Hiya,

Our wedding is on 19th April 2008. Initially we had plans of my entering US in March. However we wish my parents could also attend our wedding in Houston. We are not sure about the process and would like to know -

1) Do we have to apply B2 visa for them?

2) How much time does it take to issue B2 visa?

3) Will they be able to attend our wedding if we file by next week?

4) What are the possibilities of getting their visa?

5) What all documents do we need from my Fiance to sponsor them?


Thanks,
Manya

Hi, my family also wanted to come over for our wedding. We applied for K1 in June last year and the wedding was planned for January this year. When the approval times started taking so long, they decided not to wait for when we get our approval. They applied for their tourist visas in like September last year or so and got the interview in like 3 weeks and got approved. For the tourist visa in my country they don´t need any sponsor or anything like that. They just have to prove, that they intend to come back to their home country. They went to the wedding, everything was great and then they went back. Don´t know if it´s different for your country though.

B2 tourist visa is different than K-1 process, they have to find out how to pay for the appointment which is US$131.00 in most country, also in some countries you pay for the appointment in a bank then they set it for you in the date available in other countries no.

Then the day scheduled for the interview the parents have to bring documents like the one listed below:

Birth Certificate listing the name of both parents and the name of the person that is going to be marry, as well as birth certificate of the other brothers.
Weeding Invitation
Bank Letter showing the current balance in the bank
Passport for each parent
Land, Car or House Title (if they own) or any other property
If they have kids school aged to bring a letter staying that the kid is attending to school

The aim of this is to prove to the consular officer that they are coming once the weeding is done and they are not going to stay in US.

I hope it helps and good luck

Hi,
This web site link will give you step-by-step directions about applying for a visitor visa.

http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/applying.html

I e-mailed the Delhi embassy asking the same questions as you about trying to get my in-laws to visit. Their reply "...Issuance of a visa is not guaranteed by bringing supporting documents. A Consular Officer relies mainly on the oral visa interview to determine eligibility for a visa. A letter, even from a U.S. citizen, rarely establishes the applicants' ties to their home country. U.S. law requires each applicant to qualify for a visa in his or her own right. Supporting documents must only be shown when asked for by a Consular Officer. Section 214( of the INA requires an adjudicating officer to assume that a non-immigrant visa applicant actually intends to immigrate to the United States . The burden of proof is on the applicant to demonstrate that this is not the case. Applicants must present convincing evidence of such family, economic, and/or social ties that will compel their return to their home country. Those who cannot do so are ineligible ...".
Once they deposit the fee and fill out application online, they can usually get an interview date within 2-3 weeks. Everthing pretty much depends on how convincing your parents at the interview. Hope this helps.

I know someone who applied for their parents. they showed that they had a good job in india, income in india and property and that convinced the CO that they would come back.

Thanks everybody. I am about to file for my parents visa. Hopefully they will be able to attend my marriage.

For elderly it's much easier for them to get a Tourist visa, Search through the site under Tourist visa for in-laws.
I sent the letter for my sister in law, she has a stable job in India with a Major US based company, but with the invite letter and her info she got a 10 year visitor visas, others have used that my sample letter for their parents. The most difficulty might be getting a visa appointment before the wedding.





United States Consulate General
Consulate General of the United States of America

Locate Consulate office




Subject: Letter of Invitation for Ms. XXXXXXXXX

Dear Honorable Consul:

1. My name is XXXXXX( name of us person sending the invitation ); I reside at XXXXXXXX
2. I am a United States citizen.

3. I am requesting that you issue a tourist (B-2) visa to XXXXX, in order
to allow her to visit me and my wife in the United States.

4. Ms. XXXXXX in Law; she is related to my wife
Mrs. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, maiden name XXXX XXXXXXXXXXX

5. She will be visiting us from date--date . My XXXXXXXXX
and my wife are very closed, she’s a very honest and fun all around person,
we would love to have her with us for the XXXXXXXXX holiday. (Summer Vacation)

6. During her stay in the United States, she will stay with us at the address
stated above. I will be responsible for all of her room and board expenses
while she is in the United States.

7. Upon the termination of her visit, she will return to xxxxxx, India.

8. Ms. XXXXX will be presenting this letter to you, together with
other evidence showing her close ties to XXXXXXXX(City home Country), and to assure you that
she will return prior to the expiration of the visa once issued by your consulate.


Your kind consideration to this request will be greatly appreciated.


Yours truly,

You don't apply for someone else's tourist visa ... they have to apply for it themselves and get it on their own merit. O.o