john-schroder
American expat in Dominican Republic
Forum posts
37
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About me
American
Registration: 15 May 2023
drivers license in DR by terrywilson3010
Okay, I am receiving several different answers to a simple question, coming from Canada, what are the rules and regulations regarding driving here eg we were to;d to get an international license and then were informed that an international license ...
@terrywilson3010 You can ONLY obtain a Dominican Driving License if you are legal resident (which is to say you a resident's cedula card).Technically you are permitted to drive as a tourist on your Canadian License for 30 days but if you have your ... Read More
Transferring money via bank transfer by jhgoodwin
My bank, when setting up a recipient for a direct transfer is asking for the equivalent to the social security number of the receiving party.Is this the correct number to use for that?
@WillieWeb They must like you. I had an American client open an account a few years back, he sent a wire of US$3,000 and they treated him as if he was Pablo Escobar's right hand man Needless to say he closed the account after that and never went ... Read More
Residencia - 2020 - How to get it done. by planner
Its time for a new thread laying out how to apply for residencia! Our resident lawyer, Lishali, will assist us. Lets break it down into sections: 1. Who qualifies 2. First step in your home country. 3. What you need and how to apply for your ...
@Tippj The requirements are the same regardless of the residency type. You still need to provide a "good conduct" report and they will still do an Interpol check as well. With that said, it all depends upon exactly what the issue was. Just ... Read More
Dominican Currency by Mark and Al
What actual currency denominations should we carry while in Sosua/Cabarete? I hope to use our credit card as much as possible, but I'm assuming there will be a lot of places that only accept cash and apparently getting change back (at smaller ...
@WillieWeb Don't kid yourself. The taxi drivers do it in the city too In fact, some small businesses start the day with NO CHANGE in the cash register. I had that issue with a local dry cleaner in Santo Domingo. Always have small bills in cash. ... Read More
Dominican Credit Card by GuestPoster200723
Went to my bank (Scotiabank) today for probably the last time.Went in to apply for a DR credit card, for booking travel tickets and such with funds I have here.Wow, the rate on a Scotiabank Visa is 60% annual!!!And, they require a term certificate ...
@planner Banking is a service business, which is to say a "people" business. If you can find the right "people" to help you in the bank life is easier. But you are correct ALL banks in the Dominican Republic are locally licensed Dominican Banks ... Read More
Transferring money via bank transfer by jhgoodwin
My bank, when setting up a recipient for a direct transfer is asking for the equivalent to the social security number of the receiving party.Is this the correct number to use for that?
@Gylla NO. Who is asking? Bank of America or BanReservas?Also, you are better off using SWIFT and also learning about the IBAN code for your own account at BanReservas. Many of the on-line transfer apps ONLY work with SWIFT and by providing an IBAN ... Read More
Residencia - 2020 - How to get it done. by planner
Its time for a new thread laying out how to apply for residencia! Our resident lawyer, Lishali, will assist us. Lets break it down into sections: 1. Who qualifies 2. First step in your home country. 3. What you need and how to apply for your ...
@DRVisitor NYC is OK, Miami is pretty good. The people in Boston, New Orleans and Tyson's Corner (San Francisco) are, shall we say, not cognizant.Regardless, the first step is the application at the consulate for a "Residency Visa" which is only ... Read More
Residencia - 2020 - How to get it done. by planner
Its time for a new thread laying out how to apply for residencia! Our resident lawyer, Lishali, will assist us. Lets break it down into sections: 1. Who qualifies 2. First step in your home country. 3. What you need and how to apply for your ...
@Tippj When they pull a good conduct report it is a complete list going back as far as you might have any "incidents". Now, with that said, keep in mind they will accept a "good conduct" report from your local police dept. where you currently live, ... Read More
The Expat Lounge (the place to be on the DR Forum) by planner
I would like to introduce to you our new free expression thread: The Expat Lounge for the Dominican Republic forum.Here you can talk about everything and anything you want.Talk about your passion (sport, movies, arts, dancing, etc鈥�), what ...
