Dominican Republic entry requirements for Vietnam passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 25, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Vietnamese passport holders must obtain a visa before traveling to the Dominican Republic. There is no visa-on-arrival or eVisa option — you need to apply at a Dominican embassy or consulate before your trip. Plan ahead: processing takes 5–10 business days, and you must submit your application in person or by mail.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa application
Visa required
You need a visa before traveling to the Dominican Republic. Apply at the nearest Dominican embassy or consulate — there is no eVisa system. Processing takes 5–10 business days depending on your location.Check visa requirementsRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for entire stay
Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the Dominican Republic. No minimum validity beyond departure is required by immigration, but airlines may enforce 6 months — check with your carrier.Required
Return or onward ticket
Required for entry
Immigration officers at Punta Cana and Santo Domingo airports always ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or show it on your phone — they check this before stamping you in.Required
Proof of accommodation
Recommended
Hotel booking or invitation letter from your host helps at immigration. Officers rarely ask, but having it ready avoids delays if they do.Recommended
Proof of funds
Recommended
Carry at least $100 USD per day or a credit card with sufficient limit. Immigration rarely checks, but budget airlines flying into the DR may ask at check-in.Recommended
No eVisa — apply at embassy only
There is no eVisa system for Vietnamese passport holders. You must apply in person or by mail at the Dominican embassy in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Don't trust online eVisa sites — they are scams.
Transit without visa is fine
If you're transiting through Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, or Puerto Plata airports and staying airside (not passing immigration), you don't need a visa. You can stay up to 24 hours in the transit area. If you leave the airport, you need a tourist visa.
Overstay fines add up fast
Overstay fines are $10 USD per day, capped at $200 USD. Pay at the immigration office before departure. Overstaying can also lead to a ban on re-entry, so don't risk it.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for a visa at the Dominican embassy
Visit the Dominican embassy in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City with your completed application form, passport valid for 6+ months, two passport-sized photos, round-trip flight itinerary, hotel booking, and proof of funds (bank statement or credit card). Pay the fee: $30 USD for single entry or $50 USD for multiple entry. Processing takes 5–10 business days.
2
Book your flight and accommodation
Book a round-trip flight and your first night's accommodation. Keep printed or digital copies of both. Airlines may check your return ticket at check-in. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months of validity from your entry date.
3
Arrive at Punta Cana or Santo Domingo airport
After landing, proceed to immigration. Have your passport with visa, return ticket, and hotel booking ready. Officers may ask about your stay duration and funds. The process usually takes 15–30 minutes.
4
Receive your entry stamp
Once approved, you'll get an entry stamp valid for up to 30 days. Check the stamp for the exact allowed stay. If you want to extend, visit the immigration office in Santo Domingo (Dirección General de Migración) before your initial 30 days expire.
Download Dominican Republic Entry Checklist
PDF · Vietnam Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 25, 2026
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Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa single entry
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost$30 USD

Apply at Dominican embassy in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Tourist visa multiple entry
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable 30 days
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost$50 USD

Ideal for frequent travellers.

Long-stay visa (business)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
Cost$100 USD

Requires invitation letter from Dominican company.

retirement visa
Residencia por Inversión (Retirement)
1 year, renewable annually
~$1,500 USD initial fee
For retirees with a monthly pension of at least $1,500 USD. Requires proof of income and health insurance.
digital nomad visa
Visado para Nómadas Digitales
1 year, renewable
~$500 USD application fee
For remote workers with proof of income over $2,000 USD per month. Allows stay and work for foreign employers.
investor visa
Residencia por Inversión
Permanent after 2 years
~$5,000 USD initial investment
For investors in real estate or business with minimum $200,000 USD investment. Fast track to permanent residency.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for Vietnamese passport holders.$30 USD (approx. 700,000 VND)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity.$50 USD (approx. 1,170,000 VND)
Overstay fine per dayPay at immigration office before departure.$10 USD per day (max $200 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete documents20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Dominican Republic

No transit visa needed

Vietnamese passport holders transiting through Dominican Republic airports do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
  • If leaving the airport, a tourist visa is required.
Transit hubsPunta Cana International Airport (PUJ) · Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) · Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP)

Health & vaccines for Dominican Republic

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Peru).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverHigh risk

Mosquito-borne disease common in urban and rural areas.

ChikungunyaModerate risk

Also mosquito-borne, with outbreaks possible.

Zika virusModerate risk

Pregnant women should take precautions.

Malaria risk: low

Low risk in most tourist areas; prophylaxis not routinely recommended but consider for rural travel.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Santo Domingo
Dirección General de Migración
Av. 27 de Febrero esq. Av. Luperón, Santo Domingo
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Main office for extensions and visa issues.

Punta Cana
Oficina de Migración Punta Cana
Aeropuerto Internacional de Punta Cana
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Limited services; best for exit permits.

Practical information for VN travellers

Country basics
CapitalSanto Domingo
LanguageSpanish
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyDominican Peso (DOP)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 59.13 DOP
updated May 29
Time zone
Local timeUTC-4
vs New Yorksame timezone
vs Los Angeles+3h
Electricity
Voltage110V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BSame as US: two flat pins (A) or with grounding (B).
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Police911
Medical911
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. There is no visa-on-arrival for Vietnamese passport holders. You must get a visa from a Dominican embassy before you travel.
Processing takes 5–10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before your departure to be safe. The embassy in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City handles applications.
A single-entry tourist visa costs $30 USD (about 700,000 VND). A multiple-entry visa costs $50 USD (about 1,170,000 VND). Pay at the embassy when you apply.
Yes, you can extend once for another 30 days. Visit the Dirección General de Migración in Santo Domingo (Av. 27 de Febrero esq. Av. Luperón) before your initial 30 days expire. The extension fee is about $10 USD per day, up to $200 USD.
You'll be fined $10 USD per day, up to a maximum of $200 USD. Pay at the immigration office before you leave the country. Overstaying can also affect future visa applications.
Only if you are arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (e.g., Brazil, Peru). Otherwise, it's not required. Recommended vaccines include Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and routine shots.
Technically, tourist visas don't permit work. However, the Dominican Republic has a digital nomad visa (Visado para Nómadas Digitales) for remote workers earning over $2,000 USD per month. It costs about $500 USD and is valid for 1 year, renewable.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 25, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.