UncleBuck
Canadian expat in Dominican Republic
Forum posts
545
About me
Canadian
Lives in Sosua/Caberete
Speaks English and very poor Spanish.
Registration: 06 June 2017
Activity
Residency Renewal 2025 by UncleBuck
I have successfully completed the online renewal application for Temporary Residency. My Residency and Cédula both expire mid-November this year. The date being offered to pick up my card is end of January 2026.I know they are changing the ...
@jwronascThe lawyer I used no longer does residency, from what I am hearing. I know there is one who is heavily recommended here, but she may be over-burdened and not replying as quickly as she needs to be.I don't have any specific recommendations, ... Read More
Residency Renewal 2025 by UncleBuck
I have successfully completed the online renewal application for Temporary Residency. My Residency and Cédula both expire mid-November this year. The date being offered to pick up my card is end of January 2026.I know they are changing the ...
@jwronasc I strongly recommend a lawyer for the initial application for Residency. Well worth the money. Read More
Registering a vehicle in DR without residency. by Gcjackson2277
Hi folks, Hope everyone is well. I am in the process of building a villa in Sousa area. I visit a lot and would like to ship a car vs renting when I travel. Is it possible to register and insured a car without residency?
@frank marcus You will have no issues buying, registering or insuring a vehicle here with only a passport. If you are buying from a dealership, they will take care of all the paperwork. If you are buying privately, a Notary Public can handle the ... Read More
Residency Renewal 2025 by UncleBuck
I have successfully completed the online renewal application for Temporary Residency. My Residency and Cédula both expire mid-November this year. The date being offered to pick up my card is end of January 2026.I know they are changing the ...
UPDATEI had declined the January appointment and said I needed an appointment in November at the very least. When I checked today, I was offered an appointment for the end of October.Yes please!But I still wonder why the initial January date for an ... Read More
Residency Renewal 2025 by UncleBuck
I have successfully completed the online renewal application for Temporary Residency. My Residency and Cédula both expire mid-November this year. The date being offered to pick up my card is end of January 2026.I know they are changing the ...
@ExpatRusher Renewing by yourself online is a pretty simple ordeal. No need for a lawyer at all. Read More
Residency Renewal 2025
I have successfully completed the online renewal application for Temporary Residency. My Residency and Cédula both expire mid-November this year. The date being offered to pick up my card is end of January 2026.I know they are changing the ... Read More
Residency - updates and changes 2024 by planner
We are seeing changes in processes here and it's time for a new thread with updates.LIshali had agreed to update us here on those changes and to clarify a number of issues as we go along!First let's talk the basics: how you start and which type you ...
@gmmfYou can do it online with your passport number. Be aware, you need to create an account, click on the Good Conduct report, add you credit or debit card on a different screen, confirm the code they send to your bank account, pay for the report, ... Read More
Best ant killer available in the DR? by wondering9
I'm suddenly getting a lot of ants, despite being pretty religious about not leaving food out & washing up right after eating. My landlady says they do this every fall and recommends something called Baygon. I looked it up and it looks pretty ...
"Baygon" is the "Kleenex" of bug sprays here. It's just what they call any type of bug spray. It works very well, but I find the smell overpowering. I've found the water-based Raid works very well without the perfume, and there is an unscented ... Read More
Construction costs - Campo of Puerto Plata by yc24
Hi all! I'm curious to know how much it would cost to build a home in a campo in Puerto Plata. It's very rural. The land has already been attained. I appreciate your input.Thanks.
The problem is, there are too many variables for us to factor in to give you an answer. Are you building a tin shack? A bare concrete structure? A foam panel home? A poured concrete and foam structure? A traditional ... Read More
Challenges to hearing/speaking local Spanish by wondering9
I have been thinking about this ever since I got here -- how successfully getting around in Spanish is not just a question of ......vocabulary (including country-specific terms that even native speakers have trouble with)...grammar...rapid ...
Agreed, the hardest part of living here is not knowing what you don't know. And then try to solve it with garbage Spanish, while you're flustered and haven't practiced the words beforehand, and as you said, trying to interpret a completely ... Read More
restaurant Spanish by wondering9
I had a nice restaurant meal yesterday and while I was trying to pay the waitress kept saying "fiscal?" Once I took out my credit card and she saw it, everything went smoothly, but I'm still curious what "fiscal" means in that particular context. ...
"Fiscal", usually "Factura Fiscal" (Tax Invoice), also "Comprobante" (Tax Voucher) are what are referred to as receipts you would use for your Dominican business. You would need to give them your RNC number, the registration number of your ... Read More
Starting New Business in DR by gainkeeper
How user friendly is DR to foreigners starting a new business? You've seen people selling products at busy intersections. I'd like to start a business selling vape products at stop lights. People selling the products for me could earn a good income. ...
That business model seems like the fastest way to get your product and money stolen from the "employees". Honestly, opening up a beach bar has more chance for success! Nothing about your idea is legal. Most of these vendors are independents, ... Read More
USD CONVERSION TO RD Pesos by motorcitysssnake
My bank sucks for conversion of USD to DO Pesos. Where in LT can I convert usd to pesos and get a favorable rate without waiting for an extended time?
I use this website. It lists all of the banks, but not Santa Cruz for some reason. I believe Caribe Express or Western Union may offer better rates, but it would depend on how much you're converting and how far away they are to make it ... Read More
Tap water do's and don't's by wondering9
Another newbie question! this about what to do while Airbnb-ing (not, eg, about installing a home system).Just how hard-core do you have to be about tap water safety?Does it differ in different parts of the country?Is it safe if boiled? (Can you use ...
And I am a bit different, again. I preface this with saying in the 2 homes I've owned, I've had a whole home purification system installed and always recommend them. But, in the rentals I've lived in and in hotels, I do brush my teeth and rinse ... Read More
Can you deposit a US check into a Dominican bank account? by wondering9
I'm hoping it won't come to this, but I might end up receiving a paper check at the last minute before I leave the US. Is a Dominican bank likely to accept it as a deposit?I imagine there would be a long hold on the funds, which would be OK in this ...
Just to add my experiences, yes, I've deposited a US$ check into my dollar account here from one of my customers. It cleared his account in the States in about 3 days, showed up as a balance in my account here right after, but was not part of the ... Read More