Dominican Republic
Citizenship
- Document Language
Spanish - Residency Required
No - Travel Required
Yes - Time to Residency
6 Months - Time to Citizenship
4 Years
| The Dominican Republic is one of the least expensive jurisdictions in the world in which to obtain Citizenship. Regulations accepting new applicants are easily met upon good, drug-free health and a clean police record. The Dominican Republic is a founding member of the United Nations enjoying unrestricted trade relationships with the United States, the European Union and most, if not all, of Africa and Asia. All applicants are required to travel one-time to the city of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic to submit their legal documentation and take a mandatory government medical test. After completing this initial process applicants shall wait 6 months and, upon approval, may move their household duty-free and begin living and working in the Dominican Republic. The government does not require a person to physically reside in the Dominican Republic during the remainder of the application process nor after Citizenship is granted. For applicants who are not planning on living or working in the Dominican Republic, a total of 8 visits are required to the city of Santo Domingo during the course of the 4 year Citizenship and Passport application process. |
| Regardless of whether you wish to live and work in the Dominican Republic or would enjoy an excuse to travel to the Caribbean a few times a year to obtain dual Citizenship, the Dominican Republic is an attractive and inexpensive country in which to obtain Citizenship. |
Enter the category for this item: Constitution and Taxes
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Dominican Republic Constitution
The newly reformed Constitution of the Dominican Republic 
received Congressional approval in October of 2009 and was enacted on January 26th, 2010. Below are the most important articles as they pertain to citizenship.
Article 18 established the following as a Dominican national:
a.) A person born to a mother or father with Dominican nationality, regardless of the country in which the parent lives;
b.) A person born in the Dominican;
c.) A person marrying a Dominican national;
d.) The direct descendants of Dominicans residing in a foreign country.
e.) A person who is naturalized as a Dominican national.
Article 19 stipulates that a naturalized citizen is not eligible to hold the office of President or Vice-President of any branch with the Dominican Republic government, and is not required to take up arms against his or her country of origin.
Article 20 permits dual nationalities, and a Dominican may acquire a foreign nationality without the risk of losing Dominican nationality.
Article 21 bestows the rights of citizenship upon a Dominican national only to persons who have reached the age of eighteen years of age. Minors can be a Dominican national, but will not have citizenship rights nor a National ID card for Citizens (Cedulà de Identidad Personal) unless they are married or until they reach the age of 18.
Article 22 entitles citizens the right to vote, run for public office, vote on referendums, make requests of public interest to policy makers, and report public official's misconduct in the performance of their duties.
Article 23 permits citizenship to be revoked for conviction of assisting or participating in deliberate attacks or harm against the interests of the Dominican Republic, including treason, espionage, conspiracy, or taking up arms against the Dominican Republic.
Article 24 permits citizenship to be suspended for the duration of (i) a sentence for a felony conviction, (ii) a legally declared incompetency, (iii) acceptance to a position with a foreign State within the Dominican Republic not preauthorized by the Executive Branch, and (d) a violation of any of the conditions of naturalization.
Article 25 grants foreign nationals the same rights and duties as natural born Dominican nationals, with one exception. Foreign nationals may not participate in political activities in the foreign national's country of origin except to vote in elections.
Article 221 ensures local and foreign investments are treated equally under the law, with only a few restrictions under Constitutional and Statutory law.
received Congressional approval in October of 2009 and was enacted on January 26th, 2010. Below are the most important articles as they pertain to citizenship.Article 18 established the following as a Dominican national:
a.) A person born to a mother or father with Dominican nationality, regardless of the country in which the parent lives;
b.) A person born in the Dominican;
c.) A person marrying a Dominican national;
d.) The direct descendants of Dominicans residing in a foreign country.
e.) A person who is naturalized as a Dominican national.
Article 19 stipulates that a naturalized citizen is not eligible to hold the office of President or Vice-President of any branch with the Dominican Republic government, and is not required to take up arms against his or her country of origin.
