Should I get residency
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I know this subject has been covered but I'm wondering if I should get one now. My wife and I will own a house in Cabarete and will be spending the winters there only, for a few more years (as we still have to work) We are still unsure if we will live their full time. I like the idea of having a DR passport and dual citizenship. I noticed we don't fit as retired or starting business. Are we other?Thanks
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Residency and citizenship are two different things. Without Residency, you will not be able to work at your business, other than manage it. If you have a disgruntled employee, it is a simple phone call, and Migracion is at your door, taking your business, assets (including your car or home, or the home you rent) and handing you a fine, and sending you home. Compared to that possibility, residency is a simple "yes". Save yourself the headache, and start down the pathway to being legal now. My opinion will differ from others, but as a business owner, this can and does happen.Â
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My advice is to look at residency as soon as possible. I expect that the rules will become more stringent as we move forward.Â
Not sure how you will qualify but ask Lishali Baez. She is an amazing, highly recommended lawyer in Santo Domingo. Her english is really good and she will tell you straight up what your options are!  She can be reached at 1-809-860-1231 by whatsapp or call Her email libaezm@gmail.com
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@jperryjr1 Yes, you should get residency. It will help solidfy your place in Dominican society as part-time residents and it will lead you on the path to citizenship if that is your ultimate goal 😉.
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@jperryjr1
Honestly, if you will only be coming here 5-6 months a year and not running a business in this country, it is not worth the aggravation of residency. As someone who just completed residency, I only did this as I am living here Full time. If you are just a snow bird and working online from Canada/USA, then just pay exit fees. If you do decide on residency later, then absolutely go with Lishali Baez.
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Related question - can you apply for residency before you leave U.S., or do you have to wait until you are in country and buy your house?
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The process starts there! Once you have done the first stage paperwork they give you a residency visa and you have 60 days to come and de your residency application here.
Lishali will walk you through the process based on how you qualify and type of residency
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@planner 1 year and counting i have been trying with no avail. The consulate closest (Miami) does not return calls or gives you excuses. I did a google review of all their consulates here in the US (to find a more responsive consular) and even their own nationals have a very low opinion of them. I have given up for now. I guess being married to a Dominican will eventually secure me a residence but for now wait and see approach. I am opened to advise or contacts States side that can genuinely help.
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Thats why we recommend using a good lawyer here. They have contacts and know how to get thru to consulates etc.
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And yes being married to a Dominican qualifies you for residency and later citizenship
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1If you are serious about a long term expat life in DR you apply for residency.
If not you are an opportunist.
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Didn't think this was a site for one to pass judgment, only information sharing. Not fair calling someone a potential opportunist.Â
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I agree. It’s irrelevant.
Either you’re a resident or a tourist, plane and simple.
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Didn't think this was a site for one to pass judgment, only information sharing. Not fair calling someone a potential opportunist.Â- @modaisky1971
I agree. It’s irrelevant.
Either you’re a resident or a tourist, plane and simple.
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Okay so yes, labeling and judging is not appropriate! @Lennox please don't do that. State the facts without judgement please.Â
Overstaying a tourist or other visa is technically illegal and for now is allowed via an administrative work around.  It can have ramifications!
If you plan to do this every year with the intent of eventually staying full time or almost full time, it is in your best interest to get residency.Â
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1If you plan a long term expat life without residency and take advantage of past and current lax application of immigration laws you are taking advantage of that opportunity.
No judgement whatsoever there!
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1That statement was not judgemental. The other one was honey.
Lets move on.
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However they must streamline the process for residency. It is a very tedious and difficult process.
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1It is very typical of just about everything here. Its rarely simple, takes longer then expected, needs to be corrected 12 times, costs more than they say!
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1it is important to put things into perspective when dealing with developing economies. You expectations should be lowered + you need to flow with the system. Bottom line do not expect things/processes/basics to be same as in an advance economy. If you condition yourself for these shortfalls your stay in the DR and for that matter most countries would be less stressful.
Meanwhile - looking for an HONEST building contractor in the Buena Vista district of the La Vega Province.
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1Having just gone through this process I can tell you its a lot of paperwork, frustrating and not cheap. However, I am proud to have received my Residency and Cedula. Heck I'm almost Dominican now! LOL.
