QUESTION: I work as a stewardess on a yacht and I require a B1/B2 visa. I have a letter from the captain which confirms this. Currently I am in the U.S and I arrived on an ESTA from the U.K. and will be leaving shortly for Costa Rica. I am staying in Costa Rica for a few months, so I will not really need the visa until I return for work BUT my question is - Can I apply for a B1/B2 visa while I am in the U.S.? And can I get my interview in Costa Rica?
REPLY: Thank you for your message. Since I have not reviewed your case in detail, the statements herein are for informational purposes only. My research indicates that you should be able to apply for a visitor visa at the U.S. Consulate in San Jose, Costa Rica. Since you are not a citizen or resident of Costa Rica, it appears that you must make your appointment through the Call Center that has been established for that specific Consulate. More information is available at http://costarica.usembassy.gov/consnonimmigrant.html
There is no problem if the DS-160 form is completed while you are in the U.S. – this form is online and can therefore be completed anywhere. Since the application will not be adjudicated until you are at the Consulate in Costa Rica, the date of arrival should not be listed as any date prior to the interview. Thus, the intended date of arrival should be the next date on which you expect to return to the U.S. after the interview in Costa Rica.
If you would like to submit additional information about your case and receive a complete professional analysis, please consider contacting my office to set up a consultation.