Article 20 permits dual nationalities, and a Dominican may acquire a foreign nationality without the risk of losing Dominican nationality.
Article 21 bestows the rights of citizenship upon a Dominican national only to persons who have reached the age of eighteen years of age. Minors can be a Dominican national, but will not have citizenship rights nor a National ID card for Citizens (Cedulà de Identidad Personal) unless they are married or until they reach the age of 18.
Article 22 entitles citizens the right to vote, run for public office, vote on referendums, make requests of public interest to policy makers, and report public official's misconduct in the performance of their duties.
Article 23 permits citizenship to be revoked for conviction of assisting or participating in deliberate attacks or harm against the interests of the Dominican Republic, including treason, espionage, conspiracy, or taking up arms against the Dominican Republic.
Article 24 permits citizenship to be suspended for the duration of (i) a sentence for a felony conviction, (ii) a legally declared incompetency, (iii) acceptance to a position with a foreign State within the Dominican Republic not preauthorized by the Executive Branch, and (d) a violation of any of the conditions of naturalization.
Article 25 grants foreign nationals the same rights and duties as natural born Dominican nationals, with one exception. Foreign nationals may not participate in political activities in the foreign national's country of origin except to vote in elections.
Article 221 ensures local and foreign investments are treated equally under the law, with only a few restrictions under Constitutional and Statutory law.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Corporate Income Taxes
| The Dominican Republic has a flat 29% corporate income tax on company profits (after allowable deductions). |
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Individual Income Taxes
The Dominican Republic has a sliding individual income tax rate based on the |
Annual Scale |
| Tax |
Income up to $371,124.00 |
| Exempt 15% of the Surplus of $371,124.01 $27,834.00 plus 20% of the surplus of $556,685.01 $71,132.00 plus 25% of the surplus of $773,124.01 |
| Although a Dominican Republic national may be a citizen of the Dominican Republic, they are not a resident for tax purposes if not physically present in the Dominican Republic for more than 182 days in any given year. Dominican nationals are only obligated to pay taxes on income received from their worldwide financial investments (such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and CD'S, etc) if they are residing in the Dominican Republic for more than 182 days in a given year. |
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Tax Deductions
| The following list of tax deductible items is by no means exhaustive. In general, the following deductions will be considered so long as the expense can be shown as necessary in order to generate, maintain or produce income from sources within the Dominican Republic. - Administrative Expenses (Phone bills, internet, gas, office supplies, legal, professional services, etc) - Depreciation, amortization and depletion - Extraordinary loss of property - Gifts and donations to public interest entities - Insurance premiums - Interest (Notwithstanding financing of taxes or penalties for late filings and late payments) - Ordinary losses (Accounting loss) - Payroll expenses - Pension plan contributions - Research and development expenses - Tariffs and government duties - Taxes (Notwithstanding income taxes and Value Added Taxes) - Uncollected receivables |
Enter the category for this item: Steps to Citizenship
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Step 1 - Provisional Residency
1.1 - Applicants are required to travel to the city of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic for two business days for the processing of legal documentation and the taking of the (first of two) mandatory government medical tests. (Trip 1 of 8 for Non-Residents)
1.2 - Day One: Applicants shall appear at the law offices of our legal provider and present the following documents:
1.3 - Under Immigration Department requirements, Applicants are required to pre-authorize the medical tests. Upon such authorization, a medical appointment will be scheduled on the following business day.
1.4 - Day Two: Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the Immigrations Department Medical Clinic at 08:00 hours for the following tests. Shoes must be worn (no sandals). Shorts, sleeveless shirts and blouses are prohibited. The entire examination, with travel time, generally takes 4 hours to complete:
1.5 - Upon completion of the aforementioned medical examination, Applicants are free to go.
1.6 - In approximately two weeks, upon receipt of the medical test results, an application will be submitted to the Immigrations Department by our provider law firm with the following prepared documents:
1.7 - All documentation, whether original or copied, which are submitted to Immigrations shall become part of the Dominican Republic government file and will not be returned to Applicants.
