Dominican Republic · residence general
Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
If your reason for living in the Dominican Republic does not fit a work or investment category, ordinary RT-9 temporary residence is the general route - renewed yearly on the way to permanent residence.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official DGM page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - government residence and card fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page.
- Typical duration
- Generally granted for one year and renewed annually; the standard path is to renew RT-9 for the required period before changing to permanent residence. Confirm current terms on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 10 July 2026, the Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9) for Dominican Republic is an unsponsored Dominican Republic immigration route. Sources: official Dominican Republic government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/dominican-republic/temporary-residence#answer
What is the Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9) in Dominican Republic?
Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9) is an unsponsored Dominican Republic route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - government residence and card fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official page; indicative processing time is Indicative only - confirm current timelines on the official DGM page; typical duration is Generally granted for one year and renewed annually; the standard path is to renew RT-9 for the required period before changing to permanent residence. Confirm current terms on the official page. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
Ordinary Temporary Residence (Residencia Temporal Ordinaria, RT-9) is the Dominican Republic's general temporary-residence category for foreign nationals who intend to reside in the country but do not fall under a specific work or investment class. It is granted for a year at a time and renewed annually. Good to know: unlike the investment-class routes, RT-9 is the slower path to settlement - you renew temporary residence for the required number of years before changing to permanent residence (RP-1). The Direccion General de Migracion (DGM) administers it.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The applicant intends to reside in the Dominican Republic and has a recognised reason that does not fit a specific class.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
- ✓A residence visa is generally obtained from a Dominican consulate before applying to the DGM.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
- ✓A valid passport, the DGM medical examination and a clean criminal record are presented.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
- ✓Means of support during the stay are shown as required.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
Common blockers
- !No recognised basis to reside, or a basis that should instead be filed under a specific class.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
- !Missing the prior consular residence visa where it is required.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
- !Letting an annual renewal lapse, which can interrupt the path to permanent residence.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Residence visa from a Dominican consulate where required.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
- ·Valid passport, photographs and the DGM medical examination results.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
- ·Criminal-record and birth certificates, apostilled or legalised.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
- ·Proof of means of support for the stay.Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Confirm on the official DGM page that ordinary RT-9 residence fits your situation and obtain the consular residence visa where required.
Build the evidence pack
Gather your passport, apostilled criminal-record and birth certificates, proof of means and prepare for the DGM medical examination.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the RT-9 application through the DGM services portal and deposit documents.
After approval
Once approved, renew the residence card each year, building toward eligibility to change to permanent residence (RP-1).
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9).
Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) · verified
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Related routes
Permanent Residence (RP-1)
Permanent residence (RP-1) is the Dominican Republic's settled-status card - reached fast through the investment classes, or after the required years of renewed temporary residence on the ordinary route.
Residence by Investment - Rentista (Annuitant)
If you have steady income from abroad - including remote work - the rentista route is the Dominican Republic's practical home for you, and it leads quickly to permanent residence.
Temporary Residence for Work (RT-3)
If a Dominican company has hired you, RT-3 temporary labour residence is the route that lets you live in the Dominican Republic to do that job under your work contract.
Frequently asked questions
How long until RT-9 leads to permanent residence?+
RT-9 is the slower, general path: you renew temporary residence annually for the required number of years before changing to permanent residence (RP-1). The investment-class routes (pensionado, rentista, investor) reach permanent residence far faster. Confirm the current required period on the official DGM page.
Do I need a job or investment for RT-9 residence?+
No - RT-9 is the general category for people who intend to reside but do not fall under a specific work or investment class. You do need a recognised reason to reside and to show means of support. Confirm the requirements on the official DGM page.
What happens if I miss an annual renewal on Dominican RT-9 temporary residence?+
RT-9 is granted for one year and renewed annually, and letting a renewal lapse is a common blocker that can interrupt your path to permanent residence. Renew the residence card each year and confirm the rules on the official DGM page.
Do I need a job or investment for RT-9 residence, or just enough to support myself?+
You do not need a job or investment for RT-9. It is the general category for people who intend to reside but do not fall under a specific work or investment class; you do need a recognised reason to reside and to show means of support during your stay. Confirm the requirements on the official DGM page.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Dominican RepublicHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic)
Last checked: 1 June 2026