Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
Visa rules, the E-Ticket system, passport requirements, customs forms, and what to expect at immigration. Step-by-step for a smooth arrival in the DR.
Getting into the Dominican Republic is straightforward — it's one of the easiest Caribbean nations to visit. But the E-Ticket system, tourist card rules, and immigration procedures can confuse first-timers. Here's exactly what you need, step by step.
The good news: most nationalities do NOT need a visa to visit the Dominican Republic for tourism stays of up to 30 days.
Citizens of these countries enter with just a valid passport and the E-Ticket:
Citizens of China, India, Cuba, Haiti, and certain other nations need a tourist visa from a Dominican consulate before travel. Processing takes 5-15 business days and costs approximately US$60-120 depending on nationality. Check with the Dominican consulate in your country for the current list and application process.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from the Dominican Republic. Airlines check this at check-in and will deny boarding if your passport is too close to expiration.
If your passport is close to expiration, renew it before booking. Expedited passport renewal in the U.S. takes 5-7 weeks; emergency service is available for imminent travel.
The Dominican Republic's E-Ticket (electronic ticket) replaced all paper immigration forms in 2020. It combines your immigration declaration, customs form, and health declaration into one digital submission.
Fill out the E-Ticket within 72 hours before your flight — not earlier, not at the airport. You'll need to complete it again for your departure.
Historically, visitors paid US$10 for a tarjeta de turista (tourist card) upon arrival. Since 2018, this fee has been included in your airline ticket price. You no longer pay separately at the airport — it's built into taxes and surcharges on your flight booking.
If you arrive by cruise ship, the tourist card fee is handled by your cruise line. If arriving overland from Haiti, you'll need to pay at the border checkpoint.
Here's the step-by-step arrival process at any major DR airport (PUJ, SDQ, POP, AZS):
Follow "Inmigración" or "Llegadas" (Arrivals) signs. The walk varies by airport — PUJ can be a 10-minute walk through corridors.
Join the "Non-Residents / Extranjeros" line. Have your passport and E-Ticket QR code ready. The officer will scan your QR code, stamp your passport, and ask 1-2 questions (purpose of visit, hotel name). The entire process takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes per person. Typical wait time: 10-40 minutes depending on how many flights land simultaneously.
Collect your luggage. Carts are free at most DR airports. If your bag is delayed, file a claim at your airline's desk in the baggage hall before leaving the area.
Walk through customs. Most passengers are waved through. Random checks happen — if your bag is flagged (red light on the system or random selection), your luggage will be X-rayed or opened. This is routine and nothing to worry about.
Welcome to the Dominican Republic. You'll immediately be greeted by taxi drivers, hotel shuttles, and SIM card vendors. Have your hotel transfer information ready to avoid confusion.
You may bring into the Dominican Republic:
Prohibited items: Illegal drugs (severe penalties), fresh fruits and vegetables (agricultural controls), unprocessed meat, certain plant species. Firearms require prior authorization from Dominican authorities.
If you want to stay longer than the initial 30-day tourist period:
Before leaving the Dominican Republic:
No. U.S. citizens can enter the Dominican Republic for up to 30 days with a valid passport and completed E-Ticket. No visa application is needed.
Go to eticket.migracion.gob.do within 72 hours of your flight. Fill in personal, flight, and accommodation details. Submit and save the QR code to your phone. The process takes 5-10 minutes and is completely free.
E-Tickets don't "expire" once generated, but they must be completed within 72 hours of your flight. If you arrive without one, airports have kiosks to complete the form on-site, but expect a wait. Wi-Fi is available in the arrival area for this purpose.
No. A U.S. passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda — but only by closed-loop cruise or land border. For flights to the DR, you need a full passport book.
This guide covers Punta Cana. Explore more about this destination.
View DestinationOur team includes contributors who live in the Dominican Republic year-round and travel the island extensively, from Santo Domingo to remote southwest villages.