A step-by-step look at the CONFOTUR approval process — from CEI-RD technical review through the presidential decree that ratifies Law 158-01 benefits, and how buyers track status.
A CONFOTUR file moves through three main stages after submission: technical review at the tourism promotion council (CEI-RD/CONFOTUR), a resolution granting provisional status, and a presidential decree that ratifies the full 15-year exemption under Law 158-01. From submission to that final decree typically takes many months, and Sienna currently holds provisional status under Resolution 203-2024 — the stage before final ratification. Here's what actually happens in between, and how you follow it.
Key Takeaways
- The CONFOTUR approval process runs from CEI-RD technical review, to a council resolution, to a presidential decree ratifying Law 158-01 benefits.
- Sienna holds provisional status under Resolution 203-2024 — approval is not yet final, and no benefits are "locked in".
- Provisional status is the normal working stage during pre-construction; buyers purchase against it with the contract structured accordingly.
- The exemption covers what the qualifying developer builds and delivers — a self-built villa outside that contract is exempt on land value only.
- Track status through your legal team's file reference, not through public portals — updates come project-side.
What Is the CONFOTUR Approval Process, Step by Step?
The CONFOTUR approval process is the administrative path a tourism project takes to earn the tax exemptions written into Law 158-01. It is not a single sign-off. A developer files a dossier, a technical body reviews it, the council issues a resolution, and — for full ratification — the President signs a decree.
For a fuller primer on what these exemptions are worth and how they apply to a buyer, start with CONFOTUR explained for Dominican Republic investors, the hub this article sits under. This piece picks up where that one leaves off: the bureaucratic middle.
Why the middle matters to you
The concern most buyers raise is simple: if approval isn't final, am I exposed? Fair question. The answer is that provisional status is the ordinary state of affairs during pre-construction, and your purchase contract is written to reflect exactly where the file sits. You are not being asked to pretend the decree already exists.
Step 1 — The Developer Files the Dossier
What happens: the developer assembles and submits the CONFOTUR application to the tourism authorities under the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR). Who does it: the developer's legal and technical team, not the buyer. How long: preparation runs weeks to months; filing itself is a day.
The dossier includes the project's legal structure, land title, environmental permitting, architectural plans, and a classification of which works qualify. The single most common mistake here is an incomplete environmental file — Las Terrenas projects carry real permitting obligations, as we cover in the 57 environmental obligations behind building in Las Terrenas. A gap there stalls everything downstream.
Step 2 — CEI-RD / CONFOTUR Technical Review
What happens: the council's technical staff verify the project qualifies as a tourism project under Law 158-01 and that the paperwork holds up. Who does it: CONFOTUR's evaluation team. How long: this is the variable stage — often the longest.
Reviewers confirm the land title is clean, the plans match the declared use, and the works listed for exemption are genuinely eligible. The Dominican Republic ranks among the Caribbean's largest tourism economies, and the tax incentive framework created under Law 158-01 is a core reason foreign capital keeps arriving, as UN Tourism's regional reporting on the Americas has documented. The review exists to keep that framework credible.
The mistake people make here
Buyers treat silence as a problem. It usually isn't — technical review is slow by design, and the file can sit in a queue without anything being wrong. The mistake is trying to read the tea leaves from the outside instead of asking your legal team for the file reference and status.
Step 3 — The Council Resolution (Provisional Status)
What happens: CONFOTUR issues a resolution granting the project provisional recognition. Who does it: the council. How long: it follows a favourable review; the resolution is dated.
This is where Sienna sits today: provisional status under Resolution 203-2024. That resolution is meaningful — it signals the project has cleared technical review and is recognised in the pipeline — but it is not the final decree, and it is not a guarantee. We say this plainly because the rules matter: benefits are not "secured", "in place", or "locked in" at this stage.
Provisional status is the working reality of nearly every pre-construction CONFOTUR project. It means the file has passed technical scrutiny and is advancing — not that the President has signed. Buy against what the resolution actually says, not against a decree that hasn't been issued.
Step 4 — Presidential Decree and Ratification
What happens: the President signs a decree ratifying the exemptions, completing the process under Law 158-01. Who does it: the executive, on the council's recommendation. How long: after the resolution, this is out of the developer's hands and can take further months.
