Every way into Dominican Republic.

For the many nationalities that may enter the Dominican Republic visa-free for tourism. All travellers - Dominican and foreign - must complete the free electronic E-Ticket (Boleta Electronica de Entrada y Salida) before arrival and departure; it unifies the migration, customs and public-health declarations into one QR code and replaced the paper disembarkation card in 2021. The E-Ticket is not a visa. Visa-exempt tourists also pay a US$10 tourist card (Tarjeta de Turista); for air arrivals this US$10 fee is bundled into the airfare on tickets issued abroad, while land and sea arrivals still buy it on arrival (US$10 or EUR 10). Visa-free tourist entry is generally for up to 30 days and can be extended for a fee. A small set of nationalities (e.g. Argentina, Chile, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Uruguay) are exempt from even the tourist card.

Government fee

$10

Processing time

1 day

Max stay

30 days

Validity

30 days

Consular tourist visa for foreign nationals travelling for tourism, cultural activities, or to attend congresses and conventions. The single-entry tourist visa (TS) is valid 60 days for one entry and costs US$100; the multiple-entry tourist visa (TM) allows two entries within 60 days and costs US$150. Importantly, the great majority of travellers do NOT need this visa: the Dominican Republic exempts well over 100 nationalities, and holders of a valid US, Canada, UK, EU or Schengen visa or residence card may enter visa-free regardless of nationality, using only the tourist card and the mandatory E-Ticket entry form. The consular TS/TM visa is therefore required mainly for nationals not on the exemption list who also lack a qualifying third-country visa. Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX); response time is typically 10 to 20 business days.

Government fee

$100

Processing time

20 days

Max stay

60 days

Validity

60 days

Consular visa for foreign nationals travelling to the Dominican Republic for business purposes such as meetings, negotiations, conventions and conferences, without taking up local employment. The single-entry business visa (NS) is valid 60 days for one entry and costs US$150; the multiple-entry business visa (NM) is valid one year with multiple entries and costs US$200. It does not authorise employment in the country - paid work requires the NM1 labour visa and RT-3 residence. Issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX); typical consular response time is 10 to 20 business days. Many nationalities can instead enter for short business visits visa-free using the tourist card, so the consular business visa is mainly for nationals who are not visa-exempt.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

20 days

Max stay

60 days

Validity

365 days

Consular visa for foreign nationals formally accepted or enrolled at a Dominican educational institution; it also covers structured internship arrangements between a foreign school and a Dominican institution. The student visa (E) is valid one year with multiple entries and costs US$100. It is issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX); meeting the requirements does not guarantee approval. After entry, the student formalises a student permit/residence with the Dirección General de Migración, which is renewable annually for up to about six years of study. Applicants must show financial support from parents, guardians or a scholarship institution. Typical MIREX response time is 10 to 20 business days.

• Study: Authorises enrolment at the accepting institution.
• Residency: Student permit is non-resident; switching to a work or income category is required to build toward permanent residence.
• Family: Family may travel on the Dependent Multiple (DPM) visa.

Government fee

$100

Processing time

20 days

Validity

365 days

The in-country work-residence permit for foreigners who entered the Dominican Republic on a Business-Employment (NM1) visa exclusively for work. The holder must present to the Dirección General de Migración within 30 days of arrival to formalise residency. RT-3 is valid one year and renewable annually (renewal applications must be filed about 45 days before expiry). A notarised employment contract stamped by the Ministry of Labour, a guarantee policy from a DGM-authorized insurer, and DGM medical exams are required. RT-3 is the card that legally authorises employment in the country; the exact DGM card-issuance fee is published only in DGM's internal fee tables and is not stated on the public service page. RT-3 is renewed annually and can lead to permanent residence (RP-1) and, eventually, naturalization.

• Work: RT-3 legalises employment with the sponsoring employer.
• Study: Holders may study alongside work.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependents apply via dependent residence (RT-7).

Processing time

90 days

Validity

365 days

The consular work visa for foreigners hired by a public or private company, free-trade-zone enterprise, multinational, or public/international institution established in the Dominican Republic. It is valid one year with multiple entries and costs US$200. The employer must register a job offer (Propuesta de Trabajo) with the Ministry of Labour and provide a certification confirming the company is registered in the SIRLA system and complies with Article 135 of the Labour Code (the foreign-worker quota). The visa is issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) consular network; meeting all requirements does not guarantee approval, which is at MIREX discretion. After entry the holder formalises in-country labour residence (RT-3) with the Dirección General de Migración within 30 days. MIREX states a typical response time of 10 to 20 business days.

