Before you leave your home country
The prep you do before departure determines how smooth the first months are. Documents in particular are much harder to obtain once you are already in the DR.
Research
Region and housing
Choose your target region based on school access, healthcare, community and lifestyle priorities, not just aesthetics.Visit in person as a prospective resident if possible, not just as a tourist
Arrange temporary accommodation for first 1 to 3 months. Do not sign a long lease before living in an area first.Airbnb or furnished monthly rentals work well for this
Research schools if you have children and begin application process well in advance of your move date.International schools have waitlists. Apply 6 to 12 months ahead.
Join expat Facebook groups for your target region and read them for several months before arriving.Invaluable local knowledge, recommendations and warnings
Documents
Paperwork to get before you go
Obtain an apostilled police background check from your home country (or each country where you have lived).Required for residency. Much harder to get from outside your home country.
Obtain an apostilled birth certificate.Required for residency applications
If married, obtain apostilled marriage certificate.Needed for residency if applying as a couple
Gather proof of income documents: pension statements, bank statements, employer letters, tax returns.Required for bank account opening and residency
Ensure your passport is valid for at least 12 months beyond your planned entry date.Renew before departure if needed
Make certified copies and digital scans of all critical documents. Store copies in cloud storage.Email yourself copies as backup
Research your home country's exit tax and tax obligations if you plan to become a non-resident for tax purposes.Seek professional advice before departure, not after
Money
Financial setup
Set up Wise (or similar) account for international money transfers at real exchange rates.Save significantly on transfer fees compared to banks
Get a Schwab or similar debit card with no foreign transaction fees and ATM fee reimbursement.Standard ATM fees in the DR add up fast without this
Notify your bank and credit cards of the move to prevent account freezes.Also ask about international fee structures
Ensure you have accessible emergency funds in accounts you can reach from the DR without issue.3 months of living costs as an accessible cushion is a sensible minimum
Health
Healthcare and insurance
Research and purchase private health insurance before departure. Get it active from day one.Do not arrive uninsured. Local plans from $80/mo, international from $200/mo.
Collect 6-month supply of any critical prescription medications. Confirm availability in DR pharmacies for your long-term needs.Some specific branded medications are not available locally
Get dental and vision checkups done before departure if possible.Both available in the DR but easier when your existing provider knows your records
Ensure all vaccinations are up to date. Get travel vaccinations (Hep A, typhoid) if not already done.Speak to a travel medicine clinic 4 to 6 weeks before departure
Obtain copies of all medical records and share with your email for cloud backup.Particularly important if you have ongoing health conditions
On arrival and first two weeks
Get a local SIM card (Claro or Altice) with a data plan.Do this within 48 hours. Essential for maps, messaging and everything else.
Download and start using WhatsApp immediately.Primary communication tool for virtually everything in the DR
Get Dominican pesos from an ATM at a major bank (Banco Popular, Scotiabank, BHD Leon).Avoid airport exchange booths and money changers on the street
Identify the nearest supermarket, pharmacy, ATM, hospital and urgent care from your accommodation.Know these before you need them
Locate your target DR bank (Banco Santa Cruz for non-residents) and get the document requirements list.The process is bureaucratic. Start it in week one even if you cannot complete it immediately.
Test your commute route (school, work or wherever you need to go daily) at actual rush hour times.Traffic changes everything. This should inform housing decisions.
Orient yourself in your neighbourhood on foot. Understand the local area, what is walkable and what feels comfortable.Trust your instincts about areas and adjust housing if needed while still in temporary accommodation
First month priorities
Open Dominican bank account. Bring all required documents: passport, proof of income, proof of address.Banco Santa Cruz is most accessible for non-residents. Process takes multiple visits.
Confirm health insurance is active and you know how to use it (which hospitals, how to make a claim).
Get home internet installed. Contact Claro or Altice and initiate the process.Allow 2 to 4 weeks for installation. Start this as early as possible.
Find a local doctor, dentist and pharmacy you trust.Do this while you are healthy. Much easier than finding one in an emergency.
Join local expat Facebook groups and start using them for recommendations.Everything from mechanics to accountants to restaurants is recommended here
Evaluate your housing situation. Is it working? Right noise level, right commute, right neighbourhood?You are still in time to move. Month one is the right moment to make this call.
If driving, confirm your foreign licence is valid and understand local traffic rules.Convertible to a Dominican licence once residency is established
Getting established
Start basic Spanish classes or use an app daily if you have not already.Even modest Spanish improves daily life significantly and opens doors that remain closed otherwise
Build community deliberately: gym, yoga class, sports club, community group or regular social events.Isolation at months 3 to 6 is common. Build structure before you hit that phase.
If pursuing residency, begin the process with a qualified Dominican immigration lawyer.Gather any remaining apostilled documents and get a lawyer recommendation from expat groups
Sort your tax situation with a professional who understands your home country obligations and DR tax law.Do not leave this until it becomes urgent
If renting long-term, ensure your rental contract is written in Spanish and reviewed by a local lawyer for significant amounts.Verbal agreements are not sufficient protection for major commitments
Evaluate honestly at month 3 whether your region and housing are working. Make changes while you are still flexible.Experienced expats consistently say month 3 is the best time to reassess and adjust before deeper commitments are made
If you have children, confirm school is working well. If not, now is the time to address it before the academic year is entrenched.
What to bring, ship or leave behind
| Category | Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | Bring your own | Electronics are significantly more expensive in the DR. Bring laptops, phones and cameras. |
| Clothing | Bring basics, buy locally | Local clothing suitable for hot climate. Reduce heavy winter clothing unless you go to Jarabacoa. |
| Medications | Bring 6-month supply | Confirm ongoing availability before running low. Some medications unavailable locally. |
| Furniture | Usually not worth shipping | Shipping costs plus import duties usually exceed the value. Buy locally. |
| Vehicles | Buy locally usually better | Import duties on vehicles are very high. Buying a reliable second-hand car locally is usually more cost-effective. |
| Sentimental items | Bring what matters | Books, art, personal items worth shipping in small quantities for psychological comfort |
Common moving questions
How far in advance should I start planning a move to the DR?
Minimum 3 months for a basic move. 6 months or more is better if you have children (school applications), property to sell, or are pursuing residency from day one. The documents that require apostille from your home country take time to gather and are a common bottleneck for people who start too late.
Do I need to ship my furniture and household goods?
For most people, no. Shipping costs combined with Dominican import duties usually make shipping furniture uneconomic compared to simply buying locally. Electronics are the exception: they are significantly more expensive in the DR, so bringing those from home makes sense. Books, art and sentimental personal items are worth shipping in modest quantities.
What documents do I need for the Dominican residency application?
The standard requirements include: valid passport, apostilled birth certificate, apostilled police background check from each country you have lived in, proof of income (pension statements, bank statements, employer letters), medical certificate, passport photos and the completed application forms. Document requirements can change, so verify current requirements with a Dominican immigration lawyer before gathering documents.
Can I bring my pet to the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Dogs and cats require a health certificate from a licensed vet, proof of current rabies vaccination and an official health certificate endorsed by your country's agriculture department. Requirements vary by origin country. Airlines have their own pet transport rules. See our full guide on shipping and bringing pets to the DR for details.