Dominican Republic student visa (E)

Visa-free entry, where it applies, is for tourism only, so studies require the student visa. It covers students accepted by a university or institution in the Dominican Republic and interns under an agreement between a foreign study centre and a Dominican institution. Apply at the Dominican consulate with jurisdiction for your country, which MIREX's consultation tool names.

Present the visa application form, one 2 x 2 inch photo with white background, an original passport valid for at least six months, your residence card if you live in a third country, a birth certificate legalised or apostilled and a certificate of no criminal record from each country of residence in the last five years (not required for minors), valid one year, both translated by a judicial interpreter if not in Spanish. Add proof of financial support from whoever will pay for the studies, current or expired visas, the acceptance certificate from the university or institution and, for internships, a copy of the agreement between the institutions.

Submit the file at the Dominican consulate for your jurisdiction and pay USD 100. The consulate evaluates it and forwards it to MIREX for the final decision, usually within 10 to 20 working days. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee the visa.

Foreign birth and criminal record certificates must be apostilled and translated into Spanish by a judicial interpreter, with the translation legalised. The criminal record must cover every country where you lived during the last five years and be valid for one year. Keep the acceptance letter and financial documents for any later procedure in the Dominican Republic.

Dependants of a student visa holder can apply for the dependency visa (DPM). The person they depend on writes the request letter to the consulate, identifies themselves, shows that they hold the student visa and states whether the dependency is based on family ties. The file includes apostilled and translated marriage and children's birth certificates, a criminal record certificate for adults, a medical certificate, the student's solvency documents and copies of their Dominican visa and passport. MIREX's fee table lists USD 150 for the DPM visa, and holders have 30 days after arrival to go to the Directorate General of Migration.