Moving to The Dominican Republic: a complete guide

Moving to another country is a big deal. It can be a stressful, frustrating time. But it doesn’t have to be! If you prepare well you can make sure your moving experience is as easy as possible.

The Dominican Republic is a popular destination for tourists and it is easy to see why with places like the gorgeous Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana and resorts in Puerto Plata. It is also a country where people are looking to settle down in the long term. With their many wonderful beaches and peaceful towns, we’re not surprised that people want to emigrate to the Dominican Republic. But what does a move like that involve?

In this blog you’ll find everything you need to consider before moving to the Dominican Republic. So, let’s get started!

Things to consider when moving to the Dominican Republic:

• What to expect when moving to the Dominican Republic?
• How many people are moving to the Dominican Republic?
• Is moving to the Dominican Republic easy?
• How can I immigrate to the Dominican Republic?

What to expect when moving to The Dominican Republic?

The people of the Dominican Republic are friendly and very accommodating. You can expect a warm welcome when you arrive. It is a perfect place to relax by the beach with a cold glass of mamajuana (a popular spiced alcoholic beverage that originates in the Dominican Republic!). But what else should you expect beyond sunny beaches and smiling faces?

Well, things are quite relaxed in the Dominican Republic. You should expect life to move a little slower. If you have family and friends who live in the Dominican Republic your expectations of what it’s like to live there will probably be very close to the truth.

Although the Dominican Republic culture is strong and evident in most day-to-day, tourism is a huge part of the economy of the Dominican Republic. So you should expect a multicultural mix in places like Santo Domingo, Santiago and other major destinations.

Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. So while many people can speak English it is a good idea to start learning Spanish before moving there.

How many people are moving to The Dominican Republic?

The population of the Dominican Republic is around 10.7 million. The country is incredibly diverse with nearly 73% of the population being racially mixed. Every year the immigrant population of the Dominican Republic increases with the majority of immigrants coming from other Caribbean nations. “There are tens of thousands of Jamaicans in the country and more than 700,000 people of Haitian descent.”

According to MacroTrends, there were 415,564 immigrants in the Dominican Republic in 2015 which was a 5.55% increase from 2010. And we can expect that number to have gone up in recent years as the country has made more positive economic progress.

People new to the country often move to the major cities where there are international communities from all over the world. For example, there are about 10,000 Puerto Rican immigrants around greater Santo Domingo.

The Dominican Republic has been welcoming immigrants from around the globe for many years now. This diversity contributes to the exciting cultural experience travellers can enjoy, especially in the major cities like Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and Santiago de los Caballeros.

Is moving to The Dominican Republic easy?

Well, that depends on your situation. Have you been to the Dominican Republic before? Do you know your way around? Do you know about the Dominican peso? Do you have family and friends living there? Do you already have a job secured in the Dominican Republic? If you answered “Yes!” to all these questions then moving to the Dominican Republic shouldn't be too much of a hassle.

However, if you have no ties to the Dominican Republic, but you just fancy living there because you’ve heard it’s a nice place then your moving experience might be a little different.

The best way to plan is by doing lots of research before you pack your bags. Organise all the essential things before you start relaxing on the beautiful Dominican beaches. This means sorting out your health insurance, accommodation and employment before you move. If you have these practical things done then you will be able to enjoy your moving experience.

How can I immigrate to The Dominican Republic?

So, let’s take a look at the logistics of moving to the Dominican Republic. The steps you need to take will depend on whether you are moving to the Dominican Republic for work, to live with family or to retire.

You can obtain a temporary residence permit, which is valid for one year, by applying to the Migration Office of your local Dominican Consulate. The documents you must submit include:

• Your passport (original) and a copy of your birth certificate
• A photo
• Bank statements which demonstrate you have sufficient funds and/or a sufficient monthly income,
• A certificate of good conduct
• A doctor’s letter confirming you are in good health
• Letter of application that states your reasons for seeking residency and personal circumstances. This may include: marriage to a Dominican citizen (include a marriage certificate), ownership of property (provide relevant documents), job with a Dominican company (provide a contract and certificate of labour), retirement (provide a pension statement and monthly income from pension)
• Letter of guarantee from a Dominican citizen or company signed by a notary in the Dominican Republic and legalised by the Attorney General’s office

After you have lived in the Dominican Republic for one year you can then apply for Permanent Residency. And when you have been a permanent resident for two years only then may you be eligible to apply to become a citizen of the Dominican Republic.

To learn more about the immigration process visit the Dominican Republic’s Migration website.

Getting started

In this blog we’ve highlighted everything you need to know about moving to the Dominican Republic. If you have family and friends in the Dominican Republic, you might already have a few ideas of what it’s like to live there.

If you need to send money to these loved ones in the Dominican Republic we can help. We offer cash pickup, bank deposit, home delivery and airtime top-up services to those who need to send money to The Dominican Republic.

Your first transfer online is always fee-free!