What a pain, I didn't realize so many were affected, and I guess if you are, even going for just four years permanent instead of definative doesn't help matters. I really hope you get it sorted out eventually.
- Thread starter KateP
- Start date
Residencia definitiva - renewal process
I most likely would not have been able to renew at all, even for 4 years, without going through what I have to do. Sorry if that was not clear.
Two weeks on from last posting and I am still waiting for approval to apply for the residencia definativa. It is now a week shy of 3 months since I deposited the letter requesting the change of category in Puerto Plata, and I am now into the 45 day period in which you should actually do the online application. They assure me it is received in Santo Domingo and "en proceso", so still waiting..... Call back again this week. It has been suggested that I should go to Santo Domingo and check in person as it's impossible to get through on the phone without a PIN from the application, but I cannot bear the thought of that journey just to be told the same thing.
Linda Stapleton, I saw a posting this week on Facebook that the Migracion office in Puerto Plata was closed. Are you still dealing with people in that office and is it actually open again in Puerto Plata? When I deposited my request letter in Puerto Plata it was answered within about a month.
Windeguy, my understanding is that the office near the courthouse that was dealing with the Regularization process, where people - mostly Haitians - were queuing for hours to get in under the special dispensation, is closed but the other Migration office is still open. That is certainly the telephone number I've been ringing and talking to the staff there. As I was writing this I remembered that my mother-in-law has a friend who works down there in Migration in Santo Domingo, so I will see if she can check for me. Thanks for the info.
One of the benefits of retaining a SD based immigration lawyer to help with at least the "checking in with DGM" part of an application if that becomes necessary.
I too have been in proceso for what seemed like a really long time for applications over the years. Telephone contact with the various offices was either impossible or a waste of time. Standing in front of someone forces them to actually open a folder before they tell you they don't know when the application will be processed, which is an even bigger waste of my time and effort considering how long the trip to SD is from the North Coast.
My home country doesn't break any speed records with immigrant applications either, but for the most part, most other processes move along at a reasonable clip and the info provided on the telephone is usually of some benefit. The DR could do better, if they wanted to. The govt has to do better at decentralizing its service offerings to the public. <imo>
Linda, considering hiring a lawyer just to light a fire for you at DGM. A delay with the permission letter will not extend the other timing constraints imposed on the renewal process. Good luck. Murphy's laws states you'll get your permiso the day after you undertake some other tedious or costly remedy.
I too have been in proceso for what seemed like a really long time for applications over the years. Telephone contact with the various offices was either impossible or a waste of time. Standing in front of someone forces them to actually open a folder before they tell you they don't know when the application will be processed, which is an even bigger waste of my time and effort considering how long the trip to SD is from the North Coast.
My home country doesn't break any speed records with immigrant applications either, but for the most part, most other processes move along at a reasonable clip and the info provided on the telephone is usually of some benefit. The DR could do better, if they wanted to. The govt has to do better at decentralizing its service offerings to the public. <imo>
Linda, considering hiring a lawyer just to light a fire for you at DGM. A delay with the permission letter will not extend the other timing constraints imposed on the renewal process. Good luck. Murphy's laws states you'll get your permiso the day after you undertake some other tedious or costly remedy.
Thanks so much for all of this and I know you are absolutely right. I've mostly managed the process myself over the years once I was in the system and if I can do something without all the extra expense involved, I like to try first. I spoke to my contact down there and she is going to look into it for me, so at least there is someone on the ground on the case now. She is a good woman and a family friend. I wish I'd thought of her sooner.
I will avoid lawyers at almost all costs from this point on in my situation. But that is just me. Lawyers who cut corners can actually cause problems further downstream. I suspect the Dominican Migracion Mafia still exists.
I have another trip to Santo Domingo soon where I will deposit paperwork and confirm I have to wait for 120 days for them to do their jobs and provide me with a residency card so I can then get a cedula. Then I can make another trip to Santo Domingo just to pick up that residency card and a cedula (which can only be issued in Santo Domingo anyway).
One person who is a lawyer recommended that anyone doing anything with Migracion be sure to keep copies of all correspondence and to get a Case Number of their file.
Yes, I think it was you who mentioned, some time back, scrupulously keeping copies and I am making sure I do that from here on in, along with gathering all the old documents together. Once I can apply online I will get a case number/pin, but it is a catch 22 situation, unless you refer to a different number.
Well, my residencia definativa application is back "en proceso". Turns out my application for change of migratory status was approved in Santo Domingo less than three weeks after I deposited it at the beginning of August in Puerto Plata, just was unable to get that confirmation despite calling PP weekly for goodness knows how long. I don't know if it wasn't sent up here or if it got buried in a pile somewhere. No point in pursuing it. I have decided to deal with SD directly for the next phase and will be using my contact down there to minimize traveling as much as possible. Watch this space.
