Maria AbreuWhat to do Once you Receive the Residency (RS) Visa
Here are instructions of what to do once you receive your visa from the Dominican consulate.
I recommend coming for at least 10 full business days since the government offices only work Monday - Friday. Please note that the 10 business days do not include weekends. Please make sure not to schedule your flight to the DR during a Dominican holiday. Government offices and most banks are closed on Dominican holidays.
The reason we recommend 10 full business days is because Immigration is taking longer to process files due to recent systems changes. Also, their new computer system has been known to crash resulting in delays. Thus we prefer that clients come for at least 10 business days in order to complete the process without having to extend their stay. PLEASE ARRANGE TO COME WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE VISA ISSUE DATE OR A $5,000 PESOS FEE (ABOUT US $100.00) WILL BE CHARGED FOR FAILURE TO DEPOST THE FILE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST ENTER THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BEFORE THE VISA EXPIRES 60 DAYS FROM VISA ISSUE DATE OR A NEW VISA WOULD NEED TO BE OBTAINED.
You will need the following items:
- Two 2¨x2¨ front and two 2x2 right profile recent passport type photographs without jewelry or accessories. Ears must be visible and not covered. Forehead must not be covered with hair; it must be completely visible. Background must be white. All pictures must be of the same set. Please wear a shirt with sleeves when taking the picture.
- Please make a copy of the visa on your passport. When sending the clear and legible picture or copy please include in the same photo the adjacent page of the passport where the visa is located. This way both pages of the passport will be visible in the photo.
- After you arrive in the Dominican Republic make a copy of the last entry stamp on your passport. When sending the clear and legible picture or copy please include in the same photo the adjacent page of the passport where the last entry stamp is located. This way both pages of the passport will be visible in the photo.
If you are applying for permanent residency under the pensionado or rentista categories in Immigration´s Investment Department you will need to open a bank account in a Dominican bank. Banks will be able to convert US dollars into pesos at the following conversion rate: $50.55 pesos / US $1. This will take at least two hours depending on how many people are in the bank. You need to have your Social Security card (if from the USA), passport and driver's license to open the bank account. You will also need to show proof of income. Once the account is open you will need to request a bank reference letter address to Immigration.
With these items on hand along with all the documents returned to you by the Dominican consulate (with their corresponding translation) all could be deposit with Immigration. Once Immigration reviews and approves all of the documents you will undergo a simple medical exam (includes a blood test, urinalysis, x-ray and medical history interview) which takes about one hour.
Since being able to communicate with your lawyer once you are in the DR is essential please arrange to have a working phone and or data.
We recommend staying at one of the hotels listed below or any other hotel near these because they are close to Immigration.
SUGGESTED PLACES TO STAY NEAR IMMIGRATION
AIRBNB - ONE BEDROOM CONDO WITH POOL