Immigration and Overstay Issues

They flout the law....
Their numbers a terribly small, hence their contribution is too

Forest & trees... big picture stuff is what you need
not just your opinionated comments....
take a step back and see the major issues

One of the 1st thing s the new Gov't pointed at when coming in to office
Lliterally in the top 3 of their statements.

Law & order - if you like.... like other countries
not hard to understand if you look at objectively

So......their numbers are small....yet all contibute to the economy, and your opinionated comment says that you think is a bother. Way to go.

As we say ..

we don't count the votes - we weigh them

Yours have little weight

Your hat  size is changing......

I just returned and in my conversation with another person who lives there they mentioned don't get a residency. I said why - they said pay only the overstay fees that is what we do when we go back and forth....

Time will tell if this government makes changes...

I need the figure out the cheapest place to go to get my passport stamped to return.

One place I've been looking at is Belize (not cheap) and in the process of looking at that note that I could stay there for a indefinite period for $50 USD/month.

Sounds doable and reasonable.  Requires a check in ... why not here?

Good revenue, accountable and easy to implement.

JR

Puerto Rico ??

I don't believe that is true or was true of Belize.  Like here, what is said is one thing and what is actual is another.  And for Belize factor in the cost of your flight and stay.  Not cheap at all. 

Belize is one of the places where it can be difficult to qualify to stay.  DR is actually one of the easiest to qualify for.

Hop a flight to Puerto Rico or Miami. Way cheaper then flying to Belize.

From Santo Domingo the cheapest place to travel is Bogotá using Wingo, 243.00 dollars rt flight and allowed 1 carry on for free, but have to make sure to make web checkin to skip 15.00 dollars charge and print you boarding pass to akip extra 5.00 dollars charge.  They fly Monday Wednesday and Friday.

Sorry I have to disagree.  From Europe easy to get to and 699 return.  Immigration much easier than DR.  Here is their current terms for over stay:

"You can stay for up to 30 days in Belize without a tourist visa. If you plan to stay more than 30 days you will need a tourist visa, which costs $25 USD per month for the first 6 months. If you stay longer than 6 months on a tourist visa, the monthly fee for your tourist visa will be $50 USD per month".

I was referring to moving and living in Belize not visiting

Buy why would you become legal in Belize when it is so cheap to just pay per month (at a maximum it is only $50 a month after the first 6 months at $25 a month)? Why would anyone bother to become legal?

(See what I did there?)

I couldn't agree more, they have a great system for people who don't want all the legal nonsense.

However Planner is right in as much that if you want to apply for residency it's very laborious.

There are other islands looking at incentives to encourage expats to come to their islands.

Times are changing.

Back to DR please.....

OK, I'd go for a more expat friendly system in a heartbeat which resembled (unnamed other country) with a little modification.

1) I'd pay a fee of maybe $50 a month to extend
2) Be able to furnish receipts at the end of each renewal period showing and expenditure of X Pesos per month had been done in specified categories, say to include food, (eating out or groceries), gas, rent, etc.
3) Black market in receipts?  Sure, but peeps got to make a living!

Two cents worth only lol

Imagine trying to administer that!  Yikes.  Better flat fee purchase in advance and done.

Back in the DR, with the updated ability to extend on line at migracon for a total of 120 days migracion has also removed the fee schedule for staying longer than 120 days. 

Are they still using the same old numbers for those staying longer than 120 days? 

Do they still have a passport stamp with a date for the validity of the stay upon arrival

Aw shucks! 

I was looking forward to 'renting' a stack of receipts and walking up to a window to get a rubber stamp lol

That made me laugh Jay! 

windeguy wrote:

Back in the DR, with the updated ability to extend on line at migracon for a total of 120 days migracion has also removed the fee schedule for staying longer than 120 days. 

Are they still using the same old numbers for those staying longer than 120 days? 

Do they still have a passport stamp with a date for the validity of the stay upon arrival

I mentioned before -
I suspect this gov't regards a tourist as a 120 day visitor....
overstay that and you will be having a chat with them.....

You guys are braver then me! I like knowing that I'm here legally and just imported my household goods and car with exoneration!

