Dominican Migration detains four Russian nationals for overstaying visas

Puerto Plata.- The General Directorate of Migration (DGM) detained four Russian nationals in Puerto Plata after discovering they had overstayed their authorized time in the Dominican Republic and were living in the country with irregular immigration status.

The four men were stopped on July 31 at the Luperón dock after the captain of the Malaysian-registered sailboat Primary Purpose requested permission to sail to Río San Juan. A passport check revealed that all four had exceeded their permitted stay and had no record of leaving the country after entering by air.

According to the DGM, the individuals entered the Dominican Republic between 2019 and 2026 but never applied for a legal extension of their stay, as required under the country’s immigration law.

Authorities said the men were taken to the Haina Migration Processing Center while their cases were reviewed. After being informed of their legal situation, they requested permission to leave the country voluntarily aboard the sailboat to avoid deportation.

The DGM stressed that paying an overstay fee does not legalize a person’s immigration status or prevent enforcement actions. The agency said it will continue enforcing immigration laws while guaranteeing due process and respect for fundamental rights.