Immigrants from Dominican Republic in the US — complete guide

Complete US-immigration guide for the 2,400,000 Dominican Republic-origin community in the United States. Consulate network, US visa reciprocity, TPS, tax

Immigrants from Dominican Republic in the United States — complete guide

Diaspora overview

Approximately 2,400,000 people of Dominican Republic-origin live in the United States according to recent US Census American Community Survey (ACS) estimates.

Dominican-Americans concentrated in NY, NJ, FL; growing in TX and MA

Dominican Republic consulate network in the US

For routine consular services (passport renewal, national ID, civil registry, notarial services, voting from abroad), visit the nearest Dominican Republic consulate in the US. See the Dominican Republic consulate directory for all locations.

Dominican Republic Embassy in Washington, DC

The Embassy of Dominican Republic in the United States handles bilateral diplomatic relations and emergency support.

US visa for Dominican Republic citizens

See US visa reciprocity for Dominican Republic citizens

US travel advisory for Dominican Republic

US State Department’s current advisory level for Dominican Republic:

Level 2: Exercise increased caution (updated August 11, 2025) — https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/dominican-republic.html

For details and re-entry guidance, see Traveling to Dominican Republic from the US.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

No TPS designation currently for Dominican Republic (verify at uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status).

US bilateral tax treaty status

❌ Dominican Republic does NOT have a US bilateral income-tax treaty. Standard 30% US withholding on FDAP income; Foreign Tax Credit available.

Social Security Totalization Agreement

❌ Dominican Republic does NOT have a Social Security Totalization Agreement with the US.

DV-2026 Diversity Visa Lottery eligibility

❌ Dominican Republic citizens are NOT eligible for DV-2026 — Over 50K immigrants in past 5 years. See /procedures/dv-diversity-visa-lottery/ for details and exception rules.

Common immigration pathways for Dominican Republic citizens in the US

PathwayUSCIS formTypical processingEligibility
Family-based (USC spouse/parent/child)I-130 + I-4856 months - 5+ years (per Visa Bulletin)Family relationship to USC or LPR
Family-based (USC sibling, F4)I-130 + I-48510-25+ years for Dominican Republic (visa cap)Sibling of USC
Employment-based EB-1/EB-2/EB-3I-140 + I-4851-15+ years (per Visa Bulletin)Employer sponsorship + extraordinary ability OR advanced degree OR skilled occupation
Asylum (within 1 year of US arrival)I-5896 months - 5+ yearsPast persecution OR well-founded fear
TPS (if Dominican Republic currently designated)I-821 + I-76530-60 days for re-registrationDominican Republic national in US as of designation date
DACAI-821D90+ daysCame to US under 16, school/military/work, no major crimes
U-visa (crime victim)I-9185-10+ years (waitlist)Victim of qualifying crime + helpful to law enforcement
T-visa (trafficking victim)I-9141-3 yearsVictim of severe trafficking + cooperation
VAWA self-petitionI-3601-2 yearsAbuse by USC or LPR spouse/parent
Cancellation of removal (LPR)EOIR Form 42A1-5 years in courtLPR 5+ years, certain conditions
Cancellation of removal (non-LPR)EOIR Form 42B5-15+ years in court10+ years US presence, exceptional hardship to USC/LPR family

Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently; verify current status before relying.

Recent fee, deadline, and contact context (2025-2026)

Embassy of Dominican Republic in Washington DC main phone: +1 (202) 332-6280 Monday-Friday business hours US Eastern Time. The 2026-05-29 H.R.1 / OBBBA immigration fee changes affect several USCIS forms (Form I-589 asylum filing fee $100 + $100 Annual Asylum Fee; Form I-102 I-94 replacement +$24). The Form I-821 TPS fee (approximately $50) is set separately by the 2024 USCIS fee rule and capped by INA § 244(c)(1)(B) — it was not changed by OBBBA. Verify current USCIS fees at uscis.gov/g-1055 (Form G-1055) before filing.

For US embassy/consulate services IN Dominican Republic (visa interviews, US passport renewal for citizens abroad): see travel.state.gov. US embassies abroad maintain Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov for US citizens registering travel plans.

USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm ET. ICE Detention Locator System (ODLS): locator.ice.gov/odls. EOIR immigration court case status: 1-800-898-7180 (24/7 automated, English/Spanish). State Department visa information: 1-800-373-3340. The Visa Bulletin priority dates publish monthly around the 15th.

For US-Dominican Republic consular protection emergencies: contact the Embassy of Dominican Republic in Washington DC at +1 (202) 332-6280 OR the nearest Dominican Republic consulate. Many consulates have 24/7 emergency phone lines for severe situations (death, arrest, medical emergency, missing person).

Frequently asked questions

How many people from Dominican Republic live in the US?
Approximately 2,400,000 people of Dominican Republic-origin live in the United States (per US Census, recent ACS estimates). Dominican-Americans concentrated in NY, NJ, FL; growing in TX and MA
Where is the Dominican Republic embassy in the US?
The Embassy of Dominican Republic in the United States is located in Washington, DC. Main phone: +1 (202) 332-6280 (Monday-Friday business hours US Eastern Time). The embassy handles bilateral diplomatic relations and assists nationals during emergencies. For routine consular services (passport, ID, civil registry, voting from abroad), you’ll typically go to the nearest Dominican Republic consulate — see /consulates/dominican-republic/.
Can Dominican Republic citizens enter the US without a visa?
Generally NO. Dominican Republic is NOT a member of the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Dominican Republic citizens need a US visa (B-1/B-2 for tourism/business, F-1 for study, H/L/O for work, etc.) AND a passport from Dominican Republic. Consular fees and validity vary by category — see /procedures/us-visa-reciprocity-by-country/dominican-republic/ for the full reciprocity schedule. Apply for visas at the US Embassy/Consulate in Dominican Republic, not at a US embassy elsewhere.
What's the path from Dominican Republic immigrant status to US green card?
Multiple pathways: (1) Family-based — US-citizen relative files I-130, then I-485 or consular processing (priority dates vary — see /procedures/visa-bulletin/); (2) Employment-based — employer files I-140 in EB-1/2/3/4/5 category; (3) Asylum — file I-589 within 1 year of US arrival if persecution-based; (4) Diversity Visa lottery — annual lottery (DV not currently available for high-immigration countries; see /procedures/dv-diversity-visa-lottery/ for Dominican Republic eligibility); (5) VAWA self-petition for abuse survivors; (6) U-visa or T-visa for crime/trafficking victims; (7) Cancellation of removal for long-term residents in removal proceedings. Each path has different fees, processing times, and requirements — consult an immigration attorney.