Following the announcement Monday, November 1st by the Dominican Vice-Minister of Consular Affairs and Migration Jatzel Román of the indefinite suspension of student visas for Haitians https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35150-haiti-news-zapping.html Haitian students were unaware of the scope of the Dominican government measure.

To put an end to the uncertainties and speculations, the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified the scope of this decision : "Haitian students currently pursuing university degrees in the Dominican Republic are not affected by the government measure which indefinitely suspends the special visa program for Haitian students." Only the automatic renewal of these students will be suspended.

Stating "This provision applies only to all those who from now on would like to submit applications for the special student visa program". In summary to all future new Haitian students until further notice.

Remember that most Haitian students come to the Dominican Republic with tourist visas, then they register at the university and with this document, they go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and apply for a student visa. Later, they go to the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) and receive a card that accredits them as a student.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology until 2019, 9,208 foreigners were studying in Dominican universities, of which the largest group 6,023 (65%) are Haitians.

The second largest group of students are Americans (1,558); Venezuelans (548); Puerto Ricans (402); Colombians (201); Cubans (158); Spanish (142); Italian (62); Peruvians (50); Italians (64) and Mexicans (52).

S/ HaitiLibre