Interview Waiver Program for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
You may be eligible to apply for a new visa or renew your visa at U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo without an interview if you meet certain conditions. The determination on whether you qualify for the program will be made through the Visa Appointment Service website once you have answered the qualifying questions. For any further questions or if you think you answered a question on your account incorrectly, please contact the Visa Appointment Service directly. Please review the Department of State’s website for updated information on the Interview Waiver Program for certain Nonimmigrant visa applicants.
Interview Waivers Based on Age for First Time Applicants
Effective October 1, 2025, all first-time nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer. Qualifications for renewing a visa without an interview are outlined below.
Renewing a Visa Without an Interview
Some applicants who are renewing their visas may not require an in-person interview. Eligibility is determined based on the answers provided to questions during the appointment scheduling process. To qualify an applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Be an applicant renewing a 10-year business/tourist (B-1, B-2, B1/B2) visa that is still current or expired within the past 12 months, provided the applicant was at least 18 years old at the time the previous visa was issued; or
- Be an applicant reviewing a H-2A visa that is still current or expired withing the past 12 months, provided the applicant was at least 18 years old at the time the previous visa was issued; AND
- Be a citizen or resident of the Dominican Republic and be physically present in the country;
- All 10 fingerprints were taken at the time the last visa was issued;
- The previous visa was not lost, stolen, or revoked;
- The most recent visa application was not refused;
- Meet other eligibility requirements as applicable.
Note that consular officers reserve the right to require an interview for any visa applicant.
How long does the interview waiver process take? Visa processing times vary on a case-by-case basis; however, the Interview Waiver Program takes approximately 15 business days to be completed. U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo reminds all travelers to submit their visa applications well in advance of planned travel and to refrain from arranging travel until their visa is completed.
