I am a U.S. citizen planning to arrive in D.R. using the tourist card visa obtained at D.R. airport upon entry into D.R.
I will then apply for my temporary and then permanent residency. I assume I need to do this before my tourist card expires, so within 60-90 days of initial arrival, is that right?
*** right, youn have to do that before your immigrations status is 'illegal', so before your tourist card expires***
I found the following information regarding the Residence Visa on the "Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the United States Website" (
Embassy of the Dominican Republic, in the United States)
Residence Visa
"The residence visa is the first step to obtain the residence card in the Dominican Republic. This visa can be obtained in approximately three months. The Ministry of Foreign Relations recommends that the process begin prior to the person arriving in the DR, although it can also be carried out once the person is in the country."
In what case is it to my advantage to apply for the Residency Visa while still in the U.S., before I arrive in D.R.?
*** if you apply for residency prior to arrival in the DR you do not need to enter the DR with a valid return ticket, otherwise a missing valid return ticket would mean a 'illegal immigrations status'***
The D.R. Embassy website also mentions the following, among other things, that need to be submitted for a residence visa.
1) Certificate of Good Conduct issued in the jurisdiction of origin. If the beneficiary has been more than three months in the Dominican Republic, it needs to be issued by the competent local judicial authority.
Is this certificate of good conduct obtained in the D.R., or should I get it in the U.S.?
*** if you do the process from home prior to arrival here the certificate is the one issued in the country of origin/US, if you apply for residency afterwards you need that one issued here in the country***
2) Medical Health Certificate. Issued in the jurisdiction of origin. If the applicant has been living more than three months in the Dominican Republic, a recent medical certificate should be presented, legalized by the Ministry of Public Health (SESPAS).
Can I get the medical exam done in the U.S., before I arrive? Or is it better to complete this in the D.R.?
*** exactly the same than for the 'good conduct' paper above, btw it is written really clear on the website you quoted***
Thank you for your help.