Yeah, there a few people in the Dominican Republic that remain deluded or at least want to please the foreign "experts" at the WHO but from my own observation a large number are "awake". If you want to do a social observation test simply go down to ... Read More
The importance of local language in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hey everyone, As an expat, language questions often arise due to the need to communicate effectively in a new country. We鈥檙e curious to read your experiences with learning and using the local language in Dominican Republic. Here are some ...
@planner Oh, you mean a "walking dictionary" ? Read More
Dominican Credit Card by GuestPoster200723
Went to my bank (Scotiabank) today for probably the last time.Went in to apply for a DR credit card, for booking travel tickets and such with funds I have here.Wow, the rate on a Scotiabank Visa is 60% annual!!!And, they require a term certificate ...
@ynotbdiving Here is a secret. Scotia Bank is THE WORST bank for expats. You wouldn't think so, you would think it's a Canadian Bank, must be safe, etc.Of all the regular "Class A" licensed banks you might want to try Banco Santa Cruz. They are ... Read More
Dominican Credit Card by GuestPoster200723
Went to my bank (Scotiabank) today for probably the last time.Went in to apply for a DR credit card, for booking travel tickets and such with funds I have here.Wow, the rate on a Scotiabank Visa is 60% annual!!!And, they require a term certificate ...
@shaddaione Yes Sir. They don't like it when you escape the spider's web But, there are ways around everything, you just have to figure it out. But just so you know, Banco Popular is a Puerto Rican owned bank (enough said with that). BHD is 100% ... Read More
Prescript Meds Question: Ozempic? by ExpatRusher
Hey, everyone.聽Hope everybody is having good days/week/months/life!I'm a Type 2 Diabetic, previously only on Metformin, which I know is available in the DR.聽However, I've just been prescribed the add-on Ozempic drug.聽I did a search on ...
@Tripp789 $300 per month?? That's a lot of rice & beans Look around to see if you can get it less expensive under the generic name. Regards,John Read More
Prescript Meds Question: Ozempic? by ExpatRusher
Hey, everyone.聽Hope everybody is having good days/week/months/life!I'm a Type 2 Diabetic, previously only on Metformin, which I know is available in the DR.聽However, I've just been prescribed the add-on Ozempic drug.聽I did a search on ...
@ExpatRusher OK, life lessons about pharmacy products in the DR:In the past, from my own personal experience, it has usually been the case that if Pharmacy Carol didn't have it, no one else did. Things have changed over the last 20 years (for the ... Read More
New construction by andrieawashington
Hi there, I鈥檓 hoping to get some information here. Has anyone heard of Macao Hills (Alta Gracia), Bavaro, Punta Cana? Strongly considering buying/building in this area. Looking to purchase as an investment, Avalon is the builder. Has anyone in ...
@crabelramble Yeah, been there, done that On the water pressure tank issue when I was building on the farm about 20 years ago I was planning on buying a Champion metal tank (these days they are all fiberglass) with a rubber bladder at Americana ... Read More
New construction by andrieawashington
Hi there, I鈥檓 hoping to get some information here. Has anyone heard of Macao Hills (Alta Gracia), Bavaro, Punta Cana? Strongly considering buying/building in this area. Looking to purchase as an investment, Avalon is the builder. Has anyone in ...
@t4ti There are few good electricians around you just have to find them. What I have done in the past is I have gone to a new commercial building going up and asked who was doing the electrical work and found a few guys that way. Any commercial ... Read More
New construction by andrieawashington
Hi there, I鈥檓 hoping to get some information here. Has anyone heard of Macao Hills (Alta Gracia), Bavaro, Punta Cana? Strongly considering buying/building in this area. Looking to purchase as an investment, Avalon is the builder. Has anyone in ...
@crabelramble Dominicans think they are saving money by going cheap (and often cheap is dangerous). And of course always know builders are going to use the cheapest materials they can get their hands on, and that includes floor tiles, bathroom ... Read More
Health Insurance over 65 by planner
I now have all the information for those looking for Medical insurance over age 65. Anyone can subscribe to this program, not just over 65. It is a good plan with Air Ambulance inside the country, ground ambulance, DENTAL, basic eye coverage ...
