Questions about DS-160

[F12H1]

Hello All,
I have been in the US for about 7 years now (F1-OPT-OPTX-H1B) and am planning for my parents US trip now. My parents plan to travel with a relative couple (my cousin grand-parents) and hence I am filling up their DS-160's too. I had a few questions regarding the same, appreciate all the help.

Tentative plan is that these guys would arrive in east coast and see the east coast via a travel agency, then stay with me for some time, then do east coast again with a travel agency, come back stay with me and then leave for India.

Below are my specific questions for DS-160 for my cousin grand-parents;

Travel Information Section
1) Address where you would be staying in US? (I have mentioned my address in my parents DS-160)

2) Are you travelling as a part of a group or organization? (I have answered NO, in my parents DS-160, they would be travelling with a travel agency so I am doubting my answer now, let me know what I should write in both forms.)

U.S Contact Information
1) Contact person Name, address, relationship to you in the US? (I have mentioned my details in my parents DS-160)

Family Information
1) Do you have any immediate relatives, not including parents in the US? (I have mentioned my details in my parents DS-160)


If anyone can help me with these questions it would be a great help.


Thanks,
F12H1

[peace999]

1.Does the travel package include air tickets and is it to be booked from India ?
Or is it a US travel agency you are booking for them for inside-US travel?
2.Do your other relatives have any immediate relatives in US ( children, siblings and on what visas) ?

[F12H1]

1.Does the travel package include air tickets and is it to be booked from India ?
Or is it a US travel agency you are booking for them for inside-US travel?
2.Do your other relatives have any immediate relatives in US ( children, siblings and on what visas) ?

1) We have not yet decided where we will book it from, what are implications of one over the other?


2) No immediate relatives in US.

Also other point I want to mention is my parents have visited Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia in the past. Other relatives have visited the same + Europe.


Thanks,
F12H1

[peace999]

your parents can simply apply for the visa with the purpose of visiting you without a need for a travel package from India but
your relatives' application will be judged differently if they apply with the same purpose , as they are distant relatives.

Since they do not have any close relatives in US they will need to adopt a different strategy; they can apply separately showing a travel package from India .
And their family situation ( children in India) and their financial situation will also play a major role in their visa application. A history of travel to europe
will be a positive factor.

About the question on the form about traveling as a group,your answer is fine. Group usually means entertainers/movie crew/athletic groups/religious groups.

[F12H1]

your parents can simply apply for the visa with the purpose of visiting you without a need for a travel package from India but
your relatives' application will be judged differently if they apply with the same purpose , as they are distant relatives.

Since they do not have any close relatives in US they will need to adopt a different strategy; they can apply separately showing a travel package from India .
And their family situation ( children in India) and their financial situation will also play a major role in their visa application. A history of travel to europe
will be a positive factor.

About the question on the form about traveling as a group,your answer is fine. Group usually means entertainers/movie crew/athletic groups/religious groups.

Thanks for the quick replies, clear on my parents part. So for the other couple do they need to have their travels plans in place (bookings done, tickets bought) before they go for the interview or they can carry just a tentative itinerary? Family and financial situation should not be an issue, all their kids are settled in India.

Now for their DS-160 what should I put in as

Travel Information Section
1) Address where you would be staying in US? (Can I just mine and get done with it because if visa is granted they surely would be visiting me.)

U.S Contact Information
1) Contact person Name, address, relationship to you in the US? (Again should I put in my details? or of another common relative?)


Also you had asked from where I would be booking the trip India or US, what effect it has on the visa?

One other point, in most certainty all four would be going in for the visa interview on the same day.


Thanks,
F12H1

[F12H1]

your parents can simply apply for the visa with the purpose of visiting you without a need for a travel package from India but
your relatives' application will be judged differently if they apply with the same purpose , as they are distant relatives.

Since they do not have any close relatives in US they will need to adopt a different strategy; they can apply separately showing a travel package from India .
And their family situation ( children in India) and their financial situation will also play a major role in their visa application. A history of travel to europe
will be a positive factor.

About the question on the form about traveling as a group,your answer is fine. Group usually means entertainers/movie crew/athletic groups/religious groups.

Also where can I find information to prepare interview packet for the cousin grand-parents? For my parents I am pretty set and do have friends who can help out.


Thanks,
F12H1

[peace999]

could not follow what you mean by your question. You just have to create an account on USTRAVELDOCS.com just like your parents , complete DS160
and pay the fees. But I think they would be better off doing it themselves or their children because you may not know about a lot of info required on DS160.

[F12H1]

could not follow what you mean by your question. You just have to create an account on USTRAVELDOCS.com just like your parents , complete DS160
and pay the fees. But I think they would be better off doing it themselves or their children because you may not know about a lot of info required on DS160.

Sorry I was not clear the first time around. What I meant was after DS-160 is filled, fees paid and i/v scheduled can I have a list of documents that the other couple would need for visa i/v?

In my parents case I know I have to send Employment Verification Letter, Tax Returns, Pay-stubs, Invitation Letter so on and so forth. I pretty much would be completing all the steps for the other couple as well hence want to be clear.

