The US Consul General in the country, Greg Segas, announced yesterday that a new airport will begin operations on the 23rd of this month. Visa Service Centre (VAC)in the Sambil shopping plaza, on John F. Kennedy Avenue, in the capital.
Segas reported that all VAC appointments at the former Galería 360 and Embassy locations remain valid, “both nonimmigrant visa appointments and immigrant visa appointments.”
He pointed out that the last day of the VAC at Galería 360 will be on September 20.
During a press conference at Spirit, Naco, Segas said that as the transition is implemented in September, there will be several important changes to visa services on different dates.
You may be interested in reading: Bolivia will not require a tourist visa for Dominicans to enter and leave
Another change he pointed out is the service of Banco Popular, indicating that the last day for cash payments of visa application fees at that banking institution is September 20, while the deadline for making payments with credit or debit cards for visa application fees on the website will be September 12.
He said the consulate will soon announce the new banking provider.
Segas said the deadline to schedule or reschedule appointments and access your account at ustraveldocs.com and contact customer service will be September 13.
He explained that the benefits of moving the VAC to Sambil include, among others, a 50% reduction in waiting times for nonimmigrant visa applications; an increase in the number of windows at the new center; and a new, easy-to-access platform for scheduling appointments.
He said that people will be allowed to bring their mobile phones into the consular section.
Sega said that there will be no changes in costs or processes at the consulate and that those who have appointments scheduled at Galería 360 for the dates following the transfer should not fear and should go to Sambil.
On the other hand, Segas reported that the American Consulate has delivered more than 160,000 visas to Dominicans during the last 12 months.
He revealed that the country is in second place in the world for obtaining the largest number of residence visas, surpassed only by Mexico.
He also said that the Dominican Republic is among the top 10 countries issuing the most tourist visas.
He referred to fraud in visa and residency applications, a problem he considered quite serious.
The official called on citizens with travel plans for the end of the year, or with visas that expired less than four years ago, to apply for renewal.
Segas was accompanied by Cristin Heinbeck, deputy consul general, Michelle Angulo, spokesperson and press attaché of the U.S. embassy in the country, and Kelyla Díaz, press assistant for the delegation.
