What is required to travel to Dominican Republic? Types of Visas

The Dominican Republic is a country opened to the world. All of our natural beauty, our history, the investment and business options, as well as the warmth of our citizens, invite all people to visit us and enjoy an enchanted island filled with opportunities.

If you wish to reside longer than one month and obtain legal status in the country you will need to obtain a 1) RESIDENCY VISA an a 2) PROVISIONAL RESIDENCY OR PERMANENT RESIDENCY .

TWO (2) STEPS ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS TO BECOME LEGAL:

1ST STEP:  OBTAINING VISA (TO BE DONE BEFORE TRAVELING TO DR).  This visa is granted by the Dominican Consulate abroad and will be stamped in your passport.

2ND STEP: PROCESS RESIDENCY (TO BE DONE IN DR). This visa is granted at Immigration in DR and you will received a RESIDENCY CARD.

Types Of Visas

1. Residency Visa (To reside in DR; have income that allows you to live in DR)
2. Business Visa (Business short term)
3. Business Visa for Work Purposes (Working long term)
4. Student Visa (Study)
5. Religious Visa (Volunteer work)
6. Tourist Visa (Vacation Only)

Residency Visa

DESCRIPTION Residency visas are granted for travel with objective of permanently residing in the Dominican Republic. They are initially valid for 60 days and are valid for one entry. Once the person is in Dominican territory, the person with this type of visa (VISA RS) should present to the General Director of Immigration (Dirección General de Migración) to formalize the residency process and to complete the additional requirements of the General Director of Immigration. We will be happy to assist you..peace of mind…one trip to Immigration. REQUIREMENTS

Completed visa application form

1 – Visa Application Letter(no handwriting letters) addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and signed by the applicant or his/her representative, and which includes the applicant’s name, nationality, place of residency and activity which he or she will be undertaking while in the country

2 – One (1) 4×5 cm picture, frontal view and white background. In all pictures: Both ears must be visible and bangs must be pulled away from forehead and face. Please do not smile or wear eyeglasses or any jewelry (earrings, studs, necklaces, piercings, etc.). You must also wear shirts/tops/dresses with sleeves and collars.

3 –Original passport valid for a minimum or equal period of time of the visa.

4 –Document indicating the reason for the visa application, which commonly are:  due to Dominican origin; due to marriage to a Dominican citizen or to a permanent legal resident of the Dominican Republic; due to being the son or daughter of a Dominican citizen; due to being a retired or pensioned individual; or due to being an investor.

5 – Medical Certificate indicating the general state of the applicant’s health as well as if the applicant suffers from any communicable or infectious disease. Certificate should be issued by the corresponding health authorities from the applicant’s last country of residence.

6 –Certified Criminal Record issued by the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) for residents of the USA.  For residents of other nations, a Certified Criminal Record is required from the corresponding authorities from the applicant’s last country of residence.

7 – Parent or Guardian Authorization if dealing with a minor and one of the parents will not be residing in the country. In this case, the parent that is not in the Dominican Republic must grant authorization for the other parent to take said minor to live in the Dominican Republic.

8 – Legible copy of a National Identification Document from the country of nationality and a legible copy of Residency Card if person resides in another country.

9 – Birth Certificate. If the birth certificate is in a language other than Spanish, it should be translated and legalized by a Consulate of the Dominican Republic. Both the original and the translated birth certificate must be presented with the visa application. Dominican birth certificates must be legalized by the corresponding Office of Vital Statistics (Oficialía del Estado Civil).

10 – Marriage Certificate. If the marriage certificate is in a language other than Spanish, it should be translated and legalized by a Consulate of the Dominican Republic. Both the original and the translated documents must be presented with the visa application. Dominican marriage certificates must be legalized by the Junta Central Electoral, attaching a copy of the Dominican spouse’s Cédula. If a legal resident, attach a copy of the permanent residency card or a copy of Foreign National Cédula.

11 – Letter of Warranty (Notarized). Subscribed by a Dominican citizen or a legal alien resident of the Dominican Republic, specifying the relationship with the visa applicant. The warrantor shall be responsible to Dominican authorities to cover any costs that the authorities incur on behalf of the visa recipient. Similarly, the warrantor shall be financially responsible in case the visa recipient must be deported for violating Dominican laws. This letter of warranty must be executed before a notary public of the Dominican Republic and legalized by the Office of the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic.

