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None of this is new people.  Most just dont bother with all this paperwork and simply pay the fine.

For clarity the overstay fine comes into effect on day 31 and applies.from  the very first day.  So the 2500 RD.applies whether you stay 31 days or 89 days!

Interesting couple of posts imo;

I don't know where 'ducketts' gets the English translation on the website. Yes there is an English option on the DGM site but it doesn't translate the stay or extension of stay rules to English nor to the detail he has he has posted - perhaps one has to register and use the apply on line function?.

The most interesting parts of 'kittenjuggler' posts are the fact that the proof of solvency and medical status was very simple and not as complicated as some have suggested, secondly that the application was not by written application as the DGM foro stated (it appears a visit in person was the case here or have I missed something?) and thirdly it appears the immigration officer at the airport had not seen such a two page approval before - is this all new? Are DGM adapting to meet a demand for extensions whilst here?

It doesn't change the fact that right now overstay and pay on exit is still tolerated, but it does suggest that some effort is being made to allow those that wish to maintain a legal stay by extending officially.

If this were the case in Puerto Plata, Santiago  and Punta Cana DGM offices then these posts would be a significant development.

Right now it all seems business as normal for those who make use of immigration laxness. And to be honest, I would not expect any real change until after the elections in June and a time thereafter for the new ministers to establish themselves.

It seems that the 'extension' is just another piece of paper...
which few know about and even fewer have rec'd !!

The benefit must be that you paper holder is technically legal and
therefore not  subject to deportation.

Anything else ??
Foreign licenses good for 90 days ( or 60?)....

Let's be real: if they saw that document an hour ago, they would again read.it like it was new! 

This was the process for some time now.  In SD at least this is how it is.

And on another site someone went through a long ordeal to be told the extension is 30 days for a total of 60. There is no 120

For those wishing to extend their stay formally to have legal status if ever challenged in the country beyond the that granted when entering as a Tourist (30 days for those nationalities who get tourist cards and 60 days for those who need tourist visas), there is a new recent thread by on the DGM Forum which clarifies the process in the exchanges which backs up the process which kittenjuggler posted:

(As has been written often, many do not wish to get this formality and will continue using the overstay process but there are a few who ask for this such as the gentleman below, so respect lets respect their wishes and advise with latest information as best we can.)

https://foro.migracion.gob.do/forums/topic/prorroga-de-permanencia/

21 enero, 2020 a las 8:39 am#183363RESPUESTA

Philippe BLEUSEZ
Buenas tardes

Durante mi próxima visita a vuestro país en febrero, tengo la intención de quedar cerca de tres meses. ¿Cómo puedo obtener el formulario (Carta de solicitud de prórroga de permanencia dirigida a la D.G.M ) de prórroga? ¿ puedo lo obtener en archivo adjunto ?

Muchas gracias

22 enero, 2020 a las 9:02 am#183525RESPUESTA

Raysa Rodriguez

Moderador
Buenos Dias,

Esto solo se puede solicitar via el departamento de correspondencia después de su llegada al pais

22 enero, 2020 a las 10:52 am#183536RESPUESTA

PHILIPPE BLEUSEZ
Buenas tardes

Si entiendo bien, tendré que ir allí al departamento de correspondencia de la DGM con todos los otros documentos solicitados durante el primer mes para obtener este formulario (Carta de solicitud de prórroga de permanencia dirigida a la D.G.M ), ¿ es bien esto ?

