A Travel and vacations forum. TravelBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » TravelBanter forum » Travel Regions » Caribbean
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 12th, 2004, 04:38 AM
ilko
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements

Hi everybody,
I'm willing to share my experience with the Dominican Republic visa
regulation which has prevented my holiday to Punta Cana with a not bad
loss of money.
Firstly the facts :
I am a Bulgarian passport holder, living in UK since 2002, with leave
to remain until 11.2006 as a self-employed running own business. After
11.2006 I am allowed to apply for indefinite leave to remain in UK.
April 2003 I went on holiday in Dominican Republic as I checked in
many internet sites for the visa requirements. So I saw I did not need
a visa as I can travel just on touristic card and passport. I went
there without any troubles at all and I had a great time. Nobody asked
me neither at the UK border nor at the Dominican border for visa. On
the way back to the airport I met two other Bulgarians, also living in
UK with the same status as mine one in UK and they told me that the
consulate of Dominican republic in London made them to obtain visa for
each, costing £120 per person !!! We were wondering then where the
truth was. My thoughts were that should have been misunderstanding of
the consulate in London. They told me they had checked in a lot of
internet sites for Dominican Republic and they saw as well as myself
that they do not need a visa.
This year – 2004 March me and a friend of mine booked good late deal
for 14 nights AI in Punta Cana. I was planning to celebrate my 30
birthday. So we bought the packet and a few days after went to Gatwick
airport in London at 7.30 am. Suddenly at the check-in at Gatwick, the
agent told us there is a problem and we need a visa to get on the
plane. We complained about that and I told him and showed him the
stamps that I was there an year ago without a visa. He spoke to his
supervisor and at the end they told us, showing off an internal
brochure that they cannot reach by the telex machine anyone of the
Dominican immigration officer(due to the time difference which is – 5
Hours GMT) and they cannot allow us to board! Shock! Now the
interesting part is coming up. We were waiting for an answer of the
Dominican side, but no answer from them. The plane gone and we
remained at the airport.
The holiday was booked from one of the biggest UK tour operators
Airtours (member of Mytravel group) by phone and the airline was
Mytravel Airways. When we complained to the costumer service of the
tour operator we were told it is our responsibility to check and
obtain all necessary documents and visas. We were not told about that
or anything related when we booked the packet. After several calls to
them we found out there is still no chance to get full or even partial
refund.
We spoke to the Dominican Republic embassy in London after that and
they confirmed we need a visa. In the most Internet sites Bulgaria is
still among the countries with no need of visa for the Dominican
Republic.

www.dominicanrepublic.com
http://www.dominicanrep.info/residency.html
http://www.dominicanrepublic.com/Tou...egulations.htm
http://www.domrep.org/visas.htm
http://www.drembassy.org/english/

On the official sites of the Dominican embassy in New York And Canada
is written "The legal residents in UK, USA,Canada …and other are also
eligible for tourist card) Our status as resident in UK does not help
out, as the embassy interpret "LEGAL RESIDENCY" as indefinite leave to
remain, not a temporary residence. So confusing. I spoke to the
embassies of the Dominican Republic in New York, Miami, Toronto and
all of them were confused to declare definite whether we need a visa
or not, at least nothing in written. The first answer every time was
just straight " You need a visa". When I asked them for more exact
attention all they got confused. Strange ! As a final we understood
that probably Bulgaria was removed that list of countries eligible for
tourist card but I do not trust the clerks this embassies. The travel
insurance policy does not cover such cases so no money from them
either.
Now I'm thinking to sue the travel company but it will cost a lot of
nerves.

Sorry for the long story it is difficult to explain the matter just
with a few sentences.
Any ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I hope the story will be helpful for anyone who is not citizen of UK,
Canada, USA or EU .
  #2  
Old March 12th, 2004, 06:03 AM
Cruising Chrissy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements

On 11 Mar 2004 19:38:53 -0800, (ilko) wrote:

Now I'm thinking to sue the travel company but it will cost a lot of
nerves.


You're delirious.

Sorry for the long story it is difficult to explain the matter just
with a few sentences.


Write a book.
  #3  
Old March 12th, 2004, 07:45 PM
Roger Chung-Wee
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements

On 11 Mar 2004 19:38:53 -0800, (ilko) wrote:

