That's a big part of this confusion. DR1's lawyer in residence stated succinctly that after 30 days a visitor is in this country illegally. The exit fines/fees have no basis in law and do not change the status of the overstaying visitor. That's just the facts. Sr. Guzman's post is in the legal forum somewhere. To date, I do not recall anyone taking exception to his statements or calling him a scare monger.
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.ph...Fabio-Guzman?p=1762214&viewfull=1#post1762214
From here opinions diverge like varicose veins. Many cannot accept the duplicity in the immigration system that they see and accept in other processes and activities in this country everyday. The tourist card says 30 days, the lawyer says 30 days, there is no other workable solution to stay longer so some latch on to the idea that paying a fee or a fine (we can't even agree on which it is) makes everything perfect. So far, no one or very few that we know about have been hassled or denied entry or deported for being in the country, or planning to be in the country for longer than 30 days. Is this by design or just a reflection of what we already know in that the Govt here can't enforce it's own laws with any degree of consistency.
It's only 5 days into the new year. Since I don't read the local press and since I can rarely figure out official websites, until dv8 posts that foreigners are being herded onto cattle trucks, I won't know. I suspect many others won't either. If there is a new process or directive at play here, we just don't know about it yet. Maybe it's just a one off occurrence, maybe not. Time will tell. Besides, if I had problems at the border I don't think I would run to DR1 discuss or redress it.
It would be nice if after years of discussion we could sort of begin to close the divide between the "wild wild westers" and the "authoritarian hardliners" since neither side is completely on target.
. After 30 days one's legal status is unclear (who cares what you call it)
. If you arrive without a return ticket you could be denied entry
. If you admit the intention to stay longer than 30 days, you could have problems
. If you lie about your intentions you could have problems
. If you stay longer than 30 days you will have to pay money when you do leave
. If you are in the country longer than 30 days you could have problems (big problems & little problems)
Will any or all of these things happen to each of the 6 million+ airline arrivals in the country every year - no.
Why:
. Because most tourists do not come here for longer than 30 days at a time.
. Like every other border, you don't fully screen everyone all the time. Some people/products/drugs get through unchallenged apart from "welcome to Zimbabwe, reason for your visit, have a nice day".
Those that thump their chests and proclaim they will do what they always have until forced to change are free to do so. However, when the chest thumpers blame someone for telling the truth (ie not lying to an official) as the reason for their inconvenience that goes just a bit beyond the rational. A part from killing someone or shouting "bomb", lying to a customs official at any first world airport is one of the most serious offenses a traveler can commit. For our US friends, lying to the FBI by saying, "hey man, I didn't do it" is a felony as it is at the border.
There is gaming the system, cutting corners, taking advantage and acting in one's own self interest and there is criminality. In the first instances, some might consider themselves clever. In the latter instance, they are stupid and went too far usually to avoid spending an inconsequential amount of money or effort when viewed in hindsight. The point that expeditious use of apparent loopholes becomes a crime may not be obvious even if these tactics have been a feasible workaround for twenty years.
We are adults and can make up our own minds and do whatever we like. There may come a time when it becomes necessary to answer for what we have done. As adults we have to accept that. However, we don't need to lead others down the same path by implying that doing something we all know to be wrong (lying) is perfectly ok here in the DR, just because it's the DR and chances are you won't get caught. As sure a someone wins the lottery every week, someday someone will get caught lying, or not having a return ticket or get deported for being in the DR longer than 90 days or...
The first time, sure it can been seen as a one off by those who can't see the forest for the trees. This unwillingness on the part of some to bend even in the slightest when presented with clear information (
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.ph...Fabio-Guzman?p=1762214&viewfull=1#post1762214) is more than puzzling. This country is content letting you make your own bed and allowing you the pleasure of sleeping in it at their sole discretion subject to change on a day to day basis.
