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Dominican Republic · residence general

Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9)

By · 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.

No sponsorship requiredDoes not lead to permanent residencyGenerally 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.
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
Reviewed Direccion General de Migracion (Dominican Republic) ↗

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

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. 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.

  2. Build the evidence pack

    Gather your passport, apostilled criminal-record and birth certificates, proof of means and prepare for the DGM medical examination.

  3. Submit through the official channel

    Submit the RT-9 application through the DGM services portal and deposit documents.

  4. After approval

    Once approved, renew the residence card each year, building toward eligibility to change to permanent residence (RP-1).

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Ordinary Temporary Residence (RT-9) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Dominican Republic

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

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.

  1. Official guidanceApplicant
    Use 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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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 Republic

How 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

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