- Thread starter johne
- Start date
US Visa for Dominican Spouse
In 1987 my wife made an appointment. They gave her one 4 weeks away. We walked up to the window, told the agent she wanted a 30 day visa to attend a wedding.
The agent didn't even look at our documents.
He told her she was approved and to come back in the afternoon.
They gave her 10 years.
She renewed 3 times after that for 10 years each. .
The agent didn't even look at our documents.
He told her she was approved and to come back in the afternoon.
They gave her 10 years.
She renewed 3 times after that for 10 years each. .
That was 38 years ago. A lot different now. Cannot compare. Same as here for Citizenship or Residency...........
Just the other day my spouse (he has US citizenship now) told me, if we had to do the US residency process now, he probably would not do it based on how much more time it takes now. I feel the same way about my Dominican citizenship, if I had to do the process now, I doubt I would. I would honestly just pay the overstay fee and let it be that.
From ChatGPT:
The likelihood of a Dominican Republic citizen obtaining a U.S. visitor visa (B-1/B-2) varies, but historical data provides some insight.
If you need assistance with the application process or preparing for the interview, feel free to ask.
The likelihood of a Dominican Republic citizen obtaining a U.S. visitor visa (B-1/B-2) varies, but historical data provides some insight.
Visa Approval Rates
- Recent Data (2019): Approximately 53.2% of Dominican applicants were denied a U.S. tourist visa, indicating a rejection rate of about 46.8% .dominicantoday.com
- Historical Data (2010): Earlier reports suggested that around 31.2% of B-type visa applications were denied, implying a higher approval rate of about 68.8% .dr1.com
Factors Influencing Visa Approval
Approval chances are influenced by several factors:- Strong Ties to the Dominican Republic: Demonstrating stable employment, property ownership, family connections, and financial stability can strengthen an application .uscisguide.com
- Clear Travel Intentions: Providing a detailed travel itinerary and purpose for the visit helps establish the temporary nature of the trip.uscisguide.com
- Financial Documentation: Evidence of sufficient funds to cover travel expenses is crucial.reddit.com+2uscisguide.com+2dr1.com+2
- Previous Visa History: A history of lawful travel to the U.S. or other countries without overstays can be beneficial.
Applicant Experiences
Experiences vary among applicants. Some individuals with strong economic backgrounds and ties to the Dominican Republic have faced denials, while others with less financial documentation have been approved. This variability suggests that the visa decision process can be subjective and influenced by individual circumstances.Conclusion
While the approval rate for U.S. visitor visas from the Dominican Republic is not exceptionally high, it is not insurmountable. Applicants who can convincingly demonstrate their intent to return to the Dominican Republic and meet the visa requirements have a reasonable chance of approval.If you need assistance with the application process or preparing for the interview, feel free to ask.
Will the Dominican spouse of a US citizen living in the Dominican Republic get a US visitors visa?
Sources
ChatGPT said:
Yes, a Dominican spouse of a U.S. citizen residing in the Dominican Republic can apply for a U.S. visitor visa (B-2) to visit the United States. However, approval is not guaranteed and depends on several factors.Key Considerations
- Temporary Intent Requirement: The applicant must demonstrate that their visit is temporary and that they intend to return to the Dominican Republic after their stay. This includes proving strong ties to their home country, such as employment, property ownership, or family commitments. boundless.com
- Immigrant Intent Presumption: Married applicants may face increased scrutiny due to the presumption that they might overstay their visa. To counter this, they should provide compelling evidence of their intent to return, such as a return flight ticket, financial stability, and a clear travel itinerary.
- Application Process:
- Form DS-160: Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application.
- Visa Fee: Pay the non-refundable visa application fee, which is typically $160.
- Supporting Documents: Provide necessary documents, including a valid passport, marriage certificate, evidence of financial support, and proof of ties to the Dominican Republic.travel.state.govuscisguide.com+1travel.state.gov+1
- Alternative Visa Options:
- K-3 Visa: If the intention is to immigrate to the U.S., the K-3 visa allows a foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. while awaiting the approval of an immigrant visa. This process involves filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I-129F (Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)).
- Immigrant Visa: Alternatively, the U.S. citizen can file Form I-130 to initiate the process for their spouse to obtain a green card.visaplace.com
Conclusion
While obtaining a B-2 visitor visa is possible, it's important to be aware of the challenges and to prepare a strong application that clearly demonstrates the temporary nature of the visit and the intent to return to the Dominican Republic. If the primary goal is to immigrate, exploring the K-3 visa or immigrant visa options may be more appropriate.Sources
Does Common law marriage exist in the Dominican Republic?
