The Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Migration (DGM) has enacted sweeping regulatory changes that significantly tighten the requirements for temporary work permit renewals for foreign employees. This comprehensive overhaul introduces mandatory formal employment contracts processed through the Ministry of Labor, marking a substantial shift in the country’s immigration compliance framework.
Under the newly implemented resolution, which emerged from an extensive internal review process, employers now bear increased responsibility for their foreign workforce. The updated regulations explicitly invalidate sworn statements as acceptable substitutes for formal contracts, aligning enforcement procedures with the existing Migration Law 85-04 and its corresponding regulatory provisions.
The revised framework establishes clear limitations on permitted employment activities, specifically prohibiting foreign workers from engaging in informal sectors including motorcycle taxi operations, street vending, and delivery services. These restrictions ensure temporary permit holders exclusively perform duties outlined in their officially sanctioned employment contracts.
Renewal applicants must navigate a detailed documentation process through the government’s official digital platform, submitting multiple verifiable components: valid passport credentials, temporary worker identification, medical certification, proof of Social Security (TSS) registration, and a renewed employment contract confirming ongoing employment. Employers assume contractual obligations to maintain employment throughout the authorized period and coordinate the worker’s repatriation following contract termination.
The DGM emphasizes that these measures aim to enhance regulatory compliance, increase procedural transparency, and establish greater legal certainty for both employers and foreign workers while addressing previously identified irregularities in application processing.