It's that time of year again—graduation season for international students.
Graduation ceremonies mark a major life milestone. Having parents and family attend from abroad adds a special sense of occasion, bringing a fitting close to the student's academic journey and opening the door to a new chapter together.
However, traveling abroad can be quite a hassle, from visa applications to flights, and there are many things to keep in mind. Especially for family members visiting the U.S. for the first time, many details may be unfamiliar, so it's important for us to be patient and offer plenty of help.
With just over a month until most commencement ceremonies, parents who have decided to attend should start preparing now. From visa to the ceremony itself, CheersYou（清柚教育） has compiled everything you need to do—students and parents alike can bookmark this as a checklist.
2026 Guide for Family Attending U.S. Graduation Ceremonies 🎓
Visa Appointment
Parents traveling to the U.S. for the first time need to apply for a visitor visa, specifically the B-1/B-2 visa.
The first step in the visa process is making an appointment—this is something students can help their parents with. Log on to the official website of the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in China and find U.S. Visa Services in the directory. Under visa categories, select Tourism.
Source: Travel.State.Gov
Then follow the steps to apply, including filling out the DS-160 form. The form is quite complex, so it's recommended that students assist their parents in completing it. Once successfully filled out, it needs to be printed. Note that an electronic photo must also be uploaded during the application—prepare this in advance. After the form, the next step is to pay the fee; the current application fee is 185 USD.
After that, make sure to save the appointment confirmation page with the QR code. Print it out, as it needs to be brought along with other materials for the visa interview.
Source: ceac
Once the fee is successfully paid, you can schedule the interview time and location. It is advisable to choose the embassy or consulate closest to your residence and, if possible, select a morning slot, as it tends to be less crowded and involves shorter wait times.
After scheduling, don't forget to print the appointment confirmation page, as it will be needed at the interview.
Preparing Visa Interview Documents
In most cases, the consular officer will only review a small portion of the documents, but it's still advisable to prepare as thoroughly as possible, just in case.
CheersYou（清柚教育） has put together a reference checklist below—students can use it to help their family get everything ready.
Parents need to prepare:
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DS-160 visa application form
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Interview confirmation page
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Passport (valid for at least six months)
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Photo (taken within the last six months; 51mm x 51mm)
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Original household registration booklet (hukou)
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Original national ID card
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Property deed
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Proof of funds / income
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Retirement certificate or employment verification letter
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Family photos
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Travel itinerary, etc.
Students need to prepare:
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Copy of I-20
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Proof of graduation
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Copy of passport and visa
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Invitation letter (written by the inviter)
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Photos of yourself in the U.S.
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Proof of U.S. accommodation
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Screenshot of graduation ceremony guest ticket, etc.
You can also check your school's official website for more information—most schools provide specific instructions. Simply Google "school name + inviting family."
Source: Harvard official website
Source: NYU official website
Below are sample invitation letter templates from Harvard University and New York University for your reference.
Source: Harvard official website
Source: NYU official website
Visa Interview Process
Some parents may be attending a visa interview for the first time and might not be familiar with the process. You can walk them through the steps and go over some common interview questions in advance. Reassure them that applications citing attendance at a graduation ceremony are generally not problematic.
Main process and notes:
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Arrive at the embassy/consulate one hour early. Have the printed appointment confirmation page ready to show when entering.
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Store your mobile phone—phones are not allowed inside the embassy/consulate, so you must store them beforehand. There are designated storage areas outside each venue, so no need to worry.
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Line up to enter the building. If there's a big crowd, you may need to queue outside; if it's not busy, you can go right in.
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Enter the building and go through security screening.
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Initial check-in, then line up for fingerprint scanning.
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After fingerprinting, queue up for the interview.
*All on-site procedures are strictly guided by staff, so simply follow their instructions.
During the interview, there's no need to be nervous. You can proactively hand over your passport and invitation letter. The officer generally only asks a few brief questions. Parents who don't speak English need not worry—the interview officer can speak Chinese.
Here are some common questions that might be asked:
"What is the purpose of your visit to the United States?"
"How long do you plan to stay in the United States?"
"What does your child do in the United States?"
"Are you retired?"
"Have you traveled abroad before?"
"How long has your child been in the United States?"
After the questions, the officer will keep the passport and give a blue slip, indicating the visa has been approved. Once approved, the passport will be mailed home, typically within 1-2 weeks.
