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Countries › Dominican Republic › Guide › 8. Immigration › Temporary workers in the Dominican Republic: TT-1 permits, contingents and bonds

Temporary workers in the Dominican Republic: TT-1 permits, contingents and bonds

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

The TT-1 lets a company bring workers for a fixed term under contract, mainly for agriculture and construction. It is a non resident status with quotas, a bond, and a duty to repatriate. Since March 2026 the DGM insists on a registered contract and TSS enrollment at renewal.

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

Temporary worker stay12 monthsLey 285-04 art. 40, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
Lead time for extension request45 daysDecreto 631-11 art. 83, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
Days to repatriate after contract end8 daysLey 285-04 art. 58, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
VTT visa fee95 USDMIREX consular fee schedule, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
Maximum fine per breach10 minimum salariesLey 285-04 art. 131, as of 2026-10-30 · 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. Temporary workers are foreigners who enter for a fixed time under contract, alone or in contingents, in line with quotas set by the Consejo Nacional de Migración.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 36 numeral 5, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
2. The Consejo sets annual quotas by sector after consulting employers and unions. These workers cannot work in free zones or tourism, except in border areas under treaties.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 49, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
3. The stay is up to one year, extendable.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 40 numeral 4, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
4. Only one extension of up to a year can be granted. The request is due at least 45 days before expiry, with an employer letter, bond, new contract and medical certificate.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 83 paragraph III numeral 4, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30
5. The worker applies for the visa at a consulate, with a letter from the employer and insurance for medical and repatriation costs.
Cost to do it: VTT visa US$95 (RD$5,785.57).Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 70, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30
6. For contingents, the employer files with the DGM a list, passports, identity papers, the contract with the Ministry of Labor registration order, medical and criminal record certificates.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 72, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30
7. For contingents the DGM requires a bond per worker of at least one month's wages or the estimated return cost, whichever is higher. The bond does not shield from sanctions.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 57, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
8. Contingent workers must be repatriated at the employer's cost within eight days of the end of the contract.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 58, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
9. If a worker goes missing the employer has up to 15 days to produce the worker or honor the bond, or the DGM enforces it.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 77 paragraphs I and II, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30
10. The carné lets the holder do only the admitted work, for the term and zone. Working elsewhere or overstaying makes the person illegal and subject to deportation.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 56, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
11. Temporary workers can seek residence only after leaving and applying from a consulate.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 62, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
12. The DGM sheet describes a one year permit, renewable one more year, for companies hiring for agricultural or construction work. It quotes 90 calendar days.
Cost to do it: File deposit RD$7,000 (US$114.94); exams RD$6,300 (US$103.45).DGM service sheet, temporary worker permit, Description, fees, 2025 official text · verified 2026-10-30
13. Renewal of a TT-1 requires a new contract registered with the Ministry of Labor, an employer letter, TSS enrollment, medical certificate, migration guarantee policy, carné, a passport valid 18 months and an address in the authorized zone. Sworn statements do not replace the contract.Resolución DGM-001-2026, As reported by DGM note and press, 2026-03-25 official text · verified 2026-10-30 · changed: DGM said in March 2026 that the resolution orders existing rules rather than adding new ones, and that informal activities such as motorcycle taxi, street vending and delivery are not authorized.
14. Those who contract temporary workers and breach these duties face fines of three to ten minimum salaries per breach.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 131, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30

Worked example

  • For 50 farm workers: VTT visas US$4,750 (RD$289,278.33), DGM deposits RD$350,000 (US$5,747.06) and exams RD$315,000 (US$5,172.35), before bonds, travel, housing and policies.

Step by step

  1. Confirm the sector has a quota and is not free zone or tourism.
  2. Register contracts with the Ministry of Labor.
  3. File the DGM contingent request and post the bond.
  4. Workers obtain VTT visas.
  5. Enter through the assigned point and receive carnés.
  6. Enroll in TSS.
  7. Diary the 45 day extension date.
  8. Repatriate within eight days of contract end.

Common traps

  • The official PDF of Resolución DGM-001-2026 could not be opened in this review. Requirements come from the DGM statement as carried by the press, so read the PDF before filing.
  • Agriculture and construction are the sectors on the DGM sheet, while the law's bar names free zones and tourism.
  • A worker's lost contract means an illegal status, and the employer still owes wages.
  • Current quota figures were not found.

Sources

Related pages

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

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