Once ratified, the qualifying project carries 0% property tax (IPI) for 15 years and 0% transfer tax at closing on what the developer builds and delivers — the exemptions detailed in the DGII and CONFOTUR framework for property taxes. The standard rates without the exemption are 1% annual IPI above the exemption threshold and 3% transfer tax, per the Dominican tax authority, DGII.
One boundary worth stating clearly
The exemption follows what the qualifying developer builds and delivers. If you buy a lot and build your own villa outside the developer's construction contract, you are exempt on the land value only — the 3% transfer tax on the land and the 1% annual IPI on the land — and nothing more. The self-built structure and its rental income sit outside the exemption. Structure the purchase accordingly; see land vs turnkey villa for how that decision plays out.
How Do Sienna Buyers Track CONFOTUR Status?
You track it through your file, not through a public dashboard. There is no consumer-facing portal where you type a name and see a status bar.
What happens: your legal team holds the CONFOTUR file reference and receives updates as the project advances. Who does it: Sienna's multilingual legal team, in English, French, Spanish, or German. How long: on request, plus scheduled updates.
The mistake here is expecting real-time notifications. Government timelines don't work that way. What you get instead is a named contact who can tell you exactly what stage your project's file is at and what the current resolution covers.
CONFOTUR Approval Process at a Glance
| Step | What Happens | Owner | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. File dossier | Legal/technical package submitted to MITUR | Developer's legal team | Days to file; weeks to prepare |
| 2. Technical review | CEI-RD/CONFOTUR verifies eligibility | CONFOTUR evaluators | The longest, most variable stage |
| 3. Council resolution | Provisional status granted | CONFOTUR council | Follows favourable review |
| 4. Presidential decree | Exemptions ratified under Law 158-01 | Office of the President | Further months after resolution |
| 5. Buyer status tracking | File reference monitored | Sienna legal team | Ongoing, on request |
The Checklist
Use this to confirm you understand where a CONFOTUR file sits before you commit:
- Confirm the project's current status in writing — which resolution, dated when.
- Ask whether that status is provisional or fully ratified by presidential decree.
- Verify which works the exemption covers (developer-built vs self-built).
- Get the CONFOTUR file reference from your legal team.
- Read how your purchase contract handles the exemption if final ratification is delayed.
- Confirm your legal team's language and named point of contact.
- Cross-check the standard IPI and transfer-tax rates you'd pay without the exemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the CONFOTUR approval process take?
There is no fixed statutory clock. Technical review is the most variable stage and can run many months, and the presidential decree adds further time after the council resolution. Treat any single quoted number with caution — the honest answer is that it varies project by project.
Is Sienna CONFOTUR-approved?
No. Sienna holds provisional status under Resolution 203-2024 — the stage after technical review and before final presidential ratification. Approval is not final, and no benefits are locked in. Purchase contracts are structured to reflect that reality.
Does the exemption apply if I build my own villa on a lot?
Only partly. A villa built outside the qualifying developer's construction contract is exempt on the land value only — the 3% transfer tax on the land and the 1% annual IPI on the land. The self-built structure and its rental income are not covered.
When does the 15-year exemption clock start?
Timing matters for pre-construction buyers, and it's a topic in its own right — see CONFOTUR timing for pre-construction buyers for when the 15-year clock actually begins.
Can I lose money if final ratification is delayed?
Your protection comes from the contract, not from assurances. A well-structured pre-construction agreement addresses what happens if ratification is delayed. Read that clause before you sign, and ask your legal team to walk you through it.
If You Get Stuck
If the status of a file is unclear, the fastest fix is to ask for it in writing: which resolution applies, dated when, and whether it is provisional or ratified. Sienna's legal team can pull the CONFOTUR file reference and explain what it currently covers in your language. To see how the exemption changes your actual numbers, run the figures with our ROI tools and investment projection — a no-pressure way to compare scenarios before you decide anything.
This article provides general information about property in the Dominican Republic and is not personal financial, legal, or tax advice. Figures such as CONFOTUR benefits, taxes, and returns depend on your circumstances and can change — confirm specifics with a licensed Dominican attorney, tax advisor, or the relevant authority before making a decision.
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Written by
Sienna Terrenas Editorial Team
The Sienna Terrenas editorial team covers buying, owning, and living in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic — from the purchase process and CONFOTUR tax strategy to villa construction and Caribbean community life, drawing on the team's on-the-ground experience in the area. Meet the Sienna Terrenas team.