What no one has mentioned so far is that some Doctors & Clinics (private hospitals) will not accept ALL health insurance plans. So, my standard advice to clients has always been to work backwards. In other words, find a Doctor & private ... Read More
New construction by andrieawashington
Hi there, I鈥檓 hoping to get some information here. Has anyone heard of Macao Hills (Alta Gracia), Bavaro, Punta Cana? Strongly considering buying/building in this area. Looking to purchase as an investment, Avalon is the builder. Has anyone in ...
@RockyM Yeah, electricity a whole other thread. Watch out for circuit loads and breakers. Dominicans think they are saving money and "not necessary" to have certain loads on their own wiring with their own breakers. Not uncommon to see then ... Read More
Residencia - 2020 - How to get it done. by planner
Its time for a new thread laying out how to apply for residencia! Our resident lawyer, Lishali, will assist us. Lets break it down into sections: 1. Who qualifies 2. First step in your home country. 3. What you need and how to apply for your ...
@Tippj If you have an arrest record from 15 years ago they will find it. They search by name and SS# and will pull up your entire history. I have had some clients that were arrested 10 or 15 years ago for drunk driving but never had anything ... Read More
New construction by andrieawashington
Hi there, I鈥檓 hoping to get some information here. Has anyone heard of Macao Hills (Alta Gracia), Bavaro, Punta Cana? Strongly considering buying/building in this area. Looking to purchase as an investment, Avalon is the builder. Has anyone in ...
Watch the PVC pipe. Schedule 40 is the thinner pipe used for electricity wiring and schedule 80 is the thicker walled pipe used for water. However, schedule 80 is more expensive than schedule 40. The problem is many builders will use schedule 40 ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
Obtaining residency BEFORE applying for naturalized citizenship is not the issue. This is required for everyone. Rather the issue is the time line one must wait before being eligible to APPLY for naturalized citizenship.Regards,John Read More
Residencia - 2020 - How to get it done. by planner
Its time for a new thread laying out how to apply for residencia! Our resident lawyer, Lishali, will assist us. Lets break it down into sections: 1. Who qualifies 2. First step in your home country. 3. What you need and how to apply for your ...
@t4ti One of the required documents is a police good conduct report. Obviously if you have a criminal record of any kind that will call attention but it depends upon the actual offense. IF you were caught drunk driving 10 years ago (without any ... Read More
Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner
We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...
@lmclmf2009 The previous government (Danilo, PLD) was very much attentive to immigration matters and they DID put foreign visitors that over stayed into a database, and some were refused entry that constantly violated the terms of the tourist visa. ... Read More
urologist in santo domingo by fellowsjack787
Hi, what is a good private hospital in santo domingo? i need to find a urologist.
In Santo Domingo (and if you are trying to find someone that speaks English), you can consider Abel Gonzales on Ave. Lincoln (first private hospital in the country to do open heart surgery) which is in the Naco, Piantini area. In Gascue you can ... Read More
MAIL DELIVERY by kschw9883
How do you get mail if you live in the dominican republic?
If you are asking about mail from outside the country or buying things on Amazon there are a number of mail services in the country. There are at least 4 or 5 I know of in Santo Domingo. They all will give you an address in either Miami or New York ... Read More
Just arrived in the DR from the US by expat975320
Hi all just joined!Retired and moved to the DR about a month ago. Hopefully be settled around the south west coast next week. Been staying at a friend's place in Santo Domingo way to noisy and crazy for me. Just started receiving my social security ...
@windeguy That depends upon where you are living. I can assure you if you get into an accident with a local and have to go to court you will not have any points in your favor if they find out you have been living in the country for say 12 months ... Read More
Your first days in your home in Dominican Republic by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Do you remember the first time you set foot in Dominican Republic? One of your main concerns must have been the settling down process in your new home. Share your experience and tell us what it was like to find your new home in ...
