Santo Domingo, RD.
The US Embassy in the country has prepared a questionnaire of frequently asked questions that users are receiving due to the limitations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here are some of the questions with their answers, in relation to the services available and the processes to be followed.
What are the recent changes in the Immigrant Visa Unit’s business?
The Immigrant Visa Unit has resumed operations on a limited basis. While the availability of appointments remains limited by public health, the Immigrant Visa Unit is currently scheduling appointments on a very limited basis for: adopted children of US citizens, spouses, children and parents of US citizens, betrothed of US citizens, and applicants with petitions for US citizens. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) whose visa interviews with immigrants were scheduled between March 16 and April 30, 2020 and then canceled due to the closure of routine visa services on April 16, 2020. March 2020.
When does the embassy start sending notifications to applicants?
The Immigrant Visa Unit at the US Embassy has already started sending notifications. It is important that applicants who fall into the above categories regularly check the email they have provided to the National Visa Center (NVC) and / or the Immigrant Visa Unit for updates and planning.
Should I contact someone from the embassy or will they contact me?
No, if you are waiting for an appointment, or your appointment has been canceled, you do not need to contact the embassy at this time, they will contact you. The visa unit will contact eligible individuals to schedule interviews via email, including instructions on how to proceed. If you have already conducted an interview and it has been declined because it requires additional documents, you must follow the instructions provided to you at the time of the denial.
How long will it take to get an appointment?
We do not have an exact deadline as every case is different. We try to schedule interviews as much as possible while following guidelines from the Dominican Republic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Department of State on proper precautions and safety precautions. For COVID-19. We understand the frustration of applicants waiting a year or more for an interview, but due to the high number of immigrant visa applications being submitted for Dominicans, the closure of routine visa services last year and our limited capacity to schedule applications. health guidelines, they should continue to anticipate significant delays in obtaining an appointment. It is important to note that an applicant who does not attend their scheduled interview will have to wait a long time before an interview can be rescheduled.
If my email or contact details have changed, who should I notify?
It is critical that the embassy staff can contact you, so make sure the phone number and email address in your profile are correct. If you need to make any changes, just go to your online profile and make the necessary changes.
Will petitions filed by legal permanent residents be included for upcoming appointments?
Appointments for applicants with petitions for a United States Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) are being scheduled for interviews, for those whose visa interviews with immigrants were scheduled between March 16 and April 30, 2020, and were subsequently canceled due to the end of routine visa services in March 16, 2020. Once those interviews are completed, we will assess our capacity for limited planning of additional legal permanent resident petitions based on the policies in effect at the time.
Do I need to provide updated documentation?
Depends. Candidates who underwent medical exams last year and whose interview was canceled will be required to repeat expired medical exams. In addition, a new “criminal record certificate” is required for applicants over the age of 18, if the original was issued more than a year ago, or if the applicant recently turned 18.