Some people are now eligible to get a new visa to the U.S. without having to go to the embassy in Pavas. This applies to people who were already granted a tourist visa and it is about to expire or has expired in the past 12 months.
The process is just like the first time you applied, starting with filling out the DS-160 form. You likely will not be asked in for another interview if your first visa was given in Costa Rica, for ten years, was a B1 or B2 tourist visa, and you have never violated U.S. immigration law.
If you have lived illegally in the U.S., this interview exception will not apply. In certain cases, even those who meet the requirements may be asked to interview again at the discretion of the authorities in charge.
If your last visa was canceled or revoked or was limited to a single entry, or if you changed your name, or if you did not provide fingerprints last time then you will have to go in for another interview. Anyone wishing to switch to a different type of visa, such as a student one, will also have to interview.
