January 30, 2017 The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service has released form I-131A, which allows Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) outside the United States to request a travel document (Transportation Document) to return to US territory. This document may be issued if you are returning from a temporary overseas trip of less than one year, …

January 23, 2017 In the Dominican Republic, CONANI is the central agency handling adoptions that provides the following services available under the Hague Convention: identifying a child for adoption and arranging the process, securing the necessary consent to termination of parental rights, performing background studies, monitoring cases after placement, and facilitating provisional child care if …

January 9, 2017 Once issued a U.S. visa, you have one more step to complete before you can present yourself at a U.S. port of entry and ask for admission—pick up your passport!  There are many options available to you, and U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo strives to meet your unique needs through 15 locations where …

December 26, 2016 A Consular Report of Birth (CRBA) is evidence of United States citizenship, issued to a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). CRBA applications can be made at any time before the child’s 18th …

December 12, 2016 If you are applying for an immigrant visa, please schedule and attend your appointment at the Visa Applicant Center in Galeria 360 before your immigrant visa interview at the Embassy.  We cannot conduct an interview if you have not completed the necessary processes at Galeria 360. While processing times vary by applicant, …

December 5, 2016 There are different types of visas for applicants who want to study in the U.S.: visas F-1 and M-1 for students, and J-1 visas for exchange visitors. Student visas (F-1 or M-1) F-1 visas are for applicants whose primary purpose is to travel to the United States to study in an academic program, while …

November 21, 2016 We understand that our lives are very busy and items can become stolen or misplaced. However, it is very important that you keep your passport in a safe, dry area and that you can locate your passport when you need it. If you lose your passport, not only will the application process …

November 14, 2016 We have previously discussed the general process to renew a U.S. passport for a minor child under the age of 16.  A critical part of that process is the consent of both parents and/or legal guardians, which is required under U.S. law.  If one of the parents is not available to attend …

November 7, 2016 We understand the wish of U.S. citizens and residents to have family members visit the United States, and to send letters of invitation.  An invitation is not required and cannot guarantee visa issuance. In fact, there are no required documents for tourist/business visa applications.  Visa applicants must qualify for the visa according …

October 31, 2016 It is unfortunate when a relative dies and we are always saddened to learn of the death of one of our petitioners or applicants.  However, the death of a petitioner or applicant can have serious consequences on the outcome of a visa petition.  If the petitioner dies before the principal applicant has …

October 24, 2016 Applicants should always come prepared for their visa interviews. Although each interview is different, there are certain topics the officer will always touch upon. For example, the consul will generally always ask the applicant questions about their job, their living situation, and their purpose of travel. The objective of the interview is to create a complete …

October 17, 2016 An applicant might have a petition for an Immigrant Visa, yet at the same time need to travel to the United States for business or pleasure.  In this situation, it is important to understand the difference between these two visas.  A non-immigrant visa is meant for those travelers who want to visit …

September 22, 2016 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Payment via Internet The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy enabled the acceptance of payments for visa appointments via internet in order to facilitate the non-immigrant visas application process. Now, visa applicants can pay the visa fee online by credit or debit card Visa or MasterCard. Banco Popular customers …

Monday, September 12, 2016 Always write your full name on the forms When filling out the forms for a visa application, most applicants solely write their first name and one surname. This delays the visa process, wasting time, effort, and even money, because of the steps needed to correct the errors. It is very important …

September 5, 2016 There are about 20 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, including men, women, children and the elderly. Many victims come from different social strata and are forced into sexual exploitation, domestic service in slavery, and even forced labor. Trafficking victims are everywhere; for this reason, the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic …

August 8, 2016 Being a crime victim in a foreign country can be a devastating and traumatic experience.  The U.S. Embassy is very concerned about violent crimes committed against U.S. citizens.  We encourage U.S. citizens to report such crimes to both Dominican police and our office so that we can assist you. Our American Citizen …

August 1, 2016 Many Dominicans require their domestic employees to travel with them while they are in the United States. Domestic employees may travel on a B1 nonimmigrant visa reserved for business travel only. However, additional steps are required before being issued a domestic employee nonimmigrant visa. Domestic employees—who include workers such as nannies, nurses, …

July 25, 2016 According to U.S. immigration law, consular officers are obligated to assume that all non-immigrant visa applicants intend to immigrate to the United States. It is the responsibility of each applicant to prove to the satisfaction of the consular officer that he/she will return to the Dominican Republic upon the completion of the …

July 18, 2016 When to arrive for my interview Each applicant is assigned an appointment time, and the Embassy strictly adheres to this schedule. Therefore, applicants should arrive only within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. There is no need to arrive at the Embassy before the sun rises or hours before your appointment time …

