The LatAm Thread

Countries › Dominican Republic › Guide › 8. Immigration › Work visas in the Dominican Republic: the NM1 visa and RT-3 labor residence

Work visas in the Dominican Republic: the NM1 visa and RT-3 labor residence

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

A foreign employee needs an NM1 visa from a consulate and then a one year RT-3 labor residence from the DGM. The employer first gets Ministry of Labor certificates and registers the contract. Government fees run about RD$20,300 plus US$200, and the DGM quotes 90 calendar days.

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

NM1 visa fee200 USDMIREX consular fee schedule, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
RT-3 filing fee14000 DOPDGM service sheet, as of 2025-05-12 · in force
Ministry of Labor answer on certificates15 working daysMinisterio de Trabajo service sheet, as of 2026-10-30 · in force
DGM time for RT-390 calendar daysDGM service sheet, as of 2025-05-12 · in force
DGM adult medical exam6300 DOPDGM service sheet, as of 2025-05-12 · 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. Scientists, professionals, specialized staff, managers, technicians and skilled workers hired for local activity are temporary residents.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 35 numerals 1 to 3, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
2. Temporary residents may do paid work for the authorized period. Relatives of a temporary resident need express DGM permission to work.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 99, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
3. A foreigner may work when admitted in a category that allows it. The Ministry of Labor checks arts. 135 and following of the Código de Trabajo.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 35 paragraphs III and IV, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30
4. Before the visa, the worker needs two Ministry of Labor certificates: a job offer, and proof the company is in SIRLA and meets art. 135 and following. The answer is due in 15 working days.
Cost to do it: Free per the service sheet.Ministerio de Trabajo service sheet, Certifications for work visa, 2026-10-30 official text · verified 2026-10-30
5. The NM1 work visa lasts one year with multiple entries. It has separate lists for private companies, multinational companies, free zone companies, and international bodies or public institutions.
Cost to do it: US$200 (RD$12,180.14).MIREX visas page, Ley 875 de 1978 sobre Visados, Visa de negocios con fines laborales, 2026-10-30 official text · verified 2026-10-30
6. A private company files a job offer registered with the Ministry of Labor, SIRLA certification, medical certificate, birth certificate, criminal record, CV and guarantor papers.MIREX visas page, Ley 875 de 1978 sobre Visados, NM1, private company, 2026-10-30 official text · verified 2026-10-30
7. A multinational files the employment contract or transfer letter from the parent company. For stays under a year on technical work it files a letter from the parent.MIREX visas page, Ley 875 de 1978 sobre Visados, NM1, multinational company, 2026-10-30 official text · verified 2026-10-30
8. A free zone company adds the certification of the Consejo Nacional de Zonas Francas under Ley 8-90.MIREX visas page, Ley 875 de 1978 sobre Visados, NM1, free zone regime, 2026-10-30 official text · verified 2026-10-30
9. NM1 holders must register with the DGM within 30 days of arrival. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee approval.MIREX visas page, Ley 875 de 1978 sobre Visados, Notices, 2026-10-30 official text · verified 2026-10-30
10. RT-3 needs a passport valid six months, NM1 visa, birth certificate, photos, no criminal record certificate for the last five years, registered contract, civil status proof, guarantee policy with Seguros Reservas and DGM medical exams.DGM service sheet, RT-3, Requirements, 2025-05-12 official text · verified 2026-10-30
11. The RT-3 costs a filing fee plus medical exams and, when due, stay and expired visa charges. The DGM quotes 90 calendar days.
Cost to do it: Filing RD$14,000 (US$229.88); adult exam RD$6,300 (US$103.45); child exam RD$4,200 (US$68.96); filing extension RD$7,000 (US$114.94).
Example: One adult: RD$14,000 + RD$6,300 = RD$20,300. / US$333.33 plus the US$200 visa, about US$533.33.DGM service sheet, RT-3, Cost and time, 2025-05-12 official text · verified 2026-10-30
12. A foreigner's contract is registered only if written in four originals, two filed with a visa copy, and the company has its staff roster on file.Resolución 25/2001, Second, 2001-06-06 official text · verified 2026-10-30
13. At least 80% of workers must be Dominican. Purely managerial foreigners and technical staff with no local replacement are outside the headcount.Ley 16-92, Código de Trabajo, art. 135 and art. 138, 1992-05-29 official text · verified 2026-10-30
14. A worker who changes activity or address must tell the DGM within 30 days.Ley 285-04, General de Migración, art. 73, 2004-08-15 official text · verified 2026-10-30
15. Liberal professions also need exequátur, revalidation or homologation.Decreto 631-11, Reglamento de la Ley General de Migración, art. 126, 2011-10-19 official text · verified 2026-10-30

Worked example

  • Hiring a Chilean engineer: Ministry certificates free, NM1 US$200 (RD$12,180.14), RT-3 filing RD$14,000 and exam RD$6,300, for about RD$32,480.14 (US$533.33) before the policy, translations and lawyer. Allow 15 working days, 10 to 20 working days and 90 calendar days, or about five months if run back to back.

Step by step

  1. Run the 80% test on the roster.
  2. Request the Ministry certificates through SIRLA.
  3. Worker files the NM1 at the consulate with the guarantor letter.
  4. Worker enters and goes to the DGM within 30 days.
  5. Register the contract and buy the guarantee policy.
  6. Pay and complete medical exams within three days of payment.
  7. File originals with the DGM and collect the card.
  8. Enroll the worker in TSS.

Common traps

  • An NM business visa for meetings is not the NM1. The RT-3 sheet requires the NM1.
  • The medical exam must happen within three days of payment or you pay again, and results take 10 days.
  • The RT-3 sheet says no cédula is issued, while the title of Resolución DGM-04-2022 orders cédulas for RT-2 to RT-9. Ask the DGM before planning a bank or tax step around it.
  • The policy premium is not published. Budget for it separately.
  • Hiring before the card is issued exposes the employer to the fines on the employer page.

Sources

Related pages

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

← Visiting the Dominican Republic: tourist card, 30 day stays and business visasForeign managers and technical staff: residence through the investment program →

Get rule changes weekly

Free. One email a week from The LatAm Thread.

One more step after you press the button: we take you to Substack, where your email is already filled in. Confirm there to start. No spam, unsubscribe anytime, we never share your address. By subscribing you agree to the privacy policy.