Country guide · Latin America

Veterans in Dominican Republic

Caribbean living with a pensionado program under Law 171-07 and a Social Security office in Santo Domingo.

Entry
30 days
Longer stays pay on exit
Residency
Pensionado
USD 1,500/mo
VA presence
None
Beware fake "VA clinics"
Time zone
UTC-4
Currency: peso

Entering Dominican Republic

30 days on entry. Longer stays are paid as an overstay fee when you leave. The e-Ticket form is required.

Long-stay and retirement visas

  • Pensionado (Law 171-07): at least USD 1,500/month from a government or private pension, plus USD 250 per dependent.
  • Rentista: USD 2,000/month.

VA care and benefits in Dominican Republic

There are no VA facilities in Latin America. Care for service-connected conditions is reimbursed through the Foreign Medical Program. Be wary of any clinic that claims to be a "VA clinic". A Social Security Federal Benefits Unit is in Santo Domingo.

Healthcare

Private hospitals in Santo Domingo (CEDIMAT), Santiago (HOMS) and Punta Cana. Uneven in rural areas. Private insurance is advised.

Where veterans live

  • Puerto Plata / Sosúa: Established expat community on the north coast.
  • Santo Domingo: Capital, U.S. Embassy.
  • Punta Cana: Resort area.
  • Las Terrenas: Beach town on the Samaná peninsula.

Cost of living

Roughly USD 1,300–2,200 a month. Costs vary a lot by city and lifestyle. Health insurance is not included.

Money, language and time

Dominican peso (DOP) · Spanish · UTC-4

Buying property

No restrictions on foreign ownership, but title fraud is common. Use a title search and a reputable lawyer.

Watch out for

Clinics falsely presenting themselves as VA-affiliated, and property title fraud.

Veteran organizations

None confirmed. See veteran organizations abroad.

Common questions

What does the Dominican Republic require for retirement residency?

A pension of at least USD 1,500 a month under Law 171-07, plus USD 250 per dependent.

Last reviewed November 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.

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