12 – Letter of visa application. signed by the applicant and addressed to the corresponding consular office. This letter should include information regarding the applicant’s name, nationality, place of residency, usual occupation, and details regarding which designation he or she plans to use in order to become established in the country (i.e., as a Dominican national, as a Dominican descendant, as the spouse of a Dominican national, as a retired or pensioned individual, or to work in the country under an indefinite work contract).

13 – Proof of economic solvency. All documents must be in the applicant’s name, not the warrantor. Acceptable documents could include, depending on the case: INVESTORS: a) Copies of Property Titles, of both interest and real properties in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (originals must be present at the moment of filing); b) Registry of Companies established in DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, and duly registered with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, including the company’s status (in the case of investors); PENSION: a) Pension Letter and copy of statements RENTAL: a) Proof of Rental Income from Abroad. MARRIAGE OR A DEPENDENT: h) Marriage Certificate (if marry to a Dominican) or proof of Family dependency.

To fall under the RESIDENCY VISA you need to meet one of these requirements:

A. Pensioner or Retiree – With a fixed Monthly Retirement Income, Pension or Annuity. 

B. Independent Investor – With Proof of Monthly Income from any investment or non-salaried source (meaning bank account interest, brokerage accounts, rental income, royalties, etc.).  

C. Lump Sum Investor – With Proof of a local investment of US$200,000.00 (or equivalent in another currency) in local financial instruments, real estate, business enterprise, etc 

D. If you do not meet – D. If you do not meet one of the criteria listed above, and depending on your financial situation, we can submit your case to the Consulate. Please contact us for more details. 

Observation

1. WE RECOMMEND NOT TO PURCHASE AIRPLANE TICKETS PRIOR TO VISA APPROVAL.
2. All documents must be legalized by consular offices of the Dominican Republic, prior to being legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Relations or Apostille of the corresponding authority from the state or country of origin.
3. Please call our office for a quote on translation work needed on documents for this visa.
4. If the visa applicant is married to a Dominican citizen, attach marriage certificate and the spouse’s cédula.
5. If the visa applicant is married to legal resident of the Dominican Republic, attach marriage certificate and a copy of the Dominican permanent residency or foreign national cédula.
6. If the visa applicant is a child of Dominican parents, attach a copy of the parents’ cédulas and marriage certificate.
7. If the visa applicant is a child of a legal resident of the Dominican Republic, attach copies of the parents’ Dominican permanent residency, foreign national cédulas and marriage certificate.
8. For applicants for Visa of Residency who are married to Dominican citizens, married to legal residents, children of Dominican nationals and children of legal residents, attach documents guaranteeing economic solvency.
9. Once the applicant has been granted the corresponding visa of Residency, which is valid for 60 days and one entry, the file will be forwarded to the General Director of Immigration to issue the temporary residency permit for one year. Applicant should ensure the completion of any additional requirements of the General Director of Immigration.

FOR SECOND STEP PLEASE SEE PROVISIONAL RESIDENCY TAB….. 

Business Visa

The Dominican Republic is a country opened to the world. All of our natural beauty, our history, the investment and business options that we offer, as well as the warmth of our people, invite everyone to visit us and enjoy an enchanted island filled with opportunities. Business visas are issued for business, professional or commercial trips. They are valid for sixty (60) days and can be automatically renewed at the request of the interested party within its valid 60-day term, and without the expressed authorization of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. If a person needs to travel to our country multiple times, he or she may apply for a multiple-entry business visa for the period of one year. However, the person cannot remain in country for more than two consecutive months. REQUIREMENTS

Completed visa application form

1 – Visa Application Letter(no handwriting letters) addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and signed by the applicant or his/her representative, and which includes the applicant’s name, nationality, place of residency and activity which he or she will be undertaking while in the country.

