When traveling to the Dominican Republic, the majority of people will need a visa. But which one do you need?
Transit visa
A visa is not required for the Dominican Republic for those continuing their journey to another country on the same day as long as you don’t leave the airport and have all the right tickets and documentation. You should not encounter any problems as long as you stay at the airport.
Tourist card
Some countries have signed agreements with the Dominican Republic so that their citizens will only need a tourist card. A tourist card is a US$10.00 tax on incoming tourists that can be purchased at several locations such as:
The official website of the Dominican embassy near you
By post by sending a postal order or a banker’s draft, made payable to the embassy of the Dominican Republic. Cheques are not allowed. Using this method includes a self addressed stamped envelope (size A5) and tourist cards will not be sent if a pre-paid envelope is not included. Besides this, you will have to send information regarding the amount of cards you request with the names of the applicants.
At the airport upon arrival
Tourist cards are valid for 30 days and the process of obtaining one will take approximately 7 working days (unless getting it at the airport). Do keep in mind that tourist Cards are non-refundable. In order to extend a visit to the Dominican Republic, the tourist has to go to the offices of the Dirección General de Migración at the airport and pay for an extension. After the expiration of the 30 day tourist card, the cost of the extension starts at US$10 (depending of the length of the stay).
If your country is not on this list mentioned above in the link, you will need to request a tourist visa. These are valid for one or multiple entries within 60 days of issue. The processing time will be between 10 to 15 working days. The visa is more expensive than the tourist card as the costs are US $95,00.
original and valid passport (bring at least two photocopies)
copy of your National Identity Document
National Identity Document with photocopy
medical Certificate - this document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled
residence card (if residing in a second country) with photocopy
documents showing you can support yourself financially while being there. (Letter of Bank, Letter of employment)
police certificate (also known as a certificate of good conduct), including an official criminal record certificate. This document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled. If the applicant has previously resided in the Dominican Republic that document must be issued by the Attorney General's Office
copy of former Dominican visas or residence card (if having previously traveled to the Dominican Republic).
copy of return ticket
copy of your stay in a hotel / holiday rental etc.
One photograph, size 2 x 2 inches, with a white background
visa application letter to the Consular Section containing name, nationality, place of residence and occupation, as well as purpose of traveling to the Dominican Republic
in the case of minors, permission of the parents or guardian when the applicant is not the mother or the father. This document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled
If you want to extend your stay in the country, the tourist needs to visit the Migration Department in Santo Domingo and request an extension. Those that do not do so will need to pay a surcharge at the airport upon departure. You only need to pay US$22 at the airport to extend your stay for up to 90 days. Other fees will apply for longer stays.
Business and work visa
The Dominican Republic offers two different kind of short term visas; a work visa (60 days) and a business visa, which allows you multiple entries in one year. Do keep in mind that you cannot be in the Dominican Republic for longer than two months in a row!
It will take 10-15 days to arrange the visa and it is recommended you begin the process in good time.
In order to apply for a visa you will need the following:
form 509 (a useful English translation of the appropriate form)
original and valid passport (bring at least two photocopies)
National Identity Document with photocopy
birth certificate with photocopy
medical Certificate - this document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled.
residence card (if residing in a second country) with photocopy
residence permit
work contract / certificate (proof of business to be carried out)
one photograph, size 2 x 2 inches, with a white background
five passport-sized pictures
police certificate (also known as a certificate of good conduct), including an official criminal record certificate. This document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation Apostilled. If the applicant has previously resided in the Dominican Republic that document must be issued by the Attorney General's Office
Last but certainly not least is a visa application letter containing information about yourself. What should be in the letter?
Firstly, the following all need to be included: the applicant’s name, nationality, place of residence, economic solvency and the profession or activity.
Besides that, it is important to include information about the person that will be responsible for the applicant during his/her stay in the country (if this is the case).
If the person is employed or to be employed by a company in the Dominican Republic, the application should include the position of the applicant and a written statement that the company will be responsible for any possible errors. This has to be signed by the person in charge of the applicant.