Muchas gracias

27 enero, 2020 a las 11:49 am#184407RESPUESTA

Raysa Rodriguez

Moderador
Corrector.

lennoxnev wrote:

For those wishing to extend their stay formally to have legal status if ever challenged in the country beyond the that granted when entering as a Tourist (30 days for those nationalities who get tourist cards and 60 days for those who need tourist visas), there is a new recent thread by on the DGM Forum which clarifies the process in the exchanges which backs up the process which kittenjuggler posted:

(As has been written often, many do not wish to get this formality and will continue using the overstay process but there are a few who ask for this such as the gentleman below, so respect lets respect their wishes and advise with latest information as best we can.)

https://foro.migracion.gob.do/forums/topic/prorroga-de-permanencia/

21 enero, 2020 a las 8:39 am#183363RESPUESTA

Philippe BLEUSEZ
Buenas tardes

Durante mi próxima visita a vuestro país en febrero, tengo la intención de quedar cerca de tres meses. ¿Cómo puedo obtener el formulario (Carta de solicitud de prórroga de permanencia dirigida a la D.G.M ) de prórroga? ¿ puedo lo obtener en archivo adjunto ?

Muchas gracias

22 enero, 2020 a las 9:02 am#183525RESPUESTA

Raysa Rodriguez

Moderador
Buenos Dias,

Esto solo se puede solicitar via el departamento de correspondencia después de su llegada al pais

22 enero, 2020 a las 10:52 am#183536RESPUESTA

PHILIPPE BLEUSEZ
Buenas tardes

Si entiendo bien, tendré que ir allí al departamento de correspondencia de la DGM con todos los otros documentos solicitados durante el primer mes para obtener este formulario (Carta de solicitud de prórroga de permanencia dirigida a la D.G.M ), ¿ es bien esto ?

Muchas gracias

27 enero, 2020 a las 11:49 am#184407RESPUESTA

Raysa Rodriguez

Moderador
Corrector.

Great, I used to travel to Canada for vacations, and Canadian Inmigration website has same procedure, diference is that entering with visa to Canada you can stay up to 6 month if they do not write in your passport the departure date you must leave and to extend your stay you must go to Inmigration department before  expire you days allowed to stay for application of extend your stay.

THANK YOU Ducketts

I had no idea that an "over stay" (longer than 30 days) could be done online.
That clears up, and simplifies so much.

kittenjuggler wrote:

THANK YOU Ducketts

I had no idea that an "over stay" (longer than 30 days) could be done online.
That clears up, and simplifies so much.

Um, wasn't me but you're welcome.. lol

Well many illegals become illegals bc they over stay their visas

Not sure how illegal they are if their is an administrative work around.

At some point, they will remove it!

Hi!
Is there a limit to how many times a person can "overstay" his/ her tourist visa? Does it depend how many times a person has overstayed their tourist visa that they get turned away?

I've heard the "temporary residence" visa is a long and costly process, with having to fly back to one's hone country and embassy!

Would it be better to secure a different type of visa before going to the DR??
Coming from England myself, it's very far to have to travel back and forth to sort residency stuff out and not exactly cheap too! 😣

There is no limit to how many times you can overstay.  Very few are being turned away at the moment. 

There is only residencia or a business Visa or.a.student visa.  That's pretty much it.

Thanks for the reply!

I understand the first case of Coronavirus in DR  Do we know where on the island  Are the authorities equipped to deal with this serious issue?
Are there help centres around the country?

Thank you

Ducketts

It is in the south east, not far from La Romana. It was an Italian tourist who is now in isolation.

There is much more to say but this is not the thread for it. There is a thread on the virus already.

Thanks Planner as usual

Ducketts

A significant new online service for tourists now exists:



click on link then Nuestra Servicios

click on more Information and translate, then apply

You can apply to extend your tourist stay online at the DGM website

That's interesting.  Any everyone can check their status online.  Sadly their pdf of info is only in Spanish.

But absolutely no excuse now for overstaying when getting an extension for 60 days over and above your tourist card or tourist visa. it is now so easy online with a requirement to provide only copy of passport page, entry date and copy of return ticket. I am told you need to give a reason for wanting and extension if you apply.

No medical and no proof of solvency.

You still pay on departure but will become legal for the whole stay.

I just read the document, where does it say you become legal?