• Work: Authorises employment with the sponsoring employer; in-country residence via RT-3.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family travel via the Dependent Multiple (DPM) visa.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

20 days

Validity

365 days

For foreign nationals who receive a stable monthly income of at least US$2,000 from a company or agency of foreign origin - for example interest on foreign bank deposits or investments, remittances, dividends from foreign shareholdings, or rent from real estate located abroad. Like the Pensionado, the Rentista is governed by Law 171-07 and is fast-tracked toward permanent residence rather than the standard temporary track. Applicants first obtain a Residence (RS) consular visa (US$200) and then file with the Dirección General de Migración. Law 171-07 grants the same incentives as for pensioners (duty-free household goods, transfer-tax relief, foreign-income tax exemption). The income threshold is commonly increased by about US$250/month per dependent. Naturalization may be sought after roughly two years of residence under Law 1683. The US$2,000/month minimum is stated directly on the official DGM page.

• Work: Residents may work; the category is based on foreign passive income.
• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency: Fast-tracked to permanent residence under Law 171-07; naturalization after ~2 years.
• Family: Dependents may be added; threshold rises ~US$250/month per dependent.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

90 days

Validity

365 days

Min. income / month

$2,000

For foreign nationals who make an economic investment in the Dominican Republic of at least US$200,000 - in a local business, free-trade-zone enterprise, government contract, real estate or qualifying financial instruments - and hold a foreign-investment certificate. Under Law 171-07 and the foreign-investment framework the investor category is fast-tracked toward permanent resident status rather than the standard multi-year temporary route. Applicants obtain a Residence (RS) consular visa (US$200), then file the investment-residence application with the Dirección General de Migración, depositing original investment evidence within 30 days of entry. The card is initially valid one year and then renewed; the renewal is handled under the 'permanent residence for investor' service. Naturalization can be sought after about two years of residence, with a reduced period available to those who own and maintain real estate or an industry in the country. The US$200,000 minimum is confirmed on the official DGM page.

• Work: Investor may manage and work in the invested activity.
• Study: Residents may study.
• Residency: Fast-tracked to permanent residence; naturalization possible after ~2 years (reduced for property/industry owners).
• Family: Spouse and dependent children may be included as dependents.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

90 days

Validity

365 days

Min. investment

$200,000

For foreign retirees and pensioners who receive a monthly pension or retirement benefit of at least US$1,500 (or its peso equivalent) from a government, official body or private company of foreign origin. Under Law 171-07 of 2007 (special incentives for foreign retirees and rentistas) this category is fast-tracked: the applicant first obtains a Residence (RS) visa at a Dominican consulate (US$200) and then files the residence application with the Dirección General de Migración (DGM), which leads quickly to permanent resident status rather than the standard multi-year temporary track. Law 171-07 also grants benefits such as duty-free importation of household goods, partial exemption on real-estate transfer tax and exemption from tax on foreign-source income. The minimum pension is commonly increased by about US$250/month per dependent. Naturalization may be requested after roughly two years of residence under Law 1683 (reduced periods apply to property owners). Figures and document requirements are stated by the DGM; the US$1,500 threshold is directly confirmed on the official page.

• Work: Residents may work; the category is income-based, not employment-based.
• Study: Residents may enrol in study.
• Residency: Law 171-07 fast-tracks pensioners toward permanent residence; naturalization after ~2 years.
• Family: Spouse and dependent children may be included; income requirement rises ~US$250/month per dependent.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

90 days

Validity

365 days

Min. income / month

$1,500

The Dominican Republic handles family reunification through the dependent residence category. RT-7 is for dependents - spouse and minor or dependent children - of a principal resident (notably holders of labour RT-3 and religious RT-4 residence). It is valid one year and renewable, following the principal's status. The application requires proof of the principal holder's migration status, an apostilled marriage certificate (for a spouse) or birth certificate (for children), DGM medical exams and an apostilled criminal record for adults. A Dependent Multiple (DPM) consular visa is used by family members to enter before formalising RT-7 in-country with the Dirección General de Migración. The dependent's status tracks the principal's renewals toward permanent residence.

• Study: Dependents may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: The category exists specifically to include spouse and dependent children.

