Dominican Republic Pensioner residence

Residence for foreign retirees who receive a monthly pension of at least US$1,500 from a foreign government, official body or private company, with a lower income test than rentiers. ^{1 2}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least $1,500 a month · Minimum permanent monthly pension from a foreign source; US$250 more for each direct dependant included. ^{1 2}
• A fee of DOP 28,800 (≈ $470) · File deposit for the residence application. ¹
• A fee of DOP 3,500 (≈ $57) · Issue of the residence card and cédula certificate. ¹
• A fee of DOP 6,300 (≈ $100) · Medical exams for adults and adolescents from 13; RD$4,200 for children under 13. ¹

Requirements

• The applicant is a foreigner who settles in the country and receives a pension from a foreign government, official body or company. ¹
• A permanent monthly pension of at least US$1,500, plus US$250 for each direct dependant included. ^{2 1}
• A certification from the foreign government, body or company giving the applicant's details, time of service, post held and the pension amount, translated and apostilled. ¹
• Salaries do not count towards the minimum pension. ¹
• A bank letter showing an account in a Dominican bank. ¹
• A criminal record certificate from the country of residence for the last five years and an apostilled birth certificate. ¹
• A residence visa (RS) issued by a Dominican consulate, a passport valid for six months and recent photographs. ¹
• A guarantee policy from an insurer authorised by the DGM that also covers dependants, and medical exams at an authorised institution. ¹
• Apply on the DGM services portal; the file is processed in 45 working days. ¹
• The residence is valid for one year and can be renewed; Law 171-07 provides renewed cards of two years or the period the DGM sets. ^{1 2}
• The declared income is exempt from Dominican income tax under Law 171-07. ²

Stay

• Residence for one year, renewable; renewed cards can run two years.
• Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Foreign nationals; a Dominican consular residence visa is needed before applying, and visa rules depend on nationality.

Work

Pensioners and rentiers may take paid work, which is taxed as for any other employee.

Family

Direct dependants can be included for an extra US$250 a month of income each.

Fine print

Law 171-07 sets renewed cards at two years unless the Migration Directorate sets another period; the Directorate's renewal page for retirees listed two years while its page for rentiers under the same law listed four. The Directorate's site refused access on 12 October 2026, so the term could not be re-checked.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Residence by investment as a retiree or pensioner · Dirección General de Migración, Dominican Republic · checked 2026-10-11
2. Law No. 171-07 on special incentives for foreign-source pensioners and rentiers · Dirección General de Impuestos Internos, Dominican Republic · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2007-07-13
3. Renewal of residence for retirees and pensioners · Dirección General de Migración, Dominican Republic · checked 2026-10-11