Hi everyone

Just tried and eventually successfully applied for an extension

Please note once you've got to the link     translate into English
It will ask for your passport no, and email address.  You will then receive a reply with your dossier no, and a pin number  You will need these 2 to proceed.

It then asks to press the button called "form"  This will take you to a new page " Personal Information" where you need to fill in the details.  Be aware before starting this section on the left hand  side of this page, top where its says "Extension for Tourists" below it says  "Apply or Check Status"  Press the latter and then you can start completing the page.  Eventually you will get to another page where you are asked to upload copy of passport and return ticket.  This can be either JPEG or PDF

Once you've done that you will get an email confirming your application and basically it says "watch this space for news"

That's it.  Let's hope it works

Ducketts

Thanks for doing it and sharing your experience. Keep us posted honey,

Since people can now stay up to 120 days legally by being proactive, it begs the question on what will happen to those who are not proactive and overstay. Time will tell.

planner wrote:

I just read the document, where does it say you become legal?

I am going to make a wild guess here and say that if you apply and are given a 90 or  120 day extension by being proactive and applying up front that you would be legally in the DR for those 90 or 120 days.

60 days is the maximum extension for a tourist card.



It would be a total of 120 days with a tourist visa and so the exit fees are either 2500rd for 90 days or 4000rd for 120 days. The fees quoted do not confirm the stays allowed.

120 days ? From what I understood it's still 30 days with possible renew 30 days total of 60 days has anything changed?

classygringo wrote:

120 days ? From what I understood it's still 30 days with possible renew 30 days total of 60 days has anything changed?

Yes there is a change:

the DGM site now allows the purchase of extended stay visas - 90 or  120 days

They want the biometric page of your passport, your entry stamp & your return ticket



2 offers

30- 90 days = 2500 DOP

90-120 days = 4000 DOP

If one has any doubts because the new process is not well worded, i suggest asking questions on the DGM Forum.

At least we know thanks to 'ducketts' that the process works and let's hope he gets his extension.

Now , what will happen if you stay over 120 days, and other such "what if" questions?  Time will tell.

It's all still unclear.  So let's see what we can find out! 

And yes we.know the first part works!  Fingers crossed in the rest!   

If you don't apply for the extension, I'm going to take a wild guess and say that they will continue to collect overdue  penalties, just like they always have.....

Yes they will

But like all things Dominican --- Until they don't

Many have been begging for this....
as usual , now they thumb their nose at it

Me?
If I was a visitor I would be all over this- peace of mind

Just got this response from DR1 form a lawyer, things are as clear a mud now:

Hello to all. My name is Cynthia Comprés, immigration attorney at Guzmán Ariza.

To clarify: this is not a permit or an extension of the visa. The visa can only be regulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while Immigration regulates the period you are allowed to stay in the country according to the type of visa and your time of entry.

Windeguy and William Webster are correct: this is paying the overstay penalty via the Immigration office's web page, instead of the airport's immigration, or paying before the return trip to your country. Please keep in mind that there have been cases that the airport's immigration don't recognise this payment and you may have to do it again, but it is very rare.

This fee only applies to the first time residency applicants, business or tourist visas, as it pertains to the Visa's validity and allowed stay. A legal resident doesnt need to pay overstay.

She wrote this:

while Immigration regulates the period you are allowed to stay in the country according to the type of visa and your time of entry.

So did she read this?:

5- PROCEDIMIENTO PARA OBTENER EL SERVICIO:
 El usuario realiza la solicitud de la prorroga a través del portal web y carga los documentos requeridos.
 El personal responsable recibe la solicitud en línea y depura los documentos suministrados por el usuario.
 Se aprueba la solicitud de prórroga de estadía por el personal correspondiente.
 Se envía un correo electrónico al usuario informando sobre el estado de su solicitud.
 El usuario realiza el pago de estadía online o en el aeropuerto.

Surely it is DGM's job to apply the immigration law and approve extensions to tourist stays as is decribed in that law?

