Alex Hunt said:
Oh and no he does not have a visa.
Does this take long?
He has asked that I send him a letter saying where he is going to stay etc
will this help his visa application?
Also is it best to apply for him?
NO, you can not apply for him, he HAS to apply on his own behalf. What he must get from you is a letter of invitation to submit to the Embassy with HIS application. I recall you might also be asked to send copies of bank statements for the last 6 months, details of your friends stay (housing, how long, when & why etc.) plus give the Embassy some form of assurance that you will be responsible for ensuring your friend gets back on the 'plane at the prescribed time etc!!
The application process (If everything goes smoothly & it rarely does) will take uowards of 4 weeks & most likely involve him in a personal trip to Santo Domingo for an interview!! I suggest your friend visits the Puerto Plata Consulate office at Caller Beller #51 & speaks to Mendez. Mendez will tell him everything he has to submit to the Emabssy, will collate everything with your friend & send it to Santo Domingo with the appropriate fee!
Experience has shown that very FEW applications are granted & the most 'Determining' factor is the importance that the applicant can show that he/she HAS to return to the DR for family/financial reasons!!
Good Luck. If you need teh Fax. No., Tel. No. or e-mail of Mendez, please PM me & I will forward same to you. In my humble opinion, if you want this friend to come out before November, now is NOT a good time for your friend to be starting the process!! - Grahame.