1.8 - Once applications have been submitted to Immigrations, the internal processing and investigation methods of the Immigrations Department is completely private and Applicants shall receive no further application information until the application has been approved, rejected or more Applicant information is required.
1.9 - In approximately 6 months Applicants shall be contacted upon the decision reached by Immigrations to approve or reject the Applicants application.
1.10 - Once approved, Applicants shall return to the city of Santo Domingo for 1 to 2 business days to accept the National ID Card (Cedulà de Identidad Personal) and Provisional Residency Card. (Trip 2 of 8 for Non-Residents)
1.11 - Applicants choosing to reside in the Dominican Republic may begin to live and work at this time anywhere in the Dominican Republic for a period of one year. Resident Applicants have no further requirements to exit or re-enter the Dominican Republic during the remainder of the entire Citizenship and Passport process.
1.12 - During the first six months of Provisional Residency, Applicants may bring household goods into the Dominican Republic duty free.
1.2 - Day One: Applicants shall appear at the law offices of our legal provider and present the following documents:
- Original Birth Certificate duly translated in Spanish and apostilled from the issuing country of birth or authenticated from a Dominican Consulate;
- Original Marriage License (if applicable) duly translated in Spanish and apostilled from the issuing country or authenticated from a Dominican Consulate;
- Certificate of No Criminal Record from the authorities in the country of birth (or if residing outside the country of birth for more than 5 years, from the country of residence) duly translated in Spanish and apostilled from the issuing country or authenticated from a Dominican Consulate;
- Eight Passport Photos (2" x 2") with four front and four right-hand side profiles. White background required and any accessories such as jewelry or sunglasses, etc are prohibited;
- Copy of University Degree (if applicable) duly translated in Spanish and apostilled from the issuing country or authenticated from a Dominican Consulate.
- Passport with the stamp of entrance into the Dominican Republic (and VISA stamp if applicable) to be photo copied and immediately returned to Applicants;
1.3 - Under Immigration Department requirements, Applicants are required to pre-authorize the medical tests. Upon such authorization, a medical appointment will be scheduled on the following business day.
1.4 - Day Two: Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the Immigrations Department Medical Clinic at 08:00 hours for the following tests. Shoes must be worn (no sandals). Shorts, sleeveless shirts and blouses are prohibited. The entire examination, with travel time, generally takes 4 hours to complete:
- Blood Sample;
- Urine Sample;
- Chest X-Ray.
1.5 - Upon completion of the aforementioned medical examination, Applicants are free to go.
1.6 - In approximately two weeks, upon receipt of the medical test results, an application will be submitted to the Immigrations Department by our provider law firm with the following prepared documents:
- Notarized Letter of Guarantee from a Dominican person or corporation;
- Affidavit of Solvency of the guarantor backed by evidence of solvency such as bank deposits or property titles;
- Certificate of Good Behavior from the Dominican authorities;
- Completed Application forms.
1.7 - All documentation, whether original or copied, which are submitted to Immigrations shall become part of the Dominican Republic government file and will not be returned to Applicants.
1.8 - Once applications have been submitted to Immigrations, the internal processing and investigation methods of the Immigrations Department is completely private and Applicants shall receive no further application information until the application has been approved, rejected or more Applicant information is required.
1.9 - In approximately 6 months Applicants shall be contacted upon the decision reached by Immigrations to approve or reject the Applicants application.
1.10 - Once approved, Applicants shall return to the city of Santo Domingo for 1 to 2 business days to accept the National ID Card (Cedulà de Identidad Personal) and Provisional Residency Card. (Trip 2 of 8 for Non-Residents)
1.11 - Applicants choosing to reside in the Dominican Republic may begin to live and work at this time anywhere in the Dominican Republic for a period of one year. Resident Applicants have no further requirements to exit or re-enter the Dominican Republic during the remainder of the entire Citizenship and Passport process.