I used Lishali Baez and strongly recommend her expertise. Without her I don't know where in the process I'd be stuck. Likely no man's land.
I bought a home and felt that alone justified my decision. Whether I stay year round or not I feel secure in knowing I have a rightful place in paradise. Flashing my Cedula is a point of pride and beats dragging my passport everywhere, even when buying furniture its needed.
Good Luck in your journey
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2The ability to adjust is critical here. That said, some days are easier than others!
Congrats @thezuber on getting your cedula. Piece of mind is definitely a benefit of having it! I agree, Lishali is pretty amazing. Besides using her as one of my lawyers, I am also fortunate to call her a friend!
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1Well, thank you everyone for the info. Looks like we will go through the process.
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10+ years here without residency, no issue. I live here about 10 months/year, travelled outside in/out about 50 times and never any problem.
If you do not run a business, not necessary. I guess it becomes to a personal choice, personally, i don't see any benefits except going trough hedics (apparently very complicated, caothic)
I'm happy paying the exit fee everytime I get out, and I've paid a lot haha! 8+ years ago the agent at custom used to ask if I could pay it to them directly (propina) - always refused to do that and paid where its due.
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I will also recommend residency for anyone planning to stay more than 120 days at a time! Personally, I feel it shows respect for your host country to follow their laws, whether or not those laws are actively enforced. And without legal status, your car insurance and driver's license are worthless!
We went through the residency process with Lishali, and had zero issues! We started with the consulate in Washington, DC, and had no problems there, receiving our visas in the mail exactly 4 weeks after submission. The only slight hiccup we had was that the white background on the pictures we submitted with our application wasn't white enough (???) and we had to take new ones to submit. With our renewal last year, we had no issues as well. As of now, I plan to apply for citizenship as soon as I'm eligible. That is primarily so that I don't have to keep renewing my residency!
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@ddmcghee How often do you have to renew the resident visa?
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@Joe Libbey
To clarify, a Residency Visa is a one-time thing issued by the consulate in your home country. It is Residencia that has to be renewed.
I think it depends on the type of residency. As Pensionadas, our first one was good for one year, and the second is for two years. At some point, I think it goes to 5 years, and then 10 years.
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1Anyone know the eligibility for citizenship?
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Never mind. I looked it up. Lazy sometimes.
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We too applied and received residency, picking up our Cédulas in January. Yes, it is a bit of a pain in the butt and a bit pricey, but we believe that your host country deserves to know that you’re there legally. It would be hypocritical for us to reside here 5-6 months a year without it.
LISHALI is worth the money. She walked us through the steps in the US and literally walked us through the process in the DR.
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@Tripp789 How can I get in touch with Lishali? thanks!
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Lishali Baez..... Google her
Her info is posted all over this site as well
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Lishali Baez is her phone and her whatsapp. Email *
Moderated by Djameel 2 years ago
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I think she prefers the work email, Planner - for business
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Moderated by Djameel 2 years ago
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Darn you are right!
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I agree. It’s irrelevant.Either you’re a resident or a tourist, plane and simple.- @caroloyap0308
You can be one of at least three things.Â
- A tourist during the period up to 30 days when entering on a tourist card.
- You can be a legal resident if you qualify and go through the process.
- Or you can be an illegal alien if you overstay the tourist card.
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210+ years here without residency, no issue. I live here about 10 months/year, travelled outside in/out about 50 times and never any problem.If you do not run a business, not necessary. I guess it becomes to a personal choice, personally, i don't see any benefits except going trough hedics (apparently very complicated, caothic)I'm happy paying the exit fee everytime I get out, and I've paid a lot haha! 8+ years ago the agent at custom used to ask if I could pay it to them directly (propina) - always refused to do that and paid where its due.- @jeanchris101
Do you drive here? A foreign driver's license is valid for up to 90 days after you enter the country. I verified this in person at an INTRANT office a few weeks ago when my wife got here motorcycle endorsement added to her license.
I know, "they" don't care about enforcing the actual laws about driving or those that overstay from tourist card countries.
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1I think she prefers the work email, Planner - for business*- @WillieWeb
WILLIE - sorry new employee moderated your comment without any reason! Â
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@windeguy - that pretty much sums it up. Any other status is a workaround and is not actually legal but functions. I expect things will change soon! That is my gut sense.
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@Tripp789 I agree 100%.
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