looking for canadian with experience moving to D.R. residency or lawyer and possibility of shipping possesions to dr

like most countries, applying for residency is not cheap and the application is layered. Here, first you apply for temporary residency which is good for one year. Two years ago I paid around $900 US, cheap.Then you can apply for permanent residency which is good for two years. Costs at this stage cost me about $1200 a year ago. There were a few hidden costs, like paying for a 2nd health exam and more fees to the system. In this message board at an earlier date one person wrote about delaying applications whereas the beauracrats get you by the scrotum. That is, apply early. And, I strongly suggest you do get a competent lawyer. I am completely satified with the lawyer who took care of the paper work. All I needed were copies of my passport and ID photos. That was it, he did all the rest. So simple. I had contacted other lawyers but the prices were ridiculously high. My lawyer met me at the bus station in Santo Domingo, and brought me to the Bureau of Migration, then on to another office where the final cedula was completed. Simple, fast, efficient, and I went ahead of the long lines of people waiting with their applications. As for moving possessions, sell it all, I left the material world up North, it is all relative. You'll need a lot less here. I arrived with two suitcases and my dog. I ain't neva' goin' back. Good luck ! The lawyers name and Jordi Blade , 809-350-0098 he will call you back from his Blackberry. or go to www.gotodr.net but there is a lot of extraneous info on his website. It is much simpler as I described. Also I suggest moving to some small town on the north coast. Cheaper, more rain, greener, and easy transportation.

thanks for the advise. plan on living there by July 2012 will be in puerto plata from dec. to Jan.{1 month}with two of my dobermans, let me know if you have time for lunch or a coffee, i have to return the favor! Planning on pearla marina or casa linda type location around sosua , cabarete, or puerto plata. (good real estate agent?)

depends if you are buying or just renting - there are some in the business directory, see link at top of page or here http://www.dominicancentral.com/businessdirectory/real-estate/

hope to buy, got a few calls in to some from the business directory but wanting to make sure i'm dealingt with reputable people

I brought my dog, a toy poodle from the US in 2009. It cost me more than double to bring him ONE WAY. Think again about bring your dogs as large your dobermans, unless you are going to leave them here. Maybe it would be easier to charter a jet ?

You only really need a lawyer the first time you apply for residency. The renewal of your residency what they call "PERMANENT" can be done directly going to immigration in Santo Domingo yourself and much cheaper.Then off to the Cedula centre to renew cedula.Please note that a sum of Pesos 500 will be added as penalty to each month that you were late to renew.(Iwas 4 month late therefore paid a 2000RDS penalty. PLease also note that you need a Dominican driving licence if you are in the DR more than 3 month. The insurances WILL NOT reimburse you if you have an accident or your car is stolen. Contact me for also an excelent Franco-dominican lawyer.

if you want an honest real estate person contact Doug Lord in Sosua at 809-860-2419 or email him at

douglas@caribbeanexclusives.com

ps I'm not douglas, he's a friend

http://caribbeanrealty.ca/ We have helped many people buy and settle in here in the DR, over half our clients are Canadian as that is where we are we from. Many great references from people who buy through us. We work with two of the best lawyers on the North Coast!

Angelo - did you get things sorted out? We have 100% satistied clients as we sell only property with good title and use only the best lawyers. CAll me to set up a meeting. Stay at our hotel - studio $400 a month - while you look around for the best deal. Just sold a house that was $319,000 for $180,000 in a secure good subdivision. http://caribbeanrealty.ca/
http://www.casablancacabarete.com/rooms/ 809-935-0809