VISITORS VISAS: Most foreign visitors must carry a valid passport and buy a Tourist card at the airport for $10.00 USD when they arrive.
Generally, most people are permitted to stay 60-90 days with a Tourist card or visa. All non-residents should purchase a round trip ticket to indicate that they intend to depart the country There is a $20.00 USD departure tax that must be paid prior to leaving. Some airlines include this tax in their ticket prices. It's wise to check with your airline.

For those who intend to stay longer than is allowed by their Tourist card or visa, residency status should be obtained through the Immigration Authority in the Capital City of Santo Domingo.

The first step is to obtain temporary residency that is valid for one year. At the end of that first year, a second procedure will convert that to permanent residency status which will be renewable every two years. The associated procedures are handled by lawyers in the country. Citizens of certain countries may need a visa. To confirm your individual situation, it is best to contact the Dominican Republic Embassy or Consulate in your country.

TIME ZONE: The entire country lies in the Atlantic Standard Time zone (AST) which is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC) minus 4 hours. The country does not follow any Daylight Savings time shift. Therefore in the spring and summer when the east coast of North America is on Daylight Savings Time (EDT), the time is the same. During the fall and winter when that area reverts back to Eastern Standard Time (EST), it is one hour later in the Dominican Republic than it is there.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: The main telephone service providers on the island are Codetel and Tricom which have offices found in most major towns, cities and tourist areas. Cellular phones in the Dominican Republic operate on 1900 MHZ, the same frequency as those in the U.S. The rest of the world including Europe operates on 1800 MHZ. Internet service is generally available throughout the more populated areas of the country. It is available in private residences, some hotels, and at internet cafes.

DRIVING AND TRANSPORT: You will probably want to rent a car during your stay; You will need your passport, and driver's license. As a permanent resident you would need a local driver's license which is easy to obtain. There are also local taxis and buses that can provide transportation should you desire not to drive.

EDUCATION: Moving with a young family would include some educational planning, and there are plenty of choices in the area. Schools in Sosua range from free public schools, to private institutions teaching a U.S. curriculum in English. Classes in private schools are normally taught in English but are bilingual and usually attended by children of many nationalities.