Applying for dependent visa for your parents is a long and tedious process. So, I decided to write down the steps I followed so as to help someone who might need this in future.
1. You have to pay application visa fees at an approved HDFC bank. They will give you a receipt with an bar code no. Keep the receipt safe as you will have to present this during your visa interview.
2. Now, while filling up a visa application form online, you will need a digital copy of the photograph to be uploaded to the website. The photo specifications can be found here and here you can test whether you photo meets all the specifications.
4. Next step would be to fill up DS-160 form. You need to submit this form online before you can apply for a visa interview date. The form can be found here. Filling up this form takes around 2 hours. So, make sure that you have to ample time while you start this application. You can also save the application and complete it at a later date. You can search the internet if you need any help filling up this form. A general FAQ, provided by the VFS, can be found here. When you complete this application this application, it will generate an alpha-numeric barcode, write down this number as it will be required for further correspondence.
5. After this, you can take visa interview date at the consulate. You will be requiring the barcode and the fee receipt of the payment you made at the approved HDFC bank, for initiating the interview process. The interview appointment link can be found here and you can select the "coworkers/family members traveling together” option to give the visa interview as a group. After submitting this application you will receive a visa Interview letter, which you need to keep safe.
6. Once you are done reserving date of the visa interview. Next step is to prepare the documents required during the interview. I applied for a B2-visa for my parents so I will give you a summary of all the documents you need to send from US and the list of all the documents your parents have to prepare.
List documents to be sent from US:
1. If you are inviting your parents for you graduation then you request an invitation letter from your school, else if you are working in a company you need to take an invitation letter from your employer.
2. If you are sponsoring your parents US trip then you need to take a letter from you bank stating that you have your account in your bank from such and such date and your account balance as of date is so and so. Take a print out of your current bank statement and attach it with this letter.
3. Financial support document(I-134), if you are sponsoring your parents US trip.
4. Copy of all pages of your passport.
5. If you are studying then copy of your all I-20's
6. Copy of your SSN, DL, EAD (if you are working on OPT) and H1 visa (if your current status is H1).
List documents to be prepared by your parents:
1. List of all the liquid and immovable property. You can either hire a CA to make this statement or, you can write them all down in an excel sheet and carry all the proof's with you during the interview.
This is how all the documents are to be arranged in their order of importance.
Very Important Stuff:
1. Parent's Passport
2. Original blue visa fee receipt issued by HDFC Bank
3. CEAC Bar code confirmation letter (DS-160)
4. VFS Interview appointment letter
5. Visa photographs (Although, you don't need them now but just in case)
Important stuff:
6. Parent's CA statement
7. Copy of all pages of your passport
8. Copy of all your I20's (if you are studying)
9. Copy of your SSN/EAD/DL
Not so important stuff:
11. Financial support document(I-134)
12. Proof of deposits you have mentioned in CA statement(Mom's/Dad's/Your's passbook or copies, ULIP receipts, Property paper)
13. Previous years tax return statement for proof of income
14. Your bank statement and letter which you mailed home(staple them together)
Just in case:
15. Offer letter/Salary slips from company, if parents still working.
16. Family photo
Advice for people going for a visa interview: Just stay confident, focussed and alert. You have to make the visa officer feel that you won't be staying back in US and you have commitments in home country for which you will have to return. Keep all the documents handy and you would be good.
I hope this helps and Best of Luck for the interview!
