B1/B2 Visa Interview / Parents visiting children

The parents interview: what officers ask when your child lives in America

For a parent whose child lives in America, the 214(b) presumption hits hardest.

Updated August 2026

The single most common family case at the window: a parent visiting a son or daughter in the United States, often for a graduation or a grandchild. It is decided in two to four minutes under 214(b), and the FY25 refusal rates in South Asia and West Africa show how hard the presumption lands: a parent who cannot answer basics about their own child reads as coached, and a parent with nobody left at home reads as not coming back. This page is built for that interview.

This is interview practice, not immigration consultancy. Merra does not review your visa application and does not predict whether you will be approved or refused.

Merra: practise the Parents visiting children interview before it counts

James, Merra’s AI interviewer, runs a B1/B2-style mock out loud — the real window question format, real follow-ups — then scores you on the five dimensions real interviews are judged on, with a recording and transcript.

  1. 1Sign up free — no card, 2 free coaching sessions available until used.
  2. 2Practise out loud — answer the real B1/B2 question categories with James, Merra’s AI interviewer.
  3. 3Get readiness feedback — see what’s working and what to fix, with a recording and transcript.

No card details required. Your first 2 coaching sessions are free.

Practise your Parents visiting children B1/B2 interview now

The officer runs the real window format — purpose, ties, funds — and shows you which answers get flagged under 214(b), before a real one hears them.

Practise your B1/B2 visa interview2 free coaching sessions · available until used · no card needed · no subscription

The interview process

  1. 1DS-160 and MRV fee (children in the US often file it for their parents: the applicant must still know its contents).
  2. 2Biometrics, then the window interview.
  3. 3Two to four minutes: your child, your ties, your funds.
  4. 4Immediate decision.

Real interview questions

About your child

“Who are you visiting?”
“What does your son/daughter do in the US, and for whom?”
“What visa are they on?”
“Which city and state do they live in?”

The visit

“Why now: graduation, a birth, a holiday?”
“How long will you stay, and who decides that?”

Ties and return

“Who stays behind while you travel?”
“What do you do at home, or what does your pension/land/business look like?”
“What brings you back?”

Funds

“Who pays: you or your child? (either is fine, the answer must be consistent with the DS-160)”

Pricing

2 coaching sessions free
then Practice Packs from £6 · one-off, no subscription
Practise your B1/B2 visa interview

FAQs

My child filled in my DS-160: is that a problem?

Only if you do not know what it says: officers test consistency.

Is visiting for a birth allowed?

Attending as a grandparent is fine; travelling to give birth yourself is refusable (January 2020 rule).

Do elderly parents still interview?

Yes, since 2 September 2025 the age waivers are gone.

Is my child sponsoring me a red flag?

No: child-paid trips are normal; inconsistency is the flag.

What is the strongest tie?

Remaining family: a spouse, other children or dependents at home.

Sources

Related guides

B1/B2 visa interview hub214(b) explainedF-1 student visa interview

Merra is an independent interview-practice platform and is not affiliated with the US Department of State, USCIS, or any embassy or consulate. Merra’s feedback is advisory only — it is not a guarantee of any interview or visa outcome, and it is not immigration, legal, or educational advice.

Your B1/B2 interview decides your visa. Walk in ready.

Your first mock takes about 15 minutes and flags every 214(b)-risk answer. Free, no card, instant feedback.

Practise your B1/B2 visa interview2 free coaching sessions · available until used · no card needed · no subscription