Before Traveling to Dominican Republic: Entry Requirements

By Karoline Urena • October 4, 2008

The Tourist Card is a required document for residents of authorized countries to enter the Dominican Republic exclusively for touristic purposes without a visa. It can be obtained at the Dominican Consulates or directly upon arrival at the airports in the Dominican Republic. The cost is US $10 and is valid for 30 days.

It’s essential that visitors have $10 US dollars for each member of their party with which to pay this tax. No coins or other currency, including Dominican pesos, can be used. In addition, ATMs are usually found only outside the immigration area making it nearly impossible for visitors to get cash upon arrival. Traveler’s checks and credit cards are also not accepted.

In order to extend a visit to the Dominican Republic, the tourist has to go to the offices of the “Direccion General de Migracion” at the airport and pay for an extension. After the expiration of the 30 day tourist card, the cost of the extension starts at US $10 (depending of the length of the stay).

As a general rule, all foreigners that enter the Dominican Republic with a visa or tourist card need a valid passport. Before entering the country at ports or airports, visitors are required to fill out embarkation/disembarkation forms. These must be filled out before entering the immigration line where a passport must be presented. Prior to immigration, a tourist card must also be purchased.

Tourist Cards are available at booths near the immigration lines. While only one half of the document will be taken upon entry into the country, the other half will be taken upon departure. Therefore, it’s imperative that visitors put this second half in a safe place for the duration of their trip.

Residents of the following countries do not need a tourist card or visa in order to enter the Dominican Republic:

· Argentina

· Chile

· Ecuador

· Israel

· Japón

· Perú

· South Korea

· Uruguay

Residents of the following countries need a tourist card in order to enter the Dominican Republic for touristic purposes:

· Andorra

· Antigua and Barbuda

· Aruba

· Australia

· Austria

· Bahamas

· Barbados

· Bahréin

· Belize

· Belgium

· Bolivia

· Bostwana

· Bouvet Island

· Brazil

· Brunei

· Canada

· Costa Rica

· Croatia

· Cyprus

· Czech Republic

· Denmark

· Dominica

· El Salvador

· Estonia

· Fiji

· Finland

· France (French Guyana Martinique, Guadalupe and Reunión)

· Germany

· Granada

· Greece

· Guatemala

· Guyana

· Heard and McDonald Islands

· Honduras

· Hungary

· Iceland

· Ireland

· Italy

· Jamaica

· Kazajstán

· Kiribati

· Kuwait

· Latin-Americans, including Cubans, that are permanent residents of the United States

· Latvia

· Liechtenstein

· Lithuania

· Luxemburg

· Macedonia

· Malaysia

· Malta

· Marshall Islands

· Mauritius

· Mexico

· Micronesia

· Mónaco

· Montenegro

· Namibia

· Nauru

· New Zealand

· Northern Marianas Islands

· Norway

· Paraguay

· Poland

· Portugal

· Qatar

· Republic of South Africa

· Residents of countries that can legally enter the United States, the European Union, Canada and Great Britain

· Rumania

· Russia

· Slovakia

· Slovenia

· Spain

· Saint Kitts and Nevis

· Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

· Saint Lucia

· Salomón Islands

· Samoa

· San Marino

· Serbia

· Seychelles

· Singapore

· Surinam

· Sweden

· Switzerland

· Thailand

· The Netherlands (Holland, Curacao and Saint Martin)

· Tonga

· Trinidad and Tobago

· Turkey

· Turks and Caicos

· Tuvalu

· Ukraine

· United Arab Emirates

· United Kingdom of Great Britain (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Country of Wales)

· United States of North America (includes Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Hawaii)

· Vanuatu

· Venezuela

Residents of the following countries with Diplomatic, Official or Service Passports do not need a tourist card or visa in order to enter the Dominican Republic:

· Argentina

· Belize

· Brazil

· Chile

· Colombia

· Costa Rica

· Ecuador

· El Salvador

· Guatemala

· Honduras

· Israel

· Italy

· Japan

· Mexico

· Morocco

· Nicaragua

· Panamá

· Perú

· Principality of Liechtenstein

· Republic of China (Taiwán)

· South Korea

· Switzerland

· Ukraine

· Uruguay

· Vatican

Residents of countries not listed above need a Dominican visa to enter the country. Foreigners from territories that are within authorized countries to enter with a tourist card and that are not listed above, require a visa.

In addition to a valid visa, nationals of China (PR) require an authorization from the Director of the Migration/Immigration Department.

Types of Visas for Traveling to Dominican Republic

There are a number of different types of Visas - working, student, etc. - issued by Dominican Consulates/Embassies (in your country) or the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Check with your Travel Agent or the Dominican Republic Consulate or Embassy in your particular country to find out if your circumstances would require a Visa for entry into the Dominican Republic. If you do not have a Dominican Republic Consulate or Embassy in your country, please check with the nearest Consulate or Embassy to your location.

As a general rule, all foreigners wishing to visit the Dominican Republic for business need to apply for a business visa (simple or multiple) at a diplomatic mission or consulate overseas, even if it’s included in the list of countries that have permission to enter with a tourist card (these listed countries only have permission to enter for touristic purposes).

Visitors need a passport valid for six months after date of departure required by all except:

Nationals of Canada holding appropriate ID such as a Birth Certificate or a Drivers License accompanied by a photo ID document, provided travelling for business or touristic purposes; but if you are stopping in the USA, you need a passport.

Nationals of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands holding a National Identity Card at the discretion of immigration.

Currently, American residents need to only provide a passport to gain re-entry into the United States following a trip to the Dominican Republic or any other Caribbean destination.

All non-residents of the Dominican Republic should have a round trip (return) ticket or some type of proof they will be departing the Dominican Republic.