Need information about Tourist visa to USA for Parents

USA L1, L2 Visa
1

My sister stays in USA with her husband . She is not working , My parents and myself would like to visit her. I am staying in India and am Unmarried. Can I sponsor them for the US Visit? My parents don’t have any assets or property in their name. My mother holds a joint account with me. If I am acting as a sponsor what documents do I need to submit while applying for a tourist visa?

And as they dont own any assets in India, are their chances of their visa getting rejected.

Could you please answer my queries?

2

Usually the visa officer wants to gauge whether the applicant is a potential immigrant or not. So one has to show social-financial ties to home country in order to address that concern.

If one or more parents are working, then that can be shown. They can also emphasize on the fact that at least one of the child is in India (i.e. you). If you are working, then carry those details as well.

Also, there is no rule that visa will be rejected if one doesn’t have assets in home country. A lot depends upon the discretion of the officer.

3

  1. Your sister’s husband can also sponsor your parents. Will he provide financial documents (pay stub, bank statement, tax returns, etc.,) and sign an affidavit of support ? Recently, I have provided financial documents and signed affidavits for my in-laws and they got Visitor’s visa. Earlier, I sponsored my parents and they obtained Visitor’s visa. Several years ago, I sponsored my cousin and he obtained Visitor’s visa.

  2. You can also sponsor your parents (blood relation), provided you can provide sufficient financial documentation.

  3. If possible, both can be a sponsor.

  4. Typically, older people tend to get visas much easily compared to younger ones. The VO may think that the younger person has more intent to settle down in the US. Hence, the younger person may need to provide more documentation to prove his intent to stay in India. NOTE: I am not saying that younger ones won’t get, it all depends upon age, education, profession, work status, ties to the home country, etc.,

  5. Having assets is not a requirement.

Good luck !

4

Timeline of stay should be realistic. It should not exceed 3 months as the local host is their son-in-law and not the son. You should buy short term international traveller’s insurance for them, have a local doctor give them a clean bill of health. Answers by Saurabh and usgrad are right on the mark, very accurate. Having to show assets to prove intent not to immigrate is a misconception. Property can always be sold after showing papers to embassy if someone has such plans. Visiting their married daugher and a chance to see places in the US are great opportunities for parents and must be availed when possible.

All the best

Dr. Sandeep Shankar, Colorado Heights University, Denver, CO 80223, USA. www.chu.edu; sshankar@chu.edu