2 – One (1) 2×2 picture frontal view and white background. In all pictures: Both ears must be visible and bangs must be pulled away from forehead and face. Please do not smile or wear eyeglasses or any jewelry (earrings, studs, necklaces, piercings, etc.). You must also wear shirts/tops/dresses with sleeves and collars.

3 –Original passport valid for a minimum of six (6) months.

4 –Document of proof of the type of business being undertaken in the Dominican Republic. This document can be from an institution, organization, business, or physical or legal person with whom business activities will be undertaken in the Dominican Republic.

5 – Legible copy of a National Identification Document from the country of nationality and a legible copy of Residency Card if person resides in another country.

6 – Legible copies of previous Dominican Visas or Residency Card (if a renovation or if person has previously traveled to the Dominican Republic).

7 – Certified Police Record issued by the corresponding authorities from the last country in which the interested party resided.

8 – Legible copy of a National Identification Document from the country of nationality and a legible copy of Residency Card if person resides in another country.

9 – Letter in support of Visa Application signed by the company or institution connected to the applicant. This letter should include the applicant’s name, nationality, place of residence, occupation, economic means and the purpose for his/her travels to the Dominican Republic.

Observation

1. All documents must be legalized by consular offices of the Dominican Republic, prior to being legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, and bear the Apostille of the corresponding authority from the country of origin.
2. All documents must be, if applicable, translated into Spanish by a duly accredited authority.
3. If the application includes the spouse and dependents for dependent visas, attach the marriage certificate and the birth certificate of each child. Both documents should be duly translated and legalized.

Business Visa for Work Purposes

The Dominican Republic is a country opened to the world. All of our natural beauty, our history, the investment and business options that we offer, as well as the warmth of our people, invite everyone to visit us and enjoy an enchanted island filled with opportunities. Business visas for work purposes are issued to those individuals who, given the nature of their occupation, must remain in the country for one or more years, without having the need to leave the country. Generally, this type of visa is granted to individuals who are under contract, for a specified amount of time, with private or public entities established within the national territory. Business visas for work purposes can be renewed for an equal amount of time for the duration of the contract, depending on each case. REQUIREMENTS

Completed visa application form

1 – Visa Application Letter(no handwriting letters) addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and signed by the applicant or his/her representative, and which includes the applicant’s name, nationality, place of residency and activity which he or she will be undertaking while in the country.

2 – One (1) 2×2 picture frontal view and white background. In all pictures: Both ears must be visible and bangs must be pulled away from forehead and face. Please do not smile or wear eyeglasses or any jewelry (earrings, studs, necklaces, piercings, etc.). You must also wear shirts/tops/dresses with sleeves and collars.

3 –Original passport valid for a minimum of six (6) months.

4 –Decision from the Ministry of Labor of the Dominican Republic This document is issued by the Labor Department of said Ministry, legitimizing the applicant’s work contract in the Dominican Republic, and which specifies the employee’s role or position within the company, the length of the contract and the salary.

5 – Medical Certificate indicating an assessment of the applicant’s general health and indicating if the applicant suffers from any infectious or contagious disease. If the interested party resides in the Dominican Republic, said document shall be issued by a medical laboratory, clinic or hospital registered with the Ministry of Public Health.

6 – Certified Police Record issued by the corresponding authorities from the last country in which the interested party resided. Not required for minors.

8 – Legible copy of a National Identification Document from the country of nationality and a legible copy of Residency Card if person resides in another country.

9 – Visa Application Letter addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and signed by the applicant or his/her representative, and which includes the applicant’s name, nationality, place of residency and activity which he or she will be undertaking while in the country.

Observation

1. All documents must be legalized by consular offices of the Dominican Republic, prior to being legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Relations, or Apostille of the corresponding authority from the country of origin.
2. Minors shall be exempt from the Certified Police Record but not from the Medical Certificate.
3. If the application includes the spouse and dependents for dependent visas, attach the marriage certificate and the birth certificate of each child. Both documents should be duly legalized.
4. All documents must be, if applicable, translated into Spanish by a duly accredited authority.