Booking Flights
When to book: You can start booking flights after receiving the passport. For your family's convenience, give priority to direct flights if available.
If choosing connecting flights, pay attention to the following:
1. Is it a through-ticket? This avoids issues with different baggage allowances on different airlines and protects you if the first segment is delayed or cancelled.
2. Baggage direct to destination: Opt for flights with through-checked baggage. Try to avoid connecting within the U.S., as you'll need to re-check your bags.
Source: Fliggy
3. Layover time: Opt for shorter layovers when possible, as long waits can be draining for your family. (Be cautious about layovers under one hour, as you may need to go through security again and risk missing the next flight.)
Flight tickets can be searched on U.S. airline websites, or domestic platforms like Ctrip and Fliggy.
Preparations Before Departure
1. Activate international roaming
International roaming must be activated in advance so that your family can contact you during transfers and at customs.
2. Enroll in EVUS
Before traveling to the U.S., you must enroll in EVUS, and be sure to do this well in advance. Approval times can vary and may take up to 72 hours, so don't leave it until the last minute and risk disrupting your travel plans.
Log on to the EVUS official website, fill out the form step by step, and submit it. The webpage can be switched to Chinese; students can assist their families with the online process.
Source: CBP official website
After submission, you need to wait for approval. Once approved, it will show "ENROLLED"—take a screenshot or print this out.
Source: CBP official website
3. Pack luggage
Let your parents know about the local weather in advance so they can pack appropriate clothing. They may want to bring some formal attire and a DSLR camera for graduation ceremony photos with you.
Documents and Tips for the Flight
Documents to bring on the flight:
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Airline ticket
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Passport
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Cash (declare if over $10,000)
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All documents prepared for the visa interview, except for valuable originals (property deed, household registration booklet, etc.), can be brought—such as the invitation letter, relevant copies, etc.
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Personal items like slippers, water bottle, etc.
Before landing, a Customs Declaration Form must be filled out. Students can fill in the information in advance and send it to their family members so they can copy it and keep it handy, as it will be collected after passing through customs.
After landing, advise your family to simply follow the crowd; if unsure, they can ask an airport staff member. At customs, there's no need to worry—officers generally won't ask too many questions.
When it's your turn, hand over the passport, scan fingerprints, and honestly answer any questions. After clearing customs, pick up luggage, hand in the customs declaration form, and then exit the airport.
Attending the Graduation Ceremony
On the day, public transportation will be extremely crowded, so allow plenty of travel time and decide on your mode of transport in advance. If driving, check the school's website for parking lot entrances and addresses, and leave early.
The graduation venue will be very crowded, and queuing to enter can take a significant amount of time. Many students like to take photos with their families outside before entering; if you plan to do this, arrive early.
Also, check your school's official website ahead of time for venue information and entry instructions. The specific entrance gate may differ for students and guests.
Some graduation ceremonies are held on campus, where the layout is relatively straightforward.
Some venues are off-campus, like stadiums. If you're not familiar with the venue, be sure to do your homework in advance to avoid wasting too much time on the day.
At stadiums (such as Yankee Stadium, where NYU's graduation ceremony is held), there will be security checks upon entry, and outside water is generally not allowed. Food and drinks are available for purchase inside, so you don't need to bring too many things.
Source: NYU official website
Graduation venues are crowded and cell phone reception is weak. Keep an eye on personal belongings and agree on a meeting spot with your family in advance to avoid getting separated or being unable to contact each other.
Search "school name + commencement" online to learn about each school's graduation arrangements and specific details in advance.
Source: OSU official website
Also, don't forget to apply for graduation ceremony tickets for your family. You can find the application link on your school's website, confirm the number of tickets and date, and be sure not to miss the deadline.
Source: NYU official website
In addition to university-wide ceremonies, many colleges also hold departmental graduations. The time and venue for these are often different, so if you wish to attend with your family, make sure to check the specific information on your school's website in advance.
Source: UC Berkeley official website
We hope every student can enjoy a happy and smooth graduation ceremony together with their parents and family.
Having the whole family reunited abroad is a rare and precious opportunity for international students. We hope every student can cherish this joyful moment.
CheersYou（清柚教育） wishes the Class of 2026 a happy graduation and a bright future! 🎓
