IMMIGRANTS

RESIDENCE VISA

The residence visa is the first step to obtain the residence card in the Dominican Republic. This visa can be obtained in approximately three months. The Ministry of Foreign Relations recommends that the process begin prior to the person arriving in the DR, although it can also be carried out once the person is in the country. In order to apply for a residence visa you must submit the following documents:

• Letter of application signed by the applicant or legal representative and addressed to the Consul or, in case the person is already in the DR, the Minister of Foreign Relations.
• The letter of request can be issued by an individual or a company.
• If the application is filled out by an individual it should contain: individual's name, nationality, place of residence, and the activity to which the applicant is or will be dedicated in the country.
• If the application is filled out by a company, in addition to the data on the applicant, the request should be made on company stationary, and signed by the highest ranking officer of the company, indicating the position the applicant will hold.
• Indication of the ties to the country, that can be any of the following:
  
  1. Dominican nationality by origin.
  2. Marriage to a Dominican.
  3. Work contract, legalized by the Ministry of Labor.
  4. Proof of economic solvency (investors, retirees).

• Form 509-Ref, duly completed and signed by the applicant, to be submitted with the other documents to the Consulate or Ministry of Foreign Relations if the person is already in the Dominican Republic.
• Certificate of Good Conduct issued in the jurisdiction of origin. If the beneficiary has been more than three months in the Dominican Republic, it needs to be issued by the competent local judicial authority.
• Medical Health Certificate. Issued in the jurisdiction of origin. If the applicant has been living more than three months in the Dominican Republic, a recent medical certificate should be presented, legalized by the Ministry of Public Health (SESPAS).
• Three front view 2"x2" photographs.
• Birth Certificate.
• Certificate of the Department of Migration with proof of the last entry of the person to the country and copy of the Tourist Card.
• Two photocopies of the applicant's complete passport.

Observations:

• All documents received from abroad need to be legalized by the Dominican consulate in the corresponding jurisdiction.
• All documents need to be presented in original and four copies with the exception of the passport.
• The passport needs to be valid for a minimum of three months after having been deposited for the visa.
• If the application includes the spouse, a marriage certificate should be included.
• Minors are exempt from the Good Conduct Certificate requirement

For additional information please contact us

NON-INMIGRANTS

TOURIST CARD

Citizens of the following countries require a TOURIST CARD to enter the Dominican Republic:

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States (including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) and Venezuela

A Tourist Card is an entry form that can be purchased directly at the international counter of the major airlines, at local Dominican Embassy or consulate in your jurisdiction or at the airport of entry in Dominican Republic. The Tourist card, allows a legal stay of up to 30 days.

Notes: (1) When entering with a Tourist card, you can extend your stay in the country, filing a request of extension at the Immigration Department in Santo Domingo at least 5 business days before the expiration of the card.

Note: (2) U.S. Citizens traveling by air to and from the Dominican Republic must present a valid passport when entering or re-entering the United States. Sea travelers must have a valid U.S. passport. Although Dominican law allows U.S. citizens to enter the country on other proof of U.S. citizenship (U.S. birth certificate, Naturalization Certificate, etc.) along with a photo ID, numerous U.S. travelers have been prohibited from departing the Dominican Republic on such documents. In these cases, Dominican Immigration has required the travelers to obtain a U.S. passport from the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo. Obtaining a U.S. passport may take up to 10 business days and requires documents that most tourists do not carry, thus potentially delaying the traveler's return to the United States. Important New Information: As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the United States and the Dominican Republic by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid U.S. passport or other documents as determined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For more information please visit www.travel.state.gov

NO VISA OR TOURIST CARD REQUIRED

Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa or a tourist card to enter the Dominican Republic:

Argentina, Chile, South Korea, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, Peru and Uruguay.

TOURISM VISA:

All countries not listed in the previous sections will need a Visa to enter the Dominican Republic..

You can apply for a DR tourist visa at your nearest Dominican Consulate presenting the following documentation:

• 3 "2x2" pictures
• Application Form 509 (Provided by Dominican Consulate)
• Employment verification
• Bank statement
• Copy of the personal information page of passport
• Copy of the American Visa (if applying in the United States)
• Flight Itinerary
• Company check or money order for the amount of US$65.00

BUSINESS VISA

You can apply for a DR business visa at your nearest Dominican Consulate presenting the following documentation:

• 3 "2x2" pictures
• Application Form 509 (Provided by Dominican Consulate)
• Employment verification
• Bank statement
• Copy of the personal information page of passport
• Copy of the American Visa (if applying in the United States)
• Flight Itinerary
• Company check or money order for the amount of US$90.00 (one entry) or US$125.00 (multiple entries).

STUDENT VISA

You can apply for a DR student visa at your nearest Dominican Consulate presenting the following documentation:

• Letter of application addressed to the Minister of Foreign Relations.
  
  1. If the visa is requested in the DR, the letter of application needs to be made by the Dean of the university or educational institution.
  2. If the application is made from abroad, it needs to be remitted via the corresponding Dominican Consulate.
• Letter of Guarantee or Affidavit addressed to the Minister of Foreign Relations, legalized by the corresponding Consulate.
  
  1. It should be signed by the parent or tutor certifying he/she will cover the student's expenditures in the country.
  2. It must show proof of economic solvency.
  3. This letter needs to be legalized by a notary public.
• Three front view "2x2" photographs.
• Form 509-Ref Form 509-Ref, original typed or printed
• Certificate of Good Conduct: Issued by the jurisdiction of residence, legalized by the corresponding consulate. If it is a renewal, the Attorney General should issue it in the country.
• Photocopy of the previous visa, in case of a renewal.
• Medical Certificate: Issued in the jurisdiction of the applicant's last place of residence, legalized by the corresponding consulate.
• Proof of registry from the university: Letter certifying the acceptance to the University or Institution of studies. These documents must state the duration of the program.
• Two complete copies of passport (from the first to the last page).