Ask the Consul
Can I travel to the U.S. on my tourist visa to receive medical treatment?
United States immigration law allows tourists to enter the country on their B2 visa for the purpose of seeking medical treatment, and every year thousands of Dominicans travel to the United States for this purpose. However, in order to qualify, a visa applicant must meet several requirements.
First, an applicant must obtain letters from their doctor in the Dominican Republic outlining the medical condition, the required treatment, and whether or not it can be obtained in the Dominican Republic. They should also obtain a letter from their physician in the United States documenting the type of consultation they will undergo there and what future treatment might be typical for someone with that condition.
Additionally, an applicant must present documentation from the physician and/or the hospital where they intend to receive treatment detailing all of the actual or expected costs associated with the patient's care. If traveling to consult a specialist regarding possible surgery or other treatment, the cost of the treatment, not just of the consultation, must be included.
Finally, an applicant must provide evidence that they can pay all of the costs specified in the letter and may be asked to show proof that they have prepaid for their care. Applicants who have already undergone previous medical treatment in the United States will be asked to provide proof that past costs have been paid and who paid them. Medical care in the United States, although very good, is extremely expensive. Consular officers have a legal obligation to ensure that applicants can afford their treatment in the U.S. without becoming a "public charge" and needing public assistance at U.S. taxpayers' expense.