India stood at 6.54%. However, a couple of years ago, the refusal rate for India was over 25%, indicating that 1 out of 4 tourist visa applications was rejected.
Below, you'll find details of the adjusted rejection rates for US tourist visas over the past 5 years. If the table isn't visible, you can access it through this link for a more user-friendly mobile experience.
US Visa Rejection Rate (for India) | Rejection Rate |
2022 | 6.54% |
2021 | 12.25% |
2020 | 27.26% |
2019 | 27.75% |
2018 | 26.07% |
The first table is about India, and the second table is for other countries. You can find complete details on the US Department of State website.
US Visa Rejection Rate by Country | Rejection Rate (for FY 2022) |
Russia | 26.18% |
France | 12.55% |
China | 30.39% |
Mexico | 5.91% |
Brazil | 14.48% |
Thailand | 24.36% |
Philippines | 11.59% |
Australia | 12.55% |
Canada | 58.33% |
Germany | 11.69% |
Parents' Visa Interview Questions
It's important to answer the visa interview questions honestly and wherever possible provide documents to support your answers. Be prepared to explain the purpose of your visit and provide evidence that you intend to return to your home country after your visit.
Length of stay: How long do you plan to stay in the US? Do you have a return ticket booked? Tip: If you already have a return ticket booked, it's good to keep a copy of the tickets during your interview. Also, in general, keep in mind that you can not stay beyond 6 months in one stretch. Refer this.
Purpose of travel: What do you plan to do during your US trip? Will you be traveling for pleasure or business? Tip: Remember that B1 is a business visa and B2 is a tourism visa. Tell them you will visit family, grandkids, or whatever reason you have, just be honest with your answer.
Accommodation: Where will you be staying while you are in the US? Tip: Try to memorize the city at least where you will stay during your visit, if possible keep the complete address handy on a piece of paper if you can't remember it. Usually, parents forget the address. Or, just keep the sponsorship letter handy to indicate the address.
Employment and financial situation: Are you employed? Who is paying for your trip to the US? Tip: If you are working, just explain what you do and how much you earn, and keep a copy of the latest bank statement if possible which has sufficient funds to show. If you are a public servant you might need an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your department. If you are not working, explain who is sponsoring your visit. Keep a copy of the sponsorship letter handy. Refer this.
Criminal record: Do you have any pending criminal charges? Have you ever been convicted of a crime? Tip: Answer honestly and explain if you have something to disclose.
Travel or Immigration history: Have you traveled to the US or any other countries before? Tip: Again, answer honestly if you have any travel history. Keep your old passport with you even if it's expired.
Medical history: Do you have any medical conditions that may require treatment while you are in the US? Tip: It's not mandatory to have health insurance before you travel but if you have some serious medical condition it's wise to buy health insurance and keep a copy of insurance details to show it to the officer.
Related: How to apply for H4 EAD?
Other B2 Visa Interview Questions for Parents
What does your son/daughter do in the US? Where do they work?
Do you have family or property in your home country? Evidence of ties to your home country.
What is your educational background?
Have you ever been refused a visa to any country? If so, provide details.
Have you ever overstayed a visa or been in the US illegally?
B2 Visa Documents Checklist for Parents (for Interview)
The B2 visa document checklist may vary slightly based on sponsors' immigration status in the US, such as being on H1B, L1, J1, or F1 visas, or being a permanent resident/green card holder.
Documents (from the sponsoring party) that parents should carry during the visa interview are:
Latest 3 months of pay stubs
Latest bank statement for the proof of funds
Copy of employment verification letter
Copy of passport and visa pages
Copy of latest I-94
Copy of valid I-129S for L1, DS2019 for J1, I-797A for H1B, I-20 for F1, or green card for PR holders
Documents (belonging to my parents) that I requested them to bring for the interview are:
Parents' original passport with 6 months of minimum validity
Expired old passports (if any)
DS-160 confirmation page (unexpired)
Appointment confirmation page
Employment letter and NOC (if parents are working)
Bank statement with sufficient balance
Documents such as the Aadhar card, PAN card, and utility bills (I have asked my parents to bring all the relevant identification they can)
Accommodation details (sponsorship letter would fulfill this requirement)
My parents, family members, and in-laws have traveled to the US multiple times, and this B2 visa document checklist should be sufficient. However, I would recommend checking the official website in case there have been any changes to the rules.
DS-160 Photo Requirements (B2 Visa)
Whether you need to bring a photo or not varies from country to country, based on the DS-160 Photo Requirements. If you have photographs, it's advisable to carry them with you during the biometric and interview processes.
For example, if you are applying for a US tourist visa from India, there is no need to upload or carry a passport-size photograph. On the DS-160 page, it's mentioned that "Photo will be taken at ASC", application service center. So your photograph and fingerprints will be taken during biometrics which is before the actual interview. But again, if you have extra photos, it's okay to bring them to the ASC.
Another example is if you are applying for a US tourist visa from Italy, you'll need to upload a recent digital passport-size photograph.
Irrespective of the fact of where you are applying, if you are planning to bring photos, you can find the requirements on the U.S. Department of State website. These photos should be passport-size, measuring 2 by 2 inches, with an off-white background.
DS-160 Validity
The first step in a tourist visa application is to fill out the DS-160 form. Filling out the DS-160 form is an online process, and there is no payment required for this step.
Many of us are unaware that the DS-160 form remains valid for only a year from the completion date. You can locate the 'completion date' on the 'confirmation page,' which is generated after electronically submitting and signing the DS-160 form. This date is situated just below the travel purpose information on the DS-160 confirmation page.
