Your mom calls every week asking about tickets. Dad has started googling "weather in California in May." They want to see where you live, meet your friends, maybe hold their grandchild. It should be straightforward — but for Indian parents, it often isn't.
Here's the reality: 16.3% of Indian B1/B2 applicants were denied in FY2024. For parents specifically — especially those whose only child lives in the US — the stakes are even higher. The consular officer's main concern? That your parents won't return to India. If you're new to visa interviews, start with our complete US visa interview preparation guide for the foundational strategy.
Help your parents practice before their interview
AI mock interviews with questions specifically for visiting parents.
Why Parents Often Get Denied
The US assumes your parents want to stay forever. They have to prove otherwise — that's Section 214(b) in one sentence.
One of our users — let's call him Vikram — did everything right. His parents had property in Chennai, pension income, another daughter in India. But his mother said "I want to spend time with my grandchildren" when asked about the purpose. Denied. 214(b).
The officer heard "childcare" and saw immigration risk. Three months later, same documents, different framing: "Attending our grandson's first birthday and touring California." Approved.
Same facts. Different framing.
"What will bring them back to India?" That's the question. When your son or daughter — possibly your only child — lives permanently in the US, the answer gets complicated.
Red Flags That Trigger Parent Visa Denials
- Only child in USA — no family reason to return
- "Help with grandchildren" as visit purpose — sounds like unpaid work
- Vague return date — "as long as they allow" triggers concerns
- Child filed Green Card petition for parent — immigration intent
- No property in India — weak financial ties
- Large recent bank deposits — looks like window dressing
- Previous overstay — pattern of visa violations
- Retired with no obligations — nothing pulling them back
Why Do Most Denials Happen?
Source: Immigration analysis of 214(b) denials
None of these guarantee denial. People get visas with worse profiles. The difference? Knowing your weak spots before the officer finds them.
B1 vs B2: Which Visa Do Parents Need?
Most parents visiting children in America need a B-2 tourist visa. But understanding the difference matters for the DS-160 form and interview.
Tourist/Visitor Visa
For most parents
- Visiting family members
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Attending weddings, graduations
- Medical treatment
Business Visitor Visa
Rare for parents
- Business meetings
- Conferences
- Negotiating contracts
- Training at US parent company
Pro tip: Most consulates issue combined B-1/B-2 visas by default. If approved, your parents can use it for both tourism and business purposes.
Fees and Validity (January 2026)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| MRV Application Fee | $185 USD |
| Visa Integrity Fee (from Oct 2025) | $250 USD |
| Total per person | ~$435 USD (~₹36,000+) |
| Visa validity | Up to 10 years (multiple entry) |
| Max stay per visit | 6 months (180 days) |
Document Checklist for Parents
You'd think parents' documents matter more. They don't. Your pay stubs and bank statements speak just as loud as their property papers.
Parent's Documents
Required
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- DS-160 confirmation page — check for errors before submitting
- Interview appointment letter
- MRV fee receipt
- Two passport photos (2x2 inch, white background)
- Old passports with travel history
Ties to India (Critical!)
- Property documents (strongest proof)
- Bank statements (6 months, with activity)
- Pension documents (for retirees)
- Employment letter with leave approval
Your Documents (from USA)
If you're on F-1
- Copy of I-20
- Copy of F-1 visa
- I-94 printout
- Enrollment letter from university
If you're on H-1B
- I-797 Approval Notice
- Employment letter from HR
- Recent pay stubs (3 months)
- Bank statements — calculate recommended amount
- W-2 forms (2-3 years)
Always include
- Invitation letter (1 page, signed)
What to Include in the Invitation Letter
Keep it to one page. Write on plain paper (not university letterhead). Include:
- • Your full name and relationship
- • Parents' full names and passport numbers
- • Purpose of visit
- • Planned dates of visit
- • Where they will stay (your address)
- • Who is paying for the trip
- • Your immigration status in US
- • Your physical signature
What doesn't work: Balance certificates without transaction history. Large deposits made right before the interview (looks suspicious). Documents for property owned by deceased relatives. Overwhelming officers with too many papers.
For dress code recommendations, what items are prohibited at the consulate, and a complete timeline of what happens on the day, see our visa interview day guide.
15+ Interview Questions for Parents
3-5 minutes. 5-8 questions. That's all they get. Here's what shows up most often — and the follow-ups that catch people off guard.
What they want to know: Relationship to person in US, their immigration status
Good answer: "My son, Rahul Sharma. He works as a software engineer at Google in California on an H-1B visa."
What they want to know: Is the job/study legitimate? Can they support your visit?
Good answer: "She is doing her Master's in Computer Science at University of Texas, Austin. She's in her second year and will graduate in May."
What they want to know: Do you have a clear, finite plan?
Bad answer: "As long as they allow" or "Maybe 5-6 months"
Good answer: "Two months — from March 15 to May 20. I need to return for my other son's wedding preparations in June."
What they want to know: Financial stability, who bears the cost
Good answer: "My son is sponsoring the trip. He earns $150,000 annually. I also have my own savings of ₹15 lakhs and pension income."
What they want to know: What will make you come back?
Good answer: "I own a house in Pune. My wife and I live there. I receive government pension monthly. My younger daughter and her family also live in Pune — my grandchildren are there."
