residency cost : prohibitive ?

baztripot · #1 02-22-2008, 11:43 AM

after reading the forums, I contacted the recommended law firm in order to process my residency application, I received an email that explained the whole process and the cost, and I'm seriously asking myself if it's really worth it.
for a family of 3, the cost comes close to 10,000$US just to get the freaking residency permit. that includes travel and hotel 3 times (1 for medical, 1 to receive the provisional card , 1 to actually move) , the lawyer fees and taxes to the government. plus after six months you need to pay again to get the permanet residency.
10,000$US is a LOT of money in the DR, most people don't even make half of that in a year. to be paying that just to get the residency doesn't make any sense. plus you will need to pay for renewal every 2 years.

it really seems to me more like a system to make as much money as possible of foreigners. if we're bringing money into the country, we're buying real estate, some are opening businesses. to think they would have made things easier ....

Chip · #2 02-22-2008, 11:52 AM

I have been here for two years and still don't have my residency. That being said I am working on it slowly and surely, but believe me it can be done for less than US500(if I remember correctly). Just do it yourself and I and others here will certainly help you out

Chris · #3 02-22-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baztripot

that includes travel and hotel 3 times (1 for medical, 1 to receive the provisional card , 1 to actually move) , the lawyer fees and taxes to the government.

Travel from where? Are you asking the Lawyer to make travel arrangements and hotel bookings for you? You can take the bus and sleep over more cheaply if you have to sleep over.

If you can speak and read and write Spanish and follow simple instructions and get sets of paperwork together, you can certainly do it yourself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baztripot

plus after six months you need to pay again to get the permanet residency.

What are you going to pay 10,000 bucks for. At the most for 3 of you, it should be in the region of 6,000 on the very high end. There is something included in this cost that you're not telling us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baztripot

10,000$US is a LOT of money in the DR, most people don't even make half of that in a year. to be paying that just to get the residency doesn't make any sense.

Yes, it does make sense. You are asking a new country to accept you as a permanent guest on their soil. I do not understand the 10,000 but as far as residency requirements go, the DR is cheaper than the US or the UK or any other Caribbean country that I know of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by baztripot

plus you will need to pay for renewal every 2 years.

This is a small amount as by this time you can do it yourself.

Are you sure you want to get residency in the DR?

baztripot · #4 02-22-2008, 12:09 PM

the travelling is from canada, so taking the bus is not really an option. for 3 people, that's about 1500$ each time, unless we find some crazy flight deal. that's the average price to get to DR. plus hotel stay each time.

the lawyer wants about 2000$ for each of us (for the provisional and the permanent card) , that's already about 10,500$US. the fees I got from the lawyer don't give any details regarding what's government fees and what they charge for their service.
so it's hard to tell if it's the lawyer that's outrageously expensive or the system itself.

the residency might be cheaper in term of the residency fees, but the way it's done with all the coming and going back and forth, the total cost can be way more than other places.

montreal · #5 02-22-2008, 12:12 PM

Just apply for residency once you get here. Why apply beforehand?

baztripot · #6 02-22-2008, 12:23 PM

I thought it would be easier to get there all legal papers in order. but I think i should probably get there first.

thanks for all the input.

planner · #7 02-22-2008, 12:27 PM

Definately wait until you get here! It is no big deal at all. You can get it done profesionally for much less then that. You can do it yourself too if you are so inclined but it is a hassle. Depends on your tolerance for waiting and frustration.....

Chris · #8 02-22-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baztripot

the lawyer wants about 2000$ for each of us (for the provisional and the permanent card) , that's already about 10,500$US. the fees I got from the lawyer don't give any details regarding what's government fees and what they charge for their service.
so it's hard to tell if it's the lawyer that's outrageously expensive or the system itself.

No way should you do this from Canada! In the DR for residence, it's 'move in' first and then 'pay the piper'. You can negotiate with your lawyer a little, or you can find a cheaper reliable lawyer or you can do the paperwork yourself but only if you have good Spanish. If not, pay a lawyer.

CFA123 · #9 02-22-2008, 01:57 PM

Chris,
My ignorance may be showing (wouldn't be the first time). And if someone knows the following not to be true, I'm more than willing to become more educated on the issue.

Taiwan Consulate Consulate-General of the Dominican Republic Bangkok Thailand (scan down to Residency Visa) states "The Ministry recommends that the process be begun prior to the person arriving in the DR, although it can also be carried out once the person is in the country."

Based on that website, it appears almost everything can be done thru the foreign consulate without setting foot in DR, even medical certification can be obtained in current country of residency. Documents have to be legalized by the consulate, but I've had that done on other things and it's basically hand over the documents and some money & they stamp/legalize things while you wait. That particular website at least makes it appear to be almost a do-it-yourself prospect.

Yes, I know... not even close to everything you read on a Dominican government website can be believed, but maybe it's worth a phone call or trip to one of the consulates in Canada to find out?

If anyone has tried that route, I'd be curious to know if they were successful.

Chip · #10 02-22-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFA123

Chris,
My ignorance may be showing (wouldn't be the first time). And if someone knows the following not to be true, I'm more than willing to become more educated on the issue.

Taiwan Consulate Consulate-General of the Dominican Republic Bangkok Thailand (scan down to Residency Visa) states "The Ministry recommends that the process be begun prior to the person arriving in the DR, although it can also be carried out once the person is in the country."

Based on that website, it appears almost everything can be done thru the foreign consulate without setting foot in DR, even medical certification can be obtained in current country of residency. Documents have to be legalized by the consulate, but I've had that done on other things and it's basically hand over the documents and some money & they stamp/legalize things while you wait. That particular website at least makes it appear to be almost a do-it-yourself prospect.

Yes, I know... not even close to everything you read on a Dominican government website can be believed, but maybe it's worth a phone call or trip to one of the consulates in Canada to find out?

If anyone has tried that route, I'd be curious to know if they were successful.

The point isn't if one can do it from abroad, but why would they want to and pay so much money when it can be done here much more cheaply? Don't pay any attention to what the consulate "recommends" because they just want the fees that are generated. The fact is there are people that lived here illegally without residence for many years and never had a problem. Furthermore, how many people come here and overstay their tourist visa only to have to pay a small fine upon leaving? It isn't a big deal.