services

Immigration Law in Dominican Republic

Pellerano & Herrera provides assistance to corporate and individual clients in complying with immigration regulations locally. We provide legal counsel in all aspects of immigration law including assistance throughout the residence application process for those residing, working, studying or retiring in the Dominican Republic.

Our attorneys will be present in every step of the residence application process until the obtainment or renewal of the permits and will oversee the process in order to verify that applicable incentives are granted. Among the residence services our firm provides are the following:

Provisional and Permanent Residence

The procedure for obtaining either a Provisional or Permanent Residence regularly lasts approximately four (4) to six (6) months and are valid for one (1) year and two (2) years respectively, being renewable after their expiration.

The Permanent Residence can be obtained after the Provisional Residence Card has expired. Both residence permits shall also give the right to its bearer to have a Dominican identity card (Cedula) and driver’s license.

Retiree and Passive Investor Residence

This procedure only takes forty five (45) business days and is granted for one (1) year being renewable every two (2) years after its expiration. In order to apply, retirees must receive a monthly income of at least US$1,500 while passive investors must have been receiving a monthly income of at least US$2,000 for at least 5 years and must have remittance receipt sent to the Dominican Republic.

Work Permits

This visa is based upon the existence of a employment contract of the applicant in the Dominican Republic that must be registered at the Ministry of Labor of the Dominican Republic. It is valid for one (1) year and is renewable for up to two (2) more years. This application has to be filled at the nearest Dominican Consulate of your country and our Firm will provide assistance with the registration of the employment contract and preparation of the application file.

Dominican Citizenship

The naturalization process allows granting Dominican nationality to foreigners under the following circumstances:

- Those that will justify an uninterrupted residence of at least two (2) years in the country.

- Those that have resided for six (6) months in the country, if married to a Dominican.

- Those that have obtained a special concession of the President (called "privileged nationality") normally granted to foreigners that have served our country meritoriously.

- By origin: those who have Dominican father or mother, if allowed by the laws of their country of origin. The granting of the Dominican Nationality is a discretionary Power of the President of the Republic who, in case of deciding to grant the favor of the same, will issue a Decree in its respect.