Renewing parents' expired B1/B2 Visa (80+ yrs and 70+ yrs age)

[spam]

Hey guys, need some information before I apply and take visa appt.:

Situation:
1. Earlier visa was issued in Dec 2005 and expired Dec 2015 (no biometrics)
2. Father is 80+ yrs and mother 70+ yrs of age
3. Live in northern Karnatak region
4. 2/3 children US Citizens, 1 child in India

Questions:
1. It seems my father can get the interview waiver, but not mother, in such case, Do I have to apply separately for their visa?
2. From thd information on various sites, it seems they only need to be fingerprinted, not visit the embassy for interview?
3. In case of #2, can this be done in any of the application centers (e.g. in Hyderabad) or do they have to go to Chennai?
4. Because of their region, the visa application can only be submitted to Chennai consulate, no where else (Mumbai would much more convenient for us)
5. Any indication of what interview dates people are getting if applied now?
6. In our case, we might only need biometrics appointment, are the dates different from interview and biometrics?
7. If different, biometric appt might be easy to get?
8. If i open the a/c profile on USTravelDocs site, I can use it any time in the future? How ling is the a/c be active?
9. Any downsides to opening the a/c just to see the timelines?

TIA

[rkk09]

Hi,
Please see my Answers below.
1. It seems my father can get the interview waiver, but not mother, in such case, Do I have to apply separately for their visa?
Answer: Its not like that. Please proceed with both in one group.. Anyhow, you will need to file two different DS 160 form. pay fees for both of them.
2. From the information on various sites, it seems they only need to be fingerprinted, not visit the embassy for interview?
Answer: Once you complete all the process, you will come to know the status whether have Interview or Interview waiver.
3. In case of #2, can this be done in any of the application centers (e.g. in Hyderabad) or do they have to go to Chennai?
Answer: It depends on your selection.. If you prefer to go other consulate, Yes you can schedule, if dates are available.
4. Because of their region, the visa application can only be submitted to Chennai consulate, no where else (Mumbai would much more convenient for us)
Answer: If Mumbai is convenient, you can proceed ahead and schedule the dates. I don't think, you will need to select only particular consulates in India.
5. Any indication of what interview dates people are getting if applied now?
Answer: As per my knowledge, People are seeing the dates only after October 2021( Normal appointment)
6. In our case, we might only need biometrics appointment, are the dates different from interview and biometrics?
Answer: Its not like that..
7. If different, biometric appt might be easy to get?
Answer: You can see the dates, once you complete all the process like filing DS 160, making visa fees.
8. If i open the a/c profile on USTravelDocs site, I can use it any time in the future? How ling is the a/c be active?
Answer: Yes. Once you create the account with one Email ID, you can access the account any time you want.
9. Any downsides to opening the a/c just to see the timelines?
Answer: Once you make the visa fees, you can start seeing the earliest dates available.
Thanks

[spam]

Thanks for the replies. It seems submitting the application seems to be the right step to get answer to all the questions..