B2 applicant cover letter

[B2needed]

I am drafting a cover letter for my mother who will be applying through drop box. My father passed away last year. Is it necessary to write about this fact in her cover letter and then explain how in spite of this, she has strong ties to India? Or should we not comment on this at all? Thanks in advance for any reply.

[immihelp]

Don't comment at all.

If asked, please mention about your father.

[B2needed]

Re: B2 applicant cover letter

Thanks. But this is for drop box. Wont they raise this issue of being widowed and call her for an interview? I would like to avoid this. Not mentioning about my father seems like hiding something? I am not sure how to handle this in the cover letter. In truth, apart from me, she has nothing in the US. Whereas she has much stronger ties to India because of finances, daughter (married), her own siblings. She is > 60 years old.

[immihelp]

Re: B2 applicant cover letter

I am not saying you should hide the fact about father.
She can write as many ties with India as possible. Still they may ask for personal appearance, if they want.

[B2needed]

My mother got the visa

My mother got the visa at Chennai within a week of applying. She applied through drop box. It was a ten year multiple entry visa. This was her first attempt. We were a bit surprised.

I prepared the usual documents mentioned in this web site. My thoughts are as follows: a strong cover letter, and affidavit could help. In the applicant's cover letter, write something unique, like in my case, she wanted to see the well-known university where I did my graduate studies, among other things. In your invitation letter to the applicant, write something more than plainly stating "we can visit Disneyland and Niagara Falls". For example if you are in the northeast US, you can state, "Washington DC is only within several hours car drive from our place" , "We can visit the Empire State Building in New York", etc.

Thanks to this forum and its members.