For me that sums up some lawyers here.

It certainly does not appear to be just a payment online.

Our preferred lawyer here is Lishali and it would nice to hear her take on this.

So, from what I can see by the lawyers reply, you are just paying ahead of time for either up to 90 or 120 days and nothing else changes. You are still not legal after 30 days since it is not really an extension of the tourist card, just a prepayment of the exit fee, which you might have to pay again if the people at the airport are clueless... Oh well. I had hoped it was something else.

That lawyer is with Guzman Ariza, a rather large law firm in the DR .  As I read her response, Migracion does not make the laws regarding Visas and this is not a new visa, it is just a way to pay for the overstay. But by all means another legal opinion would be useful.

Well none of their documentation state anything about pre paying

It's clear from their website this is a demand of extension of stay of your tourist card (30 days) as they require your arrival and departure dates and copies of the arrival stamp in the passport.

Ducketts

I will ask Lishali today.

As posted on DGM Facebook page:

General Directorate of Migration
18 hrs ·
Migration has a new online service for extension of stay for tourists

The General Directorate of Migration (DGM), in an effort to improve the services offered to its users, provided from the month of February, the facility to request online extension of stay for foreign tourists who intend to extend their stay beyond term authorized by immigration control when entering the country.
To request this new online service, foreigners must enter the institution's website , complete the application form, and send the scanned documents such as, passport copy, air or sea ticket of return, and copy of the stamp of last entry into the country.
How to request the extension of stay online
When entering the DGM website, the user must access the box that indicates the request for an extension of stay for tourists, there enter their email address and passport number, with these data the system will generate an access code that will be sent to the email address entered by the user.
With this code on the DGM website, you will be redirected to the application form that must be filled out online, attached with the scanned copies of the required documents. These will be verified by the Department of Migration Control and after their analysis, they will send a notification to the user via email with the approval or not of the request in an estimated time of 24 to 48 hours.
The DGM clarifies that the extension of stay does not exempt the foreigner from paying for the time exceeded in national territory as established by law upon leaving the country.
The new online service represents saving time and money by avoiding travel and waiting for these procedures. Other services of the area of ​​foreigners that are performed online are: the system of appointments, application or renewal of permits and residences, applications for loss, permission to leave minors among others.

According to this 'ducketts' should know today or tomorrow hopefully and all will be clearer.

lennoxnev wrote:

As posted on DGM Facebook page:

General Directorate of Migration
18 hrs ·
Migration has a new online service for extension of stay for tourists

The General Directorate of Migration (DGM), in an effort to improve the services offered to its users, provided from the month of February, the facility to request online extension of stay for foreign tourists who intend to extend their stay beyond term authorized by immigration control when entering the country.
To request this new online service, foreigners must enter the institution's website , complete the application form, and send the scanned documents such as, passport copy, air or sea ticket of return, and copy of the stamp of last entry into the country.
How to request the extension of stay online
When entering the DGM website, the user must access the box that indicates the request for an extension of stay for tourists, there enter their email address and passport number, with these data the system will generate an access code that will be sent to the email address entered by the user.
With this code on the DGM website, you will be redirected to the application form that must be filled out online, attached with the scanned copies of the required documents. These will be verified by the Department ofMigration Control and after their analysis, they will send a notification to the user via email with the approval or not of the request in an estimated time of 24 to 48 hours.
The DGM clarifies that the extension of stay does not exempt the foreigner from paying for the time exceeded in national territory as established by law upon leaving the country.
The new online service represents saving time and money by avoiding travel and waiting for these procedures. Other services of the area of ​​foreigners that are performed online are: the system of appointments, application or renewal of permits and residences, applications for loss, permission to leave minors among others.

According to this 'ducketts' should know today or tomorrow hopefully and all will be clearer.

Thats correct, is for tourist to extend their stay further than the period written in the passport.  here is the link in spanish from DGM webpage  News