Visitor Visa for parents

[rahul76]

Hi,

I came to US in march 2007 on H1 visa. I want to get my parents on tourist visa in month of June.

-> Will it be a problem as I am getting them just after couple of months I came in.

-> Will it be easier to show the trip as self sponsered rather than me sponsering it. My father is retired and gets pension. My mother is housewife. Can they show self sponsered trip.

-> My brother and sister stays in India only and we have 2 properties and enough ties to show that they will come back. Will it help if my brother (who stays in India) sponser their trip. What documents are needed for that.

-> If my parents tell that they are sponsering the travel and I'll take care of their trip here, is that ok?

-> I am married and my wife and kid has got H4 stamped and are planning to come along with them. Should we disclose that? Any consequences?

Sorry for asking so many questions on this forum but I badly need your help guys.

Thanks in advance

[smohanty]

-> Will it be a problem as I am getting them just after couple of months I came in.

Ans: Yes, it definitely could be a problem. Your parents would appear to be in a desperate hurry to come to the US just two months after your arrival. And logically, if they were in such a hurry to get here then their intention to return will automatically be doubted.
If they say that the purpose of their visit is tourism, the question can be asked as to why they can't wait until next year before they tour the US. And if they say they are coming to the US for a social visit they can be asked why they need to see their son less than two months after he got to the US
BTW I am also curious as to why the big hurry for them to come here (even at the cost of risking rejection)? Why can't they wait atleast a year before they visit?

-> Will it be easier to show the trip as self sponsered rather than me sponsering it. My father is retired and gets pension. My mother is housewife. Can they show self sponsered trip.

Ans: The question is not whether it is easier or difficult. The question is whether you have atleast $ 10 K to show in your account after just one-two months of starting work? If you don't have that kind of money then it would not really work for you to sponsor them. So, you don't really have a choice, right? If your parents want to come then they have to self sponsor.
Of course, keep in mind that self-sponsorship is difficult if the sponsor is retired. There will be tough questions.

-> My brother and sister stays in India only and we have 2 properties and enough ties to show that they will come back. Will it help if my brother (who stays in India) sponser their trip. What documents are needed for that.

Ans: I don't know if it would help if your brother sponsored them. I guess if he did he would have to present an affidavit that he will. When you say, "we" have two properties, who is the "we"? It is not common property, right? It has to be under one person's name. Who is that person?
The reason I ask is because ONLY ONE person ought to sponsor a trip. So there cannot be two sponsors i.e. your father cannot show that the property that is in his name and then also show your brother's income. It has to be EITHER all your brother's income + land/property OR ELSE your father's income + land/property.
Again, if your brother is married and has his own family then I don't know whether his sponsorship offer would be unquestioningly accepted by the VO.

-> If my parents tell that they are sponsering the travel and I'll take care of their trip here, is that ok?

Ans: If you can afford it, it is ok. But your wife and child are not even here yet. When they first come there will be extra expenses as you set up home. Have you found out the average cost of raising a child in the city/state you are living in? Do you have any idea how expensive it is for four adults and one child to live on one person's income here in the US? Even a comprehensive health insurance for two old people would cost you around $300-400/month.

-> I am married and my wife and kid has got H4 stamped and are planning to come along with them. Should we disclose that? Any consequences?

Ans: If the VO asks your parents about your wife/child your parents HAVE to tell the truth. And anyway, even if the VO believes that your wife and child are already in the US that will only lead to more questions as to why your parents cannot wait until you and your family are well-settled in the US before they come for a visit.

So again, they are welcome to try but my personal opinion is that the case for their visa being granted is not strong.