Do I need to complete the Dominican Republic E-Ticket?

Yes. The E-Ticket (Electronic Entry/Exit Form) is mandatory for every international traveller and returning national, with a separate form for arrival and for departure. File it free at eticket.migracion.gob.do before you travel and have your QR code ready.

Is the Dominican Republic E-Ticket free?

Yes. The official form on eticket.migracion.gob.do costs nothing. Sites that charge a fee are private intermediaries, not the government.

What's the difference between the E-Ticket and the tourist card?

The E-Ticket is the digital immigration and customs form, while the tourist card is a separate entry fee normally included in airfare for air arrivals (about US$10). The E-Ticket does not replace the tourist card.

How long can I stay in the Dominican Republic without a visa?

Most tourists get up to 30 days, extendable via the Dirección General de Migración in Santo Domingo. Stay longer without extending and you'll pay an overstay fee on departure.

Do I need a passport to visit Punta Cana?

Yes, and for flights you need a full passport book. A temporary measure through 31 December 2026 lets tourists from the US, Canada, UK, EU and several Latin American countries enter on a passport valid for the duration of stay; otherwise six months' validity is the standard. Verify current rules.

What is the duty-free allowance for the Dominican Republic?

Per adult: up to 3 litres of alcohol and 20 packs of cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco, plus personal effects and gifts up to about US$500. Declare cash of US$10,000 or more. Confirm with Dominican Customs.

Which airport will I arrive at?

Most visitors use Punta Cana (PUJ) or Santo Domingo (SDQ); others use Santiago (STI), Puerto Plata (POP), La Romana (LRM) or Samaná El Catey (AZS). All use the E-Ticket system.

Do I need a power adapter for the Dominican Republic?

The Dominican Republic uses US-style 110–120V electricity with Type A and B plugs. US travellers usually don't need an adapter; UK and EU travellers do.

How long before travel should I complete the E-Ticket?

You can file the E-Ticket at eticket.migracion.gob.do any time before you fly, and many travellers do it within 72 hours of departure once their plans are final. Don't leave it to the airport: Wi-Fi can be slow and some steps need an SMS code. Complete it at least the day before, and remember you need a separate E-Ticket for arrival and for departure.

Can I complete the Dominican Republic E-Ticket at the airport on arrival?

It is strongly discouraged. The E-Ticket is designed to be completed online before you travel, and airline staff may ask for your QR code at check-in. While kiosks or staff sometimes help at the airport, slow connections and queues make it risky. Fill it in beforehand and save the QR code offline.

Do cruise passengers need the Dominican Republic E-Ticket?

Generally the E-Ticket requirement is enforced for air travellers. Cruise lines usually handle entry formalities for passengers calling at Dominican ports such as Amber Cove or La Romana, so follow your cruise line's instructions. If you are flying in to join or leave a cruise, you need the E-Ticket for those flights.

Do children and infants need their own E-Ticket?

Yes. Every traveller needs to be included on an E-Ticket, including babies and children. A family travelling together can be grouped on a single E-Ticket application (up to the allowed number of people per form), but each person's passport details must be entered. Check the current group limit on the official portal.

What happens if I lose my E-Ticket QR code?

You can return to eticket.migracion.gob.do and retrieve or re-generate your submission using your reference, or simply complete a new one — the form is free. Keep a screenshot and a printed copy as backups, because airport connectivity is unreliable and you may be asked for the QR code at check-in and on arrival.

How much is the Dominican Republic tourist card, and is it separate from the E-Ticket?

The tourist card is a separate entry fee of about US$10, normally bundled into your airfare for air arrivals, so most flyers never pay it directly. It is not the same as the E-Ticket, which is the free digital immigration and customs form. The E-Ticket does not replace the tourist card, and the tourist card does not replace the E-Ticket.

What is the overstay fee if I stay longer than 30 days?

Most tourists are admitted for up to 30 days. If you stay longer without extending through the Dirección General de Migración, you pay a graduated overstay fee on departure that increases with the length of the overstay. It is usually paid at the airport when you leave; confirm the current scale with Dominican immigration.