1.12 - During the first six months of Provisional Residency, Applicants may bring household goods into the Dominican Republic duty free.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Step 2 - Permanent Residency
2.1 - In exactly one year's time when the Provisional Residency Card expires, Applicants shall apply for a Permanent Residency Card which is valid for 2 years, and renewable every 2 years thereafter.
2.2 - Applicants are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for two business days for the processing of legal documentation and the taking of the (second of two) mandatory government medical tests. (Trip 3 of 8 for Non-Residents)
2.3 - Applicants shall appear at the law offices of our legal provider and present the following documents:
2.4 - Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the Immigrations Department Medical Clinic at 08:00 hours for the following tests. Shoes must be worn (no sandals). Shorts, sleeveless shirts and blouses are prohibited. The entire examination, with travel time, generally takes 4 hours to complete:
2.5 - Upon completion of the aforementioned medical examination, Applicants are free to go.
2.6 - In approximately 6 months Applicants shall be contacted and informed upon arrival of the Permanent Residency Card.
2.7 - Applicants are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for one business day to accept the National ID Card (Cedulà de Identidad Personal) and Permanent Residency Card. (Trip 4 of 8 for Non-Residents)
2.8 - Upon acceptance of the aforementioned ID and Residency Cards, Applicants are free to go.
2.9 - In exactly two year's time when the Permanent Residency Card expires, Applicants shall apply for the Renewal of the Permanent Residency Card.
2.2 - Applicants are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for two business days for the processing of legal documentation and the taking of the (second of two) mandatory government medical tests. (Trip 3 of 8 for Non-Residents)
2.3 - Applicants shall appear at the law offices of our legal provider and present the following documents:
- Passport (Current with no less than six (6) months time before expiration)
- National ID Card (Cedulà de Identidad Personal issued previously by the Dominican Republic government)
- Residency Card (Issued previously by the Dominican Republic government)
2.4 - Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the Immigrations Department Medical Clinic at 08:00 hours for the following tests. Shoes must be worn (no sandals). Shorts, sleeveless shirts and blouses are prohibited. The entire examination, with travel time, generally takes 4 hours to complete:
- Blood Sample;
- Urine Sample;
- Chest X-Ray.
2.5 - Upon completion of the aforementioned medical examination, Applicants are free to go.
2.6 - In approximately 6 months Applicants shall be contacted and informed upon arrival of the Permanent Residency Card.
2.7 - Applicants are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for one business day to accept the National ID Card (Cedulà de Identidad Personal) and Permanent Residency Card. (Trip 4 of 8 for Non-Residents)
2.8 - Upon acceptance of the aforementioned ID and Residency Cards, Applicants are free to go.
2.9 - In exactly two year's time when the Permanent Residency Card expires, Applicants shall apply for the Renewal of the Permanent Residency Card.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Step 3 - Citizenship
3.1 - Upon the two-year expiration of the Permanent Residency Card, Applicants are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for 2 to 3 business days to process legal documentation and accept the newly renewed National ID Card (Cedulà de Identidad Personal) and Permanent Residency Card. (Trip 5 of 8 for Non-Residents)
3.2 - Applicants shall appear at the law offices of our legal provider and present the following documents:
3.3 - Upon submission and same-day acceptance of the newly renewed National ID Card (Cedulà de Identidad Personal) and Permanent Residency Card, Applicants shall provide the following documentation to our provider law firm while still in the Dominican Republic:
3.4 - The aforementioned documents provided by Applicants shall be combined and with the following document by our provider law firm and given to the Dominican Republic "Ministerio de Interior y Policìa".
3.5 - Applicants shall be provided the questions and answers (in .pdf format) to study that evening for their Spanish interview with the Dominican Republic ""Ministerio de Interior y Policìa".
3.6 - The following day Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the Dominican Republic "Ministerio de Interior y Policìa" for the Spanish interview.
3.7 - Upon completion of the aforementioned Spanish interview, Applicants are free to go.
