Countries › Dominican Republic › Guide › 8. Immigration › Students, volunteers and short permits in the Dominican Republic

Students, volunteers and short permits in the Dominican Republic

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

Students use an E visa and a one year permit renewable up to six years. Artists, athletes, exchange students and volunteers use a yearly non resident permit, and a group member can use a non renewable short permit of up to 11 months. All are non resident statuses, so time on them does not lead to permanent residence by itself.

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

Yearly student extensions	6 extensionsDecreto 631-11 art. 83, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
E visa	100 USDMIREX consular fee schedule, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
Student permit file	7000 DOPDGM service sheet, as of 2025 · in force
Short permit ceiling	11 monthsDGM PCP sheet, as of 2025 · in force
Reference rate used for USD conversions	60.9007 DOP per USDBanco Central reference selling rate, as of 2026-10-29 · in force

The rule

1. Students admitted to officially recognized schools are non residents and can work only for the admitted activity.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 36 numeral 9 and art. 100, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

2. A student needs a passport valid 18 months, admission proof, DGM approved health insurance and proof of funds. The stay is one year, extendable.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 81 literal g, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30

3. The E visa is multiple entry for one year and needs an admission letter, financial support proof, a medical certificate and a criminal record certificate.
Cost to do it: US$100 (RD$6,090.07).MIREX visas page, Ley 875 de 1978 sobre Visados, Visa de estudiante, 2026-10-30 official text · verified 2026-10-30

4. Up to six extensions of a year each are possible, requested 45 days before expiry. The DGM answers within 10 working days and need not give reasons for refusal.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 83 numeral 5 and paragraphs I and III, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30

5. The DGM student permit lasts one year, renewable up to six years, with 90 calendar days quoted.
Cost to do it: File RD$7,000 (US$114.94); exams RD$6,300 (US$103.45).DGM service sheet, student permit, Description, fees, 2025 official text · verified 2026-10-30

6. Group members for sport, art or academic activity may stay 60 days, with a letter from the host when extending.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 81 literal f and art. 83 numeral 3, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30

7. The PADEI permit covers artists, athletes, exchange students and volunteers for one year, renewable up to four years, with an NM or E visa and a guaranteeing institution.
Cost to do it: File deposit RD$9,800 (US$160.92) plus stay and visa penalty charges.DGM service sheet, PADEI, Description, fees, 2025 official text · verified 2026-10-30

8. The short permit (PCP) covers a group member staying over two and up to 11 months, guaranteed by a Dominican body. It cannot be renewed.
Cost to do it: File deposit RD$7,000 (US$114.94) plus stay charges.DGM service sheet, PCP, Description, 2025 official text · verified 2026-10-30

9. Religious workers of recognized churches are temporary residents under RT-4.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 35 numeral 4, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

10. RT-4 lasts one year with 90 working days quoted. Catholic bodies recognized by the Archdiocese can present its letter for fee exoneration.
Cost to do it: Filing RD$7,000 (US$114.94); adult exam RD$6,300 (US$103.45); filing extension RD$7,000 (US$114.94).DGM service sheet, RT-4, Cost, time, notes, 2025 official text · verified 2026-10-30

Worked example

A master's student on a two year course: E visa US$100 (RD$6,090.07), file and exams RD$13,300 (US$218.39), then an extension in the second year at the rate the DGM sets.

Step by step

Get the admission letter.
Buy DGM approved health insurance.
Apply for the E visa.
File with the DGM after entry.
Diary the extension 45 days ahead.

Common traps

Time as a student is non resident time. A residence application is a separate category change.
A DGM note mentions special rates for Haitian students, but the amounts are in an attachment not read here.
Fees for PADEI and PCP come from English sheets that may lag the Spanish ones.
Health insurance must cover the whole extension period.

Sources

← Bringing family to the Dominican Republic: dependants, spouses and childrenOverstays, deportation and expulsion in the Dominican Republic →

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