@ddmcghee Well, the problem is they are worried you are going to run up a large phone bill, take off & leave the country without paying it IF you are a tourist. That is why the only phone option is going to be pre-paid. Once you become a legal ... Read More
Just arrived in the DR from the US by expat975320
Hi all just joined!Retired and moved to the DR about a month ago. Hopefully be settled around the south west coast next week. Been staying at a friend's place in Santo Domingo way to noisy and crazy for me. Just started receiving my social security ...
@Tippj Yeah, Welcome to the land of the a thousand different answers You can talk to 10 different people here and you will get 10 different answers. One of them might be correct, but you just don't know which one. But in terms of banking and ... Read More
Just arrived in the DR from the US by expat975320
Hi all just joined!Retired and moved to the DR about a month ago. Hopefully be settled around the south west coast next week. Been staying at a friend's place in Santo Domingo way to noisy and crazy for me. Just started receiving my social security ...
@planner Yes Mom. Sorry. Won't happen again. Do you still love me? Read More
Just arrived in the DR from the US by expat975320
Hi all just joined!Retired and moved to the DR about a month ago. Hopefully be settled around the south west coast next week. Been staying at a friend's place in Santo Domingo way to noisy and crazy for me. Just started receiving my social security ...
@windeguy Yes, you can drive on your foreign license as a "tourist" for 30 days and probably up to 90 days if you get your visa extension, again as a "tourist". I know a few foreigners living in the country for a while that pretend they don't speak ... Read More
Just arrived in the DR from the US by expat975320
Hi all just joined!Retired and moved to the DR about a month ago. Hopefully be settled around the south west coast next week. Been staying at a friend's place in Santo Domingo way to noisy and crazy for me. Just started receiving my social security ...
@walter1107b Yeah, for some reason Sosua and Puerto Plata seems to be "in vogue" at the moment especially among "passport bros" if you follow what's trending on You tube. Personally, I am not a fan of living in a tourist area though. Real Estate is ... Read More
How to locate person in the Dominican Republic? by flip3
Hi,I have the name of a person located in the Dominican Republic whom I need to contact but I do not have any contact details.Does anyone know how to locate a person with the name only?Thank you,Philip
@flip3 If it's a local citizen or legal resident (meaning they have a cedula) then you can hire a private detective maybe to find them. Of course just because they have a legal address listed doesn't mean they are living there. But, no, there is no ... Read More
Venezuelan citizen in Caracas getting tourist visa by scottie2hottie
Hello, does anyone know the process for a Venezuelan citizen living in Caracas to get a tourist visa to travel to Dominican Republic? They have a passport and traveled to colombia and Mexico and returned to Venezuela if that helps鈥�..I just ...
@scottie2hottie She has to go to the Dominican Consulate in Venezuela and apply. Now, here's the problem. The DR has been flooded with people from Venezuela (mostly women), many have stayed illegally. That is why there is a tourist visa ... Read More
Just arrived in the DR from the US by expat975320
Hi all just joined!Retired and moved to the DR about a month ago. Hopefully be settled around the south west coast next week. Been staying at a friend's place in Santo Domingo way to noisy and crazy for me. Just started receiving my social security ...
@Tippj They care alright. They were inundated with unemployed Spaniards a few years back which is when they started to once again utilizing the "residency visa" from the consulate in the home country (they told them all to go back home, apply for ... Read More
Just arrived in the DR from the US by expat975320
Hi all just joined!Retired and moved to the DR about a month ago. Hopefully be settled around the south west coast next week. Been staying at a friend's place in Santo Domingo way to noisy and crazy for me. Just started receiving my social security ...
@windeguy I have been a dual citizen for over 20 years and our firm helps clients with the residency process, naturalized, citizenship, banking, etc.聽**** But the other comments is in fact correct, the first step in the residency process ... Read More
Just arrived in the DR from the US by expat975320
Hi all just joined!Retired and moved to the DR about a month ago. Hopefully be settled around the south west coast next week. Been staying at a friend's place in Santo Domingo way to noisy and crazy for me. Just started receiving my social security ...
@expat975320 I am not getting SS myself but from what I have heard from other clients, the easiest thing to do seems to be a US bank account for direct deposit with a debit card (or have the funds deposited to a US bank checking account maybe also ... Read More