U.S. Embassy in Dominican Republic warns against bots manipulating visa appointments

The U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic warned visa applicants that paying for an artificially accelerated appointment could jeopardize their ability to travel to the United States.

In its weekly “Ask the Consul” column, the embassy advised applicants to avoid offices and immigration lawyers offering earlier appointments. It said some individuals use automated programs, known as bots, along with other unauthorized methods to manipulate the consular scheduling system.

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The United States Embassy advises all visa applicants to stay away from offices and immigration lawyers that offer earlier appointments.

The embassy said anonymous complaints from members of the public had helped bring the activity to its attention. It also said it is implementing additional technical measures to address the problem.

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The public should know that we are implementing additional technical measures to address this situation and that any applicant who tries to manipulate the appointment system will face consequences.

Applicants who try to manipulate the system could face cancellation of their appointment, visa denial or cancellation of an existing visa. The embassy reminded citizens and residents that each applicant remains responsible for the application submitted in their name, and that attempts to manipulate scheduling are unfair to other applicants and put the individual at risk.

“Follow the rules, do not try to manipulate the appointment system and stay away from offices and immigration lawyers that offer these services,” the embassy said.

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If you pay someone for an earlier appointment, you put your ability to travel to the United States at risk. Protect yourself, protect the process.