living in the dr
Your Path to DR residency
Everything you need to know about making your move official:Β from your first visa to permanent status.
Many Casa Linda owners start as visitors and end up staying - first for a season, then for most of the year, then for good. Dominican residency is what makes that transition official.
Good to know: As a tourist, you're permitted to stay in the DR for up to 60 days, extendable to 120. Beyond that, legal residency status is the path forward, and it's a straightforward process.
Watch: residency explained
Documents you'll need:Β
The DR government requires the following to verify your identity, health, and financial standing:
- Bank statements for the previous three months
- Two passport-sized frontal photos (2Γ2)
- Lab tests (HIV and drug screening) plus a physician's letter confirming no communicable diseases β for those already in the DR, we can point you to local facilities
- Birth certificate (apostille or legalized)
- Certificate of good conduct from police (apostille or legalized)
- Copy of a valid passport
- Supporting documentation for your specific visa category
the process
How residency works
Obtain a Residency Visa
Before entering the DR with the intention to live here, you'll need a Residency Visa, which is obtained from the Dominican consulate in your home country and stamped into your passport.
Once issued, you have 6 days to enter the Dominican Republic and begin the next phase of the process.
Apply for Provisional Residency
Provisional residency allows you to live or work in the DR for up to one year. It's renewable annually, and after four consecutive years you become eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Depending on your personal circumstances, (retirement income, passive income, or investment), there are fast-track routes that can get you to permanent residency sooner. A qualified attorney can advise which path fits best.
Receive Your Residency Card & CΓ©dula
Once approved, you'll receive two important documents. Your residency card is issued by the Dominican immigration department (DGM) and serves as your official proof of legal status in the country. Your CΓ©dula de Identidad Personal is the Dominican national identity card, which is used for everyday life: banking, taxes, contracts, and anything else requiring ID.
Both typically arrive together approximately 3β5 months after submitting your complete file. A biometrics appointment is part of this step (screening for HIV and other health issues).
Apply for Permanent Residency
After four years of provisional residency (or sooner via a fast-track category), you can apply for permanent status.Β From there, Dominican citizenship is available after just two years of holding permanent residency, should that be of interest.
we can help
Let us connect you with the right people.
The residency process is more easily managed, and will move faster and more smoothly with the right legal guidance. Over the years, we've built relationships with several excellent law firms that specialize in DR residency and expat immigration.
We're happy to make introductions. Just ask us, and we'll point you toward a qualified attorney who can assess your situation and walk you through the process from start to finish.
what a good residency attorney handles
- Reviewing your situation and recommending the right residency category
- Preparing and organizing your full application file
- Liaising with Dominican immigration on your behalfΒ
Coordinating document apostilles, translations, and certifications
- Keeping you informed at every stage of the process
Ready to make theΒ
North Coast home?
We've helped hundreds of owners find their way here.
Let's talk about your plans.