Dominican Republic Entry Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Apply DR eticket for Canadians

Disclaimer: We are an independent agency that provides professional assistance to apply for the mandatory DR eTicket, a digital form that all travelers entering or leaving the Dominican Republic must complete. We are not part of or affiliated with the Dominican Republic Government.

For over a million Canadians each year, the Dominican Republic is the ultimate escape from the northern winter.

However, something has recently changed: instead of filling out blue paper forms on the airplane tray table, Canadians and other travelers now must comply with the Electronic Ticket (e-Ticket) system.

While the process is streamlined, it contains specific hurdles for Canadian travelers, from postal code formatting errors to passport validity rules.

This guide provides a walkthrough of the Dominican Republic’s entry requirements, specifically tailored for Canadian passport holders.

Quick Summary: DR Travel Rules for Canadian Travelers

Requirement Rule for Canadians
Visa Status Exempt (Tourist stay, up to 30 days).
Mandatory Form e-Ticket (One QR code for Entry, one for Exit).
Passport Validity Duration of stay (6-month rule suspended until Dec 2025/2026), although it is best to keep your Canadian passport updated.
Max stay 30 days (Extendable to 120 days via migration office).
Overstay penalty Sliding scale fee payable at airport if not extended officially.

Do Canadians Need a Visa to the DR? Exemptions and the Tourist Card

The first question most Canadian travelers ask is: Do I need a visa? The answer is no. Canadian citizens are visa-exempt for tourism purposes.

However, technically, entry requires a Tourist Card.

  • The cost: The fee is $10 USD.
  • How Canadians pay: unlike travelers from some other nations, you likely will not pay this separately. Major Canadian carriers, such as Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Sunwing, are mandated by Dominican Executive Order 430-17 to include this fee in the base cost of your airfare.
  • Verification: Canadian travelers do not need to show a receipt for this. The immigration officer scans your passport, sees you arrived on a commercial flight, and the system automatically validates your Tourist Card status.

Crucial exception: If you are a Canadian visitor entering by private charter or cruise ship, you may be asked to pay the $10 USD fee in cash or credit card upon arrival if it was not pre-paid by your operator.

How to Complete the Dominican Republic e-Ticket from Canada?

The e-Ticket combines three former documents: the Immigration Card, the Customs Declaration, and the Public Health Affidavit. It is mandatory for every single traveler entering or leaving the country, including Canadian passport holders.

When to Apply for the DR eTicket as Canadian?

You can generate your e-Ticket as soon as you have your flight information, even months in advance. This is where GOeTicketDR comes in handy to simplify this process.

  • online-form-e-ticket-for-dominican-republic
    Step 1

    Go to our application form and complete it with basic personal data.

  • go-eticket-credit-card-sample
    Step 2

    Review the information provided, especially your email address, and pay attention to possible typos/errors in your name or passport number.

  • go-eticket-mail
    Step 3

    Check your email address, since this is where you will receive your DR e-Ticket in up to 2 days.

Please note that the information provided must be accurate and match the one available in your Canadian passport. If you need to rectify information or have any questions, you can always contact us. Our expert specialists will help you as soon as possible.

Apply for your Dominican Republic eTicket Here

Canadian Passport Validity: The "Duration of Stay" Rule to Visit the Dominican Republic

For years, the standard advice for Canadian travelers visiting the Dominican Republic has been "your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your trip."

However, this is the current reality (2025 update): recognizing the massive volume of North American tourism, the Dominican Republic has instated a validity waiver. This means that:

  • Technically, Canadian citizens currently only require a passport valid for the duration of their stay.
  • Example: If your passport expires one week after your return flight to Canada, you are legally allowed to enter.
  • Caveat: This waiver is periodically renewed (currently active through late 2025/2026). Always check the latest status if you are in the "danger zone" (under 6 months).

Important: This is the rule stated by the Dominican Republic. However, some airlines may require Canadians to have a passport valid for at least 6 months and may even deny boarding. This is why our expert advice is that all Canadians renew their passport before their trip to the Dominican Republic, even if this validity waiver is active.

Overstaying in the DR as Canadian: Rules for "Snowbirds" and Long-Stay Visitors

Many Canadians fly south for 3 to 6 months to escape the winter. The standard entry stamp is valid for 30 days.

If you plan to stay longer, you have two legal options:

Option A: Asking for an official extension

Canadians can visit the Dirección General de Migración (DGM) website or a local office (in Santo Domingo or Punta Cana) to request an extension up to 120 days. This involves uploading documents and paying a fee online.

Option B: Paying the overstay fee

In practice, the vast majority of Canadian Snowbirds simply pay the overstay fee at the airport upon departure. The government does not treat this as a crime, although it is an administrative process.

How it works: After you check your bags but before you clear security, you go to the immigration kiosk.

The fees (Estimates in RD$):

  • 30 days to 3 months: ~RD $2,500
  • 3 to 9 months: ~RD $5,600
  • 9 to 12 months: ~RD $7,000

Note: These fees must often be paid in cash (Pesos or USD) or sometimes by credit card, but machines are frequently down. Carrying cash for this fee is safer.

DR Customs: What Canadians Can Bring In (and Out)

When filling out the "Customs" section of your e-Ticket, Canadians must declare goods exceeding the exemption limits.

  • Allowances: You are generally allowed $500 USD worth of gifts/goods duty-free.
  • Medication: Canadians traveling with prescription drugs should keep them in original packaging. "Pill organizers" without labels can cause delays. If you are bringing strong painkillers or psychotropics, carry a doctor's note.
  • Returning to Canada: Remember, the Exit e-Ticket is required to leave the DR. Airline agents will ask for this QR code before you board your flight home.

Frequently Asked Questions for Canadian Travelers visiting the DR

My Canadian passport expires soon. Can I still travel to Punta Cana? Toggle faqs

Under the current “validity waiver,” Canadian citizens only need their passport to be valid for the duration of their stay in the Dominican Republic.

Technically, you do not need the standard 6 months of validity, provided you leave before the document expires. However, the standard 6-month validity rule is often enforced by airlines and can result in you being denied boarding. Therefore, we suggest renewing your Canadian passport before your trip.

Can I pay the Dominican Tourist Card fee at the airport if I forgot? Toggle faqs

If you are flying with a major Canadian airline (Air Canada, WestJet, Transat, Sunwing), you have already paid it; it is included in your ticket taxes. You do not need to pay again.