Citizenship of the Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic immigration rules and procedures are comparatively favorable for foreigners. Therefore, many Americans and Canadians, both business people and retirees, make Dominican Republic their country of choice. It is relatively easy to obtain temporary and permanent residence permits but it will take some time to get second citizenship. This article will help you understand the process of the Dominican Republic residency and citizenship.

Advantages of Becoming a Citizen of the Dominican Republic

1. Stable economy and favorable tax system (low taxes)
2. Business opportunities for investors are available in all areas, including tourism, services, imports and exports
3. Dual citizenship is allowed. You can keep your previous citizenship after becoming citizen of the Dominican Republic.
4. Normal naturalization period is two years. Investors can be naturalized in one year.
5. Low bureaucracy
6. Friendly and welcoming people
7. Beautiful tropical climate all year round and pristine nature.
8. Paradise for divers.
9. Other reasons of the type “like and want to”.

As citizen of the Dominican Republic, you will be entitled to the following:

1. Full Dominican Republic Citizenship.
2. All rights equal to native Dominicans, except from the ability to run for presidency.
3. You will get a Dominican Republic ID, same as Dominican natives have (will replace Cedula de Identidad)
4. Dominican Republic birth certificate
5. Dominican Republic passport

Residency and Work Permit Applications

Once you have determined that Dominican Republic is where you want to move to and ultimately obtain the citizenship of, you will first need to apply for a residency status and a work permit.

Following documents are required in order to submit application for temporary residence status:

1. Notarized copy of your birth certificate with official translation into Spanish
2. Copy of each page of your passport with official translation into Spanish
3. Police clearance certificate from home country (showing no previous convictions)
4. Medical Exams must be done by Immigration Doctors appointed to perform these exams by the Dominican Republic government. The exams consist of Blood Test and X-Rays.
5. Three sets of photographs. Each set must have a front and side view of your face
6. Guarantor must be a citizen of the Dominican Republic
7. Mailing address in the Dominican Republic

Important: Translations into Spanish must be done in the Dominican Republic. Translations done in foreign countries will not do. All the documents (copy of passport, copy of birth certificate, original Police clearance certificate) you bring into the Dominican Republic for immigration purposes must have apostil.

The Immigration Process

You can start with the immigration process as soon as you have arrived in the Dominican Republic. You can come to the Dominican Republic as a tourist and apply for residency right away. Make sure that you have prepared and brought with you all the required papers (notarized copy of passport, notarized copy of birth certificate, original police clearance certificate). All the three documents must contain apostil stamp on the original. Translations into Spanish, medical examinations, photographs can be done on the spot with assistance of local lawyer we can recommend. All the documents must be submitted to the Immigration Office. Once your application is submitted, you will be assigned a registration number. This is usually a four-digit number and once you have it, you can officially and legally work and/or do business in the Dominican Republic. The immigration process typically lasts 3 to 4 months but in case you do everything with assistance of lawyer it takes two months. After two months of expectations, you get temporary residence permit (ID-card for 1 year).

Citizenship
Foreigners are expected to live in the country with temporary residence permit for 5 years, then with permanent residency for two years, and only after 7 years of legal residence they can apply for citizenship.

Fast-track citizenship is available for investors only. In order to qualify, one should invest 200,000 USD into property or business, get residence permit as investor and may apply for citizenship after two years of legal residence in the Dominican Republic.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Question: Can you recommend us some fast citizenship program in Latin America?
Answer: Fast citizenship-by-investment programs are not available in Latin America; you can find them in the Caribbean. In our view, the best option is Dominica and Grenada. You can invest 200,000 USD into property located in Dominica or 350,000 USD into real estate in Grenada and apply for citizenship immediately (without mandatory physical residence in the country). Passports of Dominica and Grenada allow visa-free travel to many states including all the EU-countries.

“Elma Global” does not provide legal and immigration services in the Dominican Republic. Please, visit the comparison of passport programs page to see the countries we work with.

Last updated 04.09.2023