Significant increase in tourist card refunds

Santo Domingo.- Despite the lack of an automatic discount mechanism for the $10 tourist card for Dominicans buying airline tickets, refunds for this fee have significantly increased in recent years. The General Directorate of Internal Revenue (DGII) reports that from 2020 to mid-August 2024, 37,607 refund requests were approved, totaling $376,050. Last year alone, $118,940 was refunded, with $63,220 already issued by June of this year. This rise indicates growing awareness among travelers about their right to request a refund.

However, not all requests are approved; 10,919 have been rejected during this period. The Civil Aviation Board (JAC) issued Resolution 217-2022, granting airlines time to update their systems to remove the tourist card fee for Dominicans and visa holders. Arajet is the only airline that has fully implemented this change.

Omar Chaín, president of the Dominican Association of Airlines (ADLA), noted that the JAC has repeatedly extended the deadline due to a legal challenge from 11 airlines arguing that the required system changes are costly and complex.

Refund requests are commonly rejected for several reasons:

1. Ineligible Tickets: The tourist card fee is only applicable to tickets purchased abroad. Tickets bought within the Dominican Republic or for transit passengers do not incur the fee and are not eligible for refunds.
2. Missed Deadlines: Refunds can be requested from the ticket purchase date up to 30 business days after entering the Dominican Republic.
3. Incomplete Documentation: Refund requests must include the airline ticket, the applicant’s passport, and proof of exemption (e.g., residency, visa, or diplomatic status). Missing or incorrect documents will result in rejection.