What they want to know: Financial ties, something valuable to return to
Good answer: "Yes, I own a 3BHK flat in Andheri, Mumbai. Current value is approximately ₹2 crore. I also have agricultural land in my native village."
What they want to know: Do you have obligations to return to?
Good answer (retired): "I retired from State Bank of India in 2022 as Branch Manager. I receive ₹75,000 monthly pension. I'm also involved in our local temple committee."
Good answer (working): "I work as Senior Accountant at Tata Motors. My employer has approved leave from March 10 to May 15. I have the approval letter here."
What they want to know: Travel history shows you return on time
Good answer: "Yes, we visited Singapore in 2023 and Thailand in 2024. Both were 10-day trips and we returned on schedule. I have the stamps in my passport."
If this is their first international trip, be honest and emphasize other ties.
What they want to know: Specific, believable reason
Avoid: "To help with grandchildren" (sounds like unpaid work)
Good answer: "To attend my daughter's graduation ceremony at Stanford on June 15. We also plan to do some sightseeing — visit Grand Canyon and Las Vegas."
What they want to know: Is all your family in the US?
Good answer: "Two children. My son is in America, and my daughter lives with her family in Bangalore. She has two children — my grandchildren."
If only child is in US, emphasize other family ties — siblings, spouse's family, elderly parents you care for.
"What is your son's/daughter's salary?"
Know the approximate annual income in USD.
"Where exactly will you stay?"
Give the exact address — matches what's in DS-160.
"Has anyone filed immigration petition for you?"
Be honest. If yes, explain it doesn't affect temporary visit intent.
"What will you do in America?"
Specific activities: visit family, sightseeing, attend events.
"Do you have return tickets?"
Not required, but having them shows clear plans.
See the pattern? Specific beats vague. Every time. "March 15 to May 20" is better than "about two months." "₹75,000 monthly pension" is better than "good pension." For more practice questions with sample answers, browse our complete B1/B2 question bank.
Special Considerations for Elderly Parents
If your parents are 60+, nervous about English, or this is their first international trip — they have extra hurdles. (Though honestly, the "nervous about English" part is less of a problem than most people think.)
Language Support
Translators are available at all Indian consulates for Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Gujarati. Parents can request to answer in their preferred language.
Managing Nervousness
Officers see nervous 60-year-olds all day. They don't care about perfect English. They care if answers match the DS-160. Practice until the answers feel automatic.
Health Questions
If traveling for medical reasons, bring doctor's letter explaining the condition. Be ready to explain how treatment in US differs from India.
Answer Strategy Based on Your Child's Status
Emphasize that both parent AND child are in US temporarily. Child will also return to India after studies. This strengthens the "temporary visit to temporary resident" narrative.
Child has stable job and can support the visit. Focus heavily on parent's OWN ties to India — property, pension, other family members, community involvement.
Hardest case. Child is permanent resident. Parents MUST have exceptionally strong independent ties to India. Multiple properties, pension, other children in India, elderly parents to care for.
How to Help Your Parents Prepare
You can't fly to India to drill them on questions. And let's be honest — would they even take feedback from their own child? Some would. Some... definitely wouldn't.
AI Mock Interview for Parents
How it helps:
- Real voice conversation — not typing, actual speaking practice
- Follow-up questions — AI probes weak answers just like a real officer
- Simulates pressure — builds confidence through repetition
- Available 24/7 — parents can practice at 6am India time
- Detailed feedback — you can review their transcript and scores
What you can do:
- 1 Set up the account for them (you buy the sessions)
- 2 Do a video call to help them start the first session
- 3 Review their feedback reports remotely
- 4 Focus on weak areas identified by the AI
- 5 Have them do 3-5 sessions before the real interview
Give your parents the best chance
1 free practice session. No credit card required.
What to Do If Parents Are Denied
They got denied. The white slip instead of the passport. That specific guilt — you helped fill out the DS-160, maybe you told them "don't worry, it'll be fine." A 214(b) refusal is not the end, not a permanent ban. But reapplying next month with the same documents almost never works.
Wait 6-12 months minimum
Immediate reapplication with same documents rarely succeeds. Give time to genuinely change circumstances.
Identify what went wrong
Officers don't explain, but common issues: weak ties, unconvincing answers, missing documents, nervous delivery.
Strengthen the case
Buy property, build travel history (visit Singapore/Dubai first), accumulate more savings, get employment letter.
Practice extensively
If answers were weak, that's fixable. AI mock interviews can help identify and fix problematic responses before the next attempt.
Reapply with new evidence
Show the officer that circumstances have changed. New property documents, new savings, completed trips to other countries.
It does work — when done right
A mother from Hyderabad was denied twice — weak ties, vague answers about return plans. Her son (H-1B at Microsoft) helped her buy a small flat in her name, built 8 months of clean bank statement history, and she practiced with Permito until the questions felt boring. Third attempt: approved in under 2 minutes. The officer didn't even ask to see the property documents — her confidence was enough.
Important: Do NOT apply again within weeks with the same documents. This wastes the fee and creates a pattern of refusals that makes future applications harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Getting parents to America shouldn't be this hard. It is. A consular officer gets 3-5 minutes to decide. Make those minutes count.
Strong documents + confident answers + clear ties to India = approval. A nervous parent who fumbles? 214(b). A parent who practiced until questions felt boring? Approved.
Help your parents practice
AI mock interview for B1/B2 visitor visa. Real voice conversation with questions specifically for parents visiting children in the US.
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