Experience and short guide for h1 stamping in DR.

Quick links : Hotel stay in Santo Domingo https://maps.app.goo.gl/R5pc2RMMM9J2vDYj9

Biometric at Sambil mall https://maps.app.goo.gl/JHjA1JSZjoq75PTG8

Wednesday interview US embassy https://maps.app.goo.gl/1ivwp28rM8Pb4GrZ7

Stayed in Las Terenas https://maps.app.goo.gl/m3KDudLdVZDFtJ4JA

Coson beach near Las Terenas is a beautiful stretch https://maps.app.goo.gl/AkvvNMZSn3SGCiKi6

Our U.S. Visa Appointment and Travel Experience in the Dominican Republic

This guide details the experience we had scheduling and attending a U.S. visa appointment in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, followed by an extended stay in the country.

Visa Appointment Process in Santo Domingo

• DS-160 Appointment Booking When we filled out the DS-160 forms, we found many appointment slots available, starting as early as the day after tomorrow. We booked our appointments two weeks in advance to secure our preferred dates. Before booking, we checked the Dominican Republic’s holiday schedule, as Catholic holidays could shut down the entire country, including visa processing centers.

• Travel to Santo Domingo We flew into Santo Domingo on a Monday morning, arriving in the afternoon. For transportation, we rented a car day 3 onwards, but driving in Santo Domingo was chaotic, much like Pune, India. We stayed below the speed limit to avoid being targeted by police for speeding. We also used Uber for first 3 days, which was reliable for getting around the city, especially for visa appointments.

• Accommodation in Santo Domingo We stayed at Hotel Catalonia in Santo Domingo. The staff recommended area is unsafe at night as locals may target non spanish speaking foreigners.

• Visa Appointment Details Tuesday: Biometric Appointment Our biometric appointment was at Sambil Mall in Santo Domingo. We took an Uber from our hotel to the mall. No bags were allowed inside, so we took turns going in while the other waited outside. The process was quick, taking about 10 minutes per person. The staff was very friendly and checked all our necessary documents before letting us in. We brought only the required documents to avoid any issues. Phones were allowed but switched off.

Wednesday: Visa Interview Our visa interview was at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. We took an Uber from our hotel to the embassy. Similar to the biometric appointment, no bags were allowed, and we carried only the necessary documents. The staff verified everything before entry and was very friendly. We lined up before our appointment time, and the entire interview process took about an hour. We left our hotel around 7 AM for our 9 AM appointment due to heavy, standstill traffic in Santo Domingo. Phones were allowed but switched off. Interview questions

• Where did you study and what degree?
• Where do you work?
• Have you ever had any problems with US law enforcement?
• Do you know your rights as an h1b holder?

Thursday: Passport Pickup On Thursday afternoon, we learned that our passports were ready for pickup at Sambil Mall. We scheduled a pickup time, drove to the mall, collected our passports, and returned.

Extended Stay in the Dominican Republic Las Terrenas (7 Days) After three days in Santo Domingo, we spent seven days in Las Terrenas, a beautiful small coastal town. Driving from Santo Domingo to Las Terrenas was pleasant and scenic, with stunning views along the way. In Las Terrenas, we enjoyed Coson Beach, a gorgeous stretch of coastline. The town had plenty of restaurants, beachside shacks, and local markets, offering a vibrant, small-town vibe that we loved.

Punta Cana (Alternative Destination) We considered visiting Punta Cana, a tourist-friendly area with many all-inclusive resorts, but we chose Las Terrenas for its quieter, local charm.

Re-entry to US was smooth. We were asked 1 question about where we were headed in the US.

Hope this helps those who are considering DR.