Key Takeaway
- Interview questions ask whether you can demonstrate that your trip is temporary and that you have solid reasons to return home.
- Have your answers ready in advance about the trip, your finances, your family, and your return plans. Keep them honest and short, not rehearsed-sounding.
- Property, income, pension, and family responsibilities are the evidence that actually strengthens your case more than anything about your child's status.
- Interview waivers are difficult to get now, so most parents should expect to attend the in-person interview.
- If you arrange your documents and walk in confidently, you significantly increase your chances of getting the B1/B2 approved.
If you are a parent planning to visit the United States, the visa interview might feel uncomfortable. The B1/B2 visa is the standard entry pass for short-term trips covering tourism, family visits, and business, but securing one has become much more challenging recently. With tougher interview waiver rules and rising denial rates, a family visit now requires some preparation.
We’ve explained exactly what to expect during that IMPORTANT 90-second interview, covering the questions that matter most, from the purpose of your trip to the financial and family ties that prove you have every reason to return home.
What Exactly Is The B1/B2 Visa?
The B1/B2 visa is a non-immigrant visitor visa. B1 covers short-term business trips; B2 covers tourism, family visits, and medical treatment. Parents visiting their children always apply under the B2 category. It’s a temporary visa; the entire interview exists to confirm that the trip is genuinely temporary and that the applicant has strong enough ties at home to return.
What Things Should You Know Before The Interview?
The process has shifted recently, so a few things are worth knowing before your interview
- Interview waivers have gotten difficult to qualify for. As of late 2025, most applicants, including children under 14 and adults over 79, now need an in-person interview. Waivers (Dropbox) are mostly limited to renewals in the same visa category that expired within the last 12 months, with no previous refusals.
- Denial rates have also gone up. Refusals under section 214(b), the “you didn’t show strong enough ties” denial, have increased notably over the past couple of years, especially for parents whose only child lives in the US.
- Don’t expect a long conversation, since the interview itself is short, often just 90 seconds to 3 minutes. You should answer clearly and confidently; specific answers matter far more than long explanations.
- Depending on where you are from, some nationalities face additional restrictions under current entry laws, so it’s worth checking the latest guidance for their country before the appointment.
What Do US Visa Officers Ask Parents About Why They're Visiting America?
1 .Why are you going to the US?
Suggested Answer: I’m going to the United States to meet my son and his family to spend quality time. After that, I’ll come back to India.
ALSO READ: How to Answer “Why Do You Want to Visit the USA?
2. Who exactly are you visiting there?
Suggested Answer: I’ll visit my son, who has settled in the US for work, and I’m going to meet with him and his family.
3. How is that person related to you?
Suggested Answer: That person is my son. They are my youngest child, and we have a very close and loving relationship.
4. How long are you planning to stay?
Suggested Answer: I am planning to stay for a few days. I have duties back home, including my household responsibilities and social obligations, so I must return on time.
5. When is the trip planned for?
Suggested Answer: We are planning the trip for mid-December 2026, around the holiday season, so that our entire family can be together for Christmas & New Year.
6. Have you already booked your tickets?
Suggested Answer: No, not yet. I’ll be planning to book my flight tickets when I get my visa approved.
7. Is this your first time applying for a US visa, or have you tried before?
Suggested Answer: Yes, first time. I never really had a reason to travel there before; my trip is purely to see my son.
8. Have you been to the US before?
Suggested Answer: No, it’s my first visit. I’ve traveled internationally before, but not to the US.
9. Why did you choose to go to the US and not somewhere else?
Suggested Answer: Because my son lives there. Since he settled there, I’m planning to visit the USA.
10. What places do you want to see there?
Suggested Answer: I primarily want to spend quality time with my child and family. If time permits, I would like to see some famous landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty or Niagara Falls, but my main purpose is a family visit, not tourism.
What Does The Visa Officer Want to Know About Your Child in the US?
11. What does your child do for work in the US?
Suggested Answer: He works in IT, with a reputable company. He’s been in that field for several years now.
12. What is their visa status?
Suggested Answer: He’s a Green Card holder, i.e., a permanent resident, so he’s there legally and settled.
13. Where do they live and what is the address?
Suggested Answer: He lives in New York, as I have mentioned in my visa application.
14. How long have they been in the US?
Suggested Answer: About five years now. He moved there for work initially and has been building his career since. Now also has the green card.
15. What is their yearly income roughly?
Suggested Answer: His annual income is around USD 100,000. He’s financially stable and well settled, and soon he will also get promoted.
16. Do they own their place or rent it?
Suggested Answer: He’s currently living on rent. And he is planning to buy a place for the future.
17. Are they married, and do they have kids?
Suggested Answer: Yes, he’s married and has one child. His whole family is settled there with him.
18. When did you last see them?
Suggested Answer: He came to India last year; that’s when we last met in person. We’ve stayed in touch regularly since then.
19. How often do you talk to each other?
Suggested Answer: We talk only on video calls about once or twice a week, with additional texting in between.
20. Will you stay with them or somewhere else?
Suggested Answer: I’ll be staying with him at his home for the whole trip; he’s already invited me to stay there.
What Do US Visa Officers Ask Parents About Their Financial Situation?
21. Who is paying for this trip?
Suggested Answer: I will pay for this trip by myself. My child will only provide accommodation during my stay.
22. What do you work on and how much do you earn?
Suggested Answer: I am a teacher or a banker, or I have a small business. I have been doing this work for many years. I earn this much every month, and it’s enough for my needs.
