Passport for Residency??

[beckyred11]

Hello again!

I was wondering if someone could answer a quick question for me regarding applying for my residency in the Dominican Republic. Because I am a Canadian citizen I only need my birth certificate and photo ID to enter the DR, but I read somewhere that I need two copies of my passport to apply for my residency. Since I have never needed one, I do not have a passport and need to know ASAP if I need to get one in order to apply for residency, or will they accept just the birth certificate and photo ID like at customs?? Please let me know soon because I am going to have to get the "rush" passport (they claim 10 working days) if it is mandatory as I return in just over two weeks!!!

Thanks for your help!

 

[MommC]

Always wise to have your passport Becky.....

So I'd go for the "RUSH" even if you don't need it to apply for residency (which I think you do!)

 

[Keith R]

Becky,
Yes, you do need your passport.
I think the following FAQ will answer all your questions:

http://www.rvhb.com/faq_1.htm

Hope this helps.

Best regards,
Keith

 

[Ken]

Here is another link, Becky http://www.drlawyer.com/txt/articlesimm.html

 

[PJT]

Get your passport!!! Also, once here in the D.R. first go to migration and obtain a list from them as to what you need to do and what to have to obtain your residency.

Then, no matter what migration tells you, they tend not to fully inform or to be clear is: whatever documents you have in English you need to submit for residency, ie birth certificate, marriage certificate, police good conduct, blah, blah, and blah, must be translated into Spanish by an officially approved translator and then submitted to the Canciller?a near the Hotel Santo Domingo, to be "legalized", each document to be approved costs RD$400 with addtional 10 pesos for a tax stamp for each document. Be sure to save your numbered receipt. Then those documents will be submitted with your application. Advice is to get to all government offices early in the AM, 8:00, or the whole day will be lost waiting. Regards, PJT

 

[hansbert]

Legalisation of birth and marriage documents

As far as I know the aforementioned documents (marriage certificate only with married applicants) must be translated by an official translator from English into Spanish. Thereafter they must
be legalized by the Office of the Attorney General (Procuraduria General de la Republica) since official translators are registered there. Legalisation by the Ministry of foreign Affairs is not necessary.
But I may be mistaken

 

[bochinche]

if you don't get your canadian passport in time, it is probable you can apply for it at the canadian embassy once you get here, as long as you have your birth certificate, etc.

admittedly, it might be a bit more expensive to get it here, and it surely would be preferable to get your passport before you leave canada, but it is an option.

what rush is there to get your residency here?
it is recommended, but most foreigners live here without it.
if you do decide to get it, take your time in making sure you have the necessary documents or translations.
this is not nigeria or the usa. i don't know anybody who is in prison or has been deported purely for the fact that they are an illegal resident.

 

[beckyred11]

Thanks A Bunch!!!

Thanks to everyone that offered their suggestions. I went to the passport office with my application and photos today and it will be ready the day before I leave to come back to the DR.

I decided that I would see about getting my residency to make my life a little easier. I realize that people live and work in the DR for many years without the proper papers, but coming and going has become a hassle for me. I am a compulsive truth teller, so coming up with stories for the customs people as to why I have been "vacationing" for the last 10 months of my life on absolutely NO income has been difficult every time I come home! I would feel a little more "at ease" if I knew that I could just show them the papers and walk through no questions asked!

Anyway, thanks for the advice. I am sure that I will have more questions when I return and get the papers, like the name of a good (and cheap) lawyer!!!

Regards,
Becky

 

[ricktoronto]

Re: Thanks A Bunch!!!

I I am a compulsive truth teller, so coming up with stories for the customs people as to why I have been "vacationing" for the last 10 months of my life on absolutely NO income has been difficult every time I come home!

What customs people? In Canada when you come home? They have no right to ask you anything but what your citizenship is and what you are declaring ( relative to the amounts you can bring duty free). Read Section 6 of the Charter of Rights and stand up for yourself.

You can come and go when , where and as frequently and for as long as you like and they have no right to question or detain you. To spend the time and momey to obtain a DR cedula for that reason is silly.

I have faced them down on several occasions and said simply I have a right to return under Section 6, my declarations are truthful as to what I bought which is generally nothing anyway, and that they have no right to ask why I was there where I stayed or anything else. And they blink 100% of the time.

I have their manual and it says exactly that - once you determine they are Canadian no further questioning is required and may violate the citizen's rights.

I KNOW it cannot be the DR customs officers you are talking about as they don't talk to you .

 

[paul]

help with cedula- see these guys

if you need fast help with a residency permit try these guys i used them they are good

http://dominicanresidency.com/

 

[gilbert]

Re: Re: Thanks A Bunch!!!

