The option of renewing residency at Migracion in Santiago is a blessing for those of us on the North Coast. True, it requires two trips to Santiago, one to apply and one to pick up the card, but the combined travel time is about the same as a round trip to Santo Domingo, you don't have to stay over night, no fighting the traffic in Santo Domingo, no expensive taxi fares to get to Inmigracion on the Malecon, and a hassle free application process that takes only a few minutes.
Migracion in Santigo is located on the second floor in a shopping plaza at the corner of 27 de Febrero and Avenida Texas. It is practically across the street from the second terminal of Caribe Tours when coming from Puerto Plata, and just a few steps further from the terminal of Metro that is located on the same street as the Caribe Tours Terminal. You can walk to Migracion from either terminal.
This morning I took the 8:20 Metro from Sosua and arrived at the Santiago Terminal at 10:20. The process of making application at Migracion took about 15 minutes, plus time spent getting to and from Migracion. I could have taken a Caribe Tour bus that leaves around 12, but chose to wait and take the 1:15 Metro to Sosua. I was back in Sosua by 3:20.
Supermercado Nacional is also in walking distance from Caribe Tours or Metro, so while waiting from the bus, you can stock up on things that cost more in Sosua or Puerto Plata. Or you can have lunch at the Burger King next to Metro or the Pollo Victorino across street from Caribe Tours.
To get to Migracion from either terminal, walk down the street to 27 de Febrero. This is the street the bus turned off to get to the terminal. Go left, toward the center of the city, on 27 de Febrero and cross over 27 de Febrero at the first opportunity. A short walk to Avenida Texas and you will see the strip shopping mall on one side and a large parking lot on the other. The mall fronts on 27 de Febrero. At the Av. Texas end, go to the second floor by elevator or walking up the ramp. You will see a sign indicating where Migracion is. When you get to the second floor, Migracion will be on your left. You can't miss the big sign on the window.
When you enter the office, you will se a 3 station stand up counter on your right. Go there to get the application form. The price is RD$40 for the form, best to have correct change.
Sit on one of the chairs to fill out the form, then take it to the small office next door. Walk out the first office, turn left, and the next door is where you go. This is the office of Indiana Pe?a, the person in charge of the department for foreigners. Give her the completed form, your present residency card, and RD$2,860 if you want normal service (2 weeks) or RD$3,860 if you want VIP service (1 week). She will give you a copy of the completed application form and a receipt for your payment. Again, do yourself a favor and have the correct change.
That's it. When the card is received by her from Santo Domingo, she will call you to pick it up.
If you want to contact her for any reason, her number is 809-971-1333. Because I am flying to US on 25th, I paid the extra RD$1,000 to be sure of having my card. She said if I don't get her call in a week to call her. She is very accommodating.
Supermercado Nacional is on 27 de Febrero, but in the other direction (toward away from the center of the city). But you can walk from Migracion to Nacional, and the walk to the bus terminal from Nacional is about the same as walking from the terminal to Migracion.
All in all, in was a pleasant experience. First time I have said that about renewing my residency.
Migracion in Santigo is located on the second floor in a shopping plaza at the corner of 27 de Febrero and Avenida Texas. It is practically across the street from the second terminal of Caribe Tours when coming from Puerto Plata, and just a few steps further from the terminal of Metro that is located on the same street as the Caribe Tours Terminal. You can walk to Migracion from either terminal.
This morning I took the 8:20 Metro from Sosua and arrived at the Santiago Terminal at 10:20. The process of making application at Migracion took about 15 minutes, plus time spent getting to and from Migracion. I could have taken a Caribe Tour bus that leaves around 12, but chose to wait and take the 1:15 Metro to Sosua. I was back in Sosua by 3:20.
Supermercado Nacional is also in walking distance from Caribe Tours or Metro, so while waiting from the bus, you can stock up on things that cost more in Sosua or Puerto Plata. Or you can have lunch at the Burger King next to Metro or the Pollo Victorino across street from Caribe Tours.
To get to Migracion from either terminal, walk down the street to 27 de Febrero. This is the street the bus turned off to get to the terminal. Go left, toward the center of the city, on 27 de Febrero and cross over 27 de Febrero at the first opportunity. A short walk to Avenida Texas and you will see the strip shopping mall on one side and a large parking lot on the other. The mall fronts on 27 de Febrero. At the Av. Texas end, go to the second floor by elevator or walking up the ramp. You will see a sign indicating where Migracion is. When you get to the second floor, Migracion will be on your left. You can't miss the big sign on the window.
When you enter the office, you will se a 3 station stand up counter on your right. Go there to get the application form. The price is RD$40 for the form, best to have correct change.
Sit on one of the chairs to fill out the form, then take it to the small office next door. Walk out the first office, turn left, and the next door is where you go. This is the office of Indiana Pe?a, the person in charge of the department for foreigners. Give her the completed form, your present residency card, and RD$2,860 if you want normal service (2 weeks) or RD$3,860 if you want VIP service (1 week). She will give you a copy of the completed application form and a receipt for your payment. Again, do yourself a favor and have the correct change.
That's it. When the card is received by her from Santo Domingo, she will call you to pick it up.
If you want to contact her for any reason, her number is 809-971-1333. Because I am flying to US on 25th, I paid the extra RD$1,000 to be sure of having my card. She said if I don't get her call in a week to call her. She is very accommodating.
Supermercado Nacional is on 27 de Febrero, but in the other direction (toward away from the center of the city). But you can walk from Migracion to Nacional, and the walk to the bus terminal from Nacional is about the same as walking from the terminal to Migracion.
All in all, in was a pleasant experience. First time I have said that about renewing my residency.
