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Dominican Diaspora Criticizes Delays in Tourist Card Refunds
Concerns over the continued collection of the Dominican Republic's US$10 tourist card fee from some Dominican nationals living abroad have resurfaced, with community leaders also warning that a proposed increase in the country's departure tax could further raise travel costs for the diaspora.
NEW YORK — A Dominican community leader in New York is calling on the Dominican government to resolve ongoing complaints surrounding the collection and reimbursement of the US$10 Tourist Card fee, arguing that many Dominican citizens living abroad continue to face difficulties recovering a charge from which they are legally exempt. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Leidy Laura Núñez, a political and community activist, said many Dominicans residing overseas have yet to receive refunds despite government commitments to eliminate the charge for Dominican passport holders. She also criticized discussions surrounding a proposal to increase the country’s departure tax from US$20 to US$30, saying the measure would place an additional financial burden on the diaspora.
Renewed Calls to End the Charge
Núñez recalled that President Luis Abinader publicly stated during an event at the United Palace in New York that Dominican nationals should not be required to pay the tourist card fee when traveling to their own country. In 2022, the Dominican government instructed airlines to stop charging the US$10 Tourist Card fee to Dominican citizens and foreign residents, requiring carriers to update their reservation systems accordingly. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
According to Núñez, however, some airlines continue to include the fee automatically in airfare purchased abroad. Although passengers can request reimbursement through the government’s refund system, she described the process as slow and burdensome, alleging that many applicants wait months without receiving payment.
Refund Complaints Persist
Núñez said Dominicans living in New York, New Jersey, Boston, and Madrid have reported delays after submitting the required documentation. Some applicants say they received only automated responses, while others claim they never received any follow-up.
The Dominican tax authority, the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII), maintains an official refund program for eligible travelers, including Dominican citizens, allowing claims through its online portal or the electronic immigration form. The agency states that requests submitted through its website should receive a response within ten business days once the required documentation has been provided. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Concerns Over Proposed Departure Tax Increase
In addition to refund complaints, Núñez voiced opposition to discussions about raising the departure tax included in airline tickets from US$20 to US$30 as part of broader fiscal reform proposals. She argued that such an increase would disproportionately affect Dominicans living abroad who travel frequently to visit relatives, manage investments, or spend time in the country.
She also highlighted the economic importance of the Dominican diaspora, noting its substantial contribution through annual remittances, and urged authorities to eliminate the automatic collection of the Tourist Card fee rather than relying on reimbursement requests.
Núñez called on the government to ensure airlines exempt Dominican passport holders from the charge at the time of ticket purchase and to provide greater transparency regarding the total amount collected through the fee and the number of refunds that have been processed.
