Obtaining a residence permit, permanent residence and citizenship of the Dominican Republic

Advantages and disadvantages

The Dominican Republic launched a program for issuing a country's passport to foreigners almost three decades ago, and during this time many have become its citizens. True, it should be noted that the possession of a Dominican passport now does not mean free entry to all countries of the world - you can enter only 51 states without a visa. And in itself, the citizenship of the Dominican Republic is not of great value. But for those who are interested in opening their own business in the United States and issuing a green card there and obtaining Spanish citizenship in just two years (due to the fact that the republic was previously a colony of Spain), then the citizenship of the Dominican Republic will help to implement this as efficiently as possible ...

In addition, today there are many fans of not only recreation in this country, but also a year-round stay here - eternal summer, snow-white beaches and the freshest exotic fruits leave few people indifferent. Two years ago, over 0.5 million foreigners already lived in the Dominican Republic, which amounted to more than 5% of the population. In principle, having only a residence permit (which is not so easy to obtain in the Caribbean, perhaps only in the Dominican Republic it is most realistic to do this), you can comfortably stay in the country and have the same rights as local residents, with the exception of the possibility of voting on elections, however, a national passport opens up much more prospects.

Until 2012, the Dominican Republic had simple and extremely affordable conditions for obtaining local citizenship - then you could become a Dominican for $ 25,000. But then the country's authorities made significant changes to this program and now it is more difficult to become the owner of a Dominican passport. The new version of the law on citizenship provides that citizenship can be obtained after seven years of residence in the country: first two years with a residence permit and then five years with permanent residence.

How to enter the country

To enter the Dominican Republic for tourist purposes for up to 30 days, Russian citizens do not need a visa: at the border control point, only entry and exit stamps are put in the passport. You can extend your stay in the country for up to 90 days by contacting your local police station. Upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, before passing the border, a migration card is filled out, which, most often, are distributed on board the aircraft. You will also need tarjeta del tourista - a tourist card, which can be purchased in front of the passport control zone (cost - $ 10), in vending machines installed in the passport control zone, or in advance at the consulates and embassies of the Dominican Republic, from tour operators or online on the Department's website Internal Affairs (Direccion General de Impuestos Internos). After registration, it must be printed and presented at passport control - it is valid for one year for one entry into the country. Similar conditions apply to citizens of Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Georgia, but citizens of Belarus will need a visa .

Obtaining a residence permit

When the period of stay in the Dominican Republic exceeds 90 days (which can be stayed in the country without a visa), foreigners must apply for a residence permit. When submitting documents, the most important is the one where the reason for obtaining a residence permit is confirmed.

Foundations

• marriage with a citizen (citizen) of the Dominican Republic or legally residing (having permanent residence)
• son (daughter) of Dominican citizens,
• pensioner or rentier,
• owner of an open-ended work contract (provide the original work contract and a certificate from the Ministry of Labor, which must indicate that the organization is registered in the Unified Labor Registration System (Sistema Integrado de Registro Laborales - SIRLA),
• as an entrepreneur or investor (subject to the implementation of proven investments in the country's economy in the amount of at least $ 200,000). When it comes to owning local real estate, it is necessary to provide the relevant documents on the property,
• on the basis of a foreign source of income, the amount of which exceeds $ 2,000 per month, or if a working company is registered in the name of the applicant for a residence permit in the territory of the Dominican Republic.

A residence permit is issued for a period of one year, and then renewed annually for five years. A temporary residence permit is a necessary stage for further obtaining permanent residence and citizenship of the Dominican Republic.

What gives a foreigner a residence permit

• stay in the Dominican Republic for one year or more,
• the ability to open accounts in financial institutions of the country and receive loans,
• official employment in the country,
• obtaining a local driver's license.

Permanent residence

After a foreigner has received a residence permit in the Dominican Republic for five years, he has the right to apply for permanent residence, this must be done 45 days before the expiration of the last residence permit received. For the first time, permanent residence is issued for a period of 1 year, and then renewed every 4 years.

Registration of citizenship

A foreigner who has permanent residence for five years has the right to apply for Dominican citizenship, which is considered within six months. An obligatory stage for obtaining it is passing an oral interview in Spanish, so by this time it is necessary to master the language at an intermediate level.

Thank you for your help in preparing the material:

Anna Gladysheva, owner of Arichy Inmobiliaria SRL