DO
Dominican Republic
Registrants are consistently refused, or the law bars entry.
Based on 13 reports. Score −0.72 on a scale from −1 (always refused) to +1 (always admitted), with recent reports counting most. How scoring works
What to expect
Nearly all 12 reports on file, spanning 2018 through 2026, describe refusal at the border, including arrivals by air at Puerto Plata and other airports.1–35–12 In three cases officers appeared to know in advance, with one traveler shown a US alert saying not to admit them and another confirming advance notifications through a FOIA request.71012 Four travelers who said they were off the registry, off supervision, or holding an unmarked passport were still refused, while one 2025 report describes entering at Santiago without problems while still registered.14679
Written by an AI model from the reports below on September 19, 2026. The numbers link to the reports each sentence is based on. Read those before you decide.
Law restricts entry for people with criminal records
Dominican law says foreigners with a criminal record are not admitted unless the record does not show a dangerousness that makes them unsuitable. Officials weigh the type of offence, the sentence, any repeat offending, and whether the penalty has been served.
Ley General de Migración No. 285-04, Art. 15 nums. 6-7 · discretionary
- Ley No. 285-04 General de Migración · Ministerio de Interior y Policía, República Dominicana
Common questions
Can registered sex offenders enter Dominican Republic?
It's rated Refused: Registrants are consistently refused, or the law bars entry. Of 4 trips reported in the last two years by people on a US registry, 1 ended in entry and 3 in refusal. Dominican law says foreigners with a criminal record are not admitted unless the record does not show a dangerousness that makes them unsuitable. Officials weigh the type of offence, the sentence, any repeat offending, and whether the penalty has been served.
Do Dominican Republic's border officers know about US registrants in advance?
In 2 reports, officers appeared to know before the traveler arrived, which usually points to a US advance notification (often called Angel Watch).
How do travelers usually arrive in Dominican Republic?
Reports on file describe 4 by air. Outcomes can differ by how travelers arrive; each report below says which.
- 1Apr 2026 (reported)
Refused entry
The traveler was denied entry to the Dominican Republic, stating they were off supervision at the time, and had electronics searched during secondary inspection.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
- 2Dec 2025 (reported)
Refused entry
The traveler mentions having been refused entry to the Dominican Republic on two occasions.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 3Aug 2025 (reported)
Refused entry · By air, Puerto Plata
On a third trip, arriving through a different airport than on the two prior successful visits, the traveler was denied entry.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
- 4Aug 2025 (reported)
Admitted, no issues · By air, Santiago
While still required to register, the traveler entered the country through the Santiago airport without problems.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
- 5Oct 2024 (reported)
Refused entry
The traveler mentioned having been refused entry to the Dominican Republic on an earlier occasion, which is why they now prefer walking into Mexico and taking domestic flights.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 6Sep 2024
Refused entry
Although no longer registered and holding a passport without the identifier, the traveler was refused entry to the Dominican Republic. Others speculated an advance notice had been sent.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant
- 72024
Refused entry · By air
After being removed from the registry and obtaining a new unmarked passport, the traveler tried again and was still refused; officers showed an alert from the US saying not to allow the person into the country.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · Former registrant · officers appeared to be notified in advance
- 8Feb 2023 (reported)
Refused entry
After submitting the 21-day advance notice, the traveler was refused entry to the Dominican Republic.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand
- 92023
Refused entry
The traveler, who says they are no longer on the registry, was denied entry to the Dominican Republic in 2023.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
- 102022
Refused entry · By air
The traveler was refused entry; an officer said they would need to be off the registry to be allowed in, which is how the traveler learned of the US notification system.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · officers appeared to be notified in advance
- 112019
Refused entry · By air
On the traveler's last trip to the Dominican Republic in 2019, they were refused entry.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · Forum post · Firsthand
- 122018
Refused entry
The traveler was denied entry; a later FOIA request revealed international notifications had been sent with their flight details and conviction information ahead of travel.
ACSOL (Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws) · archived copy · Forum post · Firsthand · officers appeared to be notified in advance
- 13By 2022
Refused entry
Row from the RTAG Travel Matrix, an undated summary last maintained around 2021.
- Registrants turned away
- Yes
- Law bars sex offenders
- No
- Law bars people with felonies
- No
- Has its own offender registry
- No
Registrant Travel Action Group (RTAG) · Legacy matrix · Summary