Please follow the steps below as soon as you are notified that your immigrant visa appointment has been scheduled. Each step should be completed according to the instructions and well before your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Step 1: Create your online profile and schedule an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC)

The first step in the process is to register your embassy appointment online. Registration is free.  Register here

You must also schedule an appointment at the Visa Application Center (VAC) located at Galería 360 Mall in Santo Domingo before your Embassy visa interview.  At the VAC, you will provide fingerprints and take a photo. 

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment at the VAC, go to the profile you just created.  Note that you will only be able to do so after you register your appointment.  Register here

Register >>

Step 2: Obtain a medical exam in Santo Domingo

As soon as you receive your appointment date, you should get a medical examination with one of the U.S. Embassy accredited panel physicians in Santo Domingo. Your medical examination must be done 2 to 3 weeks ahead of your visa interview. Click on “Medical Exam Instructions” for more information about the exam, including the names, locations, and contact information for the physicians, as well as what to take to your examination, and what to expect.

Medical Exam Instructions >>

Step 3: Review and complete your Pre-Interview Checklist

You must carefully review and complete the Pre-Interview Checklist to make sure you are prepared for your interview.

Note that there are some required documents that you must upload to the Consular Section’s electronic portal and others that you must bring with you to the interview.  If you do not bring or upload the required documents, you will be required to leave the Embassy to complete what is required and the processing of your visa will be delayed.  The Embassy will not upload documents for you.

To upload documents, enter the following web address in your browser:  Immigrant Visa - Sign In (state.gov).  Then, enter your case number and the Invoice ID provided by the National Visa Center.   (Note that you should not upload any documents related to your medical examination.)

Pre-Interview Checklist >>

Step 4: Review the Additional Instructions and Useful Information Section

Carefully read the Additional Instructions and Useful Information section to learn more and to see if there are any special actions that you need to take before your visa interview.

Additional Instructions and Useful Information >>

Medical Exam Instructions

All immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, require a medical examination conducted by one of the two physicians accredited by the U.S. Embassy prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa.  Medical examination results from other physicians will not be accepted.

These requirements apply to all family members who are included on the immigrant visa petition and who will accompany the principal applicant to the United States.

All medical examinations must be done 2 to 3 weeks ahead of your visa interview.

Approved Physicians:

Consultorios de Visa
Avenida Independencia 254 
Corner with Danae Street, Sector Gazcue 
Santo Domingo
Telephone: 809-685-1587
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. (no appointment necessary)

Servicios Médicos Consulares
Servicios Medicos Consulares
Calle Bohechio 17
Sector Bella Vista
Santo Domingo
Telephone: 809-533-2200
WhatsApp: 809-857-2569 / Instagram: serviciosmedicosconsular
Hours of operation:  Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. (No appointment necessary)

Scheduling Your Examination

You do not need to schedule an appointment with the panel physician in advance. Both clinics accept walk-in customers.  However, because the results of the medical examination are not immediate, you must undergo your examination 2 to 3 weeks before your interview date at the Embassy to avoid delays in processing your visa.

Documents to bring to your medical examination

You must bring these documents to your medical examination: 

• Visa interview appointment letter
• Passport
• National identification card
• A copy of your immunization records
• DS-260 confirmation page

Medical Examination Fees

Any medical examination fees, including x-ray and blood test fees, must be paid directly to the examining physician at the time of the examination. The examination may reveal a need for further tests, which may have additional charges.

Vaccinations

U.S. immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of a visa. Current immigrant visa vaccination requirements are available CDC's website.

You can also read Frequently Asked Questions about our medical examination requirements Travel.State.Gov.

During the medical exam

The medical examination will include a medical history review, physical examination, and chest X-ray, gonorrhea test, and blood tests (for applicants 15 years of age or older). The United States also requires tuberculosis (TB) testing for all applicants two years of age and older. Please be prepared to discuss your medical history, medications you are taking, and current treatments you are undergoing. More information on general medical requirements for U.S. immigrants is available from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

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After the medical exam

Medical examinations for most applicants will be sent directly to the U.S. Embassy.  However, if the doctor gives you exam results in a sealed envelope, DO NOT OPEN THIS ENVELOPE.  Instead, bring it to your visa interview. If you are given a copy of your x-rays in CD format, you DO NOT need to bring the x-rays to your visa interview, unless you suffer from tuberculosis (TB).  However, you must carry the x-rays with you when you travel to the United States for the first time. If you are not given a copy of your x-rays in CD format, you may request them, but you do not have to present them when you travel to the U.S.

