Dominican Immigration has extended the stay for tourist

[Cdn_Gringo]

It seems the people who do have residency want others to experience the same pain they have went through in getting settled here. But most won't bother. Snowbirds aren't tied to DR (with house, car, spouse, kids etc) it's just a long vacation.

So if all else fails snowbirds will just change the airport code when they buy their ticket and find a new place to spend their winters.

It might not be fair to say "the people who have residency". I'm am sure residents have feelings on this issue that differ from one to the other. In my case, yeah, I kind of do want people who wish to live in the DR for a time period beyond what most would consider a normal tourist stay to play by the established rules (whatever those may be) like the residents have done.

Part of this immigration acrimony comes from some sort of feeling on the part of a few that they are special and the rules don't apply to them. Some take much delight is promoting a work around that they clearly know by now is not legal and not condoned. DGM itself has described the exit costs as "fines" not fees. Prominent lawyer(s) have said that the fines and the practice of overstaying is "extrajudicial".

Yet for some, it seems to be a high hurdle to clear when it comes to accepting that what they have been permitted to do in the past may not be permitted quite so openly in the future. Those who do follow the rules which involves ongoing expenses in time, effort and money can understandably feel a bit perturbed by those who choose to circumvent the system for personal advantage.

We already know that snowbirds are not really a significant economic factor in this country as a whole - acknowledging that some here make their living catering to these people almost exclusively. We already know that the numbers of snowbirds that do come here is small(ish) on a yearly basis and those numbers do not seem to be trending upwards.

It would be appreciated, at least by me, if those who continue to threaten to take their ball and go elsewhere, would stop whining about it and follow through. It's not up to "us" to make the DR alluring for retirees and even less so for retirees and people with a predisposition to conduct their affairs in an extrajudicial manner.

If your neighbors had to put a fence around their pools to the tune of $5000 each and for some reason you do not, of course those neighbors are going to be upset and grumble about your ability to skirt the rules. That's only understandable. Once people accept they are not special and more important than everyone else, perhaps some of the animosity will diminish. After all, the most successful criminals are the ones who can keep their mouths shut and not brag about or openly promote their exploits.

Those who take affront at the annoyance of others with respect to this overstay practice clearly have not though hard enough about what they do and either haven't yet or are unable to see beyond their own selfish interests - which is pretty common these days and perhaps a big part of why our societies are so ideologically polarized between those who can only see "me" and those who choose to see "us".

 

[william webster]

Standing ovation for Buster ..... again !!!

The best criminals keep quiet -- that's a good one

 

[RDKNIGHT]

My two cent ...AIR- BNB is killing the hotel industry ...its so much cheaper and better for the people and you don't get hit with the huge taxes that are usually half your bill.... there are some very nice apartments...

 

[SNH]

from SNH
The $50 goes to the resort so you have $630,000,000 to the resort which most of it is going back out the country in form of profits. Otherwise they wouldn't invest for a negative ROI.

Most could not go back out of the country.... unless most of the $50 is profit

Before profit comes food, staff etc.... rarely is the profit larger than the expense
except for Ponzi schemes... hahaha

In bad businesses. Good businesses always do profit first. Just because its the last line on the P & L statement doesn't mean it was not the first thing taken out

 

[windeguy]

I doubt the snowbirds spend $120,000,000 US annually in the DR since
I doubt there are 20,000 snowbirds staying for 6 months a year, but I am not sure how to find the actual number.

AI tourists will inject far more money than just the $10 tourist card into the economy if they never leave their hotel rooms. Local produce and local labor also need to be included in the money that enters the DR via an AI resort. True that the profit almost always goes outside the country, but that is not the focus of this discussion. Lets say just 20% of what an AI tourist spends gets into the DR and they stay for $50 US a night with 9 million tourists at 7 days each. That is $630,000,000 plus $90,000,000 from equals $720,000,000. I suspect more than $10 a night goes into the DR, but we have experts who would be more adept at coming up with that amount.

The $50 goes to the resort so you have $630,000,000 to the resort which most of it is going back out the country in form of profits. Otherwise they wouldn't invest for a negative ROI.

But the original argument was the tourist cards generate much more revenue than snowbirds. Which could be easily debated as incorrect.

But nobody knows the exact numbers for snowbirds but was illustrated to show the contribution numbers are alot closer than people think.[/QUOTE]

Please read what I wrote.

If $50 per night goes to the resort, for 9 million tourists staying one week at at time that is $3,150,000,000. That is over 3 Billion USD. By the way, I used 20% of that $50 per night was going into the local economy for food, goods and services while a guest is at an AI. I suspect it is more than 20% going in to the local economy since it is unlikely the resort would be making anything close to 80% profit. If only 40% of what AI resorts take in goes to the local economy, then that is over 1.26 Billion USD. The numbers for snowbirds are nowhere near the numbers for the AI resorts just in Punta Cana. I did not even add in the million tourists that fly in to other regions. Even 30,000 snowbirds do not come close.

