Stay and formalities for foreigners: the basics before renting by the month

Renting for several months in Las Terrenas raises a prior question: how long can you stay in the country? This guide summarizes what the General Directorate of Migration (Dirección General de Migración, DGM) publishes, as seen on 2 October 2026. Rules and fees change, and entry conditions depend on your nationality, so always check the official sites before you travel. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.

Staying on the Tourist Card

According to the DGM, foreigners who enter with the Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turista) may stay in the Dominican Republic for 30 days. The tax authority (DGII) also publishes information and an FAQ on the Tourist Card, including the requirements for extending a stay.

Extending your stay

The DGM can grant a stay extension (prórroga de estadía) beyond the first 30 days, up to 120 days. According to its page, the requirements include:

• a copy of your passport;
• your entry stamp;
• a return ticket;
• proof of financial means;
• a medical certificate.

The application can be made online, and processing takes 3 business days, according to the DGM.

Fees as seen on 2 October 2026. Official page: stay extension (DGM, in Spanish).

If you stay beyond the authorized time

The DGM states that foreigners who stay past their authorized time regularize their situation on departure by paying a stay fee (tasa de estadía), according to a published schedule. An extract:

The schedule continues for longer stays. According to the DGM, the fee is paid at Banreservas or at the airport by card. The Spanish Consulate in Santo Domingo published a note on 7 March 2025 about paying these fees for stays of more than 30 days.

Paying this fee is not the same as being authorized to stay. Before planning a long stay, check with the DGM which option fits your situation. Official page: calculating and paying stay fees (DGM, in Spanish).

Residency

There are residency procedures for longer or permanent stays. We do not summarize them here: go directly to the official sources of the General Directorate of Migration and, if needed, a lawyer in the Dominican Republic.

How this affects your rental

• Match the length of your lease to what your status allows, and plan for what happens if you have to leave early (notice, deposit). See the guide to deposits and lease agreements.
• If your stay depends on an extension, avoid committing to a long lease before you know whether you will get it, or negotiate an early-exit clause in writing.
• Keep copies of your passport and entry stamp, as they are needed for the extension.
• If you open an electricity contract in your name, Luz y Fuerza accepts a copy of a foreigner's passport or legal residency.
• To prepare your arrival, read the guide to moving to Las Terrenas and the guide to monthly rentals.