Moving to Puerto Rico
Planning a move to Puerto Rico? Find out about jobs, education, how to move your household and ship your car, real estate and more.
Government
Executive power is held by the Governor, who is elected by universal
adult suffrage for a 4-year term, assisted by a 15-member Cabinet staffed
by appointees. A bicameral assembly, a scaled-down version of the US
Congress, is responsible for legislation. The Lower House has 53 members;
the Senate has 27.
See listings for Government Agencies.
Education
Puerto Rico's overall literacy rate of 90 percent and its budget for education is approximately 40 percent. Education is obligatory between 6 to 17 years old. Primary school consists of six grades; the secondary levels is divided into 2 cycles of 3 years each. The school term in public schools starts in August through mid-December and January through late May.
The Department of Education oversees the public education system. The language used in the schools is Spanish, however, English is taught from kindergarten to high school as part of the school curriculum. Some private schools provides English programs where all classes are conducted in English except for the Spanish class.
There are also several colleges and universities available throughout the island, including: University of Puerto Rico, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, among others.
516 KB)Economy
Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region. Puerto Rico is a major producer of manufactured goods, high-technology equipment and pharmaceutics. The economy remains dependent upon a system of tax preferences and federal funding from United States. Puerto Rican growth and inflation trends generally follow those on the US mainland.
History
The Taino Indians were the first Puerto Rican inhabitants. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 on his second voyage to the New World. In 1898 Puerto Rico was ceded to the USA at the end of the Spanish-American War. In 1917 Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship and in 1952 the island became a self-governing Commonwealth in association with the USA.
Housing
Housing costs in Puerto Rico are very reasonable. The real estate market in Puerto Rico is booming due to population growth. Real Estate agencies are a good starting point for renting or purchasing property. Newspapers ads and the Internet is another possible way to find housing. There are thousands of property ads appearing every day in newspapers, web sites and magazines.
Utilities, Newspapers & Communications
To ask for any utility service, you will need proof both of your identity and residency (a lease contract, a deed or purchase contract, etc.) You may be required to pay a connection fee or place a deposit before service initiates.
Electricity
The only supplier of electricity in Puerto Rico is the government-run service
company called Autoridad de Energía
Eléctrica, more commonly known as AEE. Electricity bills are to be
paid every month.
The general rule in Puerto Rico is United Standards 110 and 120 volts AC, and the outlets take the same two-prong plugs found in the United States.
For more information contact the Customer Services Center at: (787) 289-3434, outside the metro area 1-800-981-2434 or visit the nearest office.
Water
As with electricity, the only supplier of water is the government-run company
called Autoridad de Acueductos y
Alcantarillados de Puerto Rico, more commonly known as AAA.
Water bills are to be paid every two months.
For more information contact Customer Service at: (787) 620-2482.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is delivered by the cylinder. Many Puerto Ricans use natural gas
propane stoves instead of electric stoves. Propane cylinders can be obtained
from a local propane gas supplier.
Garbage and Recycling
As with electricity and water, the only supplier of garbage disposal is the
government-run company called Autoridad
de Desperdicios Solidos, known as ADS.
For more information call the main office at: (787) 765-7575 or or contact the nearest office.
Newspapers
Puerto Rico has four daily newspapers: El Nuevo
Día, El Vocero, Primera Hora, and The San Juan Star.
In addition, there is 21 weekly newspapers including the Caribbean Business.
Telephone
Companies providing local and long distance services include:
Puerto Rico Telephone Company,
ATT,
Sprint, and MCI among others.
Internet Service Providers
National providers includes: AT&T, America On-Line, CompuServe, and MSN.
Local providers:
Caribbean Internet
Services,
Datacom Caribe, Inc.,
PRTC,
among others.
Cellular
Companies providing mobile-phone, paging and celluar services include:
AT&T, Verizon
Wireless, among others.
Cable TV
Companies providing Cable TV services include:
Adelphia,
Centennial de
Puerto Rico,
Liberty
Cablevision, among others.
Postal Service
Puerto Rico is part of the U.S. postal system
(USPS) and has the same
mail rates (26¢ for a postcard, 41¢ for a first-class letter) and service
as provided on the U.S. mainland. Post offices in every city offer
Express Mail next-day service to the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico.
In addition, express services are offered by FedEx, UPS, Emery, RPS, and DHL.
Finding Work in Puerto Rico
If you do not have a job, before you have arrived, make sure you have done your resume (curriculum vitae) and that you have copies of all relevant documentation, such as up to date references. For applicants of 18 years or more; some employers may require a Certificate of Good Behavior/Certificate of No Criminal Conviction, which is issued by the Puerto Rico Police Department.
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There are different methods to find a job in Puerto Rico. Here are a few tips:
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You can also find lots of job offers in newspapers, specialist magazines and on the Internet. Although you may find a job through one of the many Internet job search sites, the best use of the Internet is to research companies you may want to work for.
If you're looking for employment in Puerto Rico, these web sites can help you in your job search.
- SuperPagesPR.com
- Yellowpagespr.com
- Empleos en Puerto Rico by Dubina.com
How to obtain a Certificate of Good Behavior/Certificate of No Criminal Conviction?
You may request a certificate by completing the Certificate of No Criminal Conviction application. You must also include a postal money order in the amount of $1.50 made out to: Secretario de Hacienda. Send the money order and letter to:
Superintendente Auxiliar
Servicios al Ciudadano
Policia de Puerto Rico
P.O. Box 70166
San Juan, PR 00936-8166
For more information call (787) 781-0227.
Taxes in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a 5.5% sales tax. Municipalities have the option of imposing an additional sales tax of up to 1.5% (effective on November 15, 2006). In addition, in the event that the governor determines an insufficiency in collections for the general fund an additional 1% to the central government will be imposed.
