DR Residency Guides
The Dominican Republic offers several residency pathways for foreign buyers. Property purchase is one of the fastest and most straightforward routes to permanent residency.
Investor Residency
Minimum: $200,000 USD
Purchasing a property valued at $200,000 USD or more qualifies you to apply for investor residency. This is the most direct route for real estate buyers.
Documents Required
- Property deed (certified copy)
- Proof of investment amount
- Valid passport and birth certificate
- Clean criminal record (apostilled)
- Medical certificate from a DR-approved clinic
Retirement Residency (Pensionado)
Minimum: $1,500/mo income
Retirees receiving a pension of at least $1,500 USD per month from a government, military, or corporate pension plan can qualify for pensionado residency.
Documents Required
- Proof of pension income (3+ months statements)
- Pension certification letter from issuer
- Valid passport and birth certificate
- Clean criminal record (apostilled)
- Medical certificate
Rentista Residency
Minimum: $2,000/mo income
If you receive at least $2,000 USD per month from passive income sources (investments, royalties, rental income), you may qualify for the rentista category.
Documents Required
- Bank statements showing $2,000+/mo passive income (12 months)
- Income source documentation
- Valid passport and birth certificate
- Clean criminal record (apostilled)
- Medical certificate
Important notes
- All documents issued outside the DR must be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.
- Temporary residency is typically granted first (1–2 years), renewable before qualifying for permanent residency.
- Permanent residency holders can apply for DR citizenship after 2 years of permanent residency.
Start your residency process
Our attorneys handle the entire residency application — document collection, apostilles, translation and submission to the Dirección General de Migración.