Dominican Republic · Citizenship
Dominican Republic citizenship for Americans: how many years, and can you keep US citizenship?
Short answer
Apply after 2 years as a permanent resident: about 2 years for retirees, who are permanent from day one, or about 7 via temporary residence. No exam was found.
The rules
| Timeline | About 2 years after permanent residence: about 2 years for retirees, about 7 via temporary residence |
|---|---|
| Dual citizenship | Likely yes: the law read has no rule making you renounce, but it doesn't say so outright. Not yet verified |
Checked against the law The 2-year clock and the absence rule, read in the naturalisation law.
Not yet verified Dual citizenship, and whether retiree residence counts from the first day.
Good to know
- 2 years in a row as a permanent resident. Whether retiree cards count from day one Not yet verified
- Shorter clock, 6 months: if you're married to a Dominican, founded an industry or own property in the country.
- Trips abroad: up to a year away, intending to return, still counts as living here.
- No exam: no language or civics test was found.
- Papers: a good-conduct certificate and your birth certificate, filed with the Interior Ministry. Fees Not yet verified
- It's discretionary: citizenship is granted by decree, followed by an oath.
- Keeping it: it can be revoked if you move abroad within a year, or stay away 10 years.
- One limit: naturalised citizens can't be president or vice-president.
Sources (4)
Legal basis and exact figures
- Clock: Ley 1683 art 1(b): 'una residencia no interrumpida de dos años por lo menos'; Reglamento 631-11 art 52: two years of continuous stay after permanent residence; the DGM naturalisation certificate requires at least two years as permanent resident. RT-9: about 5 temporary + 2 permanent = 7 years. Pensionado, rentista and investor routes are permanent from the start: about 2 years, if the DGM issues the certificate on an investment card (not verified). Whether temporary years count under the 1948 law isn't established.
- Shorter periods: 6 months after a domicile grant (art 1(a)), for founders of industries or owners of real estate in the DR (art 1(c)), or if married to a Dominican (art 1(d)).
- Absences and procedure: trips abroad of up to a year with intention to return count as residence (art 1 párrafo I). Filed through the Ministerio de Interior y Policía with a Procurador Fiscal good-conduct certificate and birth certificate (art 6); discretionary grant (art 7); decree in the Gaceta Oficial and oath (arts 8–9). Revocation if domicile moves abroad within a year or 10 years away without returning (art 12 párrafo II d–e). MIP fees not verified.
- Dual nationality: Ley 1683 as read has no renunciation requirement; the Constitution (art 20) protects Dominicans who acquire another nationality; naturalised persons can't be president or vice-president (art 19). Whether a naturalising foreigner must renounce isn't stated expressly.
Links
Citizenship in the Dominican Republic, in full → The full Dominican Republic guide →
Questions people ask
How many years until I can become a citizen of the Dominican Republic?
About 2 years after permanent residence: about 2 years for retirees, about 7 via temporary residence
Can I keep US citizenship if I become a citizen of the Dominican Republic?
Likely yes: the law read has no rule making you renounce, but it doesn't say so outright. (Not yet verified)