US Visa for Parents to Attend Graduation: A B1/B2 Guide for Indian Families

If your son or daughter graduates from a US university in May 2027, the hardest part of getting there is not the visa interview. It is the appointment date. Parents use the B1/B2 visitor visa to attend a graduation or visit a child studying or working in the US, and wait times at Indian consulates now run from six months to a year. This guide covers the US visa for parents attending a graduation: when to book, who still needs an interview, what the officer is weighing, and what to carry. Figures are as of October 2026 and rules can change, so check travel.state.gov before you apply.

Which Visa Do Parents Need?

The B-2 (tourism) visa covers visiting relatives and attending family events, which includes a child's convocation. In India it is issued as a combined B1/B2 visa. For Indian nationals, the State Department's reciprocity schedule allows a B1/B2 visa of up to 10 years, multiple entry, so one approval can cover the graduation and later visits. The officer decides the actual validity.

The visa application (MRV) fee is US$185 per person, and it is non-refundable. Separately, a US$250 "visa integrity fee" was enacted in 2025. Reports say it is collected at issuance, after approval, but collection has been uneven across posts. Check the US Mission India payment instructions when you book rather than relying on this figure.

Book the Appointment Now: Wait Times as of October 2026

These are the State Department's official B1/B2 interview estimates for India, last updated 17 September 2026:

• Kolkata: next available appointment in about 6.5 months
• Chennai: about 7.5 months
• New Delhi: about 10 months
• Mumbai: about 11.5 months
• Hyderabad: about 12 months

Most US commencements are in May. At these estimates, a Mumbai slot booked today lands after a May 2027 ceremony, and even Kolkata is tight. Many Gujarat families default to Mumbai, but the city you book in affects your date a great deal. Pay the fee, book the earliest slot you can realistically travel to, and keep checking the scheduling portal for earlier dates, since slots are added regularly. Check live figures on the official visa wait times tool. Our earlier post explains why the B1/B2 queue in India is so long.

Do not plan on an expedite. The State Department says expedited appointments are for urgent, unforeseen situations such as a funeral or medical emergency, and it lists graduations and weddings as not eligible. A graduation date is known years in advance, so it does not count as urgent.

Do Parents Still Need an In-Person Interview?

Probably, yes. Since 2 September 2025, the State Department has required in-person interviews for most visa applicants, including applicants over 79, who used to be exempt. Under the rules in force since 1 October 2025, a B1/B2 applicant can skip the interview only if all of these apply:

• They are renewing a full-validity B1/B2 visa within 12 months of its expiry.
• They were at least 18 when that visa was issued.
• They are applying in their country of nationality or residence, which for most parents means India.
• They have never been refused a visa, unless that refusal was overcome or waived.

Even then, the officer can still call you in. A parent whose last US visa expired years ago, or who has never held one, should plan for an interview and the full wait.

What the Officer Is Actually Assessing

Every visitor is presumed to be an intending immigrant until they show otherwise. That is the Section 214(b) test. The officer wants to see that the trip has a clear purpose and end date, that you can pay for it, and that your life is in India. Strong ties look like an ongoing job, business or pension, property, other family members here, and a history of travelling abroad and returning on time.

Two points catch parents out:

• An invitation letter is not required. The State Department says a letter or affidavit of support from family in the US is not a factor in the decision. Your own ties are what count. Your child's details do still matter: know their university, program, graduation date and current status, and answer consistently with what they have filed.
• Be honest about your child's plans. If your child is moving to OPT or a work visa, say so plainly. That is normal, and officers see it constantly. Vague or rehearsed answers about long stays, or about "helping out" for months, raise more concern than the facts do.

Most visitor refusals for Indians come down to 214(b). We cover the common reasons in why Indians get rejected for B1/B2 visas.

What to Carry to the Interview

The required items are a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay, the DS-160 confirmation page, your appointment confirmation and fee receipt. It also helps to carry, though you may not be asked for them:

• Your child's proof of enrollment or graduation, such as the I-20 or the university's commencement details
• Evidence of ties: employment letter or business registration, pension papers, property documents
• Bank statements and income tax returns showing you can fund the trip
• Old passports showing past international travel

Our visitor visa documents checklist has the full list. Once you are approved, buy travel medical insurance before you fly. It is not a visa requirement, but US hospital bills for an uninsured visitor can be ruinous.

Give Yourselves the Full Runway

For a May 2027 graduation, the parents' visa should be in motion this month, not in March. If you would like someone to check the DS-160, choose the right consulate and prepare both parents for the interview, Goodwind's visitor visa team does exactly this for Ahmedabad families. Book a consultation and we will map your timeline against your child's ceremony date.