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B1/B2 Visa for Parents | Full Experience | Mumbai, India

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I am on H1B and recently applied for B1/B2 visitors visa for my parents. Here’s how it went:

Form filling and slot booking:

  • Started filling up the DS-160 for both my parents in the last week of October 2024.

  • Created one account on UsVisaScheduling website with Dad’s details and added mom as additional application from the same website as dependent. This ensures that both parents can go in for Biometrics and Visa interview at the same time.

  • Sept 2: Booked slots and got dates November 14 and November 15, 2025 for Biometrics and Interview respectively.

  • Sept 8: Rescheduled slots and got dates May 13 and June 10, 2025 for Biometrics and Interview respectively.

  • Sept 23: Rescheduled slots again and got dates Jan 09 and Jan 15, 2025 for Biometrics and Interview respectively.

Biometric Experience:

  • Jan 09 at Mumbai VAC: Reached at around 2:00 PM for a 3:00 PM appointment.

  • Waited for some time and they asked folks to stand in a line at 2:30 PM. Parents went in for the biometrics.

  • All they needed was all passports, DS-160 Confirmation page and Booking confirmation page(s).

  • Inside they took fingerprints and photo of both my parents and processed from their end by giving a stamp on booking confirmation. Additionally, they did put a sticker on the back of the passport.

Visa Interview Experience:

  • Jan 15 at Mumbai Consulate: Reached at 10:00 AM for 10:20 AM appointment. There was a huge line outside. We got late due to traffic!

  • They got in and were asked if they needed a translator. My parents asked for a Marathi translator. I had suggested them to get one, not because they cannot speak English, but it is sometimes hard to understand the accent of the VO and didn’t wanted to take any chances.

  • After waiting in the line for about an hour, they reached the window and were asked for passports and following questions:

    • Purpose of Visit?

    • What does your son do?

    • What Visa is he on?

  • And the VO said that it was approved!

Documents I prepared for them:

Common for both parents:

  • Recent and old passports.

  • DS-160 confirmation page.

  • Appointment Confirmation page.

  • Visa Payment Fee Receipt.

  • Retirement Letter from company (For Dad)

  • Employment Letter from company (For Mom)

  • Latest bank statements and balance certificate.

  • Income Tax Returns for last 3 years.

  • Payslips.

  • Additional documents (optional): Aadhar Card, Pan Card.

Documets from me:

  • Invitation Letter from me. You can refer to my template here.

  • Copy of my US Driving License – to show address proof if asked for where would my parents stay during their visit.

  • My last 3 months Bank statements, showing enough fund to support their stay.

  • Copy of my i797 – H1B approval notice – Didn’t yet had my stamp!

  • My last 3 payslips and employment verification letter. (alternatively, offer letter)

Post- Interview:

  • Jan 15 (status on ceac website): Approved.

  • Jan 15 (status on ceac website): Issued.

  • Jan 21 (status on UsVisaScheduling website): Origination Scan.

  • Jan 22: Email received, ready for pickup! Picked up on the same day. I collected the passports on behalf of both my parents. I was asked for:

    • Authorization Letter from my Parents (which I had). Check this form.

    • My Aadhar card copy (self-attested).

    • Both parents Aadhar card copy (self-attested).

Time to celebrate and book the travel 🎉

Hope this was helpful for anyone who is in the US and wants to invite their parents to the states and show them around! 🌎