Dominican Rep. Statistics

Government-Economy

Government type:  democratic republic

Independence Day:  27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

Currency:  Dominican pesos (DOP); 1USD = 37.81 DOP

GDP:  $84.94 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):  $8,600 (2010 est.)

Information for Foreign Students in Dominican Republic

Obtaining a Visa

Citizens and residents of the United States, Canada and the majority of European countries can enter the country with a 30 day tourist card, which can be bought when you enter the country for US $10. Any person, no matter what their nationality, may come into the Dominican Republic with a tourist card if they have any of the following valid visas in their passport: United States, Canada, United Kingdom or the European Union (Schengen). If you wish to extend your tourist card to 90 days, you will need to pay UD$20 (RD$800) to immigration when you leave the country. The exit tax is US$20.00, but this is usually included in the airline ticket.

Here is the list of countries which citizens don't need a visa or a tourist card to enter the country: Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, Peru, South Chorea and Uruguay.

To have further information about the requirements, don't hesitate to go on the Dominican embassy website in your country.

Housing

Student hall

http://www.shu.edu/offices/disability-support-services/housing-accommodations-new-students.cfm

Health

In order to travel to the Dominican Republic, you will not need any vaccination outside of those normally required for Europe and North America.

Health insurance (to include emergency repatriation) is strongly recommended. Medical care is limited and variable in quality. An emergency service is available in Santo Domingo.

Money

Dominican Republic banks allow customers to open savings and checking accounts. Normally, travelers from the United States can open an account with U. S. currency or using pesos.

To open a bank account, there is a procedure: first, present three official copies of your birth certificate and a letter of good conduct from the local police department. Complete the required medical examination at the immigration office. Receive your Provisional Residency card from Immigration along with your Cedula card, which gives you the legal right to work and live in the Dominican Republic. After that, you can go to the bank of your choice. Present your Provisional Residency and Cedula card to open an account. And then follow the instructions.

Transportation

Public transports and roads are well developed all around the country. And renting a car is easy; there are several companies that operate in the country: National, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Europecar, Hertz and Dollar. They offer their services at the main airports, tourist destinations and towns.

The National Association of Rental Cars website is www.andri.com.do .

As for taxis, they can be found at airports and hotels and can also be booked in advance. They are listed in the telephone directory. Taxis are safe and reliable option in Santo Domingo as well as in many inland towns.

Phoning

The Dominican Republic uses the same call system as the United States. The main area code is 809. If you need a phone, you can buy a prepaid cell phone in the Dominican Republic with a local number for about US $42. The telephone companies that provide cell phone services are: Claro-Codetel, Orange, Tricom and Viva.