Hi everybody,
I'm willing to share my experience with the Dominican Republic visa
regulation which has prevented my holiday to Punta Cana with a not bad
loss of money.
Firstly the facts :
I am a Bulgarian passport holder, living in UK since 2002, with leave
to remain until 11.2006 as a self-employed running own business. After
11.2006 I am allowed to apply for indefinite leave to remain in UK.
April 2003 I went on holiday in Dominican Republic as I checked in
many internet sites for the visa requirements. So I saw I did not need
a visa as I can travel just on touristic card and passport. I went
there without any troubles at all and I had a great time. Nobody asked
me neither at the UK border nor at the Dominican border for visa. On
the way back to the airport I met two other Bulgarians, also living in
UK with the same status as mine one in UK and they told me that the
consulate of Dominican republic in London made them to obtain visa for
each, costing £120 per person !!! We were wondering then where the
truth was. My thoughts were that should have been misunderstanding of
the consulate in London. They told me they had checked in a lot of
internet sites for Dominican Republic and they saw as well as myself
that they do not need a visa.
This year – 2004 March me and a friend of mine booked good late deal
for 14 nights AI in Punta Cana. I was planning to celebrate my 30
birthday. So we bought the packet and a few days after went to Gatwick
airport in London at 7.30 am. Suddenly at the check-in at Gatwick, the
agent told us there is a problem and we need a visa to get on the
plane. We complained about that and I told him and showed him the
stamps that I was there an year ago without a visa. He spoke to his
supervisor and at the end they told us, showing off an internal
brochure that they cannot reach by the telex machine anyone of the
Dominican immigration officer(due to the time difference which is – 5
Hours GMT) and they cannot allow us to board! Shock! Now the
interesting part is coming up. We were waiting for an answer of the
Dominican side, but no answer from them. The plane gone and we
remained at the airport.
The holiday was booked from one of the biggest UK tour operators
Airtours (member of Mytravel group) by phone and the airline was
Mytravel Airways. When we complained to the costumer service of the
tour operator we were told it is our responsibility to check and
obtain all necessary documents and visas. We were not told about that
or anything related when we booked the packet. After several calls to
them we found out there is still no chance to get full or even partial
refund.
We spoke to the Dominican Republic embassy in London after that and
they confirmed we need a visa. In the most Internet sites Bulgaria is
still among the countries with no need of visa for the Dominican
Republic.

www.dominicanrepublic.com
http://www.dominicanrep.info/residency.html
http://www.dominicanrepublic.com/Tou...egulations.htm
http://www.domrep.org/visas.htm
http://www.drembassy.org/english/

On the official sites of the Dominican embassy in New York And Canada
is written "The legal residents in UK, USA,Canada …and other are also
eligible for tourist card) Our status as resident in UK does not help
out, as the embassy interpret "LEGAL RESIDENCY" as indefinite leave to
remain, not a temporary residence. So confusing. I spoke to the
embassies of the Dominican Republic in New York, Miami, Toronto and
all of them were confused to declare definite whether we need a visa
or not, at least nothing in written. The first answer every time was
just straight " You need a visa". When I asked them for more exact
attention all they got confused. Strange ! As a final we understood
that probably Bulgaria was removed that list of countries eligible for
tourist card but I do not trust the clerks this embassies. The travel
insurance policy does not cover such cases so no money from them
either.
Now I'm thinking to sue the travel company but it will cost a lot of
nerves.

Sorry for the long story it is difficult to explain the matter just
with a few sentences.
Any ideas and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I hope the story will be helpful for anyone who is not citizen of UK,
Canada, USA or EU .


Of course you need a visa. The web site
http://www.domrep.org/visas.htm lists countries from which you do not
need a visa and countries from which you are permitted to buy a
tourist card. Bulgaria is not mentioned at all, therefore you need a
visa.
  #4  
Old March 25th, 2004, 04:07 PM
Miguel Cruz
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements

ilko wrote:
We spoke to the Dominican Republic embassy in London after that and
they confirmed we need a visa.


That's all there is to it. It doesn't matter what random web sites say. Why
would you sue the travel agency? They told you that it was your
responsibility to ensure you had your visa lined up.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
  #5  
Old March 30th, 2004, 10:07 PM
ilko
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements Re Miguel

I was told about that at the airport. During the booking process the
agent should have told me about this requirements, as well as this is
a part of the British ABTA, where the company is member.At the other
hand the holiday and the flight was provided by the same company so
the agent should have got the same information as the check-in staff.
  #6  
Old April 1st, 2004, 10:35 PM
ilko
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements

Miguel Cruz wrote in message ...
ilko wrote:
We spoke to the Dominican Republic embassy in London after that and
they confirmed we need a visa.


That's all there is to it. It doesn't matter what random web sites say. Why
would you sue the travel agency? They told you that it was your
responsibility to ensure you had your visa lined up.

miguel



Please have a look at this (not) RANDOM web site:
http://dominicanrepublic.embassyhome..._london_uk.htm

It's official site and follow the link for the entry requirements.
Then find Bulgaria in the list.

Secondly if you have read the message carefully you should have found
that NOBODY from the travel agency neither made as aware nor guided
for this obviously new visa requirements. The agent should have the
same information booklet as the staff at the airport check-in as they
are from the same company.

From: Cruising Chrissy )
Subject: Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa
requirements


On 11 Mar 2004 19:38:53 -0800, (ilko) wrote:

Now I'm thinking to sue the travel company but it will cost a lot of
nerves.


You're delirious.

Sorry for the long story it is difficult to explain the matter just
with a few sentences.


Write a book.



I don't know anybody who would not be delirious in such a situation.
Have you ever been in a similar situation, dear Cruising Chrissy ?
And how would you feel or react ?
About the book - nobody made you to read the whole post - it's your
choice and if only these two sentences ring the bell in your mind...
What can I say

For information:


Question 22: Must I tell the consumer anything before he buys his
holiday?