Student Visa

The Dominican Republic is a country opened to the world. All of our natural beauty, our history, the investment and business options, as well as the warmth of our citizens, invite all people to visit us and enjoy an enchanted island filled with opportunities. Student visas are issued for the purposes of studying in the Dominican Republic to applicants who demonstrate their student status by being accepted in a Dominican educational institution to complete a particular field of study. This visa shall be renewable each year once the individual has fulfilled the requirements. REQUIREMENTS

Completed visa application form

1 – Visa Application Letter(no handwriting letters) addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and signed by the applicant or his/her representative, and which includes the applicant’s name, nationality, place of residency and activity which he or she will be undertaking while in the country.

2 – One (1) 4×5 cm picture frontal view and white background. In all pictures: Both ears must be visible and bangs must be pulled away from forehead and face. Please do not smile or wear eyeglasses or any jewelry (earrings, studs, necklaces, piercings, etc.). You must also wear shirts/tops/dresses with sleeves and collars.

3 –Original passport for a minimum or equal period of time of the required visa.

4 –Original Birth Certificate translated into Spanish and certified by the Consular Office of the Dominican Republic. The birth certificate must bear the Apostille from the corresponding authority from the country of origin.

5 – Proof from University or Educational Center certifying full acceptance to the University or Educational Center. This document shall specify the level of study, the selected institution or extension, and the length of time of the program.

6 –Scholarship Document (if applicable) or indicating the institution’s financial support which would cover the studies, in case that the studies are being financially covered by an institution from the applicant’s country of origin or by a scholarship. This document shall indicate the precise amount of the financial support or of the awarded scholarship, as well as the duration of the same. In both instances, the proof should be redacted in letterhead and certified by the corresponding institution.

7 – Medical Certificate indicating an assessment of the applicant’s general health and indicating if the applicant suffers from any infectious or contagious disease. If the interested party resides in the Dominican Republic, said document shall be issued by a medical laboratory, clinic or hospital registered with the Ministry of Public Health.

8 – Certified Police Record issued by the corresponding authorities from the last country in which the interested party resided. If the party has resided in the Dominican Republic, the document should be issued by the Office of the Attorney General.

9 – Parent or Guardian Authorization if dealing with a minor and the applicant is not the mother or father. In this case, the parent that is not in the Dominican Republic must grant authorization for the other parent to take said minor to live in the Dominican Republic.

10 – Legible copy of aNational Identification Document from the country of nationality and a legible copy of Residency Card if person resides in another country.

11 – Proof of economic solvency (bank letter, work letter, property titles, etc.). If any document is issued in the Dominican Republic, it should be certified by a notary public and legalized by the Office of the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic.

Religious Visa

 This type of Visa is given to those that come to do a voluntary work for a religious organization.  

1. Visa Application

2. Two (2) passport photographs: 2×2

3. Insurance ( we can assist you)

4. Garantor (we can assist you)

5. Visa Application

6. Two (2) passport photographs: 2×2

7. Copy original Passport first (photo) page

8. Medical Letter

9. FBI – No-criminal record certificate

10. Original Copy of the Birth Certificate

11. Letter of Intent from Organization (we can assist you)

12. Last 3 bank statements

Tourist Card

If you stay longer than 60 days, you will be charged a penalty at the Airport upon departure. Once you are past due the 60 days, you are not considered to have legal status in the country.

Review Steps

STEP 1: Obtain a Visa
Step 1: Obtain ONE of the following depending on the purpose of your trip:

• Step 1: Obtain ONE of the following depending on the purpose of your trip:
• Residency Visa  to reside in the Country
• NM 1 VISA for Business or working Purposes
• NM for Religious Purposes.

This is the first requirement to enter the country when you wish to reside in the DR.  YOU CAN PURCHASE A ONE-WAY AIRLINE TICKET

Step 2: Obtain Provisional Residency
This Residency will be good for up to one year, after which you will need to renew it.

Step 3: Renew Provisional Residency
The Provisional Renewal must be done yearly for four years consecutively

Step 4: Obtain Permanent Residency
You can apply for Permanent Residency after renewing the Provisional Residency for 5 years. 

Step 5: Renew Permanent Residency
This procedure is done every 4 years.

Step 6: Obtain Citizenship (OPTIONAL)
After having PERMANENT RESIDENCY for two consecutive years, you can qualify for CITIZENSHIP.