All inbound shipments to Puerto Rico are subject to a local excise tax. Merchandise and/or articles arriving from the U.S. that will be sold, consumed, given away, and/or remain in Puerto Rico are subject to a 6.6% Puerto Rico excise tax that is calculated from the commercial invoice value. This is payable upon entry to Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico has it own tax system. Although it is modeled after the U.S. system, there are differences in law and tax rates.
The Puerto Rico tax system is based on self-assessment. Taxes are paid to the state. In addition, a premium is paid to the Social Security. Individual taxpayers are required to file an annual income tax return when minimum-income thresholds are met. They report taxable income and deductions, compare their final tax liability to any income tax withheld or estimated tax paid, and determine any balance due or overpayment of tax due from the Treasury.
For information about the filing taxes in Puerto Rico contact the Bureau of Income Tax at the following address:
- Negociado de Asistencia
- Contributiva y Legislación
- Departmento de Hacienda
- P.O. Box 565
- San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-6265.
- The telephone number is (787) 721-2020, extension 3611.
- Contributiva y Legislación
To obtain tax forms and instruction booklets contact the Forms and Publications Division Office at the above address, call (787) 721-2020, extensions 2643, 2645, or 2646, or visit their web site (www.hacienda.gobierno.pr).
Regulations and requirements may be subject to change at short notice, and you are advised to contact your doctor well in advance of your intended date of departure.
Good medical facilities exist in Puerto Rico. Every hotel has a doctor on call for guests.
Law requires immunizations for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and rubella. Immunizations are required for school registration.
Driver's License and Driver's Records
The process of obtaining a Puerto Rico driver license is easy to follow. When you apply for your license, take the following basic information: Social security card, ID with your full name, residential and postal address, date of birth and driver's license number (if applicable).
Learners Permit Certificate
A learner's license allows you to practice driving while accompanied by a licensed adult age 21 or older.
You must be at least 16 to apply. You can study for the written permit test using the
Driver's Manual
provided by the
DTOP available online.
To apply you must provide the following:
- Application for
Driver License (form DTOP-775)
If you are under 18 years of age, but older than 16 years of age, parent or legal guardian must present birth certificate (acceptable forms of identification) and complete a notarized Parental affidavit - Medical certificate
- Social Security number (present Social Security card, W-2 form, SSA-1099, US Military card, or copy State or Federal Tax returns)
- Provide proof of residence and birth date (birth cerificate or passport - acceptable documents)
- Three 2"x2" photographs
- Internal Revenue Seal of $10.00
- Pass the written exam
- Learners Permit Certificate with at least 30 days of expedition
- Pass the driving exam
- Three 2"x2" photographs
- Internal Revenue Seal of $10.00
- Complete the Application for Driver License, including medical certificate
- Two 2"x2" photographs
- Internal Revenue Seal of $10.00, if your license has expired you must present one for $20.00
- Take an eye exam
- Pass the written exam, (if you are over 25 and your current license has no outstanding violations, the written exam could be waived)
- Internal Revenue Seal of $10.00
- Affidavit on the loss of the license, indicating that has not been occupied by the Police or suspended by some court of Justice
- Two 2"x2" photographs
- Internal Revenue Seal of $5.00
- Identification with photo
- Full name as it appears on your driver's license
- Social Security number
- License number
- Reason for the request
- Address to which the record should be mailed
- Daytime telephone number
- Photocopy of a valid photo identification, preferably your Puerto Rico driver's license
- Money order in the amount of $1.50 made out to: Secretario de Hacienda.
Driver's License
If you wish to retake the exam you should present an Internal Revenue Seal of $5.00.
Renew of Driver's License
If your license has been expired for more than 2 years and 30 days, you must take the written exam applicable for your license type.
Driver's License for New Residents
New residents must obtain a valid Puerto Rico driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency and may register to vote after 30 days. If you are a U.S. Citizen and you have a valid out-of-state license you must provide the following:
Duplicate of Driver's License
How to obtain a driver's record?
You may request a driver record by mail by providing the following information:
Mail to:
Secretario de Hacienda
División de Servicio
Apartado 41243
San Juan, PR 00940-1240
Requests usually take 2 to 3 business days and mailed out via first class US Mail.
Vehicle Registration and Insurance Information
To register your car you must present vehicle's current registration certificate, title (unless held by lien holder), and your out-of-state license plates.
Puerto Rico law does not require drivers to carry vehicle insurance.
Voter Registration
To register to vote applicants must be a U.S. citizen, 18-years-old by the election date and have lived in the state and county for at least 30 days and within their precinct 10 days prior to the election.
Titles, Deeds and Land Records
Land records are available through the Registros de la Propiedad. There are 29 offices that serve specific municipalities, neighborhoods or sectors. To obtain information from these records it is usually necessary to know the name of the purchaser, the approximate date of purchase and the city in which the land was then located. To obtain certified copies write to or call Registro de la Propiedad, Oficina de la Directora Administrativa, Departamento de Justicia, Piso 3, Calle Olimpo, Esq. Axtmayer, Pda. 11, Miramar, Puerto Rico P.O. Box 9020192, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-0192, (787) 723-8960, (787)723-7560, Fax (787)725-8925.
Churches
There is a good representation of all the major religious denominations in most towns: Roman Catholic, Christian Scientist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Evangelists, Islam, Scots Kirk, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Salvation Army, Church of Christ, Mennonite, etc.
Emergency Numbers
Emergencies: 911
Police: 343-2020
Ambulance: 343-2222
Fire: 343-2330
Tourist Information: 722-1709
U.S. Marshall: 766-6000
FBI: 754-6000
US Secret Service: 766-5539
U.S. Coast Guard: 729-6770