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Residency:
At Prestige Realty we not only sell condos and villas and oceanfront land, we help you get settled in. The Dominican Republic is one of the most welcoming countries in the world. Applicants for resident status must be in good health, have sufficient means and a clean police record. The application may be filed while the applicant is present in the country under a tourist card or visa. A foreign national who has lived in the Dominican Republic as a permanent resident for two years or in certain cases, six months, may apply for Dominican citizenship (naturalization). Naturalization is not automatic but granted at the discretion of the government. There is no economic citizenship program in the Dominican Republic providing for automatic citizenship upon the investment of certain amount of funds in the country.
Depending on which lawyer you use, fees for your provisional residency are approx. $US 1,800 per person. We have a very good lawyer who will process a couple for $1100 per person. The process to get your provisional residency can take up to 3 months.
At Prestige Realty we help you find the right lawyers and contacts to make this all happen.
The main advantages of having your residency are:
A legal resident can work and conduct a business in the Dominican Republic. Non-residents do work here all the time but there can be complications.
2) A resident is allowed to bring in duty free his household items, ranging from kitchen appliances, to furniture (Article 13 of Law #146-00). A non-resident must pay applicable duties on these goods.
3) A non-resident cannot sue a Dominican national or a legal resident in court without posting a bond, usually quite high. A legal resident is exempt from this requirement.
4) In case of inheritance, a non-resident beneficiary must pay a 50% surcharge on applicable estate taxes; residents are not subject to this surcharge.
5) For many foreigners interested in not paying taxes in their home countries on income earned outside their home country, it is a prerequisite to obtain residency status in another country.
6) A resident can enter the Dominican Republic without having to buy a tourist card; a non-resident must obtain a visa or buy a tourist card.
At Prestige Realty we help you find the right lawyers and contacts to make this all happen.
Exit Tax Due When You Stay More
Than One Month Without Residency:
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Time In the DR: |
Amount to pay on leaving |
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30 days and 3 months |
$22 USD RD $800.00 |
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90 days and 9 months |
$29 USD RD $1,000.00 |
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De 9 months to 1 year |
$72 USD RD $2,500.00 |
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1 year to 1 year 6 months |
$116 USD RD $4,000.00 |
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1 year 6 months to 2 years |
$143 USD RD $5,000.00 |
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2 years to 2 years 6 months |
$185 USD RD $6,500.00 |
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2 years 6 months to 3 years |
$257 USD RD $9,000.00 |
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3 years to 5 years |
$400 USD RD $14,000.00 |
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5 years and more |
$485 USD RD $17,000.00 |
As you can see, many people will choose not to get a residency for $2000 per couple when they can pay less to stay for years at a time. It works out to arund $100 per year per person more or less.
The main advantages of dealing with Prestige Real Estate in Cabarete:
Our years of experience, our total dedication to you as our valued client, our commitment to integrity and transparency as we help you make that Caribbean real estate purchase. Whether you are buying a condo for $35,000 or a estate for $3,000,000 we make sure you are always well represented. Call or email us.
cabaretewilliam@hotmail.com 809-935-0809
Education:
Public Schools in the Dominican Republic
The primary language of instruction in public schools in the Dominican Republic is Spanish. There are generally not enough teachers, facilities or funding to meet the demands of an unusually large Dominican schools - age population. Many private and religious schools supplement the state-financed schools. Children aged 7 to 14 years are required to attend, and almost every large community has elementary and secondary schools.
The University of Santo Domingo is the oldest university in the Americas; it was founded in 1538.
Going to school in English
Instruction in foreign languages is available in Dominican schools for children of all ages. Curriculum is available in Spanish and other languages. Some schools will offer education in one language whilst others may be bilingual. While there are students enrolled from all over the world, the majority are Dominican. This means that much of the school's informal social life will take place in Spanish, regardless of the educational facility's policies.
Private schools in the Dominican Republic normally have the medium of instruction in English and usually take children from many nationalities. Students must meet a certain level of English fluency for entrance. The school year is usually divided into two semesters which begin in mid-late August and finish early-mid June.
Tuition fees for students vary from school to school, the maximum being $7,000US per academic year. As a general rule the older the child, the higher the fees. There may be additional charges for school lunches, uniforms and school books and materials.
Will their qualifications be valid once we leave the Dominican Republic?
Schools which are accredited by the Dominican Ministry of Education offer certificates which are valid for entrance to Dominican, European and U.S. universities. However, those planning to undertake higher education in the U.S. may wish to attend a school which has been accredited by the U.S. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Those interested in studying in Europe, should consider a school where the International Baccaulaureate curriculum is used.
Are there English or bilingual schools outside of Santo Domingo?
Education in English is available outside of Santo Domingo in most regions; La Romana, Santiago, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata.
A selection of some Private Schools in the Dominican Republic:
The International School of Sosua (Puerto Plata), ISS is accredited by SACS, located in Sosua, and serves the communities of Sosua, Cabarete, and Puerto Plata. It has Grades Pre-K through Grade 12 and offers diploma programmes from both the US and Dominican Republic. Courses are taught in English and teachers are certified in their field.
Website: www.issosua.com
The Garden Kids School, Sosua (Puerto Plata) is for children aged 5 – 11 years (pre-kindergarten to Grade 4).
Website: www.garden-kids.org
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