If would be great if you could answer questions from my earlier post as well.

So for the other couple do they need to have their travels plans in place (bookings done, tickets bought) before they go for the interview or they can carry just a tentative itinerary? Family and financial situation should not be an issue, all their kids are settled in India.

Now for their DS-160 what should I put in as

Travel Information Section
1) Address where you would be staying in US? (Can I just mine and get done with it because if visa is granted they surely would be visiting me.)

U.S Contact Information
1) Contact person Name, address, relationship to you in the US? (Again should I put in my details? or of another common relative?)


Also you had asked from where I would be booking the trip India or US, what effect it has on the visa?

One other point, in most certainty all four would be going in for the visa interview on the same day.


Thanks,
F12H1

[peace999]

I explained to you in my first reply that you should adopt a different approach for your relatives . If they apply with your parents with a primary purpose of visiting you, it may be judged differently because they are distant relatives and it would not be natural.

Either all 4 of them can book a travel package from India and show that at the interview( difference between booking in India and booking in US is the former is natural for the visa application in India). Or if your parents will present the primary purpose of visiting you , then your relatives should apply separately on their own preferably with a travel package or if they are elderly, travel package with their own children. Because they do not have any close relatives in US they can show they are visiting.

Will all 4 of them show self payment of the trip or will you be funding ( I-134) ?

[F12H1]

I explained to you in my first reply that you should adopt a different approach for your relatives . If they apply with your parents with a primary purpose of visiting you, it may be judged differently because they are distant relatives and it would not be natural.

Either all 4 of them can book a travel package from India and show that at the interview( difference between booking in India and booking in US is the former is natural for the visa application in India). Or if your parents will present the primary purpose of visiting you , then your relatives should apply separately on their own preferably with a travel package or if they are elderly, travel package with their own children. Because they do not have any close relatives in US they can show they are visiting.

Will all 4 of them show self payment of the trip or will you be funding ( I-134) ?

I understand and that how I had it planned for my parents their primary purpose is to visit me, for the other couple primary purpose is tourism.
For my parents I am funding the trip, I have the I-134 for filled out. For the other couple their son (who is in India) would be sponsoring their trip.

[peace999]

I strongly suggest your parents apply separately from your relatives with the way you have planned without mentioning any co-travellers . Applying with relatives can affect their decision.

You can complete your relatives' forms and give out your contact info but the purpose for them to visit you may not work for them.

[F12H1]

I strongly suggest your parents apply separately from your relatives with the way you have planned without mentioning any co-travellers . Applying with relatives can affect their decision.

You can complete your relatives' forms and give out your contact info but the purpose for them to visit you may not work for them.

I understand.

Could you tell me what are documents would be needed for the visa interview for my relative? Is there a list I can go by?

Thanks for all the help,
F12H1.

[peace999]

the decision is based on what you write on the form and their verbal questions.
documents have secondary value ( proof of funds, if going thru a package; proof of that and itinerary)
You can also look up US embassy new delhi website or UStraveldocs.com for everything they want.

They should focus mainly on the purpose of visit , duration of visit and funds for their visit( strong savings like 20 lacs +).
I assume they must be retired since they are like your grandparents.

Also, if your parents earn very well like 1lac /month or more, they can show self funding which will go in t heir favour.

[F12H1]

the decision is based on what you write on the form and their verbal questions.
documents have secondary value ( proof of funds, if going thru a package; proof of that and itinerary)
You can also look up US embassy new delhi website or UStraveldocs.com for everything they want.

They should focus mainly on the purpose of visit , duration of visit and funds for their visit( strong savings like 20 lacs +).
I assume they must be retired since they are like your grandparents.

Also, if your parents earn very well like 1lac /month or more, they can show self funding which will go in t heir favour.

Hello peace999,
Thank you for the reply and apologizes for replying back late, I looked into both the links and have complied a list, could you please look through it and let me know if it looks okay, please add as required.
• Property Documents.
o Shop / House / Warehouse ownership proof.
o Any other immovable property documents.

• Financial Documents
o Tax documents; self + son (sponsor) last three years.
o Bank statements for last 6 months- Son.
o Other financial papers; Bank FD’s, shares, bonds etc. (self and son)

For grandparents - Strong savings hopefully should be not a problem; their son own a construction firm. Granddad himself owns and manages a shop alongwith his other son.

For parents - They do not earn 1L/ mo, so cannot show that.


Thanks,
F12H1

[F12H1]

the decision is based on what you write on the form and their verbal questions.
documents have secondary value ( proof of funds, if going thru a package; proof of that and itinerary)
You can also look up US embassy new delhi website or UStraveldocs.com for everything they want.

They should focus mainly on the purpose of visit , duration of visit and funds for their visit( strong savings like 20 lacs +).
I assume they must be retired since they are like your grandparents.

Also, if your parents earn very well like 1lac /month or more, they can show self funding which will go in t heir favour.

Hello Peace999,
Could you please reply to my last post?


Thanks,
F12H1