Answer: Yes. Before a contract is concluded the consumer must be
provided in writing or in some other appropriate form (which could
include communication over the telephone or projection on a visual
display unit) the following information:

general information about passport and visa requirements which apply
to the nationals of the member State(s) concerned who purchase the
package in question, including information about the length of time it
is likely to take to obtain the appropriate passports and visas;
information about health formalities required for the journey and the
stay; and
the arrangements for security for the money paid over and (where
applicable) for the repatriation of the consumer in the event of
insolvency.
(See regulation 7.)

http://www2.dti.gov.uk/ccp/topics1/guide/packtravel.htm

(Department of Trade and Industry in UK)

And just a few words from ABTA ( The Association of British Travel
Agents ) which member is MyTravel.

ABTA CODE OF CONDUCT:
.......
1.6 Passports, Visa and Health Requirements

(i) .....
(ii) Before a contract is made, Members shall advise their Clients of
passport and visa requirements for the journey to be undertaken where
it is reasonably practicable for the Members to obtain this
information. In other cases, Members shall offer Clients reasonable
assistance in obtaining such information.

(iii) .....
  #7  
Old April 3rd, 2004, 10:45 PM
arnego2
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements


Originally posted by Ilko

www.dominicanrepublic.com
http://www.dominicanrep.i-

nfo/residency.htmlhttp://www.dominicanrep.info/residency.html

http://www.dominicanrepublic.com/Tou...velguide/visa-
_regulations.htm"]http://www.dominicanrepublic.com/Tourism/english/trav-
elguide/visa_regulations.htm[/url]
http://www.domrep.org/visas.-

htmhttp://www.domrep.org/visas.htm
http://www.drembassy-

org/english/http://www.drembassy.org/english/

Why
do you want to go back?
Arnego2


--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com
  #8  
Old April 4th, 2004, 07:25 PM
ilko
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements

arnego2 wrote in message Why
do you want to go back?
Arnego2



What do you exactly mean?
  #9  
Old April 5th, 2004, 01:20 AM
Miguel Cruz
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements

ilko wrote:
Miguel Cruz wroteL
ilko wrote:
We spoke to the Dominican Republic embassy in London after that and
they confirmed we need a visa.


That's all there is to it. It doesn't matter what random web sites say. Why
would you sue the travel agency? They told you that it was your
responsibility to ensure you had your visa lined up.


Please have a look at this (not) RANDOM web site:
http://dominicanrepublic.embassyhome..._london_uk.htm

It's official site and follow the link for the entry requirements.


My friend, that is NOT an official site by any stretch of the imagination.
Putting the word "official" on the top doesn't mean anything. You need to
become a more sophisticated internet consumer before you get yourself in any
more trouble.

They clearly list who can enter without a visa he

http://www.serex.gov.do/espanol/sin_visa.htm

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
  #10  
Old April 12th, 2004, 01:54 PM
ilko
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Bad experience with the Dominican republic visa requirements

Yep Miguel,
I saw it's unofficial either,just after i posted the message. Try to
use Google and find official ones if you can. When you see 5 or 10
(random or unofficial) sites stating the same, will you keep on
searching?
Further more - the official sites of the Dominican republic embassy in
Pakistan and Italy are still stating Bulgarians need not a visa.
Total after long hours searching in internet I have found the
following informatin about visas.
Sites confirming Bulgarian citizens DO NOT need a visa:


http://www.cons-dom.fi.it/turismo/index.html - official
http://www.serex.gov.do/ is not aviable in English
http://www.dominicanconsulate.org.pk/tourismframe.htm - official
and many other unofficial (random in your words)which I already
posted.

I have found ONLY 2 (3) official sites confirming Bulgarian citizens
DO need a visa:

www.domrep.org
www.drembassy.org/english plus
www.serex.gov.do where its english section is under construction.

Which one(s) are accredited or with an actual information? How can you
be sure of that?

Miguel, my point is that information about the Dominican republic visa
requirements is confusing and hard to be gathered from official
sources in english in internet.It is not neither my job nor a hobby to
do so deep search. As an average user a several sites, giving general
tourist information usually are enough.
I did that search an year ago, found that I don't need a visa and went
there with no troubles. At the same time, as I wrote in the original
post, two other bulgarians I met there were told by the Dominican
embassy in London to obtain a visa costed £120(~US $216) each.
Confusing isn't it?
In other hand the post it's not only about the visa requirements is
it?
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Dominican Republic : Budget Hotel online Caribbean 0 February 26th, 2004 12:39 AM
Great stay in the Dominican Republic. Cheap Joe Caribbean 0 January 11th, 2004 02:42 PM
Las Terrenas in Dominican Republic Ned Gatewood Caribbean 0 November 24th, 2003 03:02 AM
Thai visa costs Tchiowa Air travel 0 September 13th, 2003 06:18 AM
Thai visa costs Tchiowa Asia 0 September 13th, 2003 06:18 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:42 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 TravelBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.