Residence card, is it really necessary?

waytogo said:

Many times here, people inquire about the procedures, costs, the time involved, and the recommemendations of a good attorney and other questions pertaining to a Residence card.
But I don?t remember anyone asking exactly what the pros and cons are of having one, or the penalties of not having one. Considering the cost of hiring an attorney, would it just be cheaper to pay a larger exit fee instead of a constant annual renewal? Everything I have done here requiring I.D., bank accounts, utilities, credit, I have been asked for my cedula, never, not once did anyone even care to look at my residence card. When I would put it in front of them, they didn?t even understand what it was. I am just wondering if the aggravation of getting one justifies having one and If you are not setting up a business, do you really need one?

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So how do you get a Cedula without a residence card? You don't. I'm sure whatever your country of Origin is, you prefer the immigrants to be legal.

Waytogo, I think you will several differing opinions on that question. It all depends upon what your particular situation is.

I will give you my take on it, but you might have completely different needs.

I decided to get the residency visa. It is a two year process, and then needs to be renewed every two years.

I hired an attorney to help handle the process. While I recommend hiring a lawyer, you should know that it can be done without one. The cost of the attorney is a lot, in my opinion. $2,000 US, but it probably saved me much aggravation.

I'm not really sure what prompted me to get the visa, but I guess I just like to do things legally and above board. When I look at the cost/benefit picture, it doesn't make much sense. I could pay the small fines when taking a trip home many times over with what I spent on lawyer fees alone.

What did I gain? Well, I'm not really sure. I am asked for my cedula periodically, but I could use my US passport in most of those instances. It's nice to have on some occasions, but I haven't ever felt it was an absolute necessity.

If I had to do it over again now, I think I would re-think my decision. At times, I'm glad I have it, but it really doesn't amount much more than another piece of paper.

Just my dos pesos.

Money is all that matters (to them).

waytogo said:

_ do you really need one?

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Unless you have a business here, want to work, need a gun permit or a driver's licence, you could live here without a residency.
Legally?
I think so, yes.
Once you leave this country they collect a fee from you.
17,000 RD$ at most (for a stay of 5 years and more).

donP

waytogo said:

Can I renew my cedula without renewing my residance card ?

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They are not renewed at the same office or time. Cedulas are good for 7 years, and residency for 2

both cost about 2000rd to renew now

• Residency makes you legal here if you plan to stay longer than 3 months at once.
• It will also give you access to a local drivers license, which you will need to be covered by any liability insurance in case of a crash after 3 months.
• Residency give you the right to work or accept work.
• Residency will give you unfettered access to the "legal system", you may file a suit without having to go thru additional hurdles like posting a deposit, etc.
• Depending on the country you are from, permanent residency status in the DR can be used to move or moves your fiscal "home" to the Dominican Republic (you are taxable in the DR).

You do NOT need a residence card to buy real estate or buy and/or put a vehicle to your name. I am am not mistaken you can also incorporate as a non resident.

... J-D.

you can't have a cedula without residency. if you have it, its a mistake or an angle of some kind and isn't sustainable.