Immigration lawyer warns about legal limits of tourist visa

Santo Domingo.– Immigration lawyer Erika Reyes explained what activities are permitted and the prohibitions that come with the use of a tourist visa, recalling that this type of visa is designed only for temporary stays and non-profit purposes. Reyes pointed out that people entering a country with a tourist visa can undertake leisure trips, vacations, and visits to family or friends, as well as attend cultural and social events, such as concerts, fairs, weddings, or conferences, as long as there is no remuneration. It is also permitted to access previously declared medical treatments, participate in short or recreational courses that do not grant official titles, and engage in cultural activities such as visits to museums or artistic expressions.

You may be interested in: non-immigrant visa

However, the specialist was emphatic in warning that the tourist visa does not authorize any type of work, whether formal or informal, nor the provision of online services for companies in the visited country. Nor does it allow receiving payments, salaries or fees, pursuing formal or long-term studies, or staying in the territory beyond the authorized time. “The tourist visa should not be used as a mechanism to try to establish permanent residency or change immigration status within the country, since in most cases these procedures require leaving the territory and carrying out a new process,” explained Reyes. The lawyer also recalled that the periods of stay usually range between 90 and 180 days, depending on the country, and that non-compliance with immigration regulations may entail consequences such as visa cancellation, administrative sanctions or restrictions on future entries. Finally, Erika Reyes urged travelers to inform themselves properly before traveling and to respect the conditions of their visa, in order to avoid legal problems that may affect their immigration history.