Processing time

90 days

Validity

365 days

Consular visa for the dependent family members - spouse and children - of holders of Dominican business-employment (NM1), student (E) or other principal visas. The Dependent Multiple (DPM) visa is valid one year with multiple entries and costs US$150. It lets the family enter the Dominican Republic to accompany the principal before regularising in-country as dependents (RT-7) with the Dirección General de Migración where applicable. Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX); meeting requirements does not guarantee approval. Typical response time is 10 to 20 business days.

• Study: Dependents may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: This is the family-accompaniment visa for spouse and children.

Government fee

$150

Processing time

20 days

Validity

365 days

Ordinary naturalization as a Dominican citizen under Law 1683 of 1948, processed through the Ministry of Interior and Police with verification by the Dirección General de Migración. The general rule requires about two years of uninterrupted legal (permanent) residence; this is reduced to six months for foreigners who establish and maintain an industry or own real estate in the country, and shorter or special conditions apply to spouses of Dominican nationals and to those who have rendered service to the Republic. Applicants submit DGM certifications proving the required period of residence, a Dominican criminal record, and proof of means of support. Investors, pensioners and rentistas who obtain permanent residence quickly under Law 171-07 can therefore reach naturalization eligibility relatively fast. Documentary requirements and timelines are set by the naturalization authorities.

• Work: Naturalized citizens have full rights to live and work.
• Study: Full access to study.
• Residency: Naturalization is the end of the residency path (citizenship).
• Family: Spouses of Dominicans and minor children benefit from reduced or derivative conditions.

Temporary residence category for foreign religious workers - ministers, missionaries and members of religious orders - assigned to a recognised religious organisation established in the Dominican Republic. The permit is valid one year and renewable annually, and the holder's dependents may regularise under the dependent residence category (RT-7). Applicants must present a letter from the sponsoring religious institution confirming the assignment and support, along with an apostilled criminal record, DGM medical exams and identity documents. The application is filed with the Dirección General de Migración after entry; the card fee is set in the DGM fee tables. RT-4 renewals can lead toward permanent residence.

• Work: Authorises religious duties for the sponsoring organisation.
• Study: Holders may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependents regularise via RT-7 dependent residence.

Processing time

90 days

Validity

365 days

The in-country student permit issued by the Dirección General de Migración to foreigners who entered on a student (E) visa to study at an officially registered Dominican institution. It is a non-resident permit (not a residence category), valid one year and renewable annually for up to about six years of study. The applicant must show economic solvency to cover studies and stay, an acceptance/enrolment letter, DGM medical exams and an apostilled criminal record. Where the applicant is a minor with one parent acting as guarantor, an apostilled legal power of attorney from the other parent is required. The application is filed via the DGM online portal followed by in-person document deposit; the exact card fee is set in the DGM fee tables.

• Study: Authorises enrolled study for the permit period.

Processing time

90 days

Validity

365 days

The standard temporary residence category for foreigners who intend to reside in the Dominican Republic temporarily and do not fall under a specialised track (labour, study, investment, pension). The applicant enters on a Residence (RS) consular visa and then files with the Dirección General de Migración. Economic solvency must be shown through a bank/financial certification of at least RD$300,000 (about RD$150,000 if married to a Dominican national) or a Dominican property title. The DGM application fee is around RD$7,000, with an added charge of about RD$5,000 per year or fraction of stay since entry. The card is valid one year and renewed annually; after the first card plus four temporary renewals it converts to permanent residence (RP-1). Fees are stated in Dominican pesos by the DGM.

• Study: Holders may study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Dependents apply via the dependent residence (RT-7) category.

Processing time

90 days

Validity

365 days

Permanent residence for foreigners who have completed the temporary-residence cycle - generally the first temporary card plus four annual renewals. The first permanent residence card is valid one year and is then renewed in four-year periods. The application is filed with the Dirección General de Migración and requires proof of financial solvency (a bank letter of at least RD$150,000 with three months of statements, or a Dominican property title, or an investment/savings certificate), a Dominican criminal record from the Attorney General, the current temporary residence card and DGM medical exams. Pensioners, rentistas and investors under Law 171-07 reach permanent status on a fast track without completing the full five-year temporary cycle. Permanent residents may apply for naturalization after about two years under Law 1683 (with a reduced period for property/industry owners). Processing is around 30 working days.

• Work: Permanent residents may live and work freely.
• Study: Full access to study.
• Residency: This is permanent residence; naturalization possible after ~2 years (Law 1683).
• Family: Dependents hold their own residence aligned to the principal.

Processing time

30 days

Validity

365 days