Residencia Permanente en Calidad de Jubilado o Pensionado

The Residencia Permanente en Calidad de Jubilado o Pensionado is the Dominican Republic's residency program for foreign retirees and pensioners who receive a monthly pension from a foreign source. Established under Ley General de Migración No. 285-04 (Article 33) and regulated by Decreto No. 631-11, the program grants permanent residence directly without requiring a prior temporary residency period. It is further enhanced by Ley No. 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, which provides substantial tax exemptions and import duty benefits to qualifying retirees. The program is administered by the Dirección General de Migración (DGM), with the initial entry visa issued through MIREX via Dominican consulates. Holders may apply for Dominican citizenship after two years of permanent residence.

• Foreign national (or Dominican citizen who has resided abroad for 10+ years) receiving a monthly pension or retirement income from a government, official body, or private company of foreign origin
• Minimum monthly pension income: US$1,500 (or equivalent in Dominican pesos)
• Additional US$250/month per dependant included in the application
• The pension must originate from a foreign source; Dominican pensions do not qualify unless the recipient is a Dominican citizen who has resided abroad for 10 or more years
• No educational or professional qualifications required

• Valid passport (minimum 18 months validity)
• Visa de Residencia (RS) obtained from a Dominican consulate abroad
• Original extended birth certificate (apostilled or legalized)
• Marriage certificate, declaration of single status, or proof of cohabitation (apostilled/legalized)
• Four recent photographs (2 front-facing, 2 right profile), 2×2 inches, white background, no jewelry, ears uncovered
• Certificate of no criminal record from country of origin or last 5 years of residence (apostilled/legalized, translated into Spanish)
• Certified proof of pension income: government certification from the employer or pension authority including personal information, employment duration, duties, and monthly pension amount; must be translated into Spanish by a judicial interpreter and apostilled or legalized
• Dominican bank certification confirming a local bank account
• Guarantee/repatriation policy (póliza de garantía) from a DGM-authorized insurer (e.g., Seguros Reservas)
• Medical examination results (completed at DGM)

The initial permanent residence card is valid for 1 year. The first renewal grants a 2-year card; subsequent renewals are every 2 years (unlike other permanent residents who renew every 4 years). After 10 years, a definitive card is issued that is not subject to further renewal (though an annual fee applies). At renewal, applicants must provide evidence of income consumption in the Dominican Republic, such as credit card statements, utility bills, housing rental contracts, or payments for educational services.

Spouse, unmarried children under 18, incapacitated adult dependants, university students, and persons under legal guardianship may be included. Each requires an additional US$250/month of income to be demonstrated. Dependants benefit from the same preferential immigration regime and tax exemptions under Law 171-07. Each dependant must submit their own documentation package and undergo a medical examination. Upon the death of the principal beneficiary, acquired rights transfer to the surviving spouse and dependants who continue to meet the original requirements.

Under Ley 171-07, qualifying pensioners receive significant tax benefits: foreign pension income is permanently exempt from Dominican income tax (not subject to the standard 3-year grace period for general residents); exemption from the 3% real estate transfer tax on the first property purchased; 50% reduction in annual real estate property tax; 50% reduction in mortgage registration tax; exemption from taxes on dividends and interest from any source; full import duty exemption for household goods, office equipment, and professional equipment; and one motor vehicle may be imported with partial tax exemption or purchased locally free of ITBIS and selective consumption tax (non-transferable for 5 years). Any locally earned employment income is taxed under normal Dominican rules.

The process follows two stages:

1. Visa de Residencia (RS): Apply at a Dominican consulate in the applicant's country of origin or last residence before entering the Dominican Republic. The visa costs US$90 (or €90 in the Eurozone) and permits a single entry within 60 days of issuance.
2. DGM residency application: After entering the Dominican Republic, register on the DGM portal (personal.migracion.gob.do), file the application online, and pay fees (DGM file deposit: RD$28,800; medical exam: RD$6,300; residence card: RD$3,500). Submit original documents in person at DGM offices, undergo the DGM medical examination, and await processing. The legal maximum processing time is 45 working days; in practice, 3–6 months is common.

Once permanent residency is granted, beneficiaries must separately apply to the DGII and DGA for formal acknowledgment of the tax benefits under Law 171-07.