Travelling to Europe for Dominican citizens changes in 2024

[playacaribe2]

That's true, but we didn't have one to submit. It was my wife trying to get a short term VISA

I had the same or similar situation with an engineer from the US living and working in the DR. He only wanted a tourist visa so his Dominican wife could attend his brothers wedding in the US. He had no intentions of returning to live there and if he ever did, he would apply for the appropriate immigrant visa for his wife.

His brother, at my request, submitted along with her visa application a detailed LOI also spelling out the unique circumstances and why this should be approved for a short term visa (this was back in the day when short term visas existed in greater numbers and are 10 year visa was like winning the lottery).

She received a 2 year visa. This was back in the day when most tourist visa applications by Dominicans were regularly denied. I am convinced that the LOI helped make the difference. Of course, it is much much easier for Dominicans to get a tourist visa today and some practitioners eschew submitting an LOI, but I continue the practice when and where possible and the circumstances for the visa are somewhat unique.

It is really not much different than a company HR manager who receives a ton of resumes for a job, most of which are never read, except for those that are made to stand out.

For those so inclined to notice, this post is not about the DR to Europe scenario, but much of the information could be extrapolated and used there.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[windeguy]

When a Dominican travels to Europe via SDQ-JFK-europe...where at JFK are they held for the layoff period?
In all my years using JFK I have never noticed a special area for this. What am I missing?? Or, is this not done?

A person would need a special transit visa so it is better not the use along such a US route:

Transit Visa

travel.state.gov

They answer is they don't , unless you are like my wife who has a 10 year renewable visitor's visas to the US or that person gets the aforementioned transit visa. This thread is still polluted by those referring to US visas and that information is not useful at all when trying to get a Schengen visa despite what some think.
(There is no LOI involved in US visitors visas.)

 

[playacaribe2]

And yet a lawyer said an LOI is not needed. Many people just travel and stay in hotels.

Did I miss something on that?

In the EU, LOI's are required under certain circumstances, they are no longer required in the US.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[windeguy]

In the EU, LOI's are required under certain circumstances, they are no longer required in the US.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

OK. Under what circumstances is it a requirement? If you are staying at a friend or relatives domicile and not hotels?

 

[playacaribe2]

OK. Under what circumstances is it a requirement? If you are staying at a friend or relatives domicile and not hotels?

Business, friends, relatives and education are the categories of which I am familiar that require an LOI.......there may be others.

Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[Fulano2]

I am talking about a friend or family invitation.

 

[Fulano2]

OK. Under what circumstances is it a requirement? If you are staying at a friend or relatives domicile and not hotels?

Yes exactly. And the LOI is not just a papelito …it has standards.

 

[windeguy]

Yes exactly. And the LOI is not just a papelito …it has standards.

Of course, If there is pressure to actually visit the EU for me, I will have to get copies of such documents as examples for my wife's relatives to use from Spain.
Or just get my cousin to do that who lives in Poland. It appears to be more effort than it is worth after reading the list of requirements.

 

[johne]

In your opinion...I know it is "your right etc" but it's possible that you will show, again, the cracks in your deep thinking on most subjects. Sorry to tell you that. Try to have a bright, cherry day.

 

[windeguy]

In your opinion...I know it is "your right etc" but it's possible that you will show, again, the cracks in your deep thinking on most subjects. Sorry to tell you that. Try to have a bright, cherry day.

Thanks for the ad hominen attack. I don't do those things, but carry on.

What opinion do you refer to? That was not clear in your out of context post.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Would you like me as your boss Hijo, that's the question. I'm quite a demanding woman.

That reminds me of a certain managing director at Citibank who became famous for throwing a stapler at me during an impromptu meeting in her office!

 

[windeguy]

Yes absolutely it is based on the law. You can read a copy of the relevant legislation for the country you are applying for. The law will say for example that a visitor must be a bona fide visitor. They must have sufficient funds to support themselves and they must intend to return to their country at the end of their visit.

The immigration lawyer I used started her application by stating that this application fully met the requirements of the Immigration Act 1983 and she is quoting the requirements of the act and drawing attention to the supportive materials and evidence provided. And then she went through line by line of the act requirements and demonstrated how the evidence submitted proved our case. And for each visa we were granted immediately. What she submitted was way way more than the basics the embassy asked for.

So in summary yes it is a law. The law provides that certain requirements must be met. The lawyers understand how to prove these requirements have been met.

Yes, of course laws are involved, But if it was just laws at work, then all countries would be equal in granting Schengen visas and that is definitely not true:

Top 10 Easiest Countries to Get a Schengen Visa

Discover the top 10 Schengen countries with the lowest visa rejection rates. Find out where you’re most likely to get approved for a visa in 2025.

schengen.news

 

[windeguy]

MariaRubia, what did your lawyer charge?

 

[keepcoming]

Windeguy just stop, your constant baiting about "lawyers" is getting really old.

 

[windeguy]

Windeguy just stop, your constant baiting about "lawyers" is getting really old.

I was not baiting in this case. Truly I was not. I just wanted to know how much her successful lawyer charged.
After looking into such a visa, I find it is something I really don't want to do unless my wife forces the issue, but if it were
cheap enought to pay someone else to do it, then I would consider it.
It is indeed an honest question in this case, not trying to bait at all.

 

[keepcoming]

I was not baiting in this case. Truly I was not. I just wanted to know how much her successful lawyer charged.
After looking into such a visa, I find it is something I really don't want to do unless my wife forces the issue, but if it were
cheap enought to pay someone else to do it, then I would consider it.
It is indeed an honest question in this case, not trying to bait at all.

Call a lawyer and ask....

 

[SKY]

Windeguy just stop, your constant baiting about "lawyers" is getting really old.

I guess the calm days of passing along relevant information on DR1 are gone when the gate opened.........................

 

[windeguy]

Call a lawyer and ask....

That is so helpful. Thanks.

 

[MariaRubia]

MariaRubia, what did your lawyer charge?

It was for the UK and she charged £2500 for the first visa and then £2000 for subsequent visas. I think the UK is one of the most difficult countries to enter, the refusal rate for Dominicans is very high. The most recent visa is for 5 years by the way, it's considered unusual for them to grant a visa for such a long time, and it has set the kid up for life. So in my view worth every penny.

 

[windeguy]

It was for the UK and she charged £2500 for the first visa and then £2000 for subsequent visas. I think the UK is one of the most difficult countries to enter, the refusal rate for Dominicans is very high.

Thank you. If that is what it takes for Spain, France, or Poland, then I guess we won't be going unless I do it myself and get lucky. Thanks again.
And thanks for illustrating that some countries are much harder than others. That is also true for the EU.