Repost of my experiences getting my Residency
This is a repost from several months ago about my experiences in getting my residency documents. It would be helpful to other readers of this forum if you let us know what Lawyer you used and what they keep saying to you about why it is taking that long.
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BACKGROUND
Several months ago I was living in Canada looking for best place
in the Carribean and South American to move to. My reasons were simple.
I found clause in my pension plan that allowed for early retirement benefits
BUT I had to become a non resident of Canada to get them. I couldn't just
leave Canada, I had to become a resident of another country. I will explain
the Tax and pension issues as they relate to Canadians in another post.
Several Months ago I came across the DR1 website and followed the posts
for several months. A lot of stuff that was posted here is not very accurate
or is posted by very self serving people.
However, In August I decided
that I would head to the DR and seek residency status.
WHAT YOU MUST DO
BEFORE YOU GET HERE:
1) Get at least 2 large copies of your Birth Certificate.
They must official copies from the government, not photocopies. My cost
Cad $50.00.
2) Get a certified copy of a police report showing that you
have NO Criminal record. If you do, they probably won't process your residency
papers. My cost CAD $25.00.
3) Be prepared to show that you have some
net worth to look after yourself while you are living here. You don't have
to be rich to get residency here, BUT they are also looking for people who
will contribute to DR society. Make sure you come to the country with something
to offer.
THE INTERVIEW PROCESS:
Before I came here I heard of several
good lawyers and expats and decided that I would give them a quick interview.
This is what they offer.
1)An expat I know said they could get done for
about $1000 canadian or about US$650. I Didn't take him up on the offer.
2)A Lawyer who has an office above Brittania Pub offered to do it for US$1200.00
plus another US$300.00 to provide a guarantor. From everything I researched
guarantor is not necessary until you apply for permanent residency.
3)
I went to Guzman's office in Sosua twice but both times I was told that
I would have to make an appointment with his assistant and both times they
were for the next day or the day after. I did get an email from him advising
me that the cost would be US $1500.00. As recently as a couple of days ago
Guzman has posted that it would take him 4 to 6 months to get provisional
residency. Guzman is a legitimate Lawyer and have been told by several locals
that he is good when it comes to real estate transactions, maybe reason
why the time and costs for residency are higher with him, I don't know for
sure.
4)I interviewed Graciela Fermin from Puerto Plata. The first time
I made an appointment with her I missed it because I went to her old office
in center of Puerto Plata. I phoned her the next day and re-booked the appointment.
Graciela doesn't speak much english and I don't speak spanish but she tries
to communicate what is involved in the process of getting provisional residency.
Her fee for me was US $1000. and she tells me that it could take several
months to get my provisional residency. "Sometimes it is quicker, sometimes
it takes longer but she would try her best to get it done". She also only
requires 50% of the fee up front and the rest once all documents are in
your hand. I wait a couple of days to think about her offer.
5) I also
had an expat try to scam me into giving him US $2300. Looking back at his
sales pitch I realize what joke this guy was. Go back to your european hole
"Schnitzel boy" cause people are getting tired of your scams.
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I finally decided to use Graciela Fermin to process the paperwork.
On
Friday October 19, I plunked down the cash and gave her copies of all the
documents that would be needed to get my residency papers. She would translate
all the documents into spanish prior to leaving for Santo Domingo. She tells
me to come back to her Office on Tuesday October 22 at 5:30 AM and she would
drive me to Santo Domingo and start the residency process.
Tuesday morning
I meet her as scheduled. She drives a big, very clean Toyota LandRover.
There was myself and three other people from Puerta Plata headed to Santo
Domingo. We also picked up a couple of people in Santiago. Half the people
were applying for their residency, the other half were picking up their
completed residency documents. A sign that she gets the job done.
On your
first visit to Puerto Plata, they take you to the Immigration Department
where you must give a blood sample, pee sample (presumably for drug screening),
quick visit by a Doctor to answer a couple medical questions and then a
Chest x-ray. Everything else was handled by Graciela Fermin. The $1000 fee
includes all the medical fees.
While the three of us were taken our medical
tests, She was helping the other three get their "Cedula" and residency
cards.
After about 4 hours we were headed back to Puerto Plata but not
before we stopped at mall for little lunch and some shopping. We got back
to Puerto Plata around 7pm. A very long day. After she dropped me off she
told me to call her in 3 or 4 weeks and she would let me know how the process
was coming along.
Two weeks exactly she phones me and tells me the documents
are ready. She tells me it was surprisingly quick and that I could pick
them up the next day as She was going to Santo Domingo for business meeting.
I meet her the next morning at 5am , another lawyer came with us along with
guy from Washington who was applying for residency.
We got into Santo
Domingo and her assistant was waiting with my documents. Her assistant helped
the guy from Washington get his medical, while we went to get my "Cedula".
The "Cedula" is a national I.D. card. You meet with an officer who interviews
you. They take your finger prints along with your photo and produce a "Cedula".
(Photo ID Card).
With this Photo ID card you head back to immigration
department where they process your Residency Card. It takes several hours.
We were finished around 1pm, however Graciela got tied up until 4pm with
other meetings.
Yes, I had to sit around for several hours waiting for
her to get done but She did warn me ahead of time. We got back into Puerto
Plata around 7:30pm. Another very long day, but I did have my Residency
and Cedula much quicker and much easier than if I would tried it on my own.
Things are constantly changing in the Dominican Republic and I have heard
of other people having a much tougher time. Maybe I was just lucky or maybe
there are fewer people applying for residency at this time but whatever
the reason, I was very pleased with service I received from Graciela Fermin.
BENEFITS OF RESIDENCY:
1) You are legally allowed to work and conduct business
in the DR.
2) You can bring a container load furniture without paying duty.
3) You can bring in a personal car less than 6 years old at reduced duty.
4) If you are Canadian you can apply for Non Residency Status, any income
earned outside of Canada can longer be Taxed by the Canadian Government
even if you eventually move back to Canada. (I will explain this in detail
in a later post).
If you use her service, tell her "Maxx from Canada"
sent you.
Dra. Graciela Fermin
Edificio Louber III
Suite 1-1
Calle
0 Urbanizacion Torre Alta
Puerto Plata
Tele: 809 586 9534
Fax 809 586
3340
email;
f.graciela@codetel.net.do
(she doesn't check her email often,
it is better to phone or fax her).
I hope this helps others who are seeking
residency