Self-Paced Courses to Do the DR Right

The full process for buying property in the DR as a foreigner — from picking the right area to getting the keys and renting it out — without the mistakes that cost buyers thousands.

What you'll learn

• How to compare the North Coast, East Coast and Santo Domingo, and vet a specific building
• How to verify the title and why a missing deslinde can sink a deal
• CONFOTUR tax exemptions, transfer taxes, and how to hold the property
• The contract clauses, escrow and wire steps that protect you at closing
• Utilities, bank accounts and rental management after you buy

Best for: anyone seriously looking at a condo, house or land in the DR — especially before you sign a promesa or send a deposit.

See the full curriculum

1. Market Selection and Micro-Location Due Diligence — region yield analysis, HOA audits, risk scorecard, zoning and the 60-meter maritime rule
2. Legal Verification: Deslinde, Titles, and Surveys — the Certificado de Título, undivided rights, independent surveys, liens and IPI debts
3. Tax Optimization, Law 158-01 (CONFOTUR), and Ownership Structures — CONFOTUR, SAS vs. foreign entity vs. direct ownership, the 3% transfer tax
4. Contracts, Escrow, and the Closing Transaction — escape clauses, international wires and AML, the notary, a mock closing review
5. Post-Closing Handover, Renovation, and Rental Management — bank accounts, utility transfers, vetting short-term rental operators

Enroll in the Real Estate Course →

How to open and run US dollar and peso accounts in the DR as a foreigner: the documents banks ask for, the real fees at each major bank, and how to avoid the mistakes that send you back to the branch.

What you'll learn

• Banking rules for non-citizens and which account types to open in USD and DOP
• The paperwork: reference letters, apostilles, translations, source of funds
• Banco Popular vs. Banreservas vs. BHD vs. Scotiabank for foreigners
• What to say (in Spanish) at the branch and what to test before you leave
• Wiring money in, converting currency, and keeping the account open

Best for: anyone moving to, buying in, or spending real time in the DR who needs a local account that actually works.

See the full curriculum

1. Dominican Banking Regulations and Account Structures — Superintendencia de Bancos rules, savings vs. checking, fees and conversion spreads
2. The Non-Resident Compliance Dossier — home bank reference letters, apostilles and certified translations, source of wealth
3. Selecting Your Institution: Popular, Banreservas, and BHD — international wires, foreign currency policies, choosing the right branch
4. In-Branch Execution and the Manager Interview — appointment day, Spanish phrasing for bank officers, token and Telebanco setup
5. Funding, SWIFT Wires, and Account Preservation — routing wires through US banks, ATMs, handling AML information requests

Enroll in the Banking Course →

A step-by-step plan for a legal, stress-free destination wedding in the DR — from the paperwork to the guest packet — so planning it doesn't turn into a second job.

What you'll learn

• Legal vs. symbolic ceremonies, and the apostille and translation trail the civil registry needs
• All-inclusive resort vs. private villa — and the hidden fees in resort wedding packages
• Finding and negotiating with local vendors beyond the resort's preferred list
• Group room blocks, airport transfers and the DR E-Ticket for your guests
• The day-of timeline, working with a Dominican officiant, and getting your marriage certificate apostilled

What's included

• Downloadable PDF checklists
• Ready-to-use planning templates
• Links to the outside resources you'll need along the way

Best for: couples planning a wedding in the DR — especially before you sign a resort package or send out save-the-dates.

See the full curriculum

1. Dominican Legal Paperwork and Apostille Protocols — legal vs. symbolic ceremonies, the Hague apostille trail, sworn translations and JCE filing deadlines
2. Venue Selection: All-Inclusive Resort vs. Private Villa — resort packages and hidden fees, villa permits, rain plans, shortlisting your top 3 venues
3. Vetting Local Vendors and Contract Negotiations — on-island creatives, deposits and currency protection, flowers and decor
4. Guest Travel, Group Room Blocks, and Island Logistics — attrition clauses, airport transfers, E-Ticket and customs, your guest travel guide
5. Day-Of Execution and Officiant Coordination — rehearsals, sunset timing and heat, retrieving and apostilling your marriage certificate

Enroll in the Wedding Course →