Embassy of the United States of America

Consular Section

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

YOUR IMMIGRANT VISA APPOINTMENT

In order to prepare for your visa interview, please read the following instructions carefully.

FIRST: Fill out Form DS-230 (Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration). You must answer all questions. If your spouse and/or children are applying for a visa with you, each must completely fill out a Form DS-230.

SECOND: Obtain the documents on this list that are applicable in your case, but DO NOT send them to this office. Take them to the Consular Section on the day of your visa interview.

  • PASSPORT: The passport must be valid for travel to the United States and must have at least six (6) months of validity left from the date the visa is issued.

  • NATIONAL ID CARD: All applicants age 16 or over MUST present a national ID card (cédula de identidad personal) on the day of the visa appointment.

  • VISA FEE: Unless the fee has been paid for you in the United States, you must be prepared to pay the non-refundable fee of US$400.00 or the equivalent in Dominican pesos per applicant. We can only accept payment in one currency (i.e., you must pay the total entirely in U.S. dollars or entirely in Dominican pesos). We accept cash and international credit cards.

  • COURIER SERVICE:  If the visa is issued you should pay $12 or $16 USD (or the equivalent in Dominican pesos) depending where you live in the Dominican Republic.  The documents will be delivered to your home.   This service is mandatory for all issued IV applicants.

  • PHOTOGRAPH: One (1) recent COLOR photograph (taken no more than six months ago) for each applicant, with a white or off-white background, unretouched, with no border, and showing the applicant’s ears. The measurements must be 2” x 2”. The person must be looking directly at the camera (cannot be looking to the side, up or down), and the face must cover 50% of the surface area of the photograph.

  • BIRTH CERTIFICATE: An original birth certificate (legalized by the Junta Central Electoral and in the in extensa format) for each applicant and for the petitioner. A birth certificate must be presented for each child under age 21, even if that person is not applying for a visa with you at this time. The date/place of birth and the names of the parents must be shown on the birth certificate.

  • MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: If you are or were married, you must present a copy (legalized by the Junta Central Electoral and in the in extensa format) of your marriage certificate. You must also present proof of the termination of any previous marriage, such as a death certificate, divorce decree (legalized and in the in extensa) or evidence of annulment. The same requirements apply to the petitioner.

  • EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP: You must present evidence that you have a legitimate relationship with the person who has petitioned for you, such as letters, photographs, telephone bills and/or any other evidence that demonstrates your relationship. If the petitioner is your stepparent, you must present a copy of both sides of your biological parent’s permanent resident card (green card) OR other evidence that demonstrates the marital relationship between your biological parent and your stepparent. If the petitioner is your spouse, we strongly recommend that he/she accompany you to the interview.

  • JUDICIAL AND PRISON RECORDS: Persons who have been arrested for any reason in any country (including the United States) or who have any judicial/prison record must present copies of ALL documents related to the case, even if there was an amnesty or other act of clemency or even if the person was found innocent or the charges were dropped.

  • MILITARY RECORD: You must obtain your record of military service, if applicable and obtainable.

  • POLICE CERTIFICATE: Police certificates are required from every applicant age 18 or over for each locality of the country of the applicant's nationality or current residence where the applicant has resided for at least six months since attaining the age of 18. Police certificates are also required from all other countries (except the United States) where the applicant has resided for at least one year. Please see http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocity/index.htm if you have questions about the procedures for obtaining a police certificate.

  • EVIDENCE OF ECONOMIC SOLVENCY: You must present a Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act) from the petitioner, even if he or she is not working, along with all supporting documents. If the petitioner’s income is insufficient, you must find a joint sponsor.

  • MEDICAL EXAMINATION: You must go to Consultorios de Visa for a medical examination. Please see the enclosed information sheet for the steps to follow in order to have a medical examination and be vaccinated. All applicants, regardless of age, must have a medical examination performed at Consultorios de Visa.

  • TRANSLATIONS: All documents that are neither in English nor Spanish must be translated into English by a competent translator.

LAST: As soon as you have obtained the documents that are applicable in your case, take this sheet to any Banco Popular branch in the Dominican Republic to pay US$13.00 (or the equivalent in Dominican pesos) plus applicable taxes per applicant. This fee is for the official verification of your records. Only applicants who will be age 18 or older on the day of their interview need to pay this fee. Make sure to take the Banco Popular receipt to the Consular Section on the day of your interview.

IMPORTANT NOTE #1: The consular officer cannot decide whether or not to issue you an immigrant visa until you formally apply and are interviewed. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you NOT make non-refundable flight arrangements or other travel plans until and unless you actually receive your visa.

IMPORTANT NOTE #2: Because of lack of space, only applicants, the petitioner and their registered attorney will be allowed access to the Consular Section compound. However, children under age 18 may be accompanied by one of their parents or a guardian.

QUESTIONS? If you have any questions, please contact our Visa Information Center. Persons in the Dominican Republic must purchase a personal identification number (PIN) at any Banco Popular branch (either the equivalent of US$5.25 in Dominican pesos for five minutes of access, or the equivalent of US$16.00 in Dominican pesos for 15 minutes). The PIN will become active 24 hours after you purchase it. Then call 1-809-200-3232. Persons in the United States must call 1-877-804-5402, and the call will be charged to their credit card. The Center is staffed with operators Monday through Friday (including most American and Dominican holidays) from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time. For more information, you may also visit our website at http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/Consular/iv-e.htm.

Enclosures:

Form DS-230 (one per applicant)

Information Concerning the Medical Examination and Vaccines

Rev.15Jan2008