You're finally heading to Punta Cana or Puerto Plata. The bags are packed, the sunscreen is at the top of the suitcase, and you’ve got your passport ready. But then you hear about the "E-Ticket."
Honestly, the Dominican Republic entry form is the one thing that catches people off guard right at the boarding gate. It’s annoying. It’s digital. It’s mandatory.
If you don't have it, the airline literally won't let you on the plane. No joke. I've seen people scrambling at Terminal 4 in JFK, sweating over their iPhones, trying to fill out the form while the gate agent counts down the minutes until the doors close. It's a mess you want to avoid.
The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) rolled this out to replace those tiny, cramped paper cards we used to fill out with a dying pen on the tray table. It’s one single form that covers your Customs Declaration, International Boarding/Disembarkation card, and Public Health Check.
One form. That’s it.
Why the Dominican Republic Entry Form is Such a Headache
The problem isn't the form itself; it's the scams. Because this is a "required" document, dozens of third-party websites have popped up that look official but charge you $50, $80, or even $100 to "process" it.
The Dominican Republic entry form is free. Let me say that again. It costs zero dollars. If a website asks for your credit card number to generate your QR code, you are on the wrong site. Close the tab immediately.
The only official place to do this is the official Dominican Republic E-Ticket portal.
The interface is... fine. It's not the most intuitive thing in the world, and sometimes the server hangs if too many people are trying to access it at once. That’s why you shouldn't wait until you're standing in line at the airport.
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You can fill it out up to 72 hours before you fly. Do it from your couch with a coffee in your hand. Trust me.
Dealing with the "Application Number" Confusion
When you start the form, the system generates an application number. People freak out because they think this is their QR code. It’s not.
The application number is just so you can go back and edit the form if you get interrupted or if your flight gets delayed. You only get the actual QR code—the thing the immigration officer actually needs to see—once you hit "Submit" at the very end.
One weird quirk? If you’re traveling as a family, you don’t need five different forms. You can add everyone (up to 7 people) onto a single E-Ticket application. It saves a massive amount of time, but the "Add Passenger" button is sometimes tucked away at the bottom of the screen where it's easy to miss.
Step-by-Step Reality Check: Filling it Out
First, you’ll enter your basic info. Passport number, nationality, date of birth. Standard stuff.
Then it asks for your "Permanent Address." This is where you live back home.
The next section is where people trip up: "Destination." If you’re staying at an Airbnb, you’ll need the specific province and municipality. If you’re at a resort, like the Hard Rock or a Bahia Principe, usually you can just start typing the name and it will auto-fill.
- Use the name of the hotel exactly as it appears on your booking.
- Make sure your flight number is correct (e.g., DL1942, not just "Delta").
- Select "Leisure" or "Tourism" as your reason for visit unless you’re there for a heart transplant or a board meeting.
The Customs section asks if you’re carrying more than $10,000 USD. If you are, congratulations on your successful career, but you’ll have to declare it. Most of us just check "No."
The QR Code: Your Golden Ticket
Once you finish, the site generates a PDF with a QR code.
Screenshot it. Don’t rely on the airport Wi-Fi. Airport Wi-Fi is a fickle beast that feeds on human frustration. If you have a screenshot in your photo gallery, you can show it to the airline staff at check-in and the immigration officer in Santo Domingo or Punta Cana without needing a signal.
I’ve seen travelers print it out, too. That’s a smart move if your phone battery tends to die at the worst possible moments.
Common Errors That Will Kill Your Vibe
I recently spoke with a travel coordinator who handles large groups heading to the DR. She told me the #1 reason people get stuck is because of typos in the passport number.
The system doesn’t "verify" your passport in real-time against a global database. It just takes what you give it. If you put a "0" (zero) instead of an "O" (the letter), the officer’s scanner might flag it.
Also, remember that you need a Dominican Republic entry form for both entering and leaving the country.
People forget the exit form. They think, "Well, I'm already here, they have to let me leave." They will, but they’ll make you stand off to the side and fill out the exit form on your phone while your flight is boarding. It’s a stressful way to end a vacation.
You can actually generate your exit QR code at the same time you do your entry one, as long as you know your return flight details. Just keep both screenshots handy.
Specifics for Different Airports
If you are flying into Punta Cana (PUJ), be ready for a crowd. It is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean. They have digital kiosks now, but they often still want to see that QR code on your phone before you even get to the line.
Las Américas (SDQ) in Santo Domingo is a bit more old-school. The officers there are efficient, but they don't have much patience for people who haven't done their digital "homework."
Cibao International (STI) in Santiago usually moves faster, but the rules are exactly the same. No E-Ticket, no entry.
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What About the "Voucher" and Taxes?
Years ago, you had to pay a $10 tourist card fee in cash at the airport. You might see old blog posts or outdated YouTube videos talking about this.
Ignore them.
Since 2018, that $10 fee is automatically baked into the price of your airline ticket. You’ve already paid it. You don't need to hand over any cash at immigration for a "tourist card." If someone at the airport asks you for money for an "entry fee," they are likely trying to scam you or are misinformed.
The only thing you owe the government upon arrival is that digital QR code.
Handling Technical Glitches
The website crashes. It just does.
If the official site is down, don't panic. Take a breath. Try a different browser—Safari usually works better than Chrome for this specific government portal for some reason. Or try switching to a mobile device.
If the site is completely non-functional for hours, the airlines are usually notified by the Dominican authorities. In those rare "emergency" cases, they might revert to paper forms temporarily, but I haven't seen that happen in over a year.
Basically, assume the website is working and it's your job to get that code.
A Note on Health Requirements
While the world has mostly moved on from 2020, the form still contains a section regarding your health status. You’re essentially self-reporting that you don't have symptoms of contagious diseases.
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It’s a "good faith" declaration. You don't need to upload vaccination cards or PCR tests anymore (as of early 2026), but you do need to check the boxes.
Actionable Checklist for a Smooth Arrival
Forget the long-winded guides. Here is exactly what you need to do to handle the Dominican Republic entry form like a pro:
- Check your passport expiry. It must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay. If it's not, the form won't save you.
- Go to the official site. Use eticket.migracion.gob.do. Reject any site asking for a fee.
- Complete the form 24–72 hours before flight. This gives you a buffer if the site is glitchy.
- Save the QR code as a photo. Don't rely on email or a web link.
- Fill out the exit form early. Do it while you’re waiting for your flight to the DR so you don't have to think about it while you're drinking a Mamajuana on your last day.
- Double-check your flight numbers. Make sure your arrival and departure flight codes are exact.
If you do these things, you'll breeze through immigration in under ten minutes. The officers just want to scan your code, stamp your book, and get you to the beach. Give them what they want and your vacation starts the second you step out of the terminal.