November 2, 2026
A US visa for parents is a B1/B2 visitor visa. Parents in Pakistan apply for it at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad or the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi. Most need a DS-160 form, a $185 fee, and an in-person interview.
This guide is for parents visiting the USA from Pakistan to see a son or daughter. It covers who can apply, which papers to carry, the fee, the wait time, and the interview. We checked the latest official pages in November 2026, because many rules changed this year.
US Visa for Parents at a Glance
Parents apply for a B1/B2 visa, pay $185, and attend an interview in Islamabad or Karachi. These are the key facts.
Detail | Answer |
Visa type | B1/B2 visitor visa (the B2 part covers family visits) |
Where to apply | U.S. Embassy Islamabad or U.S. Consulate General Karachi |
Application fee | $185, non-refundable |
Interview | Needed for most applicants, including older parents |
Interview wait (July 2026) | About 7.5 months in Islamabad and 8 months in Karachi |
Usual stay | Up to 6 months, set by border officers at the airport |
Invitation letter | Not required |
Which US Visa Do Parents Use to Visit Their Children?
Parents use the B2 visa for short family visits. In Pakistan, the embassy and consulate normally issue B1 and B2 together as one B1/B2 visa, so you do not apply for them one by one. A B2 visa for parents fits a holiday, a graduation, a new baby, or a family event. It does not allow work, study, or long-term living in the US. Pakistan is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Pakistani passport holders cannot use ESTA. A visa is a must.
When a Visit Visa Is the Wrong Route
If your parents want to live in the US, they need a green card, not a visit visa. Only a US citizen aged 21 or older can petition for a parent (Form I-130, category IR-5). Green card holders cannot.
Immigrant visas for Pakistani nationals have been under a State Department pause since January 21, 2026. The pause did not cover visitor visas. One report says a court struck it down on August 21, 2026, so confirm the current status before you plan.
Who Can Apply for a B2 Visa for Parents?
Any parent can apply. The child’s status does not decide the case; the parent’s own profile does.
Parents of US citizens, green card holders, F-1 students, and H-1B workers all use the same B1/B2 route. The F-2 and H-4 visas cover spouses and children, not parents.
A child with strong status helps, but it cannot replace the parent’s ties to Pakistan. The State Department says applicants must qualify through ties to their home country, not through promises from family in the US.
B2 Visa Requirements for Pakistani Parents
The officer must believe three things: the trip is short, you can pay for it, and you will return to Pakistan. US law (Section 214(b)) assumes a visitor may want to stay, so you must show otherwise.
Ties to Pakistan
Ties are your reasons to come back. Strong examples include:
- A home or land in your name
- A pension, a job, or a running business
- A spouse, other children, or dependents at home
- Earlier trips abroad with on-time returns
Funding the Trip
Show who pays for the ticket and the stay. If your son or daughter pays, bring proof of their income. Your own bank statements and pension papers add support.
US Visa Invitation Letter for Parents
A US visa invitation letter for parents is not required. The State Department says a letter of invitation or an affidavit of support is not needed to apply, and it is not a factor in the decision. You can read the exact wording on the State Department visitor visa page.
A short letter can still add context. If your son or daughter writes one, keep it to one page and include:
- Their full name, address, and US status
- Your name, passport number, and relationship
- The purpose of the visit and planned dates
- Who pays for the trip
- A line stating that you will return to Pakistan
They can attach a copy of their passport, green card, or visa. Write only true facts, because false information can lead to a permanent refusal. The letter supports your case but never replaces your own proof.
How to Apply for a US Visa for Parents: Step by Step
The process has four steps: form, fee, appointment, and interview.
- Fill in the DS-160. This is the official online visa form. Print the confirmation page after you submit it.
- Pay the $185 fee. The receipt is valid for 365 days. You must book your interview, or submit a waiver application, within that time.
- Book the appointment. Choose Islamabad or Karachi. Lahore does not process visas.
- Attend the interview. In Karachi, the consulate asks you to arrive 15 minutes early. In Islamabad, plan for 30 minutes, because you take a shuttle from Avenue 3 to the embassy.
Fee collection and scheduling in Pakistan run through CGI, the embassy’s service partner. Use only the official links on the US Embassy Pakistan visa page. For a full walkthrough of the form and interview, read our B1/B2 visa guide for Pakistan.
Need help with your US visa for parents application? AIRCS can check your documents before you book. Call or WhatsApp +92 311 4464274, or book an appointment. Our USA visit visa service page explains how we help. The final decision always rests with the consular officer.
US Visa for Parents Documents Checklist
Carry originals and one clean set of copies, arranged in order.