 

[SNH]

The $50 goes to the resort so you have $630,000,000 to the resort which most of it is going back out the country in form of profits. Otherwise they wouldn't invest for a negative ROI.

But the original argument was the tourist cards generate much more revenue than snowbirds. Which could be easily debated as incorrect.

But nobody knows the exact numbers for snowbirds but was illustrated to show the contribution numbers are alot closer than people think.

Please read what I wrote.

If $50 per night goes to the resort, for 9 million tourists staying one week at at time that is $3,150,000,000. That is over 3 Billion USD. By the way, I used 20% of that $50 per night was going into the local economy for food, goods and services while a guest is at an AI. I suspect it is more than 20% going in to the local economy since it is unlikely the resort would be making anything close to 80% profit. If only 40% of what AI resorts take in goes to the local economy, then that is over $6 Billion USD. [/QUOTE]


But the original argument was the tourist cards generate much more revenue than snowbirds. Which could be easily debated as incorrect.

 

[william webster]

In bad businesses. Good businesses always do profit first. Just because its the last line on the P & L statement doesn't mean it was not the first thing taken out

Definitely true..... avarice is a terrible sin...

 

[windeguy]

Please read what I wrote.

If $50 per night goes to the resort, for 9 million tourists staying one week at at time that is $3,150,000,000. That is over 3 Billion USD. By the way, I used 20% of that $50 per night was going into the local economy for food, goods and services while a guest is at an AI. I suspect it is more than 20% going in to the local economy since it is unlikely the resort would be making anything close to 80% profit. If only 40% of what AI resorts take in goes to the local economy, then that is over $6 Billion USD.

But the original argument was the tourist cards generate much more revenue than snowbirds. Which could be easily debated as incorrect.[/QUOTE]

I would certainly agree (based upon tourist cards alone) if you can come up with a number of snowbirds and how long they stay. I suspect it is less than 20,000 snowbirds annually. Where are the 20,000 rental units for 6 months each?

The number of AI tourists is about 9 Million to Punta Cana and 1 million elsewhere and has been published.

The injection of money by Snowbirds is in the millions while the injection by AI tourists is in the billions. The resorts have some political sway while individual renters to snowbirds have virtually no sway at all. That is why we will have this on going circle jerk regarding snowbird visas.

 

[rubio_higuey]

Don't forget, on average one excursions per tourist is sold, to the tune of 80 or 90 USD. Even if only 50% of it goes to the local economy, it's still more than what snowbirds spend per 6 months with average spending of 1000 USD per month per snowbird.

 

[william webster]

We have a discussion once in a while in Cabrera... we who live there
When we add up the number of locals we employ all year .... it’s a number

I alone have 5...

In total we are equivalent to a small company.
I would argue we contribute well to the overall local economy as those 5 families of mine spread their money around
Multiply that by the number of households owned by foreigners in Cabrera and you have an impact.
Other houses have 10-15 bedrooms vs my 3..... imagine

Year round staff

 

[Tom0910]

Not sure what it said but if it was 4 years ago. Countries especially developing places change fast.

Like i said Colombia was one of the most dangerous places to go, now it's on top places to retire.

I've lived in both the DR and Colombia,I have permanent residency in Colombia but chose the DR to live over Colombia,the reason beaches. The beaches in Colombia suck,well the beaches that are easily reached and have some kind of infrastructure suck. If you want to live in narco country or live in the middle of absolute nowhere then you can have a nice beach. Most of the snowbirds and most of the foreigners that I know that live in the DR would never live without a decent beach,myself included. That said,I love Colombia but not for living just visiting.

 

[joof]

I have a quick question.

I came here June 19th (1 am in the morning) and i leave july 16th. That's 59 calendar days.

I'm wondering whether i should get some sort of tourist visa or something. The tourist card office was closed.

I could buy a plane ticket on my 29th day here to go visit another country and then come back so i never stayed here longer than 30 days.

I typically come here for 2-8 weeks per year.

I'm wondering what i may encounter if i stay for the 59 days (missed being 60 days since my flight left Monday night but i arrived 1 am tuesday)

 

[Uzin]

I have a quick question.

I came here June 19th (1 am in the morning) and i leave july 16th. That's 59 calendar days.

I'm wondering whether i should get some sort of tourist visa or something. The tourist card office was closed.

I could buy a plane ticket on my 29th day here to go visit another country and then come back so i never stayed here longer than 30 days.

I typically come here for 2-8 weeks per year.

I'm wondering what i may encounter if i stay for the 59 days (missed being 60 days since my flight left Monday night but i arrived 1 am tuesday)

This is a good example of people being misled by fake information on this thread, no rules have changed regarding tourists who do not need a visa to enter DR as visitors (not talking about those who enter with "a visa obtained before arrival"). Don't listen or read the misinformation on this thread. People posting here have anterior motives...