3.8 - In approximately 3 to 5 months Applicants are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for 1 to 2 business days for the Oath Ceremony. (Trip 6 of 8 for Non-Residents)
3.9 - Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear for the Oath Ceremony to take the Dominican Republic Oath, which shall later be signed by the President of the Dominican Republic.
3.10 - Upon completion of the aforementioned Oath Ceremony, Applicants are free to go.
3.2 - Applicants shall appear at the law offices of our legal provider and present the following documents:
- Passport (Current with no less than six (6) months time before expiration)
- National ID Card (Cedulà de Identidad Personal issued previously by the Dominican Republic government)
- Residency Card (Issued previously by the Dominican Republic government)
3.3 - Upon submission and same-day acceptance of the newly renewed National ID Card (Cedulà de Identidad Personal) and Permanent Residency Card, Applicants shall provide the following documentation to our provider law firm while still in the Dominican Republic:
- Original Birth Certificate duly translated in Spanish and apostilled from the issuing country of birth or authenticated from a Dominican Consulate;
- Two Color Copies of the Applicant's Passport;
- Eight Passport Photos (2" x 2") with four front and four right-hand side profiles. White background required and any accessories such as jewelry or sunglasses, etc are prohibited.
- Newly Renewed Permanent Residency Card.
3.4 - The aforementioned documents provided by Applicants shall be combined and with the following document by our provider law firm and given to the Dominican Republic "Ministerio de Interior y Policìa".
- Affidavit of Solvency of the guarantor backed by evidence of solvency such as bank deposits or property titles signed before a Dominican Notary or at Dominican Consulate.
3.5 - Applicants shall be provided the questions and answers (in .pdf format) to study that evening for their Spanish interview with the Dominican Republic ""Ministerio de Interior y Policìa".
3.6 - The following day Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the Dominican Republic "Ministerio de Interior y Policìa" for the Spanish interview.
3.7 - Upon completion of the aforementioned Spanish interview, Applicants are free to go.
3.8 - In approximately 3 to 5 months Applicants are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for 1 to 2 business days for the Oath Ceremony. (Trip 6 of 8 for Non-Residents)
3.9 - Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear for the Oath Ceremony to take the Dominican Republic Oath, which shall later be signed by the President of the Dominican Republic.
3.10 - Upon completion of the aforementioned Oath Ceremony, Applicants are free to go.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Step 4 - Passport
4.1 - Applicants are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for 1 to 2 business days for the processing of legal documents. (Trip 7 of 8 for Non-Residents)
4.2 - Applicants shall appear at our provider law offices to receive their original Dominican Republic Birth Certificate and to be escorted to the Dominican Republic "Ministerio de Interior y Policìa" to receive a Naturalization Certificate and a new Dominican ID Card for Citizens.
4.3 - Applicants (now Citizens) shall be assisted with the Dominican Republic Passport application process.
4.4 - Citizens are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for 1 to 2 business days for the processing of legal documentation and required banking deposit (Trip 8 of 8 for Non-Residents).
4.5 - Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the "Banco de Reservas" to pay taxes in the amount of DOP$4,650 (Inclusive of this Fee) for the Passport to be available within 1 business week or USD$5,650 (Optional - At Your Expense) for the Passport to be available on the same business day.
4.6 - Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the "Direcciòn General de Pasaportes" before 12:00 PM with the following documents:
4.7 - Passport shall be available later the same day, if the Direcciòn General de Pasaportes's "VIP" fee is paid.
4.8 - Upon completion of the aforementioned document processing, Citizens are free to go and live in peace.
4.2 - Applicants shall appear at our provider law offices to receive their original Dominican Republic Birth Certificate and to be escorted to the Dominican Republic "Ministerio de Interior y Policìa" to receive a Naturalization Certificate and a new Dominican ID Card for Citizens.
4.3 - Applicants (now Citizens) shall be assisted with the Dominican Republic Passport application process.
4.4 - Citizens are required to return to the city of Santo Domingo for 1 to 2 business days for the processing of legal documentation and required banking deposit (Trip 8 of 8 for Non-Residents).
