Dominican government introduces first fully digital minor travel permit

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader presented the Dominican Republic’s first fully digital Minor’s Exit Permit (PSM), a new online service designed to simplify procedures for families and modernize public services. The initiative is part of the Government’s Zero Bureaucracy Program, which seeks to reduce administrative barriers and position the country as one of the most digitally advanced governments in Latin America by 2028.

The new platform allows eligible parents to complete the entire authorization process online from anywhere in the world, eliminating the need for in-person visits, physical documents, and lengthy procedures. The system incorporates biometric verification, digital signatures, electronic notarization, and interoperability with the Central Electoral Board, allowing permits to be linked electronically to a minor’s passport for digital validation at the time of travel.

During the presentation, Abinader said the modernization of government services is aimed at making life easier for citizens through more efficient, transparent, and secure processes. Officials explained that the previous permit system often involved long wait times, complex paperwork, and costs that could reach up to RD$30,000 in some cases.

The service redesign was developed jointly by the General Directorate of Migration and the Zero Bureaucracy Program with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Authorities also announced that additional government services, including business registration and construction permits, will undergo similar digital transformations as part of the country’s broader modernization strategy.