Franco-Dominican Chamber of Commerce and Industry

From strategic decision to first employee. Applies Foreign Investment Law 16-95 and Companies Act 479-08.

1. 1
   Choose corporate vehicle

   Pick between SRL (most flexible), SA, or branch of a foreign company (Law 479-08). SRL is the most common choice for SMEs.

2. 2
   Reserve trade name

   Request availability and reservation at ONAPI (National Industrial Property Office). 1–3 days.

3. 3
   Draft articles of incorporation

   Bylaws covering purpose, capital, shareholders, directors. SRL minimum capital: DOP 100,000 (no deposit required at constitution).

4. 4
   Pay incorporation tax

   1% of authorized share capital (DGII).

5. 5
   Register in Commercial Registry

   Chamber of Commerce of registered domicile. Issuance of Commercial Registry Certificate.

6. 6
   Tax ID (RNC)

   Register with DGII to get the RNC; enables invoicing, withholdings and tax filings.

7. 7
   Register foreign investment (optional but recommended)

   File the IED Certificate at ProDominicana — enables repatriation of profits, free currency convertibility, and residence-by-investment (min. US$200,000).

8. 8
   Open corporate bank account

   Local bank: KYC of beneficial owner, legalized bylaws, RNC required.

9. 9
   Employer registration with TSS

   Social Security Treasury for payroll, health (SFS), pensions (AFP), occupational risks.

10. 10
    Sectoral permits

    Per activity: Tourism (CONFOTUR), Environment (Law 64-00), Health, etc.

Program for foreign investors with minimum US$200,000 invested.

1. 1
   Document the investment

   Minimum US$200,000 documented via bank transfer, contracts, deeds, or other formal evidence.

2. 2
   Get the IED Certificate

   Apply at ProDominicana — required by Decree 950-01. Digital, zero-fee since 2021.

3. 3
   Gather personal documents

   Valid passport, medical certificate, apostilled birth certificate, apostilled criminal record certificate, photos.

4. 4
   File with the Migration Directorate

   Submit Residence-by-Investment application with IED Certificate + personal documents.

5. 5
   Receive permanent residence

   ~45 days from complete file submission.

6. 6
   Tax benefits

   Law 171-07 (foreign retirees/rentiers): 50% exemptions on income tax, capital gains, mortgages (conditions apply).

Regime for export-oriented manufacturing and services. Up to 100% exemption from income tax, VAT, customs and other taxes.

1. 1
   Define activity and modality

   Operator (manages a park) or user (installed company). Modalities: export zone or services zone.

2. 2
   Locate in authorized park

   Identify a free zone park with available space (ProDominicana keeps an updated list).

3. 3
   Incorporate Dominican entity

   Follow the "Create a subsidiary" guide — the company must be legally established.

4. 4
   Investment & employment plan

   Project memo: investment amount, jobs created, products/services, target market, timeline.

5. 5
   Application to CNZF

   Formal file with plan, feasibility, impact and corporate documents.

6. 6
   CNZF resolution

   Technical and economic review. Approval enables the special customs and tax regime.

7. 7
   Operational onboarding

   Coordinate with Customs (DGA) on customs controls, admitted goods registry, OEA if applicable.

8. 8
   Start operations with incentives

   100% exemption on income tax, VAT, customs duties, import taxes, etc. Subject to export minimums.

For tourism projects in qualified locations: 100% exemption from income tax, municipal/national fees and import duties.

1. 1
   Verify location eligibility

   The project must be in a CONFOTUR-qualified zone (tourism poles defined by law).

2. 2
   Verify project type

   Hotels, marinas, theme parks, recreational or wellness facilities — per Law 158-01 categories.

3. 3
   Incorporate company and obtain RNC

   Legally registered Dominican company (see "Create subsidiary" guide).

4. 4
   Prepare CONFOTUR file

   Project memo, financial plan, blueprints, technical studies, land ownership/rights evidence.

5. 5
   Submit to CONFOTUR Council

   Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) receives and the Tourism Promotion Council reviews.

6. 6
   Qualification resolution

   If approved: CONFOTUR certificate enables exemptions for 15 years from operation start.

7. 7
   Apply exemptions

   Income tax 100%, municipal & national construction taxes, VAT and import duties on first equipment.

Deploy a French professional (18–28) in DR, exempt from French social charges.

1. 1
   Identify the need

   Define the role (commercial, technical, BD…), duration (6–24 months, renewable), candidate profile.

2. 2
   Choose the pack

   Hosting Pack (CCIFD hosts the V.I.E.), Commercial Support Pack (CCIFD supports tasks), Shared V.I.E. Pack (resource shared between 2 companies).

3. 3
   Register with Business France

   The French company signs with Business France, the program operator. CCIFD facilitates.

4. 4
   Candidate search and selection

   Business France's civiweb.com platform. CCIFD can co-select.

5. 5
   Tripartite agreement

   French company, V.I.E., and Business France sign with duration, allowance, and mission.

6. 6
   V.I.E. relaunch check

   French SMEs can apply for a €5,000 check that reduces the first V.I.E. cost.

7. 7
   Arrival and operation

   CCIFD supports local logistics, housing, banking, V.I.E.'s migratory residence (RNC).

Recover French VAT on Dominican company expenses (fairs, hotels, vehicles, advertising, etc.).

1. 1
   Identify eligible expenses

   Trade fairs, restaurants, vehicle rentals, advertising, taxis and other professional spending in France with VAT.

2. 2
   Keep original invoices

   Each invoice must show detailed VAT, full vendor and Dominican client information.

3. 3
   Mandate CCIFD with the request

   The Chamber liaises with the French tax administration to file the annual claim.

4. 4
   Invoice analysis and bundling

   Validation, translation, and assembly per official forms.

5. 5
   Submit to French administration

   Statutory deadline: September 30 of the year following the expense.

6. 6
   Receive refund

   Direct payment to client account; CCIFD commission 6–10% on amount recovered.