The Journey / Family
Parents visiting on a B-2 visa
How parents apply for a visitor visa, what consulates look for, how long they can stay, and the fees in 2026.
Many H-1B families want parents to visit for a birth, a milestone or just a long stay. The route is the B-2 visitor visa.
Applying
Parents apply at a US consulate in their home country: an online DS-160 form, a fee, an appointment and an interview. Since September 2, 2025, most applicants, including renewals, must attend an in-person interview in their country of nationality or residence. Only B visa renewals within 12 months of expiry (for people who were adults at the last issuance) may still skip it.
What the officer looks for
A B-2 applicant must show they intend to return home. Strong answers include property, pensions, other children or family at home, and a clear, time-limited plan for the visit. Your invitation letter, a copy of your visa and I-797, and pay slips help explain the trip, but the parents’ own ties matter most.
Fees
- Visa application fee for B visas: $185.
- A new $250 visa integrity fee applies to visas issued since October 1, 2025. Consulates have been collecting it unevenly, and a refund process for people who follow the visa’s rules has not launched yet.
How long they can stay
The officer at the US border decides, typically granting up to six months. Extensions are possible (Form I-539) but should be the exception. Overstaying can bar future visits.
Practical tips
- Buy visitor medical insurance before they fly. A hospital stay without it can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
- Keep a copy of their I-94 record after each entry.
- Parents on B-2 cannot work, including informal paid childcare for others.
The good
- B-2 visas are often issued for 10 years with multiple entries (for Indian citizens)
- Stays of up to six months per visit are common
- Parents can help with a new baby or simply spend time with grandchildren
The hard
- Every applicant now needs an in-person interview in their home country
- Interview waits at some Indian consulates can be long
- US health care is expensive; visitor medical insurance is essential
Recent from immigration lawyers
From independent law firms, newest first. Not reviewed by h1b-life, not legal advice and not an endorsement.
- I have a valid H1B visa stamp showing my former employer’s name, and my new employer’s H1B petition has been approved. Do I need a new visa stamp before traveling?Murthy Law Firm · Nov 3, 2026
- My application under the company’s blanket L approval was denied at the consulate. Can the employer still file an individual L-1 petition with USCIS?Murthy Law Firm · Oct 27, 2026
Sources
- Travel.State.Gov: Visitor Visa
- Fragomen: State Department eliminates most interview waivers (Sept 2, 2025)
- Ellis: $250 Visa Integrity Fee, who pays and when (2026)
Rules change often. If something here looks out of date, it probably is; check the official source and talk to an immigration attorney about your own case.