Dominican Republic · La Hispaniola

Dominican Republic E-Ticket, Customs & Entry Requirements

Before the first cold Presidente, before the rice and beans, before that wall of wet Caribbean heat hits you on the jet bridge, there is a form. The Dominican Republic's is the E-Ticket, and the good news is it's free, digital and takes about ten minutes. Fill it out at the official portal, eticket.migracion.gob.do, save the QR code to your phone, and walk through customs like you've done this before. This guide covers the E-Ticket, passports, visas, the tourist card, duty-free allowances, and how to get out of Punta Cana (PUJ) or Santo Domingo (SDQ) and into the part of the trip that actually matters.

Planning your Dominican Republic trip?

Lock in your airport transfer early — book a verified private driver, or request a tailored travel quote.

Book a Driver Request a Quote

Capital: Santo Domingo
Main airports: Punta Cana (PUJ) & SDQ
Currency: RD$ / DOP (floating)
Language: Spanish
Time zone: AST (UTC−4)
Best time: Dec to Apr
Power: 110–120V · Type A & B
Entry form: E-Ticket (free, mandatory)

A note on accuracy. Entry, visa and customs rules change without notice. Every figure here was checked against the Dirección General de Migración and official government sources, but always confirm current requirements through the official links before you travel.

How to complete the Dominican Republic E-Ticket

The E-Ticket is mandatory for every traveller, foreign visitors and Dominicans coming home alike. You fill out a separate form for arrival and for departure. It lives at eticket.migracion.gob.do, where immigration, customs and the public-health questions are bundled into one submission that produces a QR code. The E-Ticket is not a visa, and it does not replace the tourist card.

Open the official portalGo to eticket.migracion.gob.do on any phone, tablet or computer. Select English in the top-right language menu and choose “New E-Ticket.” Have your passport, flight details and accommodation address ready.
Enter your arrival details & declarationAdd personal and passport information exactly as printed, your flight number and airline, where you are staying, and answer the customs and health questions. One submission per person.
Submit & save your QR codeSave the QR code to your phone and keep a printed or screenshot backup — airport Wi-Fi can be slow and sometimes requires an SMS code you can't yet receive. Complete a second E-Ticket before your departure flight.

The most common airport snag is arriving without the E-Ticket QR code. Fill out the form before you fly, or land with a working eSIM.

Is the E-Ticket free? Watch for third-party fees

Yes, the official E-Ticket is free. It's a government form on the state portal eticket.migracion.gob.do (look for the .gob.do domain and the Dominican seal). There is a cottage industry of third-party "assisted service" sites, some with very official-sounding names, that will fill in the same free form for you and charge for the privilege. That's optional — it's your money.

If a site charges you to file the E-Ticket itself, you're paying a middleman, not the government. The tourist card is a separate thing and is normally already baked into your airfare — see "Money matters" below.

The Dominican Republic E-Ticket official website

The official website is eticket.migracion.gob.do, operated by the Dirección General de Migración (the country's General Directorate of Migration). It is the only official site to complete the E-Ticket, and it is free to use. Look for the .gob.do domain and the Dominican government seal before entering any personal or passport details.

To reach it, go directly to eticket.migracion.gob.do, select English in the top-right language menu, and choose "New E-Ticket." Avoid third-party or look-alike sites that charge a fee for the same free government form.

Entry requirements

Have these ready before you reach immigration at any Dominican airport:

A valid passport bookRequired for all visitors arriving by air. Passport cards are not accepted for international flights. A temporary measure through 31 December 2026 lets tourists from the US, Canada, UK, EU and several Latin American countries enter on a passport valid for the duration of stay; otherwise six months' validity beyond your dates is standard. Verify current rules with a Dominican consulate.
E-Ticket QR codeYour arrival E-Ticket confirmation from eticket.migracion.gob.do, ready on your phone or in print. This is the most common cause of delays at the airport.
Tourist cardNormally included in your airfare for air arrivals — check your ticket. If arriving by land or sea, pay around US$10 / €10 at the border or port.
Return or onward travel & accommodationOfficers may ask for proof of your return flight and where you are staying. Have the hotel address or booking confirmation ready.

Do I need a visa? Visa requirements by nationality

Most short-stay tourists don't need a visa and are admitted for up to 30 days, which can be extended. Permitted length is ultimately the immigration officer's call — confirm your own nationality's status with a Dominican embassy or consulate before you travel.

