The benefits of being vaccinated against coronavirus go beyond health, which is fundamental to every human being, as it reactivates important sectors of the economy such as tourism and facilitates travel and entertainment.
Already the Dominican Republic became the first country in the region to be placed in category 2 by the United States Department of State, as suitable for its citizens to visit, for security against coronavirus.
According to migration specialist Roque Leonel Rodríguez, this weighting of the United States on the country for the control of the pandemic, which has helped through various programs, translates into more American tourists visiting the Dominican territory, but it could also be reflected in consular processes.
“Because this will allow more people to go to the consulate and acquire their visas which right now are quite delayed by the health situation,” explains the specialist.
He referred to the fact that the U.S. Embassy says they are working to restore routine visa operations as quickly and securely as possible, but that they do not have a specific date.
Faced with this reality, the specialist indicates that consular appointments for non-immigrant or walking visa are for October next year, although the Consulate has remained open for emergency appointments. All information is on the portal of the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic.
“By reducing the category to number 2, the State Department has given a signal that it could be prepared to increase the number of services for Dominicans who are going to emigrate or visit. We have won a special award as a country because it is very rare that the Dominican Republic is in first or second place with something positive in relation to other countries and we are the only category 2, it should fill us with pride and we should work for the common good not individual, and we have shown , that’s why we won category 2 “.
Rodriguez predicts a massive influx of tourists to the country from December, and in this regard, calls on Dominicans to continue vaccinating, as with their card they can travel to other nations for tourism, and also guarantee health security to the visitors.
Visas for non-immigrants or tourists
Appointments are for October 2022, if you ask today you will have to wait for one for the interview, but by reducing the danger it is possible that the consulate will reduce this time, he says.
If you paid for an appointment, your money is guaranteed, as on the embassy portal it is well explained that it extended “the validity of nonimmigrant visa payments (known as MRV fees) until September 30. the 2022, To allow all applicants who have not been able to schedule a visa appointment, due to the suspension of routine consular services, an opportunity to schedule and / or attend a visa appointment with the fee already paid. “
Those who are not vaccinated will not be able to go for an interview
From October 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require that all immigrant visa applicants over the age of 12 be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
“The Immigrant Visa Unit wants to avoid delays in the process of medical examinations of applicants, for this reason, we encourage applicants to begin the vaccination process as soon as possible, in case they have not yet received COVID-19 vaccine Being completely vaccinated means you have received two doses of the vaccine, which can take about 28 days.The applicant will need to present the original vaccination card and a color copy of the vaccine. ‘she’s at the medical panel on the day of the appointment,’ ‘the embassy said on its website.
vaccination
In the Dominican Republic to date 11,521,256 doses of vaccine have been applied, of which 4,780,400 have their full doses and 806,404 have applied a third or booster dose.
The difference is between 5,934,452 who have only one dose and 4,780,400 who have completed it. For them the call extends so that 1,154,052 go to complete the inoculation.