Yes, someone successfully did it, but then someone else did it and then had to pay again at the airport. 🤷🏻‍♀️
- Thread starter jose949
- Start date
Obtaining Information from the DR Embassy in the US and Stay Extension
Yes, someone successfully did it, but then someone else did it and then had to pay again at the airport. 🤷🏻‍♀️
I was going to post that link but you already found it. This part of the traffic law is of interest for non-residents on a longer stay who want to drive legally:
Paragraph II. If the holder does not prove legal residence in the Dominican Republic, international licenses will only be valid for driving in the Dominican Republic if no more than six (6) months have passed since their entry into Dominican territory in a regular situation.
A few observations: The traffic law has its own set of regulations for non-residents that differ from immigration laws.
While you may be illegal for Immigracion you would be legal to drive up to 6 months with an international drivers license!
The US offers these. Look at usa.gov/international-drivers-license and aaa.com .There is an inter-american motor vehicle agreement 1943/2009. DR is part of it. Permit is $20. Always keep your original drivers license with it.
I have no idea if this works in reality but I rather have this cheap and easy backup than nothing..
Thank you, this helps a lot. I will write them and get things moving, worst case I'll make it out there with just about anything I can think they may need.For sure. This is the email address: Infomiami@mirex.gob.do
If I remember correctly, I just found that on the site. Once I received a response it was easier as I was communicating with a specific person and not a general informational email address. I agree, it's incredible that they operate that way. Once you're there though, it's efficient, friendly, etc. It's just getting in there initially but again, if all else fails, I would just show up if you can. I did ask on the first visit HOW to make an appointment online and was told that "the appointment button was removed as it was not working correctly". Again, you have to scratch your head and wonder how on earth, in this day and age, can't these things be sorted out.
Yes, with an insider, life is much easier. It's just astounding that they could make things so much easier. With technology they could even have the phones answered in the DR if its an issue of human resources. There must be many more like me who simply give up. At least there is a path. Thanks again.
@SKY the point is well taken. I didn't want to restrict myself to 30 days. At one point in the past and with only one week left before 30 days were up, I went to migracion and got a long list of things to get done for an extension. It wasn't going to be worth the trouble and expense for just an extra week. The point of doing it before hand is so that I don't have to deal with the hustle of getting the medical certificate or figuring out how to prove "economic solvency". If I could get the certificate at reasonable cost and have an idea of the proof, 3000 pesos is certainly appealing for option 2. Unfortunately gringo pricing is real. I once was quoted $600 for something that was listed on a dentists website for 12000 pesos.
@JLSawmam I certainly will, it might be a couple of weeks (1 month +) I will update this thread.
@AlterEgo Yes, I saw similar in one of the Facebook groups, someone had to show the paperwork to prove they had paid online so it may be worth just paying at the airport for it or having a physical receipt from migracion for proof of payment. Details on where and how (the medical certificate) + economic solvency were not mentioned.
I found that to be a refreshing change from what had been previously thought and quite reasonable in terms of time provided for one to sort their situation out. Thanks for the details on the International Drivers license and the agreement. I'll be sure to get one, it will come in handy not just in DR but elsewhere. Always good to have it as a fail safe.
@JLSawmam @colmcb and others, option 1 - obtaining a tourist visa for more than 30 days proved to more trouble than it is worth. I made my way to a consulate having obtained needed documents. They made a couple of calls which more or less was an indicator that it was an usual request.
After about 15-20 minutes, of them trying to get more guidance, I received what I am certain is off the record : 1) I did not need a visa and 2) I could pay the overstay fine which is "not much". A different consulate or embassy such as NY or Toronto may have a different outcome but it is not worth it unless I am there for a different reason. The other remaining option to explore will be option 2 - PrĂłrroga de EstadĂa.
After about 15-20 minutes, of them trying to get more guidance, I received what I am certain is off the record : 1) I did not need a visa and 2) I could pay the overstay fine which is "not much". A different consulate or embassy such as NY or Toronto may have a different outcome but it is not worth it unless I am there for a different reason. The other remaining option to explore will be option 2 - PrĂłrroga de EstadĂa.
Go back to post 15. Some people have to learn the hard way.................Just pay when you leave or stay where you are..............
I don't see anything on post #15 that relates to the question. The hard way is really just a circumstantial personal opinion or perception and cannot be imposed on another because another perceives it to be so. The OP does not see it that way for the record.
There are some who succeeded in getting the extension but there are gaps of knowledge in how they managed to do it. Bridging that gap is my intent. I have since gained more detail and will update this post in time if the process is confirmed to work or not to work. Paying is already known and was already elaborated on, rehashing it is neither here nor there.
What I read is that we have someone trying to follow the letter of the law and simply cannot. We all make similar complaints at times about other things here. Currently I have ongoing issues with the bank and my non profit. They will not allow me full access to the accounts without meeting ongoing demands of paperwork and records of meetings and documents legalized, etc.
The processes here are what ultimately do rule followers in, and many of them can only bring good to the country.
I sympathize with the original poster and I hope he can navigate the maze.
The processes here are what ultimately do rule followers in, and many of them can only bring good to the country.
I sympathize with the original poster and I hope he can navigate the maze.