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Aug

1. Reside in the country legally.
2. Gain admission to and pursue studies at the university of your choice, provided you are accepted at that institution.

This is a path similar to what many other countries have in place to obtain a Student Residency permit, for example, countries such as the United States, Canada, Spain, among many others.

The decision to study in the Dominican Republic is made based on various considerations, such as:

A wide range of university options.

We have a large number of public and private universities that offer a wide variety of fields of study. Each is recognized for its excellence in specific areas. Some of them are:

• Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) This is the oldest university in the Dominican Republic, and remains a pillar of higher education. With a broad academic offering and significant national influence, it continues to lead in the country’s educational landscape.
• Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) Recognized for its focus on technology and innovation. INTEC stands out for its high educational quality and advanced research programs, establishing itself as one of the country’s top institutions of this nature.
• Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) UNIBE is known for its comprehensive training and excellence in business, law and health programs. Its commitment to academic quality positions it as one of the most respected universities in the Dominican Republic.
• Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) The first private, Catholic, and coeducational university in the Dominican Republic. It offers undergraduate, graduate, technical, and doctoral degrees through its campuses and locations. Its main campus is in Santiago de los Caballeros, with additional sites in Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata.

Dual Degree Programs Between Local and International Universities.

Many of the universities mentioned above have agreements with institutions in other countries, meaning that your studies may be recognized not only in our country but in others as well.

Education Costs – More Affordable Tuition than Many Countries.

It is well known that attending university can be quite expensive. However, in the Dominican Republic, there are numerous options, so cost does not have to be an obstacle. There are public universities where education is completely free.

In terms of universities, options range from highly affordable to quite costly. We truly have many choices, and most importantly, they all offer the option to obtain a Student Visa in the Dominican Republic.

Recognition of Academic Degrees Abroad

For a foreign national who studies in another country, one of the questions they may ask is: Will I be able to have my academic degree recognized in my home country or elsewhere?

Yes, most countries recognize and accept Dominican documentation and degrees. HERE  you can review the ratification of degrees (homologation) process in the Dominican Republic, which is similar in many countries. In any case, it is advisable to verify with the professional education regulatory authority in the country where you intend to validate your degree to obtain firsthand information.

Remember that the Dominican Republic is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. As a result, any document intended to be recognized in another member country must be apostilled in the Dominican Republic.

An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a document to be used abroad, such as:  court rulings, birth, marriage, or death certificates, criminal record certificates, powers of attorney, notarial declarations, among many others.

This convention was established on October 5, 1961, through the Hague Convention, which currently has 117 member countries that recognize as valid any document bearing an apostille.

If the country receiving the document is not a party to the Apostille Convention, the document must be legalized by the competent authorities in the issuing country. Afterwards, it must be taken to the Embassy or Consulate of the country where it will be used to legalize the signature of the competent authority of the issuing country. Finally, the document is authenticated by the Document Legalization Office of the receiving country, which verifies the authority, signature, and seal of the acting consular officer.

Cost of Living

The reality is that one of the main factors we consider when relocating to another country is: What is the cost of living? Compared to many countries in Latin America, the Dominican Republic has a fairly reasonable cost of living.

To help you evaluate the cost of living in the Dominican Republic, we invite you to click HERE  for clear information on the subject.

So, the key question is: how do I obtain a Student Visa and Residency in the Dominican Republic?

Our Law No. 285-04 and its implementing Regulation 631-11 on Migration establish this type of residence and its details. The process of obtaining residence for study purposes in the Dominican Republic is very similar to other types of residence. It consists of first obtaining a student visa and subsequently acquiring the student residence permit. In summary, the process is as follows:

Obtaining the Student Visa at the Consulate

The Student Visa must be requested at the Dominican consulate in the applicant’s country of origin and/or where they have legal residence

• Completed visa application form, filled out by computer or in legible block letters. Available at consular offices or on the official services portal.
• Visa request letter addressed to the consular office, submitted by the person financially responsible for the beneficiary.
• One (1) passport-sized photograph (4 x 5 cm), front view, with a white background.
• Original passport with a minimum validity of twelve (12) months.
• Legible copy of the Residence Card (if applicable).
• Birth certificate. Must be submitted in its original form, duly legalized or apostilled, as required. If issued in a language other than Spanish, it must be translated by a certified court interpreter and legalized by the Dominican Republic consulate or apostilled, as applicable. Both the original and the translation must be submitted, each legalized or apostilled.
• Certificate of No Criminal Record (not required for minors), issued by the competent authority of the countries where the applicant has resided in the last 5 years, duly legalized or apostilled, as applicable.
• Financial support documentation from the person covering the student’s expenses, which may be substantiated by one of the following:
• • Through the parents or legal guardians.
  • Providing proof of scholarship or financial sponsorship from the institution covering the studies.

These documents must specify the amount of financial support or the value of the scholarship granted, as well as the duration for which it has been awarded. In both cases, this certification must be written on official letterhead and certified by the corresponding institution, duly translated into Spanish and legalized or apostilled, as applicable.

• Medical Certification showing that the petitioner has no infectious diseases.
• Dominican visas and visas from other countries, whether valid or expired.
• Letter of acceptance from the university and/or institution in the Dominican Republic that confirms any of the following:
• New University admission.
• Internship: Copy of the agreement between the foreign academic institution and the Dominican institution.

Acquiring Dominican Student Residency through Immigration

Once the student visa has been obtained, the student residence permit must be requested at the General Directorate of Migration (DGM).

• Passport with a minimum validity of twelve (12) months.
• Student Visa (type E).
• Full-format birth certificate, apostilled or legalized, as applicable.
• Two (2) recent 2×2 photographs: front view, no jewelry or accessories, ears visible, with a white background.
• Certificate of No Criminal Record from your country of origin or the country where you have resided during the past five (5) years.
• Certificate of No Criminal Record issued by the Attorney General’s Office of the Dominican Republic, if you have been in the country for more than six (6) months.
• Proof of admission or enrollment from the academic institution, corresponding to the relevant academic period.
• Valid health insurance in the Dominican Republic, approved by the General Directorate of Migration (DGM), covering the duration of the study program.
• Proof of financial solvency to cover your studies and living expenses during your stay in the Dominican Republic.
• Medical examinations conducted at one of the institutions authorized by the DGM.
• If the applicant is a minor and one parent acts as guarantor, a notarized and apostilled/legalized Power of Attorney from the other parent must be submitted, authorizing the child’s regularization. If not written in Spanish, it must be translated by a certified Dominican court interpreter.

TIMEFRAME

It varies and always depends on the applicant’s efficiency and the volume of applications being processed by the authorities, as well as other factors.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Do I receive a Dominican ID (cedula) with this residence?

No, unfortunately you will only receive the Residence Card.

2. How often should this residence be renewed?

Annually.

3. Once my studies are completed, can I keep my Dominican residence?

No, it is tied to your academic status. Therefore, if you decide to remain in the Dominican Republic, you must apply for a new status:

A) Residence Visa.

B) Permanent or temporary residence.

You can find more information on this topic here.

4. If I decide to practice my profession in the country, can I do so after obtaining my academic degree?

In reality, the degree alone is not enough. You must have legal residence status in order to proceed with the other legal steps. It is also important to note that many professional careers, such as lawyers and doctors, require an exequatur (a formal government authorization), for which a Dominican ID (cedula) is required. If you intend to pursue this path, please click here.

For further details, feel free to contact us. At our law firm Morillo Suriel Attorneys At Law, we have a specialized division in Immigration, and we encourage you to contact us and book a consultation for assistance with Student Visas in the Dominican Republic, as well as with the Dominican Residence requirements.