Dominican Republic Pensionado visa requirements
The Dominican Republic pensionado residence asks for a pension of at least $1,500 a month from abroad, plus $250 a month per dependant, with no minimum age.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and the discounts that come with it. Checked against the Dominican Republic's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum income
- $1,500/mo A pension or retirement income paid by a government, official body or private company of foreign origin, or its equivalent in Dominican pesos; salary income does not count. Law 171-07; Migration Directorate; Foreign Ministry. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- One year, then 2-year renewals Law 171-07; Migration Directorate; Foreign Ministry. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Government fees
- DOP 38,600 (about $650) File deposit for pensionado residence and Residence card and proof of identity card and Medical exams. Migration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Pensionado visa
Pensionado residence is for anyone with a pension of at least $1,500 a month from a foreign government, official body or private company, plus $250 a month for each dependant. It starts as a one-year residence and comes with the tax breaks of Law 171-07.
You need $1,500 a month: a pension or retirement income paid by a government, official body or private company of foreign origin, or its equivalent in Dominican pesos; salary income does not count.
There is no minimum age: the law only asks you to meet its income and document requirements.
The pension you declare to qualify is exempt from Dominican income tax under Law 171-07.
Pensionados may work in the country, but wages earned there are taxed like any other employee's.
The law sets 45 working days from filing for DGM's approval letter, but DGM's own service page gives 90 working days.
Dominican citizens with a foreign pension who lived abroad for at least 10 years can use the same benefits, as can foreigners already resident who become pensionados.
Pensionado visa documents
Every residence permit
- Residence visa (RS) issued by a Dominican consulate in your country of origin or residence, obtained before you travel
- Online residence application on the Migration Directorate (DGM) services portal
- Copy of the complete passport; the checklist asks for at least 6 months' validity, and the step-by-step list for at least 1 year
- Original birth certificate, apostilled or legalized
- Criminal record certificate from each country where you lived in the last 5 years (from the federal authority in federal countries), apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish
- Four recent 2x2 photos: two front and two right profile, white background, ears uncovered
- Medical exams at a centre authorized by DGM, done in the Dominican Republic
Migration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
This visa
- Certificate from the government, official body or private company that pays your pension, with your details, time worked, position and pension amount, confirming it can pay the pension for at least 5 years; apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish by a certified translator
- Guarantee policy from an insurer authorized by DGM, covering your spouse and children too
- Letter from a Dominican bank stating that you have an account there
Migration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Every document issued abroad must be apostilled (or legalized by the Dominican consulate, if the country is not part of the Hague Apostille Convention), and any document not in Spanish must be translated. Ask your lawyer whether a document must also be translated.
Pensionado visa fees
| File deposit for pensionado residence, paid to DGM | DOP 28,800 (about $490) |
| Residence card and proof of identity card | DOP 3,500 (about $60) |
| Medical exams | DOP 6,300 (about $110) |
| Residence visa (RS) for retirees, paid at the Dominican consulate | $200 |
Migration Directorate; Foreign Ministry fees. Checked Oct 8, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Gather documents at homeA certificate from your pension payer, your birth certificate and criminal record certificates for the last 5 years, apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish.
- Get the residence visaApply at a Dominican consulate for the residence visa (RS) for retirees. The fee is $200, processing takes 10 to 20 business days, and the visa is valid for one entry within 60 days.
- Apply online with DGMOnce in the country, fill in the residence application on the DGM portal and pay the RD$28,800 file fee. An application left without action online for 90 calendar days expires.
- Medical exams and local paperworkTake the medical exams (RD$6,300) at a DGM-authorized centre, open an account at a Dominican bank for the bank letter, buy the guarantee policy, and deposit your original documents with DGM.
- Collect your residence cardDGM gives a processing time of 90 working days. The residence card and ID proof cost RD$3,500.
- RenewAfter the first year, renew with DGM by showing that your pension was received in the country over the year. The law says the renewed card is valid for 2 years, or the period DGM sets.
Tax breaks for pensionados and rentistas under Law 171-07
| Import duty on household goods, personal effects and used work equipment you bring when you move (main applicant only) | Exempt |
| Property transfer tax on the first property you buy | Exempt |
| Property tax (IPI) and tax on documents, while your residence permit is valid | 50% |
| Mortgage taxes, while your residence permit is valid | 50% |
| Capital gains tax when you sell a property bought under the law | 50% |
| Taxes on dividends and interest earned in the country or abroad | Exempt |
| Import taxes on one car, under the partial exemption of Law 168 | Partial |
Pensionados and rentistas whose residence under Law 171-07 is approved, and for the property and car breaks their spouses too. The tax authority confirmed in 2022 that the property breaks apply to the person, not to a company they own, and that the dividend and interest exemption covers income while the residence permit is valid, applied for through the Finance Ministry. Law 171-07; DGII ruling. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Spouses and children
Your spouse and unmarried children under 18 can be included, as can older children who are disabled or at university and depend on you financially, and minors under your legal guardianship. You need an extra $250 a month of pension for each one. Children under 16 do not need a criminal record certificate, and an application with dependants must also include a repatriation policy.
Law 171-07; Migration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in the Dominican Republic
Residence by investment as a rentista
For a stable income from abroad of at least $2,000 a month, such as returns on deposits or investments abroad or rent from property, shown to continue for at least 5 years, plus $250 a month per dependant. DGM fees are the same as for pensionados (RD$28,800 file, RD$3,500 card, RD$6,300 medical exams), and so are the Law 171-07 tax breaks.
Law 171-07; Migration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Residence by investment as an investor
For an investor in a company in the Dominican Republic that has received at least $200,000 of capital from abroad, registered with the export and investment centre (CEI-RD). The residence is for one year at a time; DGM fees were RD$37,000 in total.
Migration Directorate. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Pensionado visa questions
What is the required income to retire in the Dominican Republic?
For pensionado residence, a pension of at least $1,500 a month from a foreign government, official body or private company, plus $250 a month for each dependant. Salary income does not count. Rentistas need $2,000 a month of stable income from abroad.
Is there an age limit for the Dominican Republic retirement visa?
No. Law 171-07 sets no minimum age; you only need to meet the income and document requirements.
How long do I have to enter the Dominican Republic after the residence visa is approved?
The residence visa (RS) issued by the consulate is valid for one entry within 60 days. After you arrive, you apply for residence with the Migration Directorate.
How do I get a retirement visa for the Dominican Republic?
Get a $200 residence visa at a Dominican consulate, then apply online with the Migration Directorate, pay the RD$28,800 file fee, take the RD$6,300 medical exams and collect a RD$3,500 residence card. DGM gives 90 working days to process.
