Your first 90 days in Dominican Republic: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The residence visa must be obtained at a Dominican consulate BEFORE you travel — arriving as a tourist and trying to file residence in-country is the most common wasted trip. The 60-day conversion clock then starts at entry, not at your convenience.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Complete the residencia file with the Dirección General de Migración, including the in-country medical exam, then get the cédula from the JCE
Within 60 days of entering on a residence visa — the residence visa is obtained at a consulate first and must be converted after arrival
The medical examination must be done at an approved laboratory in the Dominican Republic; results from abroad are not accepted. The file also wants an apostilled birth certificate and police certificate, both under six months old.
Get your RNC (Registro Nacional del Contribuyente), with the cédula as the everyday identifier
The cédula de extranjería is what banks, utilities and employers ask for; the RNC is the tax registration for business or self-employment with the DGII.
The cédula is issued by the Junta Central Electoral once residence is granted; the RNC is registered with the DGII where you have taxable activity.
Open a bank account
Banco Popular, BHD and Banreservas open accounts on the cédula — with only a passport, options are limited to a few institutions and higher minimums. The peso is not freely convertible offshore, so most foreign residents keep a US-dollar account locally plus funds abroad.
Enrol in healthcare
The SENASA public scheme and the SFS contributory system cover registered residents; foreign residents commonly buy private plans (Humano, Universal, ARS Palic) which are inexpensive and give access to good private hospitals in Santo Domingo and Santiago. Public facilities are variable.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence is valid for the first 90 days; residents then convert through INTRANT, presenting the original licence, cédula and a medical certificate — many foreign licences convert without a road test. Driving is on the right, and defensive driving is a genuine skill requirement here.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Dominican Republic: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Dominican Republic?
Complete the residencia file with the Dirección General de Migración, including the in-country medical exam, then get the cédula from the JCE — Within 60 days of entering on a residence visa — the residence visa is obtained at a consulate first and must be converted after arrival. The medical examination must be done at an approved laboratory in the Dominican Republic; results from abroad are not accepted. The file also wants an apostilled birth certificate and police certificate, both under six months old. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the RNC and do I need one?
RNC (Registro Nacional del Contribuyente), with the cédula as the everyday identifier is Dominican Republic's personal tax/ID number. The cédula de extranjería is what banks, utilities and employers ask for; the RNC is the tax registration for business or self-employment with the DGII. The cédula is issued by the Junta Central Electoral once residence is granted; the RNC is registered with the DGII where you have taxable activity.
Can I drive in Dominican Republic on a US license?
A foreign licence is valid for the first 90 days; residents then convert through INTRANT, presenting the original licence, cédula and a medical certificate — many foreign licences convert without a road test. Driving is on the right, and defensive driving is a genuine skill requirement here. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Dominican Republic?
The SENASA public scheme and the SFS contributory system cover registered residents; foreign residents commonly buy private plans (Humano, Universal, ARS Palic) which are inexpensive and give access to good private hospitals in Santo Domingo and Santiago. Public facilities are variable. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Dominican Republic's system treats foreign residents.