Consular Section

Ask the Consul is a collection of articles prepared by the Consular Section that cover a variety of subjects of interest for those who want to visit or live in the United States and for U. S. citizens in the Dominican Republic.

If you have a general consular question, please send it to us by e-mail. Then check this page every week; we select one question per week and post the answer in the below space. The same questions and answers are also published in the Zona de Contacto section of Listín Diario every Monday. Or you can listen to the radio (106.5 FM in Santo Domingo, 92.1 FM or 1010 AM in Santiago, 94.7 FM in La Romana, and 88.5 FM in Samana) to hear the questions and answers on the radio. The articles from previous years are accessible via the links on the left side of this page.

Important Note: Other than the questions we select to answer in Listín Diario, we DO NOT respond to questions sent to Ask the Consul. Please contact the American Citizens Services Unit, the Immigrant Visa Unit or the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit directly (using the links on the left) and follow the instructions on that unit’s web page in order to ask a question.

• Police Certificates for Non Immigrant Visa, December 25

• How Can I Ensure I am Prepared For My Immigrant Visa Interview?, December 18

• Clarifications on Applying for Domestic Employees of Foreign Nationals in Non-Immigrant Status, December 11

• I’m an American citizen.  Why does it take so long to get a visa for my Dominican fiancée or spouse?, December 4

• Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), November 27

• Why was I denied a nonimmigrant visa?, November 20

• Don’t Believe Everything You Hear, November 13

• You’ve waited months, maybe years, for your immigrant visa appointment.  The day is finally here.  What happens now?, November 6

• U. S. Citizens Must Travel with a Passport in the Western Hemisphere (WHTI), October 30

• Who May Accompany a Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant to His Appointment?, October 23

• Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) now required for Nonimmigrant Visas to the United States, October 16

• How to Make Your Immigrant Visa Interview Go More Smoothly, October 9

• Protect Yourself Against Dengue, October 2

• Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF) now required for Nonimmigrant Visas to the United States, September 25

• Why was my immigrant visa refused?  What do I do now?, September 18

• Genetic (DNA) Testing, September 11

• My immigrant visa case retrogressed.  What does that mean?, September 4

• When should I re-apply for my visa?, August 28

• Be Prepared for Heightened Security at International Airports, August 21

• Police Certificates, August 14

• Complete and Correct Documents Expedite the Passport Application Process, August 7

• What is the Visa Waiver Program?, July 31

• U.S. Requirements on International Adoption, July 24

• How to Vote in the 2006 U.S. Elections?, July 17

• There is No Reason to Miss Your Immigrant Visa Appointment, July 10

• Don’t Believe Everything You Hear, July 3

• What is a Fiancé(e) Visa?, June 26

• Transmission of U.S. Citizenship, June 19

• Save Time by Completing your Application on the Internet, June 12

• Should the Petitioner Be Present for the Immigrant Visa Interview?, June 5

• Prepare Yourself for Hurricane Season, May 29

• How long can I remain in the United States with my tourist (B-1/B-2) visa?, May 22

• Accurate Documents Expedite the Immigrant Visa Process, May 15

• Proof of Identity for U.S. Passports, May 8

• Will an Invitation Help Me Get a U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa?, May 1

• I went to my immigrant visa interview, but the Consul said that administrative processing is required in our case and that I need to wait for a new appointment.  What does it mean?  How long does it take?  Is there any way to expedite it?, April 24

• United States Embassy in the Dominican Republic Announces Outstanding Civic Service Recognition Award, April 17

• Six-month Rule, April 10

• How long do I have to wait for my immigrant visa appointment?, April 3

• The U.S. Electronic Passport, March 27

• Summer Travel, March 20

• U.S. Consular Section to Provide Services to U.S. Citizens in Santiago on March 17, 2006, March 13

• Death of a Petitioner or Principal Applicant, March 6

• Bringing Your Domestic Employee to the United States, February 27

• Affidavit of Support Update, February 20

• Remember to File Your 2005 Taxes, February 13

• Tips for Reducing Your Wait Time for a Nonimmigrant Visa, February 6

• Do I need to have my documents translated for my immigrant visa appointment?, January 30

• More Information about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, January 23

• How can my common law spouse/significant other qualify for a visa to travel with me?, January 16

• I finally received my immigrant visa. What now?, January 9

• On-Line Application Form for Nonimmigrant Visas, January 2