Dominican Republic Visa

Dominican Republic is a popular travel destination, with millions of travelers visiting this Caribbean gem for its tropical beaches, luxurious resorts, and splendid culture and nature.

Foreign citizens from over 100 countries, plus holders of a valid multiple entry visa or residency permit from the US, Canada, UK, or EU Countries, can travel to the Dominican Republic visa-free, for tourism purposes, and stay a maximum of 30 days. Upon arrival to the Dominican Republic airport, such visa-free foreign travelers should obtain a Dominican Republic tourist card, which serves as a tourism fee that can be paid for in US dollars at the Dominican Republic port of entry. Depending on their nationality, a few visa-free foreign nationals are not required to hold a tourist card. All other foreign nationals should apply for a Dominican Republic visa, prior to traveling to the Dominican Republic, at their nearest Dominican Republic embassy, consulate, or foreign mission abroad.

Dominican Republic visas are issued as single or multiple entry, with validity periods dependent on the type of Dominican Republic visa. Dominica Republic tourist visas are valid for 60 days from the date of issue, while a Dominican Republic long-term visa, such as a Dominica Republic student or employment visa, may be valid for one year.

Dominican Republic Visa Types

Depending on purpose of travel to the Dominican Republic, foreign nationals should apply for one of the following Dominican Republic visas:

1. Dominican Republic tourist visa:
   • The Dominican Republic tourist visa is for foreign nationals traveling to the Dominican Republic for touristic or cultural activities, or to attend events or conferences. The Dominican Republic tourist visa can be issued as single or multiple entry and is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.
2. Dominican Republic business visa:
   • The Dominican Republic business visa is for foreign nationals traveling to the Dominican Republic in a business or professional capacity. The Dominican Republic business visa can be issued as single entry, valid for 60 days from date of issue, renewable; or, as a multiple entry visa, valid for 1 year from the date of issue, allowing a maximum 2-month stay.
3. Dominican Republic residence visa:
   • The Dominican residence visa is for foreign nationals wishing to establish residency in the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic residence visa is single entry, valid for 60 days from the date of issue, within which time the foreign traveler must apply for residency with the Dominican Republic Department of Migration.
4. Dominican Republic student visa:
   • The Dominican student visa is for foreign nationals enrolled in a Dominican Republic educational institution. The Dominican student visa is valid for one year, renewable each year, as long as the foreign student meets the minimum requirements.
5. Dominican Republic employment visa:
   • The Dominican Republic employment visa is for foreign nationals working long-term in the Dominican Republic, mainly under a fixed-term contract with a public or private Dominican companies. The Dominican Republic employment visa is valid for one year, renewable each year, as long as the foreign employee maintains the same employment. The Dominican Republic employment visa affords its holders with benefits, such as the right to open a bank account, apply for a driving license, and more.
6. Dominican Republic diplomatic, official and courtesy visa:
   • The Dominican Republic diplomatic, official and courtesy visa is for foreign nationals traveling to the Dominican Republic for official or diplomatic purposes, including international organizations.
7. Dominican Republic dependent visa:
   • The Dominican Republic dependent visa is for foreign nationals traveling to the Dominican Republic for family reunification purposes.

Dominican Republic Visa Requirements

The following are required when applying for a Dominican Republic visa:

Passport + copies

Applicant should have a passport valid for at least 6 months. Applicant should make copies of their passport data page and any valid visas, or past Dominican Republic visas.

Visa application

Applicants applying for a Dominican Republic visa should fill out a Dominican Republic visa application form

Personal photos

The applicant is required to submit 1 recent photo, size 4 x 5 centimeters, against a white background.

Financial proof

Applicant should provide proof of financial means during stay in Dominican Republic, such as salary slips, bank statements, or title deeds. Proof provided from the Dominican Republic should be notarized.

Clean criminal record

Applicant should provide a clean criminal record issued by the proper authorities from their country of residence.

Visa application letter

Applicant should provide a Dominican Republic consular letter, containing applicant’s personal information and purpose for traveling to the Dominican Republic.

Keep in mind that other requirements may be requested, depending on the Dominican Republic visa you are applying for and the Dominican Republic embassy or foreign office you are applying from. Minors applying for a Dominican Republic visa should provide notarized parental consent letters. Documents may have to be translated into Spanish.

Dominican Republic Visa Application Steps

Foreign nationals applying for a Dominican Republic visa should follow these steps:

1. Complete visa application form Fill out a Dominican Republic visa application form with your personal details and other requested information.
2. Schedule an appointment (if applicable)• Contact your nearest Dominican Republic embassy, consulate, or representation office to schedule an appointment.
3. Submit visa application• Submit the Dominican Republic visa application form and all required documents at your nearest Dominican Republic embassy, consulate, or representation office abroad.
   • Pay the Dominican Republic visa application fees.
4. Await visa decision• Approved Dominican Republic visas should be collected from the Dominican Republic embassy, consulate, or representation office where the Dominican Republic visa was applied for.
   • Make sure all visa information is correct and matches the passport.

Where to Apply for Dominican Republic Visa

Foreign nationals should apply for a Dominican Republic visa at their nearest Dominican Republic embassy, consulate, or representation office abroad.

Dominican Republic Visa Processing Time

Dominican Republic visas can take up to 2 weeks to be fully processed and issued, but processing times may vary depending on the Dominican Republic embassy or foreign office from where you are applying. Travelers are advised to apply as early as possible for their Dominican Republic visa, as processing times can take longer.

Dominican Republic Visa FAQ

Foreign nationals from the following countries must apply for a Dominican Republic visa, prior to traveling to the Dominican Republic:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Ivory Coast, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestinian Territories, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Travelers applying for a Dominican Republic visa should do so at their nearest Dominican Republic embassy, consulate, or representation office abroad.

Travelers can extend their Dominican Republic visa with the Dominican Directorate General of Migration in Santo Domingo. Overstays in the Dominican Republic will result in airport fines at departure from the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic visas range depending on the type of Dominican Republic visa being applied for and the Dominican Republic embassy or foreign office from where you are applying.