Tourist card scam?

[Cantaloulou]

Recently in mid-july, I arrived at POP and bought my tourist card as usual except this time the guy standing in front of the customs counters was asking for the card back... I argued a bit because on my last 3 trips, I was always told to keep my card for the return. But, this guy was very insistent and he did the same thing to all people in the queue just like me. I didn't argue any further and gave it back to him. I figure they'll stamp my passport with the entrance date anyhow...

Is this a new procedure to take back the card? Will I have a problem because I don't have the card when I leave in mid-october other than having to pay fine for overstaying?

[Charlielyn]

I know that it seems silly, but they take the tourist card (long form and business card size) from you as you enter the DR. The silliest procedure is you fill out a tourist info form when you enter the DR and you fill out another that is identical when you leave the DR. In the past there was one form and you kept it with you until you left the country. Go figure! When you leave you just pay the extra pesos and fill out another form.

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by Cantaloulou

...........Is this a new procedure to take back the card? Will I have a problem because I don't have the card when I leave in mid-october other than having to pay fine for overstaying?

It is not a scam. This is the new procedure. They have been doing this for quite awhile. You are lucky to have the tourist card in your hand for 5 minutes.

[catcherintherye]

In all my flights to POP it has always been handled they way you describe.

You would have to pay anyway, since a tourist card is only good for 30 days.

[Vintage]

i stayed an extra month in total i was there for two months and i had to pay another ten dollars only
and they took my tourist card when i arrived there

[J D Sauser]

.. and they (are supposed to) shred them rite on the spot so the "tiguere"-agents can't re-sell them.


... J-D.

[Cantaloulou]

Wow, thank you all for your replies, what a relief! I was sure I was in deep crap for my return! Now I know not to stress...

[Expat133]

Does anyone one no without a doubt how long the tourist entry visa is good for?

I hear all over here that its 30 days, yet on another post has this link; Dominican Republic Visa,Embassy Requirements,Travel,Tourist Visa Application Form,Student,immigration information

Here is says this;


How long is the visa valid for?

Tourist visas and single-entry Business visas: 60 days.
Multiple-entry Business visas: up to 1 year.

[MikeFisher]

i thought the length of your stay as a visitor/tourist depends from where you are coming in/from which country your passport is, because different countries may have different regulations with each others.
Mike

[catcherintherye]

Mike,
Although you might be correct, the time limit and the fine that are posted at the airports make no distinction between tourists. It simply says the fine is 300 peso or 30 US dollars for staying beyond 30 days.

I haven't seen anything to the contrary, nor have I seen anything about tourists from other countries.

I've been on flights with people from other countries, and when we all buy our tourist cards, no one asks where people are from, and they are sold and discarded before anyone gets to the immigration check point.