Planning to get a visitor visa for your parents. These tips should come in handy:
Step 1 – Fill out DS-160 visa application form from here. Fill in the form with Personal & Family information, US Contacts details, education and work background for the applicants (your parents). I found this link helpful while filling out the forms.
Step 2: Pay visitor visa application fee: You can choose NEFT online transfer to pay the fees which is very convinient. Otherwise, ask someone in India to pay it over the counter at select Axis and Citibank. More details here: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-paymentinfo.asp
Step 3: Schedule an interview: You can now schedule the interviews at the consulate selected in step 1 at this link: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in. The two-part appointment process consists of an appointment with one of the five Offsite Facilitation Center (OFC) to give Biometrics information that includes fingerprinting and photograph , and second an appointment with the Consulate or Embassy for a personal visa interview. Note that you should schedule the fingerprinting appointment at least a day or two before the interview at the consulate.
Step 4: Collect the documents required for visa interview. In most cases, the following list of documents are enough. Do checkout this link for more details: http://www.path2usa.com/visitor-visa-guide/documents-for-sponsor
- Original Passport
- Appointment confirmation letter
- DS-160 Non immigrant Visa – Confirmation Page
- Photocopy of passport
- Letter to consulate (sample: http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/sample-consulate-letter-visitors-visa.html)
- Invitation Letter (sample: http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/sample-invitation-letter-parents.html)
- I-134 affidavit of support (http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-134.pdf)
- Employment Verification letter
- Payslip for last 6 months
- Bank Of America Statement for last 6 months
This is not an exhaustive list and may not be enough for certain scenarios. Refer to path2usa link above for more details.
Step 5: Bio-metrics appointment at Visa Application Center: You should carry your passport, appointment confirmation letter, DS 160 confirmation page, application receipt fee to the designated VAC. Do not carry phone, sharp metal object, water, gun (of course) and so on.
Step 6: Visa Interview: Reach at least 15 minute before the appointment time. Submit the documents along with the DS160 and appt confirmation letter and wait for your turn to be called on by a Visa officer. If the visa is approved, passport is held back by consulate for stamping visa and shipped to your preferred location within 5-6 business days. You can use think to track passports: https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=India
Good luck.
Parents needs to carry any photographs?