July 4th, 2016 Celebrate democracy this 4th of July by taking the necessary steps to vote in the 2016 U.S. elections! In order to vote in the November 2016 elections, all overseas U.S. citizens need to have completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2016.  Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee …

June 20, 2016 Ask the Consul Monday-July 20-2016 Prepare for Hurricane Season The Dominican Republic hurricane season runs from the beginning of June through the end of November.  In the case of a hurricane, it could take 24-48 hours for departure.  Minor storms can develop into hurricanes quickly. U.S. citizens should monitor local radio, the …

June 6, 2016 Each year, thousands of Dominicans travel to the United States for medical treatment, usually with a visitor visa, a B2. Although a consular officer recognizes the humanitarian aspect of these cases, there are details that must be considered before issuing a visa for that purpose. For example, “What it is the medical …

May 30th, 2016 Many people have lived or are currently living illegally in the United States without realizing the serious problems they may face, such as imprisonment, deportation or denial of admission to the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the government agency that allows legal entry into the United States. People who …

May 23, 2016 Cubans in the Dominican Republic are welcome to apply for visas in Santo Domingo. Unlike Dominican passport holders, two different kinds of tourist visa are available for Cuban applicants: the B1/B2 visa, a single-entry visa valid for six months, and the B2 visa, a multiple-entry valid for five years. Cuban applicants should …

March 14th, 2016.- If you are a U.S. citizen or resident alien, the rules for filing income, estate, and gift tax returns and paying estimated tax are generally the same whether you are in the United States or abroad.  Your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you reside. The upcoming …

May 9, 2016 When the U.S. Consular Section learns a U.S. citizen has died in the Dominican Republic, we immediately attempt to notify the family if they are not present in the country.  If family members are present, they should contact us so we can provide the names of local funeral homes familiar with handling …

May 2, 2016 People who have been arrested in the Dominican Republic can apply for visas. There are specific charges, and corresponding penalties, that may create ineligibility. It is important that a visa applicant with an arrest record be forthcoming and honest about what happened, providing as much detail as possible during the interview.  Be …

April 25, 2016 Every year, the Consular Section at U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo processes thousands of exchange visitor visa applications for Dominican university students to participate in the Summer Work/Travel program.  Summer Work/Travel gives university students the opportunity to learn more about the United States and share their own culture and ideas through temporary work …

April 11, 2016 Starting today, April 4, 2016, the Embassy of the United States of America has recruitment system for those interested in working at the U.S. Embassy. Applicants may apply through the website www.jobsusembassysd.us .   Applicants can now apply directly through the website without having to print, scan, and send your resume by email.   …

April 4th, 2016 Vacation trips are on everyone’s mind. If you intend to travel to the U.S. during the summer, get your visa application in early! It is never too soon to apply. Summer is our peak travel season. With so many wanting to travel, there may be longer waits at every step of the …

February 29th, 2016.- There are websites and Facebook pages that try to convince the public that they are official United States government sites. They look very similar to the design of the Embassy’s page and present images of the shield or banner of the United States, but they are in no way associated with the …

February 22nd, 2016.- The process to apply for a visa in the Dominican Republic is the same for everyone regardless of whether they are Dominican or citizens of another country. If you are in the Dominican Republic, you are welcome to apply at the Embassy in Santo Domingo.  Obviously residents of the Dominican Republic may …

February 15th, 2016.- In order to transmit United States (U.S.) citizenship to a child born abroad, the U.S. citizen parent must meet the requirements of physical presence in the U.S. The requirements vary depending on the gender and marital status of the parent. Many parents are confused about what evidence is sufficient to prove physical …

February 1st, 2016.- Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status. A general guide used is whether you have been absent from the United States for more than a year. If you plan on being absent from the United States …

January 25, 2016.- Often times before people start the application process for a visa they have questions about costs, time frame, and what is required to obtain a visa. Information online can be useful but if you don’t know where to look you can be a victim of someone trying to scam you for money. …

January 11th, 2016.- 2016 is an important election year for both the Dominican Republic and the United States.  In the United States, citizens will vote in State primaries between February and June to help select their political party’s presidential nominees.  In November, the country will vote for the next President of the United States, as …

January 4th, 2016.- According to U.S. immigration law, consular officers are obligated to assume that all non-immigrant visa applicants intend to immigrate to the United States. It is the responsibility of each applicant to prove to the satisfaction of the consular officer that he/she will return to the Dominican Republic upon the completion of the …