Dominican Republic · Retirement visa
Dominican Republic retirement visa for US citizens
Short answer
The main route is the Retiree residence (pensionado) (residencia por inversión en calidad de jubilado o pensionado). Retirees with a monthly pension from a foreign government, official body or private company. There's no minimum age.
- Money needed: A pension of at least $1,500 a month, plus $250 per dependant; salary never counts
- How long it lasts: Permanent from day one; cards last 1 year in practice, 2 in the law Needs review
- Leads to: Already permanent; definitive residence after 10 years
Key facts
- Money needed
- A pension of at least $1,500 a month, plus $250 per dependant; salary never counts
- How long it lasts
- Permanent from day one; cards last 1 year in practice, 2 in the law Needs review
- Leads to
- Already permanent; definitive residence after 10 years
- Apply from
- A Dominican consulate for the residence visa, then the immigration office in Santo Domingo
- Processing time
- Up to 45 working days from a complete file; real waits Not yet verified
Checked against the law The $1,500 pension and the 45-day limit are in the retiree incentives law.
Still being checked Card length, the consulate checklist, SSA letters and the tax-exemption steps.
What you need
- Residence visa: from a Dominican consulate; its US checklist and fee Not yet verified
- Pension certificate: from the payer, with your service, position and amount. Whether an SSA letter counts Not yet verified
- US papers: birth certificate and FBI record for 5 years, apostilled and translated by an official interpreter
- Dominican bank account: a letter from the bank showing you have one
- Passport: valid 6 months or more, plus 4 photos
- Medical exam and insurance: the immigration office's exam and a guarantee policy covering dependants
- Fees: about $475 to file, $58 for the card and $104 for the exam; other costs Not yet verified
Good to know
- Tax breaks: your declared pension, dividends and interest are free of income tax, once the Finance Ministry approves.
- Renew yearly 45 days ahead, about $347, showing you received and spent the pension in the country.
- Work allowed with permission from immigration and the Ministry of Labour.
Every Dominican Republic residency route, compared → The full Dominican Republic guide →
Questions people ask
How much income do I need for the Dominican Republic's retirement visa?
A pension of at least $1,500 a month, plus $250 per dependant; salary never counts
How long does it last?
Permanent from day one; cards last 1 year in practice, 2 in the law (Needs review)
Does it lead to permanent residence or citizenship?
Already permanent; definitive residence after 10 years
Where do I apply?
A Dominican consulate for the residence visa, then the immigration office in Santo Domingo
How long does processing take?
Up to 45 working days from a complete file; real waits (Not yet verified)