Residency 2026

True

Those are some big changes...

Can you explain this --- Legalizations are no longer accepted if "notarized".  They must be legalized by the original issuing authority

For example a statement of pension income must be legalized at source.  Not taken elsewhere to be notarized as authentic

Again none of this has changed, by law, yet!

@planner

They dont need to, they make up the rules as they go...

"I am told the Director of Investment is no longer accepting 200,000 US or equivalent for investor residency, it's now 500,000 US or equivalent."

@DRVisitor

Absolutely agree with you! 

Good afternoon, Hoping that someone can point me in the direction of a certified translator for my documents. Im in the Santiago area but willing to travel. Thank you. ive called a few places but you know how that goes. Thanks again in advance.

Well after being given the runaround by DGM in trying to do my residency by myself this past December and basically throwing in the towel and letting my residency visa expire. I’m happy to report that I was referred to a great lawyer from a friend of mine in the capital. It took him all of three weeks to get everything done, submitted and approved. I have also received my Medical appointment date. I can not tell you what a relief it is to finally get to this point after all the headaches and BS from DGM.

@DRforme

Congratulations! Sorry you got the runaround when doing it by yourself. Truth is...the runaround is on the checklist...well, it is implied. In the end, you made it. When it is time to renew the residency, it is so much easier. You can definitely do that by yourself without getting the runaround.

Hello,

Where are the medical exams done please, is it mandatory in Santo Domingo, or is it possible in other cities?

Thanks for your reply.

Have a nice day!

@familledusud

They will provide that information when you have your interview at DGM . They will give you a paper with the clinics name,  and you can go same day as your interview. The clinic will then send the results to the DGM officer.

That process can be up to two or more weeks for them to process the results in your DGM file, and notify you that your residency ID is ready

@CHRISTOPHER DAVID56

Hello

Thank you for your reply, Christopher.

I'm familiar with the process; I've been submitting my renewal requests myself on the website for about ten years.

But over time, we've had our medical exams sometimes in Puerto Plata, other times in Santiago, and most recently in Santo Domingo, since at that point they hadn't yet signed contracts with any centers other than Santo Domingo.

My question was: are medical exams now only done in the capital?

@familledusud

Ok, understand,  that I can't answer.

Last year (around March/April 2025) I was able to do the medical in Santiago. As you are surely aware, you have to request the DGM location (e.g. Santiago, Puerto Plata) when you submit for resubmittal. For some strange reason, one of the agents in the Santiago DGM tried to make it seem the medical could only be done in Santo Domingo, but thankfully a more professional agent in the office spoke up and corrected him.

@Semiretired

Hello

Thanks a lot. I have to start working on my renewal for 4 years, mid November.

We live between Sosua & Cabarete, so crossing fingers, that I will be able to get the medical exams in Puerto Plata or Santiago, and this way save me a trip to Santo Domingo.

Have a good evening.

@DRforme my husband and I are looking for a lawyer to help us with our residency. If you are happy with the lawyer you used would you be willing to share contact information? Thanks!

@Rosanna E

We used Joel Abogado +1 809-293-0367 in Santa Domingo.  He was very good and reasonable in price.  His price to us included everything, he paid immigration and the physical.  As I understand he used to work for immigration and now he is a lawyer handling immigration.  If you choose to use him, make sure you tell him I recommend him.

@oldsmobile442 thank you, I will contact him. Let me know how you’d like me to share that you referred us, not sure your username is one he’d know.

@Rosanna E

Hello I have sent you a PM ..