Parents visiting after many years, B2 questions

[b2_worrier]

Hi.

I came to the US in 2001 (first F1, now H1B in GC process). Since then I have visited India many times (10 times!), but parents never got a chance to visit due to family obligations and events.

Now I want to sponsor them for a 1 month trip. But recently heard cases of parents visa being rejected because of questions like "why do you want to visit after 8-10 years - if you wanted to be a tourist, you would have done it earlier". This has left me very worried.

Some questions if anyone can help:
1. They have not travelled outside India before this. Would going with a package tour improve their chances ?
2. I have elder sibling (married, and with kids) in a different city in India, but no direct relation in my home town. Would that count as strong ties ? Father is retired and mother is housewife.
3. Any other advice ? This is driving me crazy.

[txh1b]

Stop worrying about what you hear from people. These questions are mostly made up and not something that would matter. If asked, they can say family obligations like you mentioned. ALso, you need to be settled and in a position to sponsor a visit.

Familial, social and financial ties to home country matter the most for visa.

[b2_worrier]

Package tour ?

Hi txh1b.

Thanks - that does make sense.

My question though - does it make any difference if one is going with a package tour (the usual 10-12 days USA East Coast etc) ?

[immihelp]

no