Hello I'm Cuban and I'm interested in studying medicine at UNIBE (Universidad Iberoamericana) in the Dominican Republic. I do not know what to do, tell me if I should apply for a student visa valid for a year, or if I should apply for a Dominican residence because I am contemplating the idea of living in the Dominican Republic for a few years. What I do not want is this process to last a long time, since my studies will begin in November. I need your assistance on this matter.

Of course you can apply for a student visa, but it won’t be a practical decision since you want to stay in the Dominican Republic. It is better if you apply for a Dominican Residence. There are two types of residences, the provisional and the permanent residence. First you must apply for a provisional residence which is valid for one year and then after this year you can apply for a permanent residence which is valid for two years.

As a requirement to apply for a provisional residence you need a guarantor who must be Dominican or a foreigner with permanent residence in the country, and also should have and demonstrate financial solvency. You should enter the country at least twice during this process, first for the medical exams done at the General Migration Department and second to obtain your residence card and identity card (ID). To learn more about the necessary documentation click on our service "Provisional Residence”.

Turnaround time to obtain the provisional residence will depend on how quickly you send the documentation and we proceed with the legalization. Once the residence application has been file at the General Migration Department, it is usually promised within three to four months, but in reality because of certain changes in the management of the Migration Department they are lasting around six and seven months. If you start your expertise and still you don’t have your residence card, we may request a certification to the General Migration Department which will establish that you applied for a provisional residence and that the same is in process. This certification is valid for any purpose including travel, since it will sign and stamp by the Director of the Foreign Department at the General Migration Department.