Your medical report must not be expired when you enter the United States as an immigrant.

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Pre-Interview Checklist

Gather the documents and items listed below and upload them into the system: Immigrant Visa - Sign In (state.gov) following the instructions.

You must also BRING these items with you to your immigrant visa interview:

• A copy of the applicant’s NVC interview letter (does not apply to Diversity Visa, fiancé(e), adoptive, or asylee/refugee applicants).
• Unexpired passport valid for six (6) months beyond the applicant’s intended date of entry to the United States and a photocopy of the biographic page (where your name and photo are located).  
• National ID card (cedula de identidad personal) for all applicants aged 16 and older.
• Confirmation page from the Form DS-260, Application for an Immigrant Visa, that the applicant submitted online at Immigrant Visa - Sign In (state.gov).
• The applicant’s original birth certificate (ACTA INEXTENSA).
• Original birth certificates for all children of the principal applicant (even if he or she is not accompanying). (ACTA INEXTENSA).
• Other original civil documents for the applicant and petitioner, including all marriage, divorce, and death certificates (ACTA INEXTENSA).
• Medical examination results for each applicant in a sealed envelope (if the physician gives you these results).
• If an applicant has ever been convicted of a crime: All court and criminal records, English translation, and a photocopy.

NOTE:  Any and all documents that are not in English or Spanish must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

UPLOAD the below documents into the system if you haven’t done so.  Go here to upload: Immigrant Visa - Sign In (state.gov).

For family-based visa applications:  

• The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or one of the following: 
  •  The sponsor’s most recent U.S. Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040), and corresponding W-2 Form.
    OR
  • The sponsor’s most recent Puerto Rican Individual Income Tax Return (Form 482.0), and corresponding W-2 Form.
• Proof of U.S. status and domicile in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or lawful permanent resident card) for your U.S. petitioner and any other financial sponsors.
• Evidence of the relationship between the petitioner and visa applicant (such as photographs, letters, or emails).
• If you are married:  Your original marriage certificate and a photocopy. 
• If you were previously married:  A copy of your divorce certificate or spouse’s death certificate for each prior spouse. 
• If you are older than 16 years of age:  An original police certificate from the Dominican Republic that was issued less than 2 years ago.
• If you resided in a country other than the Dominican Republic or the United States for one year or more after the age of 16:  An original police certificate from the country in which you lived.  You do not need to provide police certificates for your time in the U.S.  
• If you have ever been convicted of a crime:  Court and criminal records, English translation, and a photocopy.
• If you have served in any country’s military:  Military records, English translation, and a photocopy.
• If you are adopted:  Adoption papers or custody documents, English translation, and a photocopy.
• If you are the petitioner’s stepchild:  A copy of the original marriage certificate of the petitioner and your biological parent, English translation, and copies of divorce certificates or death certificates for any previous marriages of either parent.
• For employment-based visa applications: A letter from your U.S. employer dated less than one month ago.

NOTE:  Any and all documents that are not in English or Spanish must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

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Interview Guidelines

Sending documents to the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo

If you need to send us any documents, please DO NOT mail them to us directly. If you or your petitioner has submitted documents electronically, visit Immigrant Visa - Sign In (state.gov) to upload your documents.  If you or your petitioner have only submitted physical paper documents, visit www.ustraveldocs.com/do/en/ and ask for information on courier services.

Rescheduling or cancelling your interview

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please inform the Consular Section by email at support-dominicanrepublic@ustraveldocs.com as soon as possible.  Note that there may be a significant wait before the next available appointment.

For some family-based and employment preference visa categories, the National Visa Center scheduled your visa appointment because a visa in your category became available.  Diversity Visa applicants should be aware that visas are numerically limited and must be issued by September 30 of the program year. There is no guarantee that a visa will still be available on the date of your rescheduled interview. Please carefully review the Visa Bulletin before you decide to reschedule your interview.

Also note: You must register your original NVC/KCC appointment online before you can reschedule it. Rescheduling is only possible on a date after your assigned appointment.

