Dominican Republic at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Not available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Not eligible |
| Entry restrictions | None |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Not designated |
| Where visas are processed | U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo processes immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Dominican Republic right now
- No country-specific entry restrictions were in place as of October 2026.
- Most Dominicans immigrate through family: spouses, parents and children of U.S. citizens, and family preference categories.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Dominican Republic
Family petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsMarriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseK-1 fiancé(e) visaBring your fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry and stayB-1/B-2 visitor visaVisit the U.S. for business, tourism or familyF-1 student visaStudy at a U.S. college, university or language schoolH-2A / H-2B visasSeasonal and temporary farm and non-farm work visas
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Dominican Republic visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Dominican Republic is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Dominican Republic get an E-2 investor visa?
Not on Dominican Republic nationality alone: there is no E-2 treaty between Dominican Republic and the United States. Some people qualify through a second nationality from a treaty country, or use other paths such as EB-5.
Can people from Dominican Republic enter the green card lottery?
Dominican Republic was not eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, and someone born in Dominican Republic may still qualify through a spouse born in an eligible country.
Where do people from Dominican Republic have their visa interview?
U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo processes immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Dominican Republic?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in the Americas
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.