Interview Waiver Visa Renewal

Most applicants applying to renew their visa do not require an interview at the embassy by an embassy official.  If qualified, these applicants complete a non-immigrant visa application online and schedule an appointment at the Visa Service Center (VAC) to take their biometrics and leave their passport.  Embassy officials then adjudicate the applications.  Each passport ... Read More»

 How do I qualify to renew my nonimmigrant visa without an interview? 

While the Embassy remains closed for routine visa services, the U.S. Department of State has expanded the criteria for interview waiver eligible cases.  The visa interview requirement is now waived for applicants who were previously issued a non-immigrant visa in the same classification within 48 months of that visa’s expiration.  What is a visa renewal?  ... Read More»

Expiration of Presidential Proclamation (P.P.) 10052

Presidential Proclamation (P.P.) 10052, which suspended the entry of certain nonimmigrants who were determined to present a risk to the U.S. labor market during the economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak, expired on March 31, 2021. PP 10052 applied to applicants for H-1B, H-2B, and L-1 visas; J-1 visa applicants participating in the intern, trainee, ... Read More»

Requesting an emergency appointment for urgent business travel

The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo is providing limited visa processing as local conditions allow.  Routine tourist visa appointments remain suspended at this time, and only cases that meet the requirements for emergency processing or are eligible for interview waiver are being scheduled. If applicants have an urgent need for travel, they may request an ... Read More»

Who should I contact for Consular services?

Even though the Consular Section of the US Embassy remains closed for routine services, we frequently receive questions on who to contact for specific questions and situations. We hope the following resources may be of help: Visa applicants with emergency cases may write to support-dominicanrepublic@ustraveldocs.com or call 1-829-956-5144 U.S. lawful permanent residents whose green cards ... Read More»

Who to contact for consular services?

The consular section is still closed for routine services and we have not yet determined when we will resume normal operations.  We are receiving many inquiries daily and many people are unsure of who to contact with their questions and issues.  Before reaching out, please visit both the VAC website: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/do_es/index.html and our website: https://do.usembassy.gov/es/ for the ... Read More»

Visa Application Center (VAC) processing Interview Waiver Cases Starting June 15

As of June 15, the Visa Application Center (VAC) will start processing nonimmigrant visa applications for eligible interview waiver cases only. The VAC and the Embassy are still closed for all routine cases that require interviews. To determine your eligibility for an interview waiver nonimmigrant visa and schedule an appointment please see: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/do/ What is a ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Be Ready: Visit the Visa Application Center before your Interview

Many residents of Santo Domingo know where the United States Embassy is, and where to apply for a visa.  But have you heard of the Visa Application Center (the “VAC”)?  All applicants for Immigrant Visas must first visit the VAC prior to their interviews at the embassy.  The VAC is located in Galleria 360 mall ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Be Ready: Visit the Visa Application Center before your Interview

Many residents of Santo Domingo know where the United States Embassy is, and where to apply for a visa.  But have you heard of the Visa Application Center (the “VAC”)?  All applicants for Immigrant Visas must first visit the VAC prior to their interviews at the embassy.  The VAC is located in Galleria 360 mall ... Read More»

Why do I have to visit the VAC at Galerias 360 before my interview?

Most visa applicants visit the Visa Application Center (Centro de Atención de Visas) or “VAC” in Galerías 360 before their Embassy appointment, or before leaving their visa for renewal to complete the fingerprint collection portion of the visa application process.  Applicants make an appointment at the VAC from their profile on www.ustraveldocs.com/do, after completing the ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Applying for a Non-Immigrant U.S. Visa: What to expect at the VAC visit

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to find visa information at do.usembassy.gov , how to complete a non-immigrant visa application (DS-160) at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ , and how to use www.ustraveldocs.com to create a profile, make a payment and schedule your appointment. By following the prompts online, you’ll be informed whether you need to make an ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Be Ready: Visit the Visa Application Center before your Interview

Many residents of Santo Domingo know where the United States Embassy is, and where to apply for a visa.  But have you heard of the Visa Application Center (the “VAC”)?  All applicants for Immigrant Visas must first visit the VAC prior to their interviews at the embassy.  The VAC is located in Galleria 360 mall ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Why do I have to visit the VAC at Galeria 360 before my interview?

Most visa applicants visit the Visa Application Center (Centro de Atención de Visas) or “VAC” in Galerías 360 before their Embassy appointment, or before leaving their visa for renewal to complete the fingerprint collection portion of the visa application process.  Applicants make an appointment at the VAC from their profile on www.ustraveldocs.com/do, after completing the ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Applying for a Non-Immigrant U.S. Visa: What to expect at the VAC visit

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to find visa information at do.usembassy.gov , how to complete a non-immigrant visa application (DS-160) at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ , and how to use www.ustraveldocs.com/do to create a profile, make a payment and schedule your appointment. By following the prompts online, you’ll be informed whether you need to make an ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Be Ready: Visit the Visa Application Center before your Interview

Many residents of Santo Domingo know where the United States Embassy is, and where to apply for a visa.  But have you heard of the Visa Application Center (the “VAC”)?  All applicants for Immigrant Visas must first visit the VAC prior to their interviews at the embassy.  The VAC is located in Galleria 360 mall ... Read More»
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