4.5 - Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the "Banco de Reservas" to pay taxes in the amount of DOP$4,650 (Inclusive of this Fee) for the Passport to be available within 1 business week or USD$5,650 (Optional - At Your Expense) for the Passport to be available on the same business day.
4.6 - Applicants shall be escorted by a representative of our provider law firm to appear at the "Direcciòn General de Pasaportes" before 12:00 PM with the following documents:
- Naturalization Certificate, issued by the Dominican Republic "Ministerio de Interior y Policìa";
- Original and Color Copy of the National ID Card for Citizens (Cedulà de Identidad Personal):
- Two Passport Photos (2" x 2") with four front and four right-hand side profiles. White background required and any accessories such as jewelry or sunglasses, etc are prohibited;
- Original and Color Copy of the Receipt of Payment at the "Banco de Reservas";
- Original and Color Copy of the Dominican Republic Birth Certificate, duly legalized by the Junta Central Electoral (issued within the pervious 12 months).
4.7 - Passport shall be available later the same day, if the Direcciòn General de Pasaportes's "VIP" fee is paid.
4.8 - Upon completion of the aforementioned document processing, Citizens are free to go and live in peace.
Enter the category for this item: Frequently Asked Questions
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Household Goods
Household goods are considered belongings which would commonly be found in the home such as televisions, personal computers, furniture, kitchenware, clothing, artwork, etc.
A personal vehicle is also considered a household good and shall be considered duty free if ownership can be demonstrated for at least one year, while the age of the vehicle cannot exceed five (5) years.
Boats are NOT considered a household good and shall be subject import duties or tax.
A personal vehicle is also considered a household good and shall be considered duty free if ownership can be demonstrated for at least one year, while the age of the vehicle cannot exceed five (5) years.
Boats are NOT considered a household good and shall be subject import duties or tax.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Firearms
Firearms may be permitted in the country if the interested party obtains a permit. The requirements for obtaining a permit are:
- Firing Range Test
- Psychiatric Test
- Drug Test
- Certification by competent authorities stating the firearm (serial) is clean
- Government Taxes
- Firing Range Test
- Psychiatric Test
- Drug Test
- Certification by competent authorities stating the firearm (serial) is clean
- Government Taxes
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Pets
Household animals (such as dogs and cats for example) are not considered household goods and shall be subject to government tax. However, such animals may be permitted into the country if the owner can provide documentation less than thirty (30) days old from a veterinarian that all of the animals are current with their shots and have a clean bill of health.
Credit
The Dominican Republic "Steps to Citizenship" are the exclusive intellectual property of our service providing law firm.
Enter the name for this tabbed section: Dominican Republic Citizenship
Order Form
CFMA
Due Diligence
$ 9,500
Complete Citizenship
For Government Approved Applicants
Per Person (Minimum 1 Adult Age 18 Years of Age)
Dominican Republic Citizenship ($8,190)
Dominican Republic 16% Service Tax ($1,310)
Completion of All Four "Steps to Citizenship"
Personal Assistance for Medical Tests
Escorted Immigrations Department Medical Clinic
Filing of all Immigrations Department Documents
Notarized Letter of Guarantee
Affidavit of Solvency
Certificate of Good Behavior
Provisional Residency Card (Good for 1 Year)
Dominican Republic National ID Card (Cédula)
Permanent Residency Card (Good for 2 Years)
Filing of all Ministry of Interior Documents
Personal Assistance for Spanish Interview
Escorted to the "Ministerio de Interior y Policia"
Personal Assistance / Escort to Oath Ceremony
Original Dominican Republic Birth Certificate
Dominican Republic Naturalization Certificate
Dominican Republic ID Card for Citizens
Passport Taxes to "Banco de Reservas" ($125)
Dominican Republic Passport
Four Years of Customer Support
Time to Provisional Residency is 6 Months
Time to Citizenship is 4 Years
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