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Relocating to DR and need some advice

Hi everyone,


I am a 26-year-old Bosnian citizen living and working in Slovenia. My goal is to move to the Dominican Republic and get residency.


I have 7 years of experience in hospitality and customer service. I speak German (B2), English, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, and Slovenian.


I already tried applying directly to resorts in the DR ( over 40+ applications through career portals/emails/WhatsApp/LinkedIn connections) but got no replies- even when I mentioned that I have an immigration lawyer and will pay for the entire process myself-probably because I don't speak Spanish so even my other languages and experience couldn't help me out. Now I am working in hospitality here in Slovenia but also looking into ways of getting a remote job and building remote income through freelancing. My plan is to open a company in the DR and use my remote income to sustain it. I do have an immigration lawyer Maria Abreu to help with the visa but for me it's a complicated thing and a bit of a headache. It would be cheaper and easier through employment but since the job market is rough and with my beginner Spanish it's impossible.


I am also learning Spanish and will take a course starting at the end of September.


My questions:


For those who went the company route, what was your experience? What were the real costs and how long did it take?


What city would you recommend for someone starting out?


Any advice is welcome. Thank you.

See also

There is so much wrong with this whole process, but the worst problem you have is your lawyer.  That will continue to be your biggest problem if you decide to move forward.  But trying to get a work visa for a resort is likely impossible, there are so many locals and Haitians that are vying for those jobs, and are easier to hire and fire, than a foreigner who is not even on the island yet.  You have a huge uphill battle even before selecting the worst lawyer possible.

3 members reacted to this post

@UncleBuck

Thank you for this honest feedback. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective.


To be completely transparent, I haven't paid Maria Abreu anything yet. I reached out to her for an initial consultation and a quote, but I haven't committed to working with her.


After reading your comment and doing some more research, I'm now looking into other options. Several people have recommended Lishali Baez and Guzmán Ariza(I wrote to them a month ago but still no reply), so I will be contacting them instead.


I completely understand what you're saying about the resort jobs. I already tried applying to over 40 resorts through various channels and got no replies. That's why I've shifted my focus to building remote income and opening a company instead.


Do you maybe have another recommendation for a lawyer instead thanks for the advice.


Edit: I have just as of now sent an email to lawyer Lishali Báez,and I am waiting for her response.

I, like many others, agree with Uncle Buck. 


Lishali Baez will give you updated correct information and will not lie to you just to get your money.


Going the route of opening a corporation and then hiring yourself is a possibility but it is full of potential landmines.  Cost wise it's not a deal breaker.

2 members reacted to this post

@planner

Thank you very much for the answer, I know that opening my opening my own company is a process but I don't really have any other option. I am not married to DR citizen,can't get hired by a Dominican company nor have 1500-2000 dollars monthly income for the Rentista visa. I am ready to do whatever it takes and I am down to one option.

1 member reacted to this post

@nbaltic99

I understand completely

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