ChatGPT said:
No, common law marriage does not exist in the Dominican Republic.In the Dominican Republic, for a relationship to be legally recognized as a marriage, it must be formally registered and carried out according to civil or religious procedures that comply with Dominican law. Simply living together, regardless of the duration of the relationship, does not grant couples the legal rights and responsibilities of marriage under Dominican law.
Key points:
- Cohabitation (unión libre) is common but not legally equivalent to marriage.
- Couples in such relationships do not automatically acquire marital property rights, inheritance rights, or spousal support rights unless they take specific legal steps (e.g., signing contracts or wills).
- If a couple wants legal recognition, they must go through a civil marriage ceremony and have it registered with the local civil registry.
Let’s be real — when horrible things happen, like what that guy did in the NYC subway (setting a woman on fire), it makes it harder for everyone who’s trying to immigrate legally. The American government sees this, and it’s no wonder they’re slowing things down and being extra strict. I agree with that 100%.
And it’s not just America — every country has the right to protect its people. If someone can’t respect basic human life, they shouldn’t be allowed in anywhere. They should stay in their own country and deal with the consequences there.
Here’s a link to that news story if anyone hasn’t seen it:
🔗 ABC News article
The US was slow as molasses well before the guy on the subway. As I stated I have a friend who spent 8 years getting his wife a Visa to the US that was just issued THIS year. Had nothing to do with anything on the subway or any other current event...............And the US Embassy here works on
"Dominican Time". And we all know how that works...........
"Dominican Time". And we all know how that works...........
Let me clean up a bit: We thought about and planned this event for some time and worked with a Dominican lawyer , who is both a friend and a person that "did" the process herself with my US friend in NYC..four years ago my current wife and I signed a document that attested to the fact that we had a union (like common law) in order to buy a car. This was necessary since I would pay BUT didn't want the title in my name. so my lawyer prepared a document with Santo Domingo Motors. Forgot all about that doc..Infact when we bought another car in Jan 2025 they didn't ask for that.
Fast forward to about 3-4 months ago when I started estate planning in USA and decided it would be best for my estate for me to get married.
Did all of that in a a civil ceremony in SD ( went to the states to retrieve missing docs.)
Then went back to DR lawyer friend and she suggested I use a NY lawyer that did hers. I called my friend in NY and he confirmed. His charge $150.
The rest was just sending him all the info for a I 130. Less than 24 hours it was sent by him I received from immigration a receipt and a second email that had the case information and contact numbers
Other than this I know nothing else nor would I give advise...that's for an expirenced lawyer to do. I'm just an Italian watching my basil grow for sunday's pasta.
Fast forward to about 3-4 months ago when I started estate planning in USA and decided it would be best for my estate for me to get married.
Did all of that in a a civil ceremony in SD ( went to the states to retrieve missing docs.)
Then went back to DR lawyer friend and she suggested I use a NY lawyer that did hers. I called my friend in NY and he confirmed. His charge $150.
The rest was just sending him all the info for a I 130. Less than 24 hours it was sent by him I received from immigration a receipt and a second email that had the case information and contact numbers
Other than this I know nothing else nor would I give advise...that's for an expirenced lawyer to do. I'm just an Italian watching my basil grow for sunday's pasta.
I would still have no choice. The DR is the only place I can get a driver's license and I live here. Being illegal in a country is something I would avoid if at all possible.
True, and that is why I became a legal resident before I moved here. Having to deal with renewals was an issue when I found out my lawyer filed the improper version of my birth certificate. I was renewed several times until someone noticed I needed a diffeent version.
I got tired of dealing with the morons in Migracion, I hated going to Santo Domingo to renew, I do live here full time, so I went the Naturalization by Marriage route. Never have to deal with those morons at Migracion again. (Unless I want to renew my DR passport which can only be done in Santo Domingo last I checked for those who are naturlaized because the people in Migracion cannot be trusted).
Ah, true love, like the song "Love is in the Air". One confusing part is your lawyer filed the wrong doc and then you cite "" the morons at migration ". How does that fit?
And several posters here told me that I didn't need to go to my home state for my doc (birth certificate when I wanted it fast)..Far easier than having a lawyer do it erroneously. And faster.
Maybe they weren't morons like your moron lawyer?