“Kathleen, they passed a new law in the Dominican Republic for residency. You never researched it, and you are sending false information now.
“I read on the site and on DR1.com that people can only stay in the Dominican Republic for a short time now. It used to be 30 days. After 30 days you had to pay fines. Now my friend who lives there stated you can only stay 60 days. Since everything is new, I just wanted to let you know.”
–Ivan I., United States
You’re confusing tourist travel with legal residency. The 30-/60-day stay thing is for tourists. Many people don’t bother obtaining legal residency and abuse the tourist visa system (by doing what’s referred to as the “border run” each time their tourist visa expires). That’s not what we’re talking about when we refer to residency, which is the process of obtaining the legal right to remain in a country beyond the term of that country’s tourist visa.
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“Kathleen, in a recent newsletter you quote for the Dominican Republic, ‘Fast-track residency options target both retirees (pensionados) and investors. Retirees have to show US$1,500 or more per month in retirement income.’
“Is this US$1500 each or per couple? Also as not married but living together does this alter the equation?”
–John C., United Kingdom
The US$1,500 covers a single person. In the case of a married couple applying together, one of the couple makes the application, listing the spouse as a dependent. The additional income requirement for the spouse to qualify is US$250 per month… meaning a total monthly income requirement of US$1,750 for a married couple.
Two non-married people living together can also apply together if they have been co-habitating for at least five years. Swear a notarized statement to this effect, and you and your partner can qualify by showing a minimum monthly income of US$1,750, as a married couple would have to do.
Continue Reading: Gem Of The Samana Region: Las Terrenas