It is recommended that you choose the Business visa with multiple entries for one year as this is US$ 125.00. The Business visa with only one entry (60 days) costs US$115.00. By paying US$ 10.00 more, you know that you can leave the country and return if necessary.
Renewing this visa is relatively easy. You will have to visit the Department of Immigration (Dirección General de Migración), in Santo Domingo.You’ll need to take your former Dominican visas or residence card with you as well as a copy.
There is no such thing as a work permit. This means that any foreigner who has a visa or residency card is authorized to work in Dominican Republic, as well as any foreigner who has a work contract with a legally established company.
Dependant visa
Dependant Visas are issued for family members, subject to the type of visa granted to the main family member or employer on whom they depend. It will take 10-15 days in order to receive one and the cost is US$125,00.
medical Certificate, this document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled.
residence card (if residing in a second country) with photocopy
documents showing the applicant's financial solvency. If a document is issued in the Dominican Republic, must be certified by a notary public and legalized by the Attorney General's Office (Procuraduría General de la República)
police certificate (also known as a certificate of good conduct), including an official criminal record certificate. This document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled. If the applicant has previously resided in the Dominican Republic that document must be issued by the Attorney General's Office.
one photograph, size 2 x 2 inches, with a white background.
in the case of minors, permission of the parents or guardian when the applicant is not the mother or the father. If the child is not to be accompanied into the country by both parents, it is required that the parent who is not in the Dominican Republic authorizes the other parent to move with the child to the Dominican Republic. This document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled.
visa application letter addressed to the Consular Section containing name, nationality, place of residence and occupation.
marriage certificate and birth certificate of children. This document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled.
copy of the Dominican Visa or Residence Card and copy of the passport of the person on whom the applicant depends.
Student visa
The Dominican Republic has always been attractive for students going abroad. With an average temperature of 25 degrees, who wouldn't want to study there?
For any stay less than 90 days, students will just need a tourist card, which can be obtained from the airport upon arrival for a fee of $10. It is only actually valid for 30 days, so on departure from the country you are required to pay for any overstay after the 30 days; this is a more logical way of doing things, rather than applying for a student visa.
As of spring 2014 all international students studying in the Dominican Republic for more than 90 days will will required to apply for a student visa.
First of all, you will have to be accepted by a Dominican educational institution. After this you can focus your attention on the necessary documents which you will need for a visa. These are:
medical Certificate, this document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled.
residence card (if residing in a second country) with photocopy.
documents showing the applicant's financial solvency. If a document is issued in the Dominican Republic, must be certified by a notary public and legalized by the Attorney General's Office (Procuraduría General de la República).
police certificate (also known as a certificate of good conduct), including an official criminal record certificate. This document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation Apostilled. If the applicant has previously resided in the Dominican Republic that document must be issued by the Attorney General's Office.
one photograph, size 2 x 2 inches, with a white background.
as mentioned above, acceptance certification of the University (or the Center of Studies).
document with proof of scholarship (if applicable) or from the institution financially supporting the student. This document must specify the amount of financial support or scholarship, and its duration. In both cases, this record must be written on official letterhead and certified by the institution.
in the case of minors, permission of the parents or guardian when the applicant is not the mother or the father. If the child is not to be accompanied into the country by both parents, it is required that the parent who is not in the Dominican Republic authorizes the other parent to move with the child to the Dominican Republic. This document must be notarized, translated into Spanish and both the original and the translation apostilled.
visa application letter addressed to the Consular Section containing name, nationality, place of residence and occupation.
This visa must be renewed each year for as long as the applicant fulfills the conditions required and the former Dominican visas or residence card with copies are needed for this.
You will receive your student visa within 10-15 days and the cost will be US$115.00.
Address
You can send your application (no matter for which visa) to the Department of Migration (Extranjería)
Av. George Washington (Malecón, a boulevard along the sea)