23. Do you have any savings or fixed deposits?
Suggested Answer: Yes, I have savings in my bank account along with fixed deposits. They are enough to comfortably cover my travel expenses.
24. Do you own any property back home?
Suggested Answer: Yes, I own property in India. It is in my name and reflects my strong financial and personal ties to my home country.
25. Can you show your bank statements?
Suggested Answer: Yes, I have my recent bank statements with me. They clearly show my regular income, savings, and financial stability.
26. Is your child helping you with money for this trip?
Suggested Answer: They are hosting me, so they will take care of my food and stay. But I am paying for my flight and other things.
27. Do you have a credit card?
Suggested Answer: Yes, I do. I use it for my regular expenses and will carry it with me as an additional payment option during my trip.
28. How much will this trip cost roughly?
Suggested Answer: I think it will cost about two to two and a half lakh rupees. That includes flight, insurance, and other expenses.
29. Do you have travel insurance?
Suggested Answer: Not yet. But I will buy it after I get the visa; medical care in the US is costly. So I’ll get insurance. I already looked at some decent plans.
30. What if there is an emergency during the trip?
Suggested Answer: I have my savings, and my children will also help if something happens. I also have my credit card. So I am prepared for emergencies.
What Do US Visa Officers Ask Parents About Their Ties To Their Home Country?
31. Do you own a house back home?
Suggested Answer: Yes, I own a house in my city, and it’s in my name, and I have all the papers. This is my permanent home.
32. Are you working or retired?
Suggested Answer: I am still working. I have been at this job for a long time. My employer gave me leave for this trip. They expect me to come back after my visit.
33. If you are retired, do you get a pension?
Suggested Answer: I am not retired yet. So this does not apply to me. But if I were retired, I would get a pension every month. That would be my regular income.
34. Do you have other family members in your home country?
Suggested Answer: Yes, I have another child here; my spouse is also here; we have other relatives like siblings and cousins. All my family is here.
35. Who will take care of things while you are gone?
Suggested Answer: My spouse will stay back; they will manage the house and pay the bills. My other child or relatives can also help if needed.
36. Do you have any medical treatment going on?
Suggested Answer: Yes, I take medicine for blood pressure or the thyroid. My doctor gave me enough for the trip; my next checkup is in August. So I have to be back before that.
37. Do you have any family event that requires you to come back?
Suggested Answer: Yes, there is a wedding in my family, and it’s very important for me; I cannot miss it.
38. Have you ever overstayed a visa anywhere?
Suggested Answer: No, never. I have always followed the immigration rules of every country I have visited and returned within the permitted period.
39. Do you have grandchildren or other family here?
Suggested Answer: I do not have grandchildren yet. But my parents are old, and they live with me, so I take care of them.
40. What will you do after you come back?
Suggested Answer: I will go back to my job and will take care of my home and family.
What Do US Visa Officers Ask Parents About Their Trip Details And Itinerary?
41. What is your travel plan?
Suggested Answer: I will fly from my city as planned. My child will pick me up from the airport. I will stay with them for the entire visit. After my trip, I will return home.
42. Will you visit one city or many places?
Suggested Answer: Mostly, I will stay in my child’s city. Maybe we will go somewhere nearby for a few days. But my main goal is to spend time with them.
43. Are you traveling alone?
Suggested Answer: Yes, I am going alone this time. My spouse will come later, maybe next year. Right now they have some work at home.
44. Does your spouse have a passport and visa?
Suggested Answer: My spouse has a passport. But they do not have a US visa. They are not applying right now. They will apply when they plan their trip.
45. What will you do there?
Suggested Answer: I will spend time with my child and their family and want to see their office and daily life.
46. Is there any special event you are going to?
Suggested Answer: No, nothing special. This is just a normal family visit. I want to see them because we have not met for a while.
47. Have you made a plan for activities?
Suggested Answer: No, we have not made any fixed plan. We will decide when I get there, but we will keep it simple and flexible.
48. Have you booked your return ticket?
Suggested Answer: I have a return date in mind, but I have not booked the ticket yet; I will book it after my visa is approved.
What Do US Visa Officers Ask Parents About Their Background And Eligibility?
49. Have you ever been denied a US visa before?
Suggested Answer: No, I’ve never been denied a US visa. All my previous visa applications have been approved, and I have always complied with US immigration laws.
50. Do you have any criminal record or legal case?
Suggested Answer: No, I don’t have any criminal record or pending legal case. I have always stuck to the law in my home country and during any international travel.
51. Has anyone in your family overstayed a visa?
Suggested Answer: No, no member of my family has ever overstayed a visa. We have always respected the terms and conditions of our visas and returned on time.
52. Does anyone in your family have an immigration case pending in the US?
Suggested Answer: No, no one in my family has any immigration case pending in the United States at this time.
53. Have you ever worked illegally anywhere?
Suggested Answer: No, I have never worked illegally in any country. I have always followed the employment and work authorization rules of the respective countries.
Conclusion
A B1/B2 interview for parents visiting the US isn’t as difficult as it sounds. The officer just wants to know one thing: will you go home after your visit?
Denials are up these days, so prep matters more than before. And here’s what most people miss: it’s not your child’s status in America that convinces the officer; it’s your life back home, property, income, family ties, and a clear reason to return home.
Go through these questions, practice answering them naturally, keep your documents ready, and walk in calm. You’re not proving you deserve to visit. You’re just showing you have a reason to come back.