Country / region	Visa status	Typical stay
USA & Canada	Visa free (tourist card)	Up to 30 days, extendable
United Kingdom	Visa free (tourist card)	Up to 30 days, extendable
EU / Schengen	Visa free (tourist card)	Up to 30 days, extendable
Most Latin American countries	Visa free (tourist card)	Up to 30 days, extendable
Holders of valid US / Canada / UK / Schengen visa or residency	Generally admitted	Up to 30 days, extendable
Other nationalities	May require a visa	Apply or confirm in advance

Stay longer without extending and you'll pay an overstay fee on departure (reported from ~US$26; confirm officially). Extension applications are handled by the Dirección General de Migración in Santo Domingo.

Duty-free allowances for the Dominican Republic

These apply per traveller aged 18 and over, for personal, non-commercial goods. Go over the line, or bring anything commercial, and it's dutiable. When in doubt, declare. Confirm current limits with the Dirección General de Aduanas (aduanas.gob.do) before relying on them.

Category	Allowance
Alcohol	Up to 3 litres
Tobacco	20 packs of cigarettes OR 25 cigars OR 200g of tobacco (one option; some sources cite up to 35 cigars — verify)
Electronics	One camera, one laptop, one phone treated as personal baggage
Gifts & other goods	New goods & gifts up to about US$500 in value; excess is dutiable
Cash & currency	Declare US$10,000+ (or equivalent) on entry or exit

Go over and you may owe Dominican import tax, ITBIS (18%) plus, on luxury items, a selective-consumption tax. Allowances are per adult and don't pool between travellers. Confirm tax rates and the US$500 threshold with Customs before relying on them for 2026.

Prohibited & restricted items

Violations mean seizure, fines or worse. When in doubt, declare.

Must be declaredCash of US$10,000 or more, commercial merchandise, and large quantities of anything. Carry prescription medications in original packaging with the prescription — psychotropics especially.
Permit / inspection requiredFirearms and ammunition (import licence required), pets (full vaccination record plus a recent vet health certificate), and plants, seeds and some agricultural products.
ProhibitedIllegal narcotics and narcotic-containing medications, fresh meat and many animal or agricultural products, counterfeit and pirated goods, and protected cultural artefacts (including anything pulled from the sea). Some orchids and protected species cannot be exported. Keep vapes in carry-on and confirm current rules.

At the airport — arrival

Most people land at Punta Cana (PUJ) in the east or Las Américas (SDQ) outside Santo Domingo; the rest come through Santiago (STI), Puerto Plata (POP), La Romana (LRM) or Samaná El Catey (AZS). They all run the E-Ticket system. Passport and QR code in hand:

1 · ImmigrationPresent your passport and E-Ticket QR code. Officers may scan it straight off your phone and ask how long you're staying and where.
2 · Baggage claimGrab your checked bags before proceeding to customs.
3 · CustomsDeclare anything restricted; expect possible screening. Luggage may go through an X-ray machine.
4 · Arrivals hallTransfers, authorised taxis, rental desks and tour operators are waiting on the other side. Heads up: the most common airport snag is arriving without the E-Ticket QR code. Fill out the form before you fly, or land with a working eSIM.

Skip the arrivals-hall scramble

Land, walk out, and find your name on a sign. Book a verified English-speaking driver to your hotel or resort before you fly.

Book a Private Driver Request a Quote

Money matters

The Dominican Peso (RD$ / DOP) is the local currency, and unlike some of its Caribbean neighbours it floats — no fixed peg. It's hovered around RD$60 to US$1 recently, but check the current rate. Dollars work in tourist areas; you'll often do better paying in pesos or by card.

Feature	Details
Exchange rate	Floating; approximately RD$60 ≈ US$1 (verify the current rate)
Tourist card	Normally included in your airfare (~US$10) for air arrivals; by land/sea, pay ~US$10 / €10 at entry
US dollars	Widely accepted at resorts; cards at most hotels and larger restaurants
Tipping	A service charge is often added; ~10% extra for good service is customary
Departure tax	Generally included in airfare for air passengers
Overstay fee	Sliding-scale fee paid on departure if you stay past your authorised period (reported from ~US$26; confirm officially)
Currency declaration	Declare cash or negotiable instruments at or above US$10,000
Electricity	110–120V; Type A & B plugs (UK and EU travellers need a plug adapter)
Driving	On the right; most tourists use their home licence for short stays, though some rental companies recommend an International Driving Permit

Health, water & food

The Dominican Republic is easy on most travellers, but a little sense goes a long way.

