New DGM rules 2025–2026: temporary work permits (TT-1), formal contracts and what changes for foreigners

Since 2025, the Dirección General de Migración (DGM) has been tightening how immigration files are processed. In March 2026, Resolution DGM-001-2026 (signed 16 March 2026) clarified and reinforced the conditions for renewing Temporary Work Permits (TT-1) for foreigners admitted as Non-Residents / Temporary Workers.

This is not a stand-alone “brand-new law”. The DGM stresses that it is applying more strictly General Migration Law No. 285-04 and Implementing Regulation No. 631-11 (Decree 631-11). For expats, employers and families already in the country, the practical effect is clear: less documentary flexibility, stronger formal-contract requirements, and closer control of the authorized activity and geographic zone.

Disclaimer. This article is an administrative briefing based on public sources (DGM, local press, the resolution text). It is not legal advice and does not replace checking your file on migracion.gob.do or with the competent authorities. Processing practice can change.

1. The framework: two main migratory categories

Dominican law mainly distinguishes:

• Residents : intent to settle (temporary or permanent residency);
• Non-Residents : stay tied to a specific activity/purpose, without a classic “settlement” intent.

Within Non-Residents, the Temporary Worker (TT-1) subcategory covers foreigners who enter to provide paid services for a defined period, under contract, individually or in contingents, subject to migration-policy quotas where applicable.

The TT-1 card is a limited work authorization: the stated job, the time limit, and the assigned geographic zone. Leaving that framework (different work, unauthorized province, overstay) can push the stay into irregularity and, where applicable, measures that may include deportation (see Art. 56 of Law 285-04, reiterated in the resolution).

2. What Resolution DGM-001-2026 changes in practice

2.1. End of sworn income statements as a substitute

The most structural point for files: from the resolution’s publication, sworn statements of income (declaraciones juradas) are no longer accepted as a substitute document.

What is required is the legally corresponding document: a certification / resolution from the Ministry of Labor confirming registration of the employment contract. For a TT-1 extension / renewal, a new contract with the employer under which the person was admitted is required.

In plain terms: an affidavit no longer “rescues” a file without a formalized employment relationship.

2.2. Notarized, legalized, then registered - not a mere filing receipt

The resolution details the expected documentary chain:

1. Employment contract notarized;
2. Legalization by the Attorney General’s Office (Procuraduría General de la República);
3. Registration with the Ministry of Labor;
4. Issuance by the Ministry of Labor of a Certification / Resolution;
5. Filing at the DGM of that certification together with a copy of the contract.

Critical detail: the DGM does not accept as valid the mere acknowledgment of receipt of the contract deposit at the Ministry of Labor. You need the ministry’s approval/certification act.

2.3. Document list for a TT-1 extension request

Under Article 3 of the resolution (referencing Art. 83 of Regulation 631-11), a renewal/extension file should notably include:

• application form completed online on the institutional platform;
• employer letter (the employer responsible for the original admission): reasons for the extension, guarantee of stay during the extension, and commitment to cover repatriation costs when it ends;
• migratory guarantee policy;
• passport valid for at least 18 months;
• previously issued TT-1 card;
• medical certificate from an authorized physician (exequatur);
• address in the Dominican Republic within the assigned zone;
• contract registered with the Ministry of Labor (as above);
• TSS registration certificate (Social Security Treasury) on the employer’s payroll;
• payment of the applicable fees.

2.4. Entry into force

The measure enters into force 30 days after signature (16 March 2026) and remains valid until otherwise resolved. Institutional messaging indicates the logic applies to new applications and pending files.

2.5. Explicit ban on informal work

The DGM has publicly stressed that a work permit does not authorize informal activities (examples often cited: moto-concho, taxi, street vending, delivery/courier, etc.). The card covers the activity that justified admission, for the authorized period and in the authorized zone.

3. The 2025 context: DGM modernization already underway

Before the March 2026 resolution, the DGM had already announced (May 2025) updated requirements for several procedures, with phased implementation (public communications around June / August 2025 depending on the channel). Reported axes include:

• adjusted economic solvency checks for the Resident category;
• reinforced rules for renewing temporary residency for work when changing employer;
• updated TT-1 requirements;
• mandatory visa to change subcategory from student (E-1) to temporary worker (TT-1);
• automatic expiration of applications with no online action;
• file-based appointments for legal representatives;
• phasing out cash payments for migration services (announced for June 2025: card, bank deposit or web payment).

These steps fit a broader policy of control, transparency and digitization of files.

4. Geographic zones and sectors: a deeper trend

In parallel, the DGM discussed (October 2025, local press) more clearly recording on documents the authorized geographic zone and productive sector : a logic already present in the law, but historically under-applied on some titles.

Practical consequence: working or relocating long-term outside the zone can tip the stay into irregularity, even if a card still looks “valid” on paper. For multi-site employers or mobile workers, that means planning ahead (real job perimeter, addresses, formal amendments where needed).

5. Who is most affected?

Situation	Impact level	Main checkpoint
TT-1 worker renewing	Very high	Contract + Ministry of Labor + TSS + employer letter
Employer hiring non-resident foreigners	Very high	Notary / legalization / registration chain; repatriation
Temporary “work” resident changing employer	High	2025 renewal rules + contract consistency
Student E-1 moving to TT-1	High	Mandatory visa before subcategory change
Resident / investor / rentier	Medium	Solvency and financial verification
Short tourist stay	Low direct	But no informal “jump” into work

6. Practical checklist before filing or renewing

1. Map the exact status (TT-1, temporary work residency, other) - documents are not interchangeable.
2. Check the contract: dates, role, zone, employer; notary + legalization + Ministry of Labor registration.
3. Obtain the Ministry of Labor certification / resolution (not only the deposit receipt).
4. TSS: effective registration on the employer’s payroll.
5. Passport: validity margin (18 months in the TT-1 scenario of the resolution).
6. Address inside the authorized zone, consistent with the card.
7. Employer letter: reasons, stay guarantee, repatriation commitment.
8. Online file: avoid inactivity (automatic expiration flagged since 2025).
9. Payments: use the non-cash channels provided by the DGM.
10. Plan timelines: the Ministry of Labor + DGM chain is not instantaneous.

7. What I recommend in practice

• Do not improvise a last-week renewal: the bottleneck is often the Ministry of Labor, not only the DGM.
• Align reality and paperwork: if the job or location changed, fix compliance first - not only the mechanical renewal.
• Document the employer relationship: the DGM clearly favors traceable files (contract, TSS, letter).
• Follow the official portal: piece lists and calendars evolve; the resolution itself provides for publication on migracion.gob.do.

8. Next step

If you need to renew a TT-1, change employer, move from student to worker status, or check whether your documents are compliant (contract, apostilles, translations, TSS), the safest path is a file diagnostic before filing.

I provide administrative support on the ground in Santo Domingo (with no promise of approval, because the decision belongs to the Dominican State) to secure consistency and completeness of the file.

Main public sources

• Resolution DGM-001-2026 (16 March 2026) - TT-1 renewal requirements
• Law 285-04 and Regulation 631-11
• DGM / local press communications (May–October 2025; March 2026) on process modernization, solvency, zones and formalization of work