Want parents for graduation; OPT dilemma

[somdeb]

I am in a bit of a dilemma now. Basically I will be graduating in June and my commencement is on June 16. Also, my OPT start date in application is June 26th and therefore my I-20 expires on June 25th.

1. I have managed to get an interview date for my parent for June 27. Clearly I am on OPT then and no longer a Full Time student. So will my university's letter work any more? Of course in this scenario, they cant attend my commencement and therefore reason for visit is purely sightseeing.

2. In general, has anybody tried to bring parents over while on OPT? Or has any advice on that.

3. I am trying hard to get an earlier appointment date... like May middle or earlier. So, my understanding is that we have to cancel the existing appointment to prepone. The VFS website says if I cancel, ALL my application data will be lost and I will have to re-fill the forms again. Does that mean I have to re-fill all the DS-156 and DS-157 for both mom and dad too?

For people who have preponed, is cancelling and preponing pretty much the same as re-doing the entire application process all over again?

4. Does commencement ceremony qualify for emergency appointment (I am guessing not, but oh well...)

Thanks guys... owe a lot to this website...

[taco]

Please note there have been some postings on this forum
where the consulars have clearly denied visas to parents going for
graduation ceremonies. I suggest you do not fiddle with the appointment
and send them an evidence of OPT . If you prepone, and send them a student letter , the consular may deny on the basis that you are reaching the
end of your study period and you should be returning rather than your parents going there.

I am in a bit of a dilemma now. Basically I will be graduating in June and my commencement is on June 16. Also, my OPT start date in application is June 26th and therefore my I-20 expires on June 25th.

1. I have managed to get an interview date for my parent for June 27. Clearly I am on OPT then and no longer a Full Time student. So will my university's letter work any more? Of course in this scenario, they cant attend my commencement and therefore reason for visit is purely sightseeing.

2. In general, has anybody tried to bring parents over while on OPT? Or has any advice on that.

3. I am trying hard to get an earlier appointment date... like May middle or earlier. So, my understanding is that we have to cancel the existing appointment to prepone. The VFS website says if I cancel, ALL my application data will be lost and I will have to re-fill the forms again. Does that mean I have to re-fill all the DS-156 and DS-157 for both mom and dad too?

For people who have preponed, is cancelling and preponing pretty much the same as re-doing the entire application process all over again?

4. Does commencement ceremony qualify for emergency appointment (I am guessing not, but oh well...)

Thanks guys... owe a lot to this website...

[somdeb]

Hmm but isnt the fact that I am graduating a strong argument for me coming back to India soon and hence a deterrent for my parents to remain in the US?

Also, I looked at some earlier posts... some have mentioned graduation and not gotten it and some have mentioned and have gotten it. I guess its a lot of luck!!

Anyway, assuming I don't get a date early enough, would providing OPT docs be substantial enough? Of course if I have a job by then, I can pull out a letter from the employer... but what if I am out of school and still not finalized about where I am working?

[SuCo]

Hi,
Your case seems to be like ours - 6 years back when my hubby was on F1 and inviting his parents for his graduation... His visa was good till june 2000 while he was graduating in Dec 2000... After june my hubby started working on OPT and my inlaws applied for thier visa...
We had sent a letter of invitation from the university.... But we didnt sponsor my inlaws since my hubby's financial standing at that point was not as good to support me and his parents...
My FIL being an industrialist sponsored him and my MIL by showing all his business/property/bank balance etc...
From what i remember... he was asked
1. Reason of going to USA
ans. Son's graduation and tourism
2. what do you do ?
ans. Own and run a business
3. How long are you planning on going there?
ans.2-3 months
4. Is your son staying back?
ans. no he plans to return after his OPT gets over within next 6 mths.

Even recently I know graduation is a very valid reason to visit son/daughter in USA... I have friends who have invited their parents on that basis...
I would suggest that your parents sponsor themselves... you being a student might not have as strong financial standing which might be a big issue...

We were also planning on getting my parent's visa for the same reason... son inlaw's graduation, but they were denied around the same time....
Its definately pure luck...
But your parents can say that they would like to see the usa while you are there and then you plan to work in india...

I have been trying to get my parents visa since 6 years its a hell... believe me...
Hopefully your case is very simple....

Good luck