My reasons for getting residency back in 2010 were quite honourable. Had decided to set up a home with my then partner and it was only right and respectful to be a resident to be able to share our lives together legally.

I really dont understand the deniers other than perhaps they are economically, medically or criminally not able to meet residency requirements. Residency is easy and cheap for qualifying people( those the country wants).

I excuse long term snowbirds from my concern - I know they want something more than the 120 day stay.

I am the exception to the case and was denied (something on my record from many years ago and believe that was the reason). I will apply again when things settle with covid but not a necessity for myself. I would like to retire here or live half the year eventually.

Too many people have been able to able to get away with paying overstay why bother with all the work (some countries more than others) and costs associated.

Thank you for stating "I excuse long term snowbirds from my concern - I know they want something more than the 120 day stay".

Many of us don't want residency but to stay between 3-6 months and that today is legally not possible, whereas other countries like Belize have such a simple system of 25$ per month up to 6 months-so so simple.

This country really does need to address "snowbirds"   that just makes sense. 

Let's hope this country looks at this.  However, I expect it's not a huge priority with everything else going on.

The number of snowbirds has to be large number. It is much higher than I would have every thought prior.

Snowbirds vs Tourists..... think about it

In normal times - RD has 6-7 MILLION All Incl visitors.....
$10/entry - $20/exit fees..... plus the hotel stay

Gigantic numbers....
Snowbirds haven't got a snowball's chance in hell of attracting attention

That being said - It would be good 'politics' to address the situation and be comparable to other countries

More optics than financial.....

I agree Willie.  Its more  about  perception then financial benefits.

Willieweb.....nobody knows how  many snowbirds thete are...some say a lot ...some people ssay only a few.  Some seem to think they want attention,,,, others think they dont want attention at all.  Most i meet are just satisfied to pay the airport shakedown on leaving. Some  here even think i should be censored even more than i am.

Most of the snowbirds that I have spoken to are very satisfied with paying when leaving. These are the same people who told me I was crazy for applying for residency. I agree they should make different choices besides residency for time periods to stay.

Agreed Colonel..... no proper count of snowbirds

But with your irrefutable logic, do you think there are millions?
As in the All Incl group?

Confirmed...nobody knows...and I never claimed to either.  Yet some swear many....others say few.    And my bet stands.
.

And many say few in the comparative sense..... as I do

I don't we people like us know how many snowbirds there are.  For what it's worth I don't think that there are many in real terms.

Whilst this year I used their new online service to extend my stay to 120 days I still think the Belize example is worthy of serious consideration.  At 25$  a month for up to 6 months would really satisfy most people.  Interesting this year when I left SDQ in July I presented my papers to immigration I was ushered through with no payment demanded.

Anyway with Covid still bad almost everywhere I have no intention of flying anywhere-pity I miss DR

Such is life.

Isn't $25/mo way more than the DR charge ?  $150US ?

Charge is less than 5,000 pesos here... not even $100

But at this point..... the DR future is blurred... can agree on that for those longer term visits

If I stayed for 5 years as overstay and left - what would consequences be? Just overstay fee?

Ducketts...For Mexico its 6 months...and if you overstay, nobody cares.  The 6 months is perfect for snowbirds.

Ducketts...For Mexico its 6 months...and if you overstay, nobody cares.  The 6 months is perfect for snowbirds.

I'm not sure anybody can answer thr 5 yr question

Apparently the Overstay Chart has been changed
Formerly, it had listed charges for a several year stay.
Now, it only lists up to 120 days

Something must be in the works..... what ? Nobody knows yet
But if it's anything like the corruption purge......

I agree. Something is in the works

Willie, i know what happened and mentioned it before. A few years ago before it was computerized, we could bribe the guys, and put 2k in their hand. After, they would see how long you overstanyed, and send you to snother official, who you had to pay the full shakedown of 4k pesos. Its their system, and a good cashcow for doing.....nothing.   In fact , a froed who has been overstaying for years is flying in, ill ask him if they hassle him, or if, like me in october, they just said "welcome".  My bet the later, and ive been right for about 8 years.