Hi to all the wise sages out there who regularly post to these forums, this is my first post am a little new to all this. Myself, my wife and two children 5 and 10 are about to take the plunge and move out to the Dominican Republic from the UK on a permanent basis as soon as the house is sold. I have read with much interest the posts on the forum but would like to try and get some answers to some specific questions which will not only help us but I am sure others interested in the advice given.
Firstly, as I understand things we enter the country with a return ticket but do not go home. As you fill a tourist visa out on the plane how long do you state you are staying for and do you put the return details. I know this sounds very basic, but I want to ensure we follow the correct procedures and do not get caught out in some mess.
2 We are planning to rent probably on the north coast for at least three months (although probably five) until our temporary residency is approved. As i understand things we will then have the right to work, buy property and open a bank account, amongst other things. what I would like to know is the following:-
Are my understandings correct in relation to property purchase, bank account etc?
Presumably the best way of applying for residency is through a lawyer, I understand the forms etc that will be needed, medical exam etc, but how much should I budget / be expected to pay for this service?
What lawyer would you recommend?
Do I need to apply for my wife and children as well or are they dependants?
With reference to a bank account, I understand that you can put your money in a high interest account (cd?) for a given period of time, is it best to invest in pesos or dollars and what rate am i likely to receive on ?90k plus? It would be an advantage to open a bank account as soon as possible do I have to wait until a residency is approved?
3 I am interested in the Alic New World School for the children, any views on this would be useful and also some idea of fees would also be handy
4 Once I am eligible to work I would like to try to seek employment, I hope to be reasonably bilingual, certainly in reading and speech by the time I am eligible for work (rosetta stone latin spanish 1 to 7 currently burning the midnight oil!). Any tips or places I should seek employment on the north coast would be useful.
5 On moving items out to the Dom Rep, we are currently getting quotes for a container to ship out, I would presume there is little point in shipping it out until the residency comes through as I do not want to pay import tax on my belongings?
Presumably it would be a pointless exersise to move alot of the 230 volt electrical equipment out, things like my pc, LCD tvs etc are dual voltage but many other things are not any advise on this would be welcome?
Does anyone have any experience / advice on moving my wine and liquor collection or would you recommend I just have a big leaving party in the uk!?
Food - any point on moving tins of baked beans etc or is it just not worth the hassle?
Any other tips or advice on importing items would be helpful.
Any other general advice would be gratefully received, we hope, all things being equal to make the move in four months time, all depends on the house sale
Thank you in advance
Mark
Firstly, as I understand things we enter the country with a return ticket but do not go home. As you fill a tourist visa out on the plane how long do you state you are staying for and do you put the return details. I know this sounds very basic, but I want to ensure we follow the correct procedures and do not get caught out in some mess.
2 We are planning to rent probably on the north coast for at least three months (although probably five) until our temporary residency is approved. As i understand things we will then have the right to work, buy property and open a bank account, amongst other things. what I would like to know is the following:-
Are my understandings correct in relation to property purchase, bank account etc?
Presumably the best way of applying for residency is through a lawyer, I understand the forms etc that will be needed, medical exam etc, but how much should I budget / be expected to pay for this service?
What lawyer would you recommend?
Do I need to apply for my wife and children as well or are they dependants?
With reference to a bank account, I understand that you can put your money in a high interest account (cd?) for a given period of time, is it best to invest in pesos or dollars and what rate am i likely to receive on ?90k plus? It would be an advantage to open a bank account as soon as possible do I have to wait until a residency is approved?
3 I am interested in the Alic New World School for the children, any views on this would be useful and also some idea of fees would also be handy
4 Once I am eligible to work I would like to try to seek employment, I hope to be reasonably bilingual, certainly in reading and speech by the time I am eligible for work (rosetta stone latin spanish 1 to 7 currently burning the midnight oil!). Any tips or places I should seek employment on the north coast would be useful.
5 On moving items out to the Dom Rep, we are currently getting quotes for a container to ship out, I would presume there is little point in shipping it out until the residency comes through as I do not want to pay import tax on my belongings?
Presumably it would be a pointless exersise to move alot of the 230 volt electrical equipment out, things like my pc, LCD tvs etc are dual voltage but many other things are not any advise on this would be welcome?
Does anyone have any experience / advice on moving my wine and liquor collection or would you recommend I just have a big leaving party in the uk!?
Food - any point on moving tins of baked beans etc or is it just not worth the hassle?
Any other tips or advice on importing items would be helpful.
Any other general advice would be gratefully received, we hope, all things being equal to make the move in four months time, all depends on the house sale
Thank you in advance
Mark