What customs people? In Canada when you come home? They have no right to ask you anything but what your citizenship is and what you are declaring ( relative to the amounts you can bring duty free). Read Section 6 of the Charter of Rights and stand up for yourself.

You can come and go when , where and as frequently and for as long as you like and they have no right to question or detain you. To spend the time and momey to obtain a DR cedula for that reason is silly.

I have faced them down on several occasions and said simply I have a right to return under Section 6, my declarations are truthful as to what I bought which is generally nothing anyway, and that they have no right to ask why I was there where I stayed or anything else. And they blink 100% of the time.

I have their manual and it says exactly that - once you determine they are Canadian no further questioning is required and may violate the citizen's rights.

I KNOW it cannot be the DR customs officers you are talking about as they don't talk to you .

Thanks for notifiying me of that right. However, if a customs *and revenue agency* officer asks you a question partaining to your income or job on the way back just out of the blue, and you tell them that you don't have to answer them, couldn't they put a red flag on your name for a possible audit? May as well give them the information if you have nothing to hide

 

[dawnwil]

Gilbert, I agree about the red flag raising.

If I traveled for only personal reasons, I would love nothing more than to face those people down. I was hassled by Canadian customs upon returning from the DR last month ... questions I felt they had no business asking, such as: did you meet up with anyone while there? Did you get time off work to make this trip? And the killer: I was asked about my movements within Canada while outside my home province. Unbelievable.

The truth is that the required mentality for these agents is one of petty dictator. They abuse their powers because they can... must be a fabulous power trip.

But if one relies on cross-border ease of movement for business, I think it is wiser to hold one's tongue.

I have had to do so for many years-- have seen the results with others who became frustrated with whatever nonsense-of-the-day was being doled out. I speak of vehicle crossings, however... have seen a Canadian artist have his vehicle confiscated. Of course, he made the critical error of telling a lie at the time, only because he was trying to avoid the nonsense. Stupidity on his part, nonetheless.

The truth is, those uniforms hold some far-reaching powers, and can make one's life miserable if they choose. But Canada has never been my big concern-- moreso the whims of US customs & immigration.

I have been saved many hassles entering the US because I knew the regulations specific to my work. Once, when leaving Ottawa, I was threatened by an agent who told me I had no right to 'take a job from an American'. He was dead wrong, and I told him so... only because I already knew how my 'work' was viewed by the US system. Still, he said this: 'if I make note of you on this computer, you will have trouble every time you try and enter in the future.' Out and out threat.

I called a US customs supervisor upon return, and he actually knew which agent I had dealt with-- they had received several complaints, and the agent in question had already been transferred away from the airport.

Another time I was hassled for the same reason when traveling by road into New York for a commission. I simply told immigration what they already knew, and they let me proceed. BUT, if I hadn't known the facts, I might well have been turned back, or delayed for 20 hours.

The key is this: know the regulations, facts, your rights, and whatever you do, don't lie. Especially if it is critical that you be allowed entry in future. D

 

[gilbert]

Thanks again Gilbert for another excellent writing.

I am not nearly scared of Canadian customs as I am of US customs while doing trips to NY and back. This is mainly because Canada customs has no choice but to let me in The only thing that would make me scared is if I have something I am not claiming but if not, I am very gloomy with answering their questions with glee.

Customs officers are very smart individuals. They have very good skills of telling if your lying.

Dawnwil, can you share your story or information on how your artist friend got his vehicle confiscated? I believe it will definitely help people seeking information on the board. There are lots of hidden rules that many people aren?t made aware of and when they try giving their info to customs thinking it's ok, it may not be.

If you do not have your name on customs computer then try to keep it that way because once your on, you will most likely be sent to immigration or have your vehicle inspected every time unless of course your explanation to crossing is so straightforward that the officer doesn't type your name into his computer

Lying is sometimes necessary although not recommended. Saying your going shopping when your really going for business can sometimes work or sometimes the officer will laugh at you and send you to immigration.

One piece of advice, if you do get rejected into crossing, don't travel for hours back home, just find out exactly what they need from you and see if you can obtain it without the long drive home. It is definitely better to keep trying the same day then to come back in a month and be sent back again.

Anyhow it is time for a question. Does US Customs share information with Canada Customs? For and example, If you tell US Customs your going for business and they let you in, and then on the way back you tell Canada Customs you went shopping, would there be any conflicts? Another example is telling Canada customs you have been gone for a day when you were really gone for a week. I think everyone should be made aware of the answer just for hell's sake.

Any thoughts are welcome

Gilbert