Do not make travel plans to leave the Dominican Republic

Do not make plans to travel plans to leave the Dominican Republic before your immigrant visa is approved.  If and/or when it is approved, the Embassy will keep your passport while your case is finalized, and your visa is printed and pasted inside your passport.  Your passport will be returned to you via courier service, and you will be notified when your passport is ready for pick-up at the location you selected.  If you must travel within Dominican Republic while your passport is still at the Embassy, make sure you carry a valid identification document with your picture. 

Security screening procedures

All visitors to the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo must follow certain security procedures. Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Embassy security personnel will be unable to enter the Embassy.  The following items are not allowed in the embassy:  cell phones, cameras, laptops, recording equipment, and weapons.  There is no storage available at the Embassy. To avoid delaying your entry and that of those in line behind you, please bring only what is required for your interview. 

Accompanying persons

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant to their interview:

• Interpreter: Applicants may bring ONE interpreter if they do not speak English or Spanish well enough to participate in an interview.
• Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a child under age 18..

Attorneys are not permitted to accompany clients into the Embassy, the waiting room or to their interview. Due to COVID-19, you should limit the number of accompanying persons to the minimum necessary, and the Embassy may refuse entry to accompanying persons at its discretion. 

Immigrant visa fees

If you have not paid all required fees to either the National Visa Center or via the appointment website, please be prepared to pay these fees on the day of your interview.  Fees may be paid in either U.S. dollars or the equivalent in Dominican Pesos and either in cash or credit card.  However, note that credit cards are only charged in U.S. dollars and the credit card holder must be present to make a credit card payment.  Please note that if you are found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded. A complete list of fees can be found Travel.State.Gov.

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After Your Visa Interview

A consular officer can make a decision on a visa application only after reviewing the formal application and interviewing the applicant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a visa. Do not sell your house, car or property, resign from your job or make non-refundable flight or other travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.

If more information is needed

Sometimes a consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested, the consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the Embassy. Administrative processing takes additional time after the interview. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days. However, the timing varies based on the circumstances of each case. Before inquiring about the status of administrative processing, please wait at least 60 days after your interview.

What happens after visa approval

Passport and Visa 

We will place your immigrant visa on a page in your passport. Please review your visa to make sure there are no spelling errors. Most applicants will receive only their passport and visa.  However, you may receive a sealed envelope containing documents that you must give to U.S. immigration authorities when you arrive in the United States for the first time. Do not open this envelope. You must carry it with you; do not put it in your checked luggage. If you receive X-rays during your medical examination, carry those with you and give them to the U.S. immigration authorities.

USCIS Immigrant Fee 

All individuals who are issued immigrant visas overseas must pay an Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to traveling to the United States. This fee is for processing your residency status and printing your Permanent Resident Card. The only people exempt from paying this fee are: children entering the United States under the Hague Process, returning residents, and people traveling on a K visa.

When You Should Travel

You must enter the United States before the expiration date on your visa, which is usually six months from the date of printing. Your visa cannot be extended and all fees are nonrefundable. The principal applicant must enter before or at the same time as other family members with visas. Unless they are eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act, children who are issued a visa before turning 21 years of age must enter the United States before their 21st birthday to avoid losing their immigrant status.

Getting a Green Card 

Your Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card, also known as a green card, will be automatically mailed to the address in the United States that you write in your visa application form. This is a very important document that proves you have permission to reside in the United States. If you plan to travel outside of the United States before your green card arrives. Please consult USCIS’s and CBP’s websites for rules about what documents you need to re-enter the country. We also recommend you check with the airline to ensure you are following their rules. Once your card is issued, you should not stay outside of the United States for more than one year. If you do, you will lose your status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

Children’s Issues 

In the United States, children are required to have certain vaccinations before they can enroll in school. We recommend that you bring your child’s complete vaccination records with you to the United States. If your child is adopted, you have full custody as a result of a divorce, or you share custody with another parent, you should bring a copy of all applicable adoption or custodial papers from the authoritative court in your home country. You will need these papers (translated into English) for issues such as school enrollment, medical care, and eventual citizenship.

Information for New Immigrants 

Please visit the USCIS web page for helpful information on moving to the United States. You can read their publication "Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants" online.

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