In fairness, you have overstayed on a tourist visa for 10 years. I don't think you have the right to be pissed off, you're lucky that they haven't thrown you out of the country as most other countries would have done. If you had residency this wouldn't be a thing. I heard a rumor a week ago, and I know it's only a rumor but it was from a decent source, that Migracion is thinking of setting the exit fees at the same level as you would have had to pay if you had applied for residency, plus a fine on top. So again, count your blessings that they haven't done this yet. All Dominican government departments have very stiff fines for non-conforming - for example DGII fines you 10% if you're an hour late with a payment, then 4% a month after that. So I can see this is coming.
- Thread starter Lucas61
- Start date
Updates on Overstay Tax
In fairness, you have overstayed on a tourist visa for 10 years. I don't think you have the right to be pissed off, you're lucky that they haven't thrown you out of the country as most other countries would have done. If you had residency this wouldn't be a thing. I heard a rumor a week ago, and I know it's only a rumor but it was from a decent source, that Migracion is thinking of setting the exit fees at the same level as you would have had to pay if you had applied for residency, plus a fine on top. So again, count your blessings that they haven't done this yet. All Dominican government departments have very stiff fines for non-conforming - for example DGII fines you 10% if you're an hour late with a payment, then 4% a month after that. So I can see this is coming.
Interesting. I had not heard that. I will be 5 years an illegal alien this coming September.
Are you referring to the table "Calculation for Payment Penalty Expired Visa " on this doc aside from the fine?
This is exactly what I replied to this same poster in the other thread. I understand that they have a difficult situation, but what they now have to pay is ridiculous compared to what they would have paid having residency. I mean, in my opinion whatever hoops the DR govt makes you go though to get a residency (lawyer fees do not count, they are not part of the DR govt), it cannot cost the same as years of overstay, or if for someone it in fact has, I'd like to see the evidence...
I have had citizenship for 21 years so I have no bias but paying a small fee when you leave compared to what I read on this board for Residency cannot come close............Way cheaper and really no hassle compared to the hoops put up now for Residency..........
If you are concerned whether or not your card will work down here try using it first. If it works at a local store like Playero, Super Pola, ect. then it should work when using it to pay your exit fee unless you have a limit on your daily spending amount, which most cards do not.
Also, be sure to fill out an eticket form online prior to your arrival at the airport or you will not be able to board your flight. This will require a valid phone number to complete the process.
eTicket
Ticket electronico requerido por la Republica Dominicana para las entradas y salidas del territorio nacional. Este unico formulario involucra el ticket de Migracion, Aduanas y Salud Publica
eticket.migracion.gob.do
Good luck.
Safe travels.
Agree. And whose to say on a 10 year overstay that they don't want to make an example when trying to re-enter later 😭
Re: I have no cell phone and would need to call the bank through Skype using my laptop
After 10 years not sure why anyone would not have a cell phone but highly suggest getting one, Skype shuts down in 4 weeks (May 5 2025)
All the immigration agents we've ever dealt with in the DR have been exactly that. The times when I have overstayed in the past, it has always been them berating us "why have not just not applied for residency, had you done that, you would not be paying now all this".... They have never been eager to charge that...
It’s a cash cow for the government. anytime they take money from gringos it gives them a high. plus you’re not sneaking in and out of the woods like some folks
Not as per what I have seen, please read my post above plus the fact that last time we exited the country, officially migration could have charged our younger son for overstay, as he has no DR passport. None of us asked anything about this, we just had cash in and to be ready to pay but they investigated a bit and charged nothing.
See, this is what I'm talking about, why do we need to fill out an e-ticket and bring it to the airport just to depart? I've left the country before and never had to fill this out, what is this about? When was this implemented? It certainly wasn't required the last time I left the country.If you are concerned whether or not your card will work down here try using it first. If it works at a local store like Playero, Super Pola, ect. then it should work when using it to pay your exit fee unless you have a limit on your daily spending amount, which most cards do not.
Also, be sure to fill out an eticket form online prior to your arrival at the airport or you will not be able to board your flight. This will require a valid phone number to complete the process.
eTicket
Ticket electronico requerido por la Republica Dominicana para las entradas y salidas del territorio nacional. Este unico formulario involucra el ticket de Migracion, Aduanas y Salud Publica
Good luck.
Safe travels.
Please don't lecture me, I knew the rules when I overstayed. And I have not technically overstayed for ten years, it will be ten years in August. I don't have an issue with paying the fine, never have. My issue has to do with the fact that they went from accepting cash to ONLY accepting electronic payments, which is stupid. This push for a cashless society is going to backfire, just wait and see. Electronic payment systems are inherently unreliable, a lesson they will learn the hard way.
If the government didn't make the residency process so complicated more people would take that option. But as I'm sure you're aware, it is anything but simple. But that is how the government is, they always take the simplest thing and make it complicated, please stop excusing their incompetence. There is no government on Earth that is competent, including the Dominican government. As judge Andrew Napolitano says, the government only does three things well, and that is lie, steal and kill.
Power outages, storms, cyber-attacks, there are all sorts of reasons electronic payment systems can be disrupted. Cash is dependable and there when you need it. I could see them offering the option to pay in cash OR electronic, but only electronic. It is dumb, and if you cannot see why then there is nothing left to discuss.