Daisy Polanco Jiménez Iván Fco Victoria Vásquez

July 21, 2026

Since June 1, 2012, residency status in the Dominican Republic has been governed by Immigration Law No. 285-04 and Immigration Regulation No. 631-11.

Foreign nationals are prohibited by statute from entering the Dominican Republic for residency purposes in the following cases:

1) Contagious illness threatening public health, except, under certain requirements, when sponsored by relatives living in the Dominican Republic.

2) Mental illness or physical disabilities, with certain exceptions.

3) Convicted of a crime (drugs, human trafficking, prostitution, terrorism, and other serious offences).

4) Previous deportation without reentry permit or prohibition from entering the country.

Foreign nationals seeking residency in the Dominican Republic fall into two categories:

a) Those who can apply immediately for permanent residency.

1) Investors of at least $200,000 USD in local businesses (including free zones and government contracts) or in local financial instruments.

2) Retirees with a monthly pension of at least $1,500 USD (plus 250 USD per dependent).

3) Applicants with monthly income of at least $2,000 USD for five years or more (rentistas).

b) Those who must first apply for temporary residency and, after completing the required period as temporary residents, may apply for permanent residency and subsequently obtain definitive residency status or become Dominican citizens.

1) Applicants related to Dominicans or to foreigners with permanent residency status in the Dominican Republic (spouses and children).

2) Applicants who have been hired by a local company and have acquired properties in the country.

The application process is essentially the same for both, except for some additional documents required for permanent residency and the waiting period to get the card.

The first step is to apply for a residency visa at the Dominican Consulate nearest to the applicant’s domicile. It is no longer possible to apply for residency from within the Dominican Republic.

Requirements for the visa application vary depending on the category under which you apply, however, all applications must include general documentation such as birth and marriage certificate, criminal record, medical certificate and ID.

Foreign documents must be apostilled or legalized by a Dominican Consulate. Documents in a language other than Spanish must be translated by the Consulate.

Law No. 285-04 mandates that residency applicants must obtain local insurance to cover medical and repatriation expenses. Residency applications may include dependents such as a spouse and children, provided that the proper documentation is attached (birth certificates, marriage certificate, passports, pictures, etc.).

Criminal record certificates are only required of dependents of legal age. For the Dominican Republic legal age starts at 18 years old.

The residency visa is good for only one entry into the Dominican Republic for an initial period of 60 days. The cost of the application is $200 USD or 200 € in the Euro Zone.

Residency visas are approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santo Domingo. If the visa is approved, the Consulate will stamp the residency visa on the applicant’s passport. The application file will then be forwarded to the Immigration Department for processing. It is highly recommended that applicants keep a copy of the complete visa application file, including translations and authentications.

Within 30 days of arrival in the Dominican Republic, the applicant must complete their online profile at the Immigration Department and wait for an appointment to deposit all original documents, present the passport, sign application forms, and undergo the required medical tests.

It is estimated that processing time for residency applications will be at least 90 to 120 working days for temporary residency and 45 working days for permanent residency under investment from the date that the applicant completed their medical evaluation at an authorized lab.

Upon approval, the applicant will receive a residency card and a cédula de identidad (national ID), except for workers who are granted a labor card instead. All residents must maintain a valid passport at all times.

Temporary residency is granted for one year. Applications for renewal must be made in person, thirty days before the expiration date. Temporary residents may apply for permanent residency after 5 years, 45 days before the expiration date of their residency card.

Permanent residents must renew their residency card after one year; subsequent cards will be renewable every four years, except for retirees and rentistas who must renew every two years. After ten years, permanent residents can apply for a definitive residency card, for which they must undergo a new medical examination.

An applicant seeking to renew temporary or permanent residency must submit a passport that will remain valid for at least 18 months from the date of application, along with their residency card, ID, photographs, local police certificate, letter of guarantee, and other required documents. Applicants renewing permanent residency must also undergo a new medical examination and demonstrate that the conditions under which their residency was originally granted remain unchanged (e.g., employment, investment, pension, etc.).

Residents must obtain a special re-entry permit if their residency cards are set to expire while they are outside the Dominican Republic and must notify the Immigration Department of any change of domicile.

Permanent holders may apply for citizenship after two years as permanent residents.

Investors certified by Pro-Dominica or Free Zone Counsel and spouses of Dominican nationals may apply after six months.

It is illegal for nonresidents to work in the Dominican Republic. Employers of nonresident workers will be subject to fines. Illegal workers are subject to deportation.