Don't worry at all about your trip, come stay as long as you like and pay a fee when you leave. Nothing will happen to you at any time during or after, or in future trips. When DR changes its' rules and regulations you will be well inform by their gov and immigration departments and specially on arrivals. If you are really concerned or in doubt ask the immigration officer on arrival - far more reliable than fake news, forums or facebook posts.

 

[jahjahwarrior]

If June 19 to July 16 is 59 calendar days you need a calendar and calculator way more than you need a tourist visa! [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

[Riva_31]

This is a good example of people being misled by fake information on this thread, no rules have changed regarding tourists who do not need a visa to enter DR as visitors (not talking about those who enter with "a visa obtained before arrival"). Don't listen or read the misinformation on this thread. People posting here have anterior motives...

Don't worry at all about your trip, come stay as long as you like and pay a fee when you leave. Nothing will happen to you at any time during or after, or in future trips. When DR changes its' rules and regulations you will be well inform by their gov and immigration departments and specially on arrivals. If you are really concerned or in doubt ask the immigration officer on arrival - far more reliable than fake news, forums or facebook posts.

Why you stop him to do right thing? Turist card is only for 30 days and its states clearly. 30 days is 30 days, not 2 or 3 months.

If he wants to come for 60 days visit a Dominican Consulate and apply for a Visa that will let him to be in the country for 60 days.

 

[Uzin]

Why you stop him to do right thing? Turist card is only for 30 days and its states clearly. 30 days is 30 days, not 2 or 3 months.

If he wants to come for 60 days visit a Dominican Consulate and apply for a Visa that will let him to be in the country for 60 days.

Total misinformation, sorry but you don't know what you are talking about, I wish you stopped misleading people... There is no 30 days limit, there is no visa requirement for people coming in DR from certain countries, as you are Dominican you have never experienced entering the country as a tourist. They stamp our passports with no date on it, they say you can stay as long as you like and pay a fee on exit, that means you can stay as long as you want.

You better give information about Dominicans going abroad etc. (from your own experience)....Please get off this subject and do us all a favour.... (your grievance with Canada or USA not letting you in without visa is totally clouding your judgment, trying to turn the table here, but this is life.... !)

 

[Riva_31]

Total misinformation, sorry but you don't know what you are talking about, I wish you stopped misleading people... There is no 30 days limit, there is no visa requirement for people coming in DR from certain countries, as you are Dominican you have never experienced entering the country as a tourist. They stamp our passports with no date on it, they say you can stay as long as you like and pay a fee on exit, that means you can stay as long as you want.

You better give information about Dominicans going abroad etc. (from your own experience)....Please get off this subject and do us all a favour.... (your grievance with Canada or USA not letting you in without visa is totally clouding your judgment, trying to turn the table here, but this is life.... !)

Who is wrong is you, turist card is valid just for 30 days, after that you are ilegal in the country, and you can not change that part, and you will have to start to learn how to live that life withthe new rules that are coming.

Inmigration law is clear no need visa just need to pay a turist card that let you stay for 30 days. Clear only 30 days,

 

[windeguy]

If US citizen has been in the DR four 5 years, has received a new passport one year ago and now wants to start the residency process...

If he now goes back to usa will he be barred from re-entry?

Possibly but apparently still unlikely or we would have more reports of such people being denied entry.

Should / can he sneak out through a ferry to PR? Avoiding fine and overstay issue?

Could get away with that, or potentially be discovered upon the next entry if the passport tracking system is functioning.

His current lawyer does not seem to be on the ball. I already told him to use Guzman

Problems using bad lawyers are frequent no matter what you are trying to do with a lawyer. I would suggest someone who specializes in residency and has offices in Santo Domingo.

 

[windeguy]

We have a discussion once in a while in Cabrera... we who live there
When we add up the number of locals we employ all year .... it’s a number

I alone have 5...

In total we are equivalent to a small company.
I would argue we contribute well to the overall local economy as those 5 families of mine spread their money around
Multiply that by the number of households owned by foreigners in Cabrera and you have an impact.
Other houses have 10-15 bedrooms vs my 3..... imagine

Year round staff

That is another part of the equation of getting foreign dollars spent in the DR. Legal year round residents not from this island like yourself and myself, or perhaps even some who don't bother to be legal but live here anyway. But we are still far less important to the economy overall than the 11 million or so short term tourists since our numbers are still rather small.

 

[windeguy]

Total misinformation, sorry but you don't know what you are talking about, I wish you stopped misleading people... There is no 30 days limit, there is no visa requirement for people coming in DR from certain countries, as you are Dominican you have never experienced entering the country as a tourist. They stamp our passports with no date on it, they say you can stay as long as you like and pay a fee on exit, that means you can stay as long as you want.

You better give information about Dominicans going abroad etc. (from your own experience)....Please get off this subject and do us all a favour.... (your grievance with Canada or USA not letting you in without visa is totally clouding your judgment, trying to turn the table here, but this is life.... !)

You have not been keeping up with what is being discussed.