Immigration and Overstay Issues

I will believe in  Jesús,

Jesús (Chú) Vásquez that is,  when the overstay fees go away and they enforce the law which is here: 

http://www.consuladord.com/pdfs/Migracion.pdf

The only way they can enforce the law is to get rid of the overstay fees which are not part of any DR laws, but rather an "administrative workaround".

It sounds a job for all the boys-nothing seems to have changed

You are absolutely wrong.  THE MAIN thing has changed, there is a new sheriff  in town my friend.

Again lets see what they do. Their intent with the law was very clear.  They made the law and then they lost power. Now they are back!

As you say "let's see what happens"  I hope I'm wrong, but only time will tell!

I had some of this removed. We can discuss the laws but we are not discussing specific groups of people.

Day 1 of New government and we now have a fresh new Migracion website in English/Spanish:

https://migracion.gob.do/en/

There is a newly laid out section for permits for foreign citizens wishing to reside in the country incorporating all the optons:

https://migracion.gob.do/en/?servicios-ca=/permits

The Staying Extension is formalized and exactly as 'ducketts' described - formally easy.

There is a new layout for residency too with the many options described.

Wow that looks good!   Some of the english is not quite correct but you can see they have put a lot of thought and work into this.

And looks like a tourist visa can be extended up to  120 days. That is good news for many.

does this mean a 120 day extension after the first 30 days , or 120 day total including the 30 days ?

I recall from 'ducketts' experience posted here it was 120 day total.

Its a total of  120 days

Correct a total of 120 days

Migration will repatriate the undocumented

https://eldia.com.do/migracion-repatria … umentados/

The Director General of Migration, Enrique García, assured that as of next week they will begin to repatriate all undocumented people.

"Anyone who does not have a legal instrument, be it temporary residence, permanent residence or citizenship, will have to leave the Dominican territory," Garcia said.

The head of Migration said that since last March, when the coronavirus pandemic began in the country, operations to deport illegal citizens were paralyzed.

"Starting next week, the repatriations of Haitian citizens who are in illegal conditions in the country will begin," he explained.

The official said that they will enforce the Migration Law, the migration regulations and the Constitution of the Republic.

He also recognized that the main problem at the borders is controlling illegal immigrants.

Regarding the number of people in illegal conditions in the country, he said that it is difficult to calculate it because it is illegal, "we cannot count them." The director general also warned that Venezuelans who are not legalized or in legal immigration process in the country will be repatriated to their nation.

Emphasis

—1— Decision They will
not legalize people who remain in the country irregularly.
—2— Moving
Foreigners will have to regularize their immigration status or they will leave the country.
—3— Mystery
It is not known exactly how many people live illegally in the country.

The article itself implies is for Haitians, though we can't speak about specific people here and this may be deleted, that is what the article says.

It's good to see them sorting this mess out.  For those like myself who have no intention of living in DR but love to stay for about 3 months, there is now an online service which is quick and easy.  This allows the applicant to extend their 30 day tourist card to up to 120 days.  I applied last March and it was all done in about 4-5 days.  I really recommend those in my shoes do exactly that or suffer the possible consequences

We've been hearing about such.....CONFIRMED......info for years.  Guess what? None was really confirmed.

New government who so far is actually doing what they said they would do.  Time will tell!

Ill bet they dont kick out ...not even many overstay gringos.   We've heard these bogus rumors year after year.   But if my prediction is wrong, ill come back here and admit it. Will you guys who bet against me do the same?

Right now it is 30 days and you can extend to 120 or do you have do 30 day intervals? One extension?

You can extend your stay up to 120 days, so it's a total of 120 says , not 30 + 120.

If you leave you need to do the process again.

That's what I said

What does this mean for snowbirds who want to stay for 6 months at a time ?

Doesn't seem to addressed

they might push you to residency for 6 mo.....if 120 days won't work

or a ferry ride to Pto Rico and do another extension

WillieWeb is correct

Update on those leaving  now regarding the overstay fines!

A friend left yesterday and  gave me this information.

IF you have overstayed AND you can show your flights were cancelled, that portion of the overstay is WAIVED.  BUT you must have proof of the cancellations.

So  my friend had part of her overstay  fee removed as she had some of that information available to her. 

JUST having the  notification of cancellation was NOT enough. She needed proof of the actual purchase of a ticket!  You cannot say oh they cancelled the flight I was going to book. Nope, won't cut it.

Print out and keep your flights, your cancellations and your rebooking!  That is the best thing you can do.

Fully understandable.  However when we left I produced the overstay letter signed by the police and even thought we were past the leave date we went through without paying anything and were not asked for other papers, cancellation tickets etc.

I am attempting to update people and you are muddying the waters.  WE all know what happened to you because you posted it.

This happened  less than 24 hours ago!

Do you have the website address?

Posted earlier in the thread honey!

Recent announcements have indicated that the new government will enforce the immigration laws they wrote back in 2003.  I have seen posts that the big green immigration buses are also starting to roll again.

windeguy wrote:

Recent announcements have indicated that the new government will enforce the immigration laws they wrote back in 2003.  I have seen posts that the big green immigration buses are also starting to roll again.

Yep.  There are articles in today's dailies about roundups in Bavaro.

I'll bet this time , its just as 'confirmed', as all previous times......which means........it was just rumors, not true at all.

Here's my take on things

The new guys seem to be quite focused on the 120 extension for tourists.
Improved website, more English, easier to pay.... been verified by many users

Then we hear about roundups of 'out of status' people....

I think the new regime is defining a 'tourist' as someone who stays up to 120 days.

What will someone who exceeds 120 days be defined as ??

Not known --- Yet !

For sure, another shoe will drop.

The round ups are strictly for Haitians, the migration Director said it last week on CDN 37 in his latest interview.

He explicityl said they are not deporting people who are not criminals etc. They are not deporting Venezeluans either. You can search for that interview.

Ill bet you nothing 'drops',  but the same shake down will continue. Its a wonderful cash cow for the government. And, ive been right, year after year on this.

Thats always been the same too, and many gringos confuse Haitians ....with gringos.

lol.....nobody cares in DR.  You can live in the country for years and leave and come back they dont care.  My neighbor went back to USA after being in the country for 7 years.  Came back a week later no problem lol.........

Exactly, the called "confirmed issues" are just as useless rumprs as theyve always been. In fact, one of the issues is that many grongos have gone to great expense and trouble to get documents that most dont need at all.  For most gringos its cheaper and easier just to pay the airport shakedown when leaving.

Again we do NOT encourage this. This site  clearly   encourages following the law and getting  your visa or residency as required by the country.

Also note that  this government has indicated they will start enforcing the rules.   

As we say, buyer beware! Its all fun and games until the rules are applied!  Then I will be saying: I told you so. As will several other people.

It IS the law...their system, and everybody is fine with it.   They dont even scold you at the airport. And im not 'encouraging' anything, just pointing out reality.......again.

Lol I’m sure they have traffic laws also