B2 Visa Queries...Help Please !

[Abhay1990]

Hi,
I am inviting my parents for my graduation ceremony in May 2015. They have the visa interview in the coming month. My parents are self-sponsoring the trip and they are showing a fixed deposit of 20 lakhs. Since my parents are not comfortable with communicating in English, I have requested for an interpreter during the visa application process. I am sending a cover letter to Visa Consular Officer attached with copies of my I 20, Passport, Visa, Transcript, Enrollment confirmation and I 94. I have already sent a personal graduation ceremony invitation to my parents and also invitations from department and school. My parents are ready with all the necessary documents mentioned below

1. Valid original passport.
2. Both digital and hard copy of the photograph.
3. DS160 US Visa application confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Center (VAC).
4. Fee payment, which is a valid receipt
5. US Visa Interview appointment letter
6. Bank Account Verification Letter or bank statement and passbook
7. Original property papers - RTC, Building License
8. PAN ID, and last year’s tax-related documents
9. Son's Original Birth Certificate
10. Son's passport and visa copy
11. Affidavit of Assurance to Return
12. Affidavit of Property and Financial Assets
13. Invitation Letter for Graduation Ceremony

So my questions are:

1. Are there any other documents which my parents or I should submit to Visa Consular officer?
2. When do my parents meet the interpreter? Is it on that particular time of visa interview or should they notify or try to contact him before the interview? How does this work?
3. Should my parents show equal amount of fixed deposit on their account ex: 1O lakhs on both their account OR is it fine if my father shows 15 lakhs and remianing 5 lakhs on my mother’s account?
4. Is 20 lakh rupees strong enough for self-sponsorship?

I would be really grateful if someone helps me on this matter.

I thank you very much for taking the time to read my queries.

Best Regards

[pb2au]

Their focus should not be on documents.

First of all, fill out the DS-160 forms carefully and truthfully.

The questions that will most likely arise are:

- What do they do? As in, are they employed, and if yes, employment details. If not employed, their past employment history.
- What is their income?

The answers to the above two are crucial.

Other questions that could be asked pertain to the rest of the immediate family in India and to you (what do you do, your university, degree program, visa status etc).

Concentrate on these aspects. Documents should serve as backup evidence to your answers not as a frontline. Most likely no documents will be asked or seen.

All answers given at the interview should be consistent with what has been entered in the DS-160 forms.

[Abhay1990]

pb2au,
Thank you very much for your time and patience. I will definitely take your advice and concentrate more towards those points mentioned by you. Can I please have your advice on the other two questions, typed below. That would be great !

1. When do my parents meet the interpreter? Is it on that particular time of visa interview or should they notify or try to contact him before the interview? How does this work?
2. Should my parents show equal amount of fixed deposit on their account ex: 1O lakhs on both their account OR is it fine if my father shows 15 lakhs and remaining 5 lakhs on my mother’s account?


Thank You

[pb2au]

pb2au,
Thank you very much for your time and patience. I will definitely take your advice and concentrate more towards those points mentioned by you. Can I please have your advice on the other two questions, typed below. That would be great !

1. When do my parents meet the interpreter? Is it on that particular time of visa interview or should they notify or try to contact him before the interview? How does this work?
2. Should my parents show equal amount of fixed deposit on their account ex: 1O lakhs on both their account OR is it fine if my father shows 15 lakhs and remaining 5 lakhs on my mother’s account?


Thank You

I will let someone else confirm (1). My sense is that you have to request the interpreter at the time you schedule the interview. He or she will sit alongside the visa officer at the time of the interview.

As for (2) - doesn't matter. Keep it as it is. Your parents together constitute a single family unit and their combined income should be treated as one.

[Ideal sol]

Just you need to schedule your appointment at the particular consulate in one of the available languages.

Now a days VO's themselves interviewing in regional languages if no one available on the day of your interview, they may arrange interpreter from their end and you don't need to meet him/her separately. You will just have to go to the window of interview, as usual.

This is my opinion, not a legal advice.

[Abhay1990]

Ideal Sol & pb2au,
Thank you both for your valuable time and patience. I am most grateful for the information you have sent to me. I am very sure that your advice will help my parents in cracking the interview.

Thank you both once again for your expensive time and generosity.

Best Regards