President Abinader launches electronic passport for Dominicans in New York, New Jersey and Boston

New York.- President Luis Abinader officially launched the Dominican Republic’s electronic passport for citizens living abroad, beginning with Dominicans in New York, New Jersey and Boston.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mirex) and the General Directorate of Passports (DGP), allows Dominicans in the United States to apply for the new document without traveling to the Dominican Republic.

The passport features more than 130 security measures and includes up to US$9,000 in coverage for the repatriation of remains of Dominicans who die abroad. Officials said the benefit is designed to help families facing the cost of bringing loved ones home.

DGP Director Lorenzo Ramírez said the rollout will gradually expand to other Dominican consulates. He also announced plans for a Digital Travel Credential, which would allow travelers to carry digital travel credentials on their mobile phones.

Meanwhile, Dominican Consul General in New York Jesús Vásquez Martínez announced that the consulate now offers services on weekends. He also said the process for obtaining Dominican citizenship for people born abroad has been reduced to a maximum of 60 days.

The U.S. State Department has also approved new Dominican consular offices in the Bronx, Long Island and Brooklyn, with another location in Upper Manhattan under evaluation.

The measures are part of the government’s effort to bring services closer to the Dominican diaspora while modernizing passport and consular services.