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Countries › Dominican Republic › Guide › 8. Immigration › Retiree and rentier residence in the Dominican Republic: Ley 171-07

Retiree and rentier residence in the Dominican Republic: Ley 171-07

Last verified: 2026-10-30 · Status: Stable

Pensioners with US$1,500 a month and rentiers with US$2,000 a month can reach residence with no age limit and no temporary stage. Ley 171-07 adds tax and import relief. DGM cost is RD$38,600 for an adult, and the income must keep reaching the country.

USD figures use the Banco Central de la República Dominicana reference selling rate of RD$60.9007 per US dollar for 29 October 2026, as shown on its home page on the verification date, rounded to the cent.

Key facts

Minimum monthly pension1500 USDLey 171-07 art. 3, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
Minimum monthly rentier income2000 USDLey 171-07 art. 3, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
Extra monthly income per dependant250 USDLey 171-07 art. 3 paragraph, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
DGM cost, retiree or rentier, adult38600 DOPDGM service sheet, as of 2025 · in force
DGM time quoted90 working daysDGM service sheet, as of 2025 · in force
Reference rate used for USD conversions60.9007 DOP per USDBanco Central reference selling rate, as of 2026-10-29 · in force

The rule

1. Pensioners and rentiers get the benefits granted to foreign investors through the Investment Residence Program and customs laws.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 2, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
2. The minimum is US$1,500 a month for a pensioner and US$2,000 a month for a rentier, plus US$250 a month for each dependant.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 3 and paragraph, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
3. There is no minimum age for the main applicant.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 4, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
4. Spouses, unmarried children under 18, disabled adult children, adult children at university who are dependent, and minors under recognized guardianship can join.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 5, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
5. Pensioners file a certification from the government, official body or foreign private company, translated and legalized. It shows tenure, post and amount.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 63, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30
6. Rentiers must prove stable foreign income for at least five years with the income contract and proof of the foreign currency entering the country.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 64, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30
7. Qualifying rentier income comes from sources such as deposits abroad, foreign investments and stakes in foreign companies, listed in art. 1. Salary does not qualify.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 1 literal c; MIREX visa page, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
8. The RS visa requires the same income floors, with salary excluded.
Cost to do it: US$200 (RD$12,180.14).MIREX visas page, Ley 875 de 1978 sobre Visados, Visa de residencia por rentista, jubilación, 2026-10-30 official text · verified 2026-10-30
9. The Ley says the residence card issues within 45 working days of a clean file.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 7, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
10. The DGM sheets quote 90 working days and the costs shown, with a Dominican bank certification for rentiers.
Cost to do it: File deposit RD$28,800 (US$472.90); card and cédula record RD$3,500 (US$57.47); exams RD$6,300 (US$103.45).
Example: Adult RD$38,600. / Adult US$633.82.DGM service sheets, rentier and pensioner, Cost and time, 2025 official text · verified 2026-10-30
11. After a year the holder renews with proof of having received the pension or income in the country for the prior period. The next card lasts two years or as the DGM sets.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 66 and paragraphs I and II, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30
12. Rentier renewal costs the amounts shown.
Cost to do it: Renewal RD$21,000 (US$344.82); CEI-RD deposit RD$2,100 (US$34.48); each month late RD$1,700 (US$27.91).
Example: Total RD$23,100. / Total US$379.31.DGM service sheet, rentier renewal, Cost, 2025 official text · verified 2026-10-30
13. Sums declared to qualify are exempt from income tax.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 10, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
14. Personal and household goods and used professional equipment can come in free of duty under Ley 14-93. A partial vehicle tax exemption applies under Ley 168 of 1967.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 11 and art. 12, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
15. The first property purchased is exempt from real estate transfer taxes. While the permit lasts, 50% relief applies on document tax, property tax and mortgage tax.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 13, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
16. Property bought under the law gets 50% relief from capital gains tax on sale.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 14, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
17. Holders may do paid work, and pay tax on that salary as any employee.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 15, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30
18. Giving false information draws a fine of twice the tax avoided.Ley 171-07 sobre Incentivos Especiales a los Pensionados y Rentistas de Fuente Extranjera, art. 18, 2007-07-13 official text · verified 2026-10-30

Worked example

  • A retired couple on a single pension must show US$1,750 a month (RD$106,576.23). A rentier with spouse and one child must show US$2,500 a month (RD$152,251.75).
  • A pensioner couple pays 2 × US$200 in visas (RD$24,360.28) and 2 × RD$38,600 = RD$77,200 (US$1,267.64) at the DGM.

Step by step

  1. Obtain the pension or income certification, apostilled and translated.
  2. Open a Dominican bank account.
  3. Apply for the RS visa.
  4. Enter and report to the DGM within 30 days.
  5. File with the Foreign Investment Division.
  6. Claim customs relief using the approval letter.
  7. Claim property tax relief with DGII.
  8. Bring the income in and keep proof for renewal.

Common traps

  • Art. 98 of Ley 285-04 says these residents need authorization to work, while Ley 171-07 art. 15 says they may work. Get the authorization in writing.
  • Income must actually reach the country: art. 66 asks for proof of receipt here.
  • The law quotes 45 working days and the sheets quote 90. Plan on 90.
  • Ley 171-07 art. 8 speaks of at least eight working days for the renewal card, while the regulation says ten.
  • The rentier renewal sheet says four years, while the law and regulation say two. Ask the DGM.
  • The OCR text of Ley 30-26 has no mention of Ley 171-07, but tax relief should still be confirmed with DGII because the Código Tributario changed in June 2026.
  • Customs relief under art. 11 goes to the approved pensioner or rentier and does not extend to spouses or dependants, per art. 11 paragraph II.

Sources

Related pages

Related: Dominican Republic country profile · live dashboard · central bank and release calendar · our posts on X

← Investor residence in the Dominican Republic: US$200,000 and no temporary stageBringing family to the Dominican Republic: dependants, spouses and children →

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