Dominican Republic
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Restrictions on entry limiting the entry of people living with HIV.
- Restrictions on short-term stays which in most cases is defined as under 90 days.
- Restrictions on long-term stays which in most cases is defined as over 90 days.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for entry.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
- Ban on entry.
- Ban on residence.
Restrictions on entry to Dominican Republic
We are aware of some official restrictions on entry of people living with HIV to the Dominican Republic.
According to the US Department of State, some HIV entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of the Dominican Republic.
UNAIDS reports that entry is denied on the basis of HIV status.
The website of the Dominican Republic government states that visa applications require a ‘medical certification that the petitioner does not have any infectious or contagious diseases.’
Restrictions on short-term stay in Dominican Republic
We are aware of some official restrictions on short-term stay of people living with HIV in the Dominican Republic.
There are restrictions on granting residency to people living with HIV. Medical examinations are required to apply for residency. It is not clear if a positive HIV test results in a permit being denied.
Although the law prohibits the use of HIV testing for employee screening, a country report published by the US Government points out that “Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reported that workers in various industries faced mandatory HIV testing. Sometimes workers were tested without their knowledge or consent. Many job applicants found to have HIV were not hired, and some of those already employed were dismissed from their jobs or denied adequate health care.”
Restrictions on long-term stay in Dominican Republic
The same restrictions apply for long-term stays on people living with HIV in the Dominican Republic.
UNAIDS reports that people living with HIV are denied residency permits.
Treatment access in Dominican Republic
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in the Dominican Republic. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
The HIV and AIDS Law No. 135-11 of 7 June 2011 establishes under the right to health in Article 4, the right of every person living with HIV to receive treatment. Therefore, antiretroviral treatment in the Dominican Republic has no direct cost to HIV-positive people who require treatment. The Ministry of Health, through the National Council for HIV and AIDS (CONAVIHSIDA), is responsible for guaranteeing antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV who live in the Dominican Republic.
For treatment information and direction to services, contact ‘Consejo Nacional para el VIH y el SIDA (CONAVIHSIDA)’.
In April 2025, it was reported that a new health protocol had been adopted by the government which included a policy of deporting migrants who receive emergency care, hospitalisation, or childbirth.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
People living with HIV are criminalised in the Dominican Republic. There are HIV-specific criminal laws in force which target alleged HIV ‘exposure’, non-disclosure, and/or transmission. We are not aware of any reported prosecutions under these or other laws.
Visit the Dominican Republic page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
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