Documents From the Parents
- Valid passport and any old passports
- DS-160 confirmation page, fee receipt, and appointment letter
- Proof of ties: property papers, pension letter, business registration, or job letter
- Recent bank statements
- Family Registration Certificate and marriage certificate
- Details of earlier travel and visas
Documents From the Son or Daughter in the US
- Copy of passport, green card, or visa
- Proof of address
- Pay slips or a tax return, if they pay for the trip
- An optional short invitation letter
Visa Fee and Wait Time for Parents
The B1/B2 fee is $185 per applicant, and the wait for an interview is about 7 to 8 months. Both can change, so check before you pay or plan.
Official Fee
The $185 fee is non-refundable, even if the visa is refused. The State Department fee page lists the current amount.
A $250 Visa Integrity Fee was created by US law in 2025. Sources disagree on whether consulates collect it yet. One check of the State Department fee schedule on October 25, 2026 found no such line. Read the payment instructions carefully before you pay.
Wait Times
State Department figures from July 2026 showed about 7.5 months for the next B1/B2 interview in Islamabad and 8 months in Karachi. These numbers update every month. Book early and fix travel dates only after you hold an appointment.
Current US Rules That Can Affect Pakistani Parents
Three policies are often confused. Here is where Pakistan stands as of November 2026:
- Travel ban: Proclamation 10998 has covered 39 countries since January 1, 2026. Pakistan is not named in it.
- Visa bond: A final rule on August 3, 2026 made the bond program permanent for 50 countries. Pakistan is not on the list, but the State Department can add countries with 15 days’ notice.
- Immigrant visa pause: It covers green card visas, not visitor visas.
Interview Rules and Common Questions
Most parents must attend an interview. Only a small group can skip it.
Who Can Skip the Interview
Since August 11, 2025, even applicants under 14 and over 79 generally need an interview in Pakistan. A waiver mainly applies to B1/B2 renewals. The earlier full-validity visa must have been issued when the applicant was 18 or older, and the renewal must fall within 12 months of its expiry. A first-time applicant should plan for an interview.
Common Interview Questions
Expect short, direct questions such as:
- Why are you visiting the US?
- Who will you stay with, and what does your son or daughter do?
- Who pays for the trip?
- What do you do in Pakistan?
- When will you return?
Answer briefly, truthfully, and in your own words. Do not memorize speeches. Older parents should also allow extra time for the shuttle and security screening in Islamabad.
How Long Can Parents Stay on a B2 Visa?
Most B2 visitors are admitted for up to six months. A border officer decides the exact period at the airport and records it on the I-94. You must follow the I-94 date, not the visa expiry date.
Extending the Stay With Form I-539
To stay longer, file Form I-539 with USCIS before the I-94 expires, ideally about 45 days earlier. Extensions come in steps of up to six months. A law firm summary dated November 5, 2026 lists the fee at $470 on paper and $420 online, so confirm it on the USCIS fee page. USCIS can take several months, and repeated long stays can raise doubts about temporary intent.
Why Parents’ B2 Visas Get Refused
Most refusals of a US visa for parents come under Section 214(b). The officer was not convinced that the parent would return to Pakistan. Common causes are
- Weak ties, such as no property, job, or family responsibilities at home
- An unclear trip purpose, length, or source of funds
- Answers that do not match the DS-160 or the documents
A refusal does not block a new application, but you pay the $185 fee again. Apply again only when something real has changed, such as new property papers, a new job or business record, or a clearer travel plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can parents visit their children in the USA on a visitor visa?
Yes. Parents apply for a B1/B2 visa, whatever their child’s status. The officer decides each case on the parent’s own ties and plans.
Is an invitation letter mandatory for a B2 visa for parents?
No. The State Department says it is not needed and not a decision factor. A short letter can add context only.
Can a parent work or stay long on a B2 visa?
No work is allowed. The usual stay is up to six months, and Form I-539 can extend it in steps of up to six months.
How long does the process take for parents visiting the USA from Pakistan?
The interview wait is the longest part, about 7.5 to 8 months in July 2026. Check the current wait on the State Department site.
Can a green card holder sponsor a parent for a green card?
No. Only a US citizen aged 21 or older can file Form I-130 for a parent.
Get Your Parents’ Application Reviewed Before the Interview
Planning a US visa for parents? AIRCS reviews your documents, ties and funding proof before you book. We have offices in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad and we also help online.
Call or WhatsApp +92 311 4464274 or contact us. Explore our USA pathways for other options. We cannot guarantee approval, because the consular officer makes the decision, but we can show you where your papers are weak.
