Work & Business

In Santo Domingo (Piantini, Naco, Bella Vista) and Santiago - yes, fiber at 50–150 Mbps via Claro or Altice is reliable and adequate for video calls and cloud work. In Las Terrenas, COMÚN CoWork offers 400 Mbps fiber. In Cabarete, Surfsana Lab provides 100 Mbps. Outside major towns, internet can be inconsistent - always have a Claro or Altice mobile data backup plan. Power outages are the bigger concern - an inverter or working from a building with a generator is essential.

For the first 3 years of tax residency - no. The Dominican Republic's territorial system exempts foreign-source income for new residents. After 3 years, worldwide income becomes taxable at progressive rates (15–25%). Tax residency is triggered by 182+ days in the DR per calendar year. US citizens still owe US federal taxes regardless. Many long-term expats consult a cross-border tax advisor to optimize their structure after the 3-year exemption expires.

Yes - the process is relatively straightforward with a Dominican attorney. Company types: SRL (limited liability - most common), SAS (simplified stock company), or sole proprietorship. Registration at the Cámara de Comercio takes 2–4 weeks. Costs: $1,000–$3,000 for legal setup. Tourism businesses may qualify for CONFOTUR tax incentives. Foreign ownership up to 100% is permitted in most sectors.

Santo Domingo: Regus Blue Mall (Piantini), Impact Hub Santo Domingo, WeWork Ágora Mall - day passes $20–$35, monthly $150–$300. Las Terrenas: COMÚN CoWork (400 Mbps fiber, $150/month) and Coworking Las Terrenas ($120/month). Cabarete: Co-Cab, Surfsana Lab (100 Mbps), and CoCoHub (coworking + coliving). The coworking scene is growing rapidly as the DR attracts more digital nomads.

Tourism: hotel management, dive instruction, tour operations in Punta Cana, Samaná, and Puerto Plata. Education: English teaching at private schools ($800–$1,500/month) and international schools ($1,500–$3,000/month). BPO/call centers: bilingual roles in free trade zones. Real estate: many agencies hire English-speaking agents for the expat market. NGOs and development organizations also hire in Santo Domingo.