These days (as of May 2023) there is a huge wait time (365+ days) to get the interview dates. So if you try to submit the application today and get the interview date, probably you will get it sometime next year in May 2024.
On the day of your interview, your DS-160, which you submitted a year ago, will have expired automatically. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that there is less than a one-year gap between the completion date of your DS-160 and the interview date before sending your parents for the interview.
Steps If DS-160 is Expired
If your DS-160 has expired like the previous discussion, then you would need to fill the DS-160 again. I had to fill it out again due to this situation as I submitted the DS-160 form more than a year ago. The embassy would give your parents a few hours to fill out the form again, print it, and present it on the same day.
Luckily, you do not need to fill out the whole application, instead, you can just retrieve it and this can be done quickly. Just follow these steps:
Visit the U.S. Department of State website.
Enter the location where you will be giving the interview and select retrieve application. Do not select Create a new application.
Next, enter your expired application ID and hit retrieve application.
It will automatically fill in most of the information from your previous application.
Keep saving otherwise your session will expire.
Sign and submit as a preparer (your details) and you will get a new confirmation number.
Validate the completion date, it should be today's date.
Hopefully, this saves you some time. Otherwise, you will end up filling out the DS-160 form at night in the U.S. time and your parents will be in India at the embassy looking for places to get new confirmation page printouts. Trust me it's not a good experience.
What's after the Visa Interview?
After the B1/B2 visa interview is completed, the consular officer will keep your passport and will make a decision based on the information you provided, and the result of your background check. There are possible three outcomes:
Visa Approved: Usually, your visa will be approved within 5 to 7 business days and it will be ready for pickup or shipped to your home address based on the choices you made while applying for a B2 visa. Read more.
Administrative Processing: Sometimes, the consular officer may need to run an additional background check for your application which could take several weeks or even months. After administrative processing either your visa will be approved or denied.
Visa Denied: The consular officer might determine to deny your B1/B2 visa application and explain the reason for the denial. You may be able to reapply, but you need to address the reason for the denial with additional documentation to support your application.
B1/B2 Visa Duration
Generally, the approved duration of a B1/B2 visa is 10 years, but you may receive a visa for a shorter duration, such as 1 or 2 years. As soon as you receive your passport back after the interview, check the duration of your B1/B2 visa stamp. It should indicate your visa validity.
Now, having a 10-year B1/B2 visa doesn't mean you can stay in the US for that entire duration. The maximum length of stay is usually 6 months or even shorter. It ultimately depends on the duration approved by the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officer during your entry into the US at the port of entry, where your immigration is done. You can read about this in the following blog.
Related: B1/B2 visa length of stay
You can check the stamp and date mentioned by the CBP officer on your passport if it's less than 6 months then that's your maximum length of stay. If there is no arrival stamp on your passport, you can check I-94 for "Admit Until Date" after your arrival and that should be your maximum stay period. For example, the following I-94 is valid for 6 months.
B1/B2 Visa Health Insurance
As mentioned earlier, it is not mandatory to have health insurance to visit on a B1/B2 visa, but it's strongly recommended because healthcare in the US can be very expensive. If your parents have some medical condition it's always a good idea to buy health coverage that can cover you.
I always purchase it, and it typically comes with a price tag of a few hundred dollars, providing you with peace of mind. You never know when you might require it. I've included the link for your convenience if you wish to make a purchase. While it's not obligatory, I strongly recommend considering it, as medical treatment in the US can be quite expensive.
FAQs on Invitation Letter for Parents to Visit USA
How long parents can stay on a visitor visa in the USA?
Upon entry, the CBP officer will typically stamp the date of admission on the passport along with the allowed duration of stay (D/S). This can be up to a maximum of six months.
If the officer believes that the parents' stay should be limited to a shorter period, they will indicate a shorter duration on the passport. It is advisable to check the I-94 admit-until date to confirm the actual duration of stay for your parents. Read more.
How can I apply B1 B2 visa for my parents?
There are three steps involved in applying for a B2 visa:
Can I extend my B2 visitor visa beyond six months?
The maximum duration of stay on a B1/B2 visa is 6 months, and if granted you can get another 6 months of extension. To initiate the extension process, you need to submit Form I-539, which is used to extend or change your status. It is recommended that you apply to extend your stay at least 45 days before your authorized stay expires. Read more.
Can I get a DL on a B1/B2 visitor visa in the US?
In general, you can not get a US driver's license on a B1/B2 visa but you are typically allowed to drive in the United States using your foreign driver's license (International Driving Permit) for a temporary period and this rule varies from state to state, you can find the details on the United States government official website.
Can I rent a car on a visitor visa?
Yes, you can rent a car in the United States as a B1/B2 visa holder but you might have to show a valid driver's license from your home country, sometimes an IDP (International Driver's Permit), and in addition, you have to pay for additional vehicle insurance coverage.
Does a visitor visa invitation letter for parents need to be notarized?
No, there is no requirement to notarize the visitor visa invitation letter. You can simply sign it with a blue/black pen and scan and send it to your parents/ or family whoever is visiting you.
Is it necessary to have a B2 visa cover letter for parents?
No, it's not necessary, but it's a good idea because it makes it easier for officers to understand your visa application. This means fewer interview questions for parents and makes the process more convenient.
What should I know about American culture before visiting?
Here are some key points to keep in mind about American culture before you visit:
Diversity: Embrace diversity.
Personal Space: Respect personal space.
Tipping: Tip around 15-22%.
Greetings: Handshakes, eye contact.
Cultural Sensitivity: Avoid sensitive topics.
Time and Punctuality: Be punctual.
Traffic and Driving: Follow local rules.
Next: Continue reading
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