Business Customs

Normal business attire is the rule. Lunch meetings are common; breakfast meetings are becoming more common, particularly among companies doing business internationally. Business appointments are generally required, but punctuality is not a consistent part of Dominican business practices. Many Dominican businesspersons speak English, but communication in Spanish is far more prevalent. Business cards are exchanged.

Travel Advisory

The U.S. Department of State has produced a Consular Information Sheet on the Dominican Republic, as it does for all countries. This document provides basic information about passport and visa requirements, the safety and security situation, crime concerns and other topics that may be of use to U.S. citizen travelers, including those traveling for business. The Consular Information Sheet, which may be found at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1103.html, also includes further links to Dominican government web sites, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other offices and agencies that travelers may wish to consult in advance of travel to the Dominican Republic. Consular Information Sheets are updated at least twice per year, so travelers should check the above link shortly before their planned trip to obtain the latest information.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not necessary for U.S. citizens who purchase a tourist card for a fee of $10.00 upon arrival in the Dominican Republic. U.S. citizens should provide proof of citizenship with either a passport or with a certified true copy or original birth certificate. There is a departure tax of $20.00. U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States and visa applicants should go to the following links: State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo: http://www.usemb.gov.do

Telecommunications

The telecommunications sector in the Dominican Republic has seen an impressive growth, averaging 16% annually in the last decade. Competition exists throughout the Dominican telecommunications sector. The main operator, Verizon, operates in all wireline and wireless market segments, facing competition from Tricom, France Telecom’s Orange, and Centennial Communications. Internet services are competitively provided.

Transportation

The Dominican Republic has eight international airports: Las Americas (Santo Domingo), Herrera (Santo Domingo), La Romana, Punta Cana, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Samana and Barahona. Las Americas airport in Santo Domingo is the largest of the international airports. Ground transportation is available through taxis, car rental and public transportation; extra time should be built in to allow for possible delays arising from traffic congestion. While public transportation has improved somewhat, it is still not recommended for business purposes.

Language

The language spoken is Spanish.

Health

Currently, the delivery of health care services in the Dominican Republic is managed by three systems, but a new “Social Security Law” will dramatically change the structure and cost of the health care system. Current Health Care system:

1. The public health care system, which is administered and subsidized by the government and serves the majority of the population. The government owns approximately 150 public hospitals and health centers in which free-of-charge service is offered to everyone in the country.
2. The Social Insurance Service (SIS), which is managed by the government and funded by employees and employers. The SIS was created to cover the health care needs of workers enrolled in the social security system. The Instituto Dominicano de Seguro Social (Dominican Institute for Social Insurance) is the manager of the SIS.
3. The private health care system, which is administered by health insurance schemes and HMO’s. Private health insurance is being offered by Dominican employers as part of the employee’s benefits package. As a result of the relatively poor service offered by the SIS, employers are obliged to pay for both systems, therefore increasing the cost of health care. The private system arose in the 1970’s as a direct need stemming from higher income groups who were not satisfied with the health services of public hospitals and SIS. There are more than 36 insurance companies offering medical coverage to approximately ten percent of the Dominican population. The private health care system serves people in the upper, middle, and lower-middle classes.

There is a growing trend in the Dominican Republic to travel to the United States for medical treatment, especially among executives and upper class families. Dominicans regard the United States as the best source for healthcare services and modern medical technology. Favorite destinations for medical treatment are Florida, New York, Texas, and Puerto Rico. Some major private hospitals have patient referral contracts with U.S. hospitals.

Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays

The Dominican Republic is on Eastern Standard Time (EST) year round and does not observe daylight savings time. Business hours are generally from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Government offices work from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some companies work on Saturday mornings. The lunch hour is from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Dominican Holidays 2008

Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings

Those who wish to bring in items temporarily such as software, exhibit material, etc., are required to identify the items at Customs, and fill out a form of temporary admission (Fomulario de Admision Temporal); no tax payment is required. On departure from the country, the Customs authorities will require the traveler to fill out another form to verify the previous form filled out upon arrival. Laptop computers can be brought in duty free.

Web Resources

US Embassy in Santo Domingo: http://www.usemb.gov.do