Dominican Republic Entry Requirements — 6 Things to Know (2026)

Planning a trip to the Dominican Republic? Here's a practical checklist of the key formalities you'll want to take care of before you go.

1. Passport

Before traveling to the Dominican Republic, make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned return date. This is a standard requirement and airlines may deny boarding if your passport doesn't meet this condition.

We also recommend making a copy of your passport to carry with you separately. In case of loss or theft, report it immediately to the nearest local police station and contact your country's nearest embassy or consulate. You'll typically need a police report as part of the process.

2. Visa & Entry Requirements

The Dominican Republic welcomes visitors from most countries — including the US, Canada, the UK, and all EU member states — without a visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days. Travelers from countries not listed above should check visa requirements specific to their nationality.

However, all travelers are required to complete a mandatory online registration before arrival and before departure — the so-called E-Ticket. This generates a unique code that you'll need to present to immigration officers both when entering and leaving the country.

We recommend completing your E-Ticket registration as soon as you book your flights — it takes just a few minutes and saves you time at the airport: Complete your E-Ticket here → eticket.migracion.gob.do

⚠️ Watch out for scam websites! There are fraudulent sites that look identical to the official one — or that offer E-Ticket registration for a fee. Do not use them. Always register exclusively through the official Dominican Republic Ministry of Interior website.

3. Travel Insurance

Before you go, we recommend taking out travel health insurance for the duration of your trip. And if you're planning to try any adrenaline water sports — think surfing, kitesurfing, or diving — make sure your policy covers adventure activities as well.

It's always better to be covered and not need it, than to need it and not have it!

4. Vaccinations

The Dominican Republic does not require any mandatory vaccinations for entry. That said, depending on your lifestyle and travel plans, certain vaccinations may be recommended. These commonly include:

• Hepatitis A & B

• Typhoid

• Tetanus

Always consult your doctor before your trip for personalized advice.

5. Currency & Money

The official currency of the Dominican Republic is the Dominican Peso (DOP / RD$). Here's what you need to know before you go:

Cash & Cards: We recommend bringing some cash in USD, CAD or EUR, as well as a payment card. Some shops and restaurants accept US dollars or euros, but you'll generally get better exchange rates when paying in pesos. Travel cards like Revolut or Wise are a great option — just keep your daily balance limited for security reasons (as card fraud and cloning do occur).

Exchanging Money:

• Exchange a small amount at the airport upon arrival — just enough for immediate needs

• Exchange the rest at a local exchange office (casa de cambio) or bank in the city for better rates

ATMs:

• Most international payment cards work fine in the Dominican Republic

• ATM withdrawals at Dominican banks (e.g., Banco Popular, Banreservas, Banco Santa Cruz) typically charge around 300 DOP (~$5 USD) per withdrawal

• Note that many local bank ATMs have introduced withdrawal limits for foreign cards per transaction — these can be relatively low, so it's worth planning ahead and not relying on withdrawing large sums at once

• For larger withdrawals, we recommend using a Scotiabank ATM (limit up to 50,000 DOP as of May 2025)

• Alternatively, you can withdraw cash directly at a bank branch (any bank). To do so, you’ll need to bring your passport, a second form of ID (e.g., driver’s license), and the payment card you wish to withdraw from. In-branch cash withdrawals come with a service fee based on the amount withdrawn, which will be charged to your account at a later date.

• Avoid withdrawing cash from ATMs after dark

6. Flights & Connections

Flights to the Dominican Republic typically involve one or more layovers.

Key things to check when booking:

• Layover in the US or Canada? If your connecting flight passes through the United States or Canada, you'll need to obtain the relevant travel authorization — ESTA for the US or eTA for Canada — even if you're just transiting. Apply in advance online, as these are required before boarding.

• Enough connection time? Make sure you have sufficient time between flights, especially at larger airports where terminals can be far apart.

• Same airport code? Always verify that your connecting flights use the same airport — some cities have multiple airports (e.g., London has Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted).

• Baggage allowance? If you purchased your tickets separately and are flying with different airlines, check each carrier’s baggage policy individually — weight limits can vary.

Ready to explore the Dominican Republic? Discover local experiences, tours, and transport at papayaguide.com.