I think I mentioned that mine was also approved weeks before I actually got it.
The wheels turn slowly along the way......
And if you are one who gets a denial for renewing residency
Just posted an update on the corruption at Migracion:
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.p...finitiva-not-going-well?p=1920322#post1920322
Just posted an update on the corruption at Migracion:
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.p...finitiva-not-going-well?p=1920322#post1920322
It would be useful to get an idea of the scale of this problem with Migration. I personally know 8 people that have been told some story or other by Migration that has prevented them from being granted renewal of RP-1 .
If this is happening to you could you let me know by PM or if you want here in full view.
I shall be writing to the British Consul on the topic soon. Perhaps all those affected should do the same. Clearly there is something very wrong with the current running of Migration.
Olly and the Team
If this is happening to you could you let me know by PM or if you want here in full view.
I shall be writing to the British Consul on the topic soon. Perhaps all those affected should do the same. Clearly there is something very wrong with the current running of Migration.
Olly and the Team
If I write the British consul, nothing would be done. But then,,,,:angry:
I am from the US and if I write the US consul I am sure nothing would be done. They would consider it an internal matter to the DR and the DR can and does do what it wants.
You are correct that they are clearly doing something wrong, but none of us are going to change that. They want our money and that is the reason. Corruption and incompetence.
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Yes Windy - I forgot to add contact your own consular office. I take your point that nothing will appear be done but I have found in the past letting the Consul or Vice Consul know there is a problem sometimes influences things. What have you got to loose ? But "of course" they cant interfere in the internal working of Migration. (LOL)
Olly and the team
Olly and the team
Same thing happened to me with approval form Temp to Permanent. PUJ office ... not approved yet. SD office... not approved yet... going on like that for 2 and 1/2 months. Finally after many calls and by pure luck/accidentally speaking to the right person in SD, it was found out it had been approved 2-3 weeks after being received in SD... buried under the bottom of pile of paperwork in "correspondencia department" in SD.
The saying is that the "squeaky wheel gets the grease". Seems lots of people employed in the civil service don't like to do their jobs. It's not until you have become a substantial pain-in-the-a$$ that what is supposed to happen gets done.
If you don't follow up often and persistently, nothing will happen. It's as if they assume you are filing all of these papers just for the fun of it and and you will give up and go away if they put a few inconvenient obstacles in your way. The most annoying is when there is a problem or some additional document is needed to complete your application and no one ever bothers to tell you when the omission is discovered - you only find out after weeks and weeks have passed and you have made at least 10 inquiries as to the delay.
Incompetence sure, but it's worse than that, it's intentional much of the time.
If you don't follow up often and persistently, nothing will happen. It's as if they assume you are filing all of these papers just for the fun of it and and you will give up and go away if they put a few inconvenient obstacles in your way. The most annoying is when there is a problem or some additional document is needed to complete your application and no one ever bothers to tell you when the omission is discovered - you only find out after weeks and weeks have passed and you have made at least 10 inquiries as to the delay.
Incompetence sure, but it's worse than that, it's intentional much of the time.
Can't hurt to have the embassies here aware of a residency process problem affecting their citizens. This specific hurdle is a DGM created problem, and those who have successfully renewed since the data loss should not be penalized and have to restart the process from the beginning. If anything, it should be easier, quicker and at very little cost.
Not sure how many people are affected by this and until there is a critical mass of inquiries coming from several countries, don't think much will change, but it's always helpful to have this type of concern raised at the end of meetings with the Presidente or when aid to the DR is being discussed.
I still think press coverage of this injustice can bring about swift changes and I know a summons to court to answer for what is essentially disregarding the residency laws will cause a panic at DGM. The last thing DGM wants is anyone looking in detail at how things worked there over the past 15 years or so.
Oh well, hope Windy gets it sorted by whatever means is acceptable to him. I hope that as time goes on, others so affected might have an easier time getting squared away. I understand the reluctance to make waves, either at a checkpoint, traffic stop or while embroiled in a govt process, but until "we" do, it remains easy to get away with malfeasance and there is no reason to change their behavior.
Not sure how many people are affected by this and until there is a critical mass of inquiries coming from several countries, don't think much will change, but it's always helpful to have this type of concern raised at the end of meetings with the Presidente or when aid to the DR is being discussed.
I still think press coverage of this injustice can bring about swift changes and I know a summons to court to answer for what is essentially disregarding the residency laws will cause a panic at DGM. The last thing DGM wants is anyone looking in detail at how things worked there over the past 15 years or so.
Oh well, hope Windy gets it sorted by whatever means is acceptable to him. I hope that as time goes on, others so affected might have an easier time getting squared away. I understand the reluctance to make waves, either at a checkpoint, traffic stop or while embroiled in a govt process, but until "we" do, it remains easy to get away with malfeasance and there is no reason to change their behavior.
