Guidelines to follow for all visits to the U.S. Embassy

Entry Requirements Only applicants with a confirmed appointment will be permitted to enter the Embassy for consular services.  Masks are required for entry and must be worn properly during the entire duration of visit.   Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 such as cough or fever, or anyone who has been knowingly exposed to someone with ... Read More»

I am LGBTQI+. Can I apply for a visa with my partner?

There is no discrimination in visa applications on the basis of race, gender, color, religion or sexual orientation.  Every applicant, regardless of sexual orientation, must demonstrate they qualify for the visa and are going to use it in the correct manner.  However, certain visa classes do require a legal marriage to demonstrate a qualifying relationship ... Read More»

Update for non immigrant visa services

The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo is still not processing routine B1/B2 visas. The Embassy remains closed for routine tourist visa in-person interviews. We continue to provide all U.S. citizen services and most immigrant visa services.  We are also prioritizing student visas, work and petition-based visas, as well as cultural exchanges and Summer Work Travel ... 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»

Expansion of ability to waive in-person interview for nonimmigrant visa renewals

The nonimmigrant visa unit of the US Embassy in Santo Domingo remains closed for routine visa services. Notwithstanding, in an effort to continue providing the Dominican public with as many services as circumstances permit, the Department of State is pleased to announce the following change to our nonimmigrant visa processing: Secretary Blinken, in consultation with ... Read More»

Limited services in the Immigrant Visa Unit

The Immigrant Visa Unit has resumed limited immigrant visa operations.  While the appointment availability remains restricted by public health conditions, the Immigrant Visa Unit is currently scheduling visa appointments on a very limited basis in the following categories: Adoptions: appointments for adopted children of U.S. Citizens Spouses, children and parents of U.S. Citizens Fiancées of ... 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»

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 – Applying for a Nonimmigrant U.S. Visa: What to do during the Interview

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to complete a nonimmigrant visa application, schedule your appointment, and prepare for your visits to the Visa Application Center (VAC) and the Embassy. Now we will discuss what to expect the day of your interview. On the day of your interview, you should arrive at ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Applying for a Non-Immigrant U.S. Visa: Preparing for the Interview

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to find visa information at do.usembassy.gov , how to complete a nonimmigrant visa application (DS-160) at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ , how to use www.ustraveldocs.com /do to create a profile and schedule your appointment, and how to prepare for your visit to the Visa Application Center (VAC). The next step will ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Applying for a Nonimmigrant U.S. Visa: Visa Approval, Denial, and Administrative Processing

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to apply for a nonimmigrant visa and prepare for your visit to the Embassy.  Once you have followed all these steps and completed your interview, the consular officer will tell you if your visa application is approved, denied, or pending for additional administrative processing. The ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Applying for a Nonimmigrant U.S. Visa: What to do during the Interview

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to complete a nonimmigrant visa application, schedule your appointment, and prepare for your visits to the Visa Application Center (VAC) and the Embassy. Now we will discuss what to expect the day of your interview. On the day of your interview, you should arrive at ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – What to do after you have your IV Appointment Letter?

Congratulations on reaching this stage in the process where you are invited to prepare your Immigrant Visa (IV) application package and come to the U.S. Embassy for your visa interview. This column will provide answers to many questions you may now have. It is important that you understand the requirements for each part of the ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Applying for a Non-Immigrant U.S. Visa: Preparing for the Interview

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to find visa information at  do.usembassy.gov , how to complete a nonimmigrant visa application (DS-160) at  https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ , how to use  www.ustraveldocs.com/do  to create a profile and schedule your appointment, and how to prepare for your visit to the Visa Application Center (VAC). The next step will be ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Applying for a Nonimmigrant U.S. Visa: Visa Approval, Denial, and Administrative Processing

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to apply for a nonimmigrant visa and prepare for your visit to the Embassy.  Once you have followed all these steps and completed your interview, the consular officer will tell you if your visa application is approved, denied, or pending for additional administrative processing. The ... Read More»

U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo Changes Visa Process for Families with Children under 14

he U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo has discontinued the “Interview Waiver Program,” known as the “drop box,” and will require parents who wish to travel to the United States for vacation with their children (under the age of 14) to appear for an interview in representation of their children. Read More»

Ask the Consul – Applying for a Non-Immigrant U.S. Visa: Preparing for the Interview

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to find visa information at  do.usembassy.gov , how to complete a nonimmigrant visa application (DS-160) at  https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ , how to use  www.ustraveldocs.com/do  to create a profile and schedule your appointment, and how to prepare for your visit to the Visa Application Center (VAC). The next step will be ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Nonimmigrant Visa: Visa Approval, Denial, and Administrative Processing

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to apply for a nonimmigrant visa and prepare for your visit to the Embassy.  Once you have followed all these steps and completed your interview, the consular officer will tell you if your visa application is approved, denied, or pending for additional administrative processing. The three sections below explain in more detail what each decision means for ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Applying for a Nonimmigrant U.S. Visa: What to do during the Interview

In the previous Ask the Consul articles we discussed how to complete a nonimmigrant visa application, schedule your appointment, and prepare for your visits to the Visa Application Center (VAC) and the Embassy. Now we will discuss what to expect the day of your interview. On the day of your interview, you should arrive at ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – Myths and Misconceptions

The interview in the Consular section is very important because it allows the applicant to discuss his/her case with the consular officer for the first time since the petitioner filed the petition with the United Sates Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). First, however, there are some myths and misconceptions about the consular interview that need ... Read More»

Ask the Consul – What to expect the day of the immigrant visa consular interview

On the day of the interview, applicants should arrive fifteen minutes before their scheduled time to avoid any unnecessary waiting. Our embassy works to process cases as quickly as possible but due to the number of applicants interviewed daily, some families may have to wait for longer periods of time. There are snacks and beverages ... Read More»
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