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.

• American Citizen Services Schedules Outreach Visits to Santiago, November 17

• The consul didn't authorize me a visa, why?, November 10

• Can I register or vote in person at the embassy or consulate?, November 3

• Good News and Good Advice, October 27

• I was recently denied a visa, when can I reapply?, October 20

• I am a permanent resident and I have been outside of the United States for more than one year. What are my options for immigrating to the United States again?, October 13

• Important Questions about U.S. Citizenship, October 6

• Is a letter of invitation required in applying for a non-immigrant tourist visa?, September 29

• What can I do if my legal permanent residence (LPR) card is lost, stolen, or expired while I am outside of the U.S.?, September 22

• American Citizen Services Schedules Outreach Visits to Santiago, September 15

• How Can I Vote from Overseas in the Upcoming Election?, September 8

• Who needs to pay the Banco Popular fee?, September 1

• The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), August 25

• Can I get a Non Immigrant Visa if I have an open Immigrant Visa Petition?, August 18

• I know that in order to transmit my American citizenship to my child born in the DR I must demonstrate I lived a certain amount of years in the United States.  How can I do that?, August 11

• Prepare Yourself for Hurricane Season, August 4

• Immigrant Visa Application, July 28

• Filling out the DS-156, July 21

• I am a naturalized American and my child was just born. Can he live in the US?, July 14

• The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), July 7

• What is State Department “Country Specific Information”?, June 30

• What is State Department “Country Specific Information”?, June 23

• Can I get a waiver for my ineligibility?, June 16

• I received the appointment letter for my K1 fiancé visa today.  My friend who had an appointment last week mentioned that I now need an additional form called the DS-157.  What is this form and are there any changes or other documents that I should be aware of?, June 9

• Complete your US passport application online, June 2

• What does it mean when my visa application is denied under 214(b)?, May 26

• What are the new changes to the adoption process?, May 19

• Don’t Be A Victim Of Crime When Traveling!, May 12

• I have a B1/B2. Why do I need an I or P visa to work in the US?, May 5

• I have an appointment for an immigrant visa interview, what time should I arrive at the Consular Section?, April 28

• You’re a Tourist and You’ve Been Robbed, April 21

• The Summer Work/Travel Program, April 14

• Previous immigration or police problems, April 7

• I'm a US Citizen but had a baby in the Dominican Republic. Is my baby a US Citizen?, March 31

• Work Visas, March 24

• K1 or K3 Fiancee and Spouse Cases for Couples with Common Children Born in the Dominican Republic, March 17

• The 2008 U.S. Tax Stimulus Payment, March 10

• Visa Applicants:  Don’t Fall Prey to Con Artists Who Want to Steal Your Money!, March 3

• Child Citizenship Act of 2000, February 25

• Invitation to U.S. Citizen Taxpayers Living in Santo Domingo, February 18

• Where can I find precise information regarding the Nonimmigrant Visa Application?, February 11

• I have an immigrant visa interview appointment date and all of my documents are ready.  What and who should I bring to the interview?, February 4

• Tips for U.S. Citizens Visiting the Dominican Republic, January 28

• How Do I Renew My Visa? What is a Visa Renewal?, January 21

• DNA Paternity Testing, January 14

• Safety in the Seas, January 7