Before you goCheck current advice with your doctor and an official health authority (CDC or your national equivalent). Dengue turns up in the Caribbean, so pack repellent. Vaccination recommendations vary by traveller and itinerary — confirm what applies to you. Travel insurance with medical-evacuation cover is strongly recommended.
Water & foodStick to bottled water — tap water is not reliably safe to drink outside resorts. Resort buffet food is generally safe; outside resorts, favour busy spots with high turnover. Dominican cooking — sancocho, la bandera, fresh seafood — is a highlight.
SunIt's stronger than your ego. Hydrate, find shade and wear sunscreen, especially the first few days.

Best time to visit the Dominican Republic

Warm year-round, roughly 25°C to 31°C (77°F to 88°F). What changes is rain, crowds and price.

Season	Months	What to expect
Peak / dry season	Dec to Apr	Sunniest, calmest seas, busiest and priciest — book early
Shoulder season	May to Jun	Good value, warm temperatures, occasional brief showers
Rainy / hurricane season	Jun to Nov	Lowest prices, lush scenery; rain often comes in short bursts; direct storm hits are possible — check forecasts

Humpback whale season in Samaná runs roughly January to March — one of the best whale-watching experiences in the Caribbean. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June to November; consider travel insurance.

Top things to do in the Dominican Republic

White-sand beaches, the oldest European-founded city in the Americas, a protected island of shallow pools, whale-filled bays and limestone waterfalls you climb and slide through. The DR is far bigger than its lobby bar.

Aerial view of white-sand beach and turquoise Caribbean water at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana & Bávaro beaches

The resort engine room: miles of white sand and turquoise water, all-inclusives stacked along the coast. It's the postcard, and the postcard is real — just don't let the wristband become the whole trip.

Cobblestone street and colonial-era stone buildings of the UNESCO World Heritage Colonial Zone, Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone

A UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the Americas: the first cathedral, the Alcázar de Colón, five centuries underfoot on Calle Las Damas. Go at dusk, when the stone goes gold.

Saona Island

A protected island off the southeast in Cotubanamá National Park — catamarans, shallow natural pools and palms doing exactly what palms are supposed to do. Touristy? Sure. Worth it anyway.

Samaná Peninsula

The green, less-trodden northeast: El Limón waterfall, the mangroves of Los Haitises, and humpback whales rolling through the bay roughly January to March — the DR that doesn't come with a buffet.

27 Waterfalls of Damajagua

Near Puerto Plata, climb, jump and slide through a chain of limestone pools with a guide. Wet, slightly terrifying, completely worth it.

Victorian gingerbread architecture and lush hills of Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic's north coast

Puerto Plata & the north coast

Victorian gingerbread houses, the cable car up Pico Isabel de Torres, amber museums, and the wind-and-kite circus at nearby Cabarete.

A sample day in the Dominican Republic

A Santo Domingo day that mixes five centuries of history with beach time and the city's best food.

8:00 am
Breakfast like a localMangú with the works and coffee strong enough to file a complaint.
9:30 am
Colonial ZoneWalk Calle Las Damas, the Cathedral and the Alcázar de Colón before the heat sets in.
11:30 am
A fort or a museumFortaleza Ozama, or the Museo de las Casas Reales.
1:00 pm
Lunch on the MalecónFresh fish, sea breeze, no rush.
3:00 pm
BeachFind sand and stay there.
6:30 pm
Sunset, then dinnerLa bandera or grilled fish, a glass of local rum, and the feeling of having earned the day.

Based at Punta Cana instead? Swap in a Saona Island catamaran day trip, snorkelling Bávaro reef and a beachfront sunset — the geometry of the day stays the same.

Where to stay — best regions in the Dominican Republic

The DR is geographically varied — choosing the right base shapes your whole trip. Here is how the most popular visitor areas compare:

East coast

Punta Cana / Bávaro

The all-inclusive capital of the Caribbean — everything on one wristband, the airport 20 minutes away, world-class beaches at the door. Best for: First-timers, families and resort holidays.

South coast / capital

Santo Domingo

The country's capital and cultural heart — history, dining, nightlife and the UNESCO Colonial Zone, an hour from Boca Chica beach. Best for: Culture, history, city travellers and business.

North coast

Puerto Plata / Sosúa / Cabarete

The windswept north: kitesurfing mecca, gingerbread architecture, amber-museum history and a lively expat social scene. Best for: Watersports, budget travellers and independent visitors.

Northeast