Acquiring Citizenship by Investment in Dominica - The Ultimate Guide
In today’s increasingly uncertain world, forward-thinking individuals are increasingly looking to second citizenship programs as a pathway to enjoying increased global mobility, peace of mind and financial security. By making a qualifying investment into the economy of certain Caribbean island nations, eligible investors and their families can apply to become full citizens of countries such as Dominica.
Gaining citizenship of Dominica through its Citizenship by Investment Program unlocks a world of benefits. Our comprehensive guide outlines the program’s various advantages as well as everything you need to know about applying, from eligibility rules to application costs and typical processing times.
Find out what kind of investment you would need to make in order to qualify for the Dominica Citizenship Program. There are several investment options to choose from. Our guide outlines these routes, including the requirements of the real estate investment option and the financial contribution option, along with details of the application process.
Drawing on years of experience in the Caribbean, we have created this in-depth resource for those considering applying for the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program. Read on to discover why investors choose Dominica to protect their future and find out how this trusted program could provide greater security, freedom and flexibility for you and your family.
Introduction
Introduced in 1993 by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica to spur economic growth and encourage foreign direct investment, Dominica’s well-established Citizenship by Investment Program provides a straightforward path to citizenship for eligible investors.
The program enables applicants to obtain citizenship by investing either in Dominica’s Economic Diversification Fund or into select real estate developments approved by the government. It is overseen by the Citizenship by Investment Unit within the Ministry of Finance, headquartered in the capital city of Roseau.
Revenue generated from the program supports national development projects, including the construction of a new US$1 billion international airport on the northeastern coast which is set to become the nation’s largest infrastructure initiative to date.
In return for their investment in the country, applicants and their loved ones gain increased global mobility, security, stability, and opportunity.
Dominica’s citizenship program has built a reputation as one of the world’s most trusted and affordably priced options, with investment thresholds starting at US $200,000.
For investors seeking security in uncertain and volatile times, Dominica and its long-standing, value-driven program represents a prudent option.
“Dominica’s citizenship program has built a reputation as one of the world’s most trusted and affordably priced options, with investment thresholds starting at US $200,000”
Benefits
Full Citizenship for Life
Successful applicants of the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program become full citizens of island with the right to live and work in Dominica with no restrictions.
Your citizenship rights can be passed on to future generations, allowing your children and grandchildren to enjoy all the same benefits and safeguarding your family’s future.
As Dominican citizens, successful applicants can also take advantage of the country’s membership of CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) which provides Dominican nationals with the right to take up residence, work without permission and establish a business in any other CARICOM member states. There are 15 member states of CARICOM: Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
Dominican citizens also enjoy all the rights and privileges of citizenship of a Commonwealth country in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
Acquiring citizenship of Dominica can therefore unlock an array of opportunities across CARICOM and the vast Commonwealth.
No Residency Requirement
A key benefit of the Dominica program is the lack of a residency requirement for new citizens. Successful applicants are not obligated to permanently live in the country after obtaining citizenship.
As a citizen you have the option to spend as much time as you desire in this idyllic island paradise, renowned for its high quality of life, natural beauty and pleasant tropical climate. Why not take advantage of your citizenship and enjoy a relaxed Caribbean lifestyle by residing part-time or full-time in this beautiful and welcoming country?
Visa-Free Travel Worldwide
Upon obtaining citizenship through the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program, you can apply for a Dominican passport through a separate application process.
As a citizen of Dominica, you will enjoy enhanced global mobility to travel and conduct business. The Dominican passport is globally recognized and highly valued for its extensive visa privileges, allowing holders visa-free or visa on arrival access to approximately 143 countries and territories worldwide.
For example, with a Dominican passport you can enjoy visa-free travel to Europe’s Schengen area.
The passport also provides visa-free access to major destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore and many others.
Financial Advantages
Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program offers successful applicants who take up residence a highly appealing tax regime – including no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no wealth tax and no tax on income generated outside the country. Along with the island’s natural beauty and enviable lifestyle, these tax advantages have made Antigua & Barbuda a sought-after destination for investors seeking second citizenship in the Caribbean. For those seeking the opportunity for substantial wealth preservation together with an unparalleled quality of life, Dominica provides a unique opportunity to prosper in an island paradise.
Fast Track Application Process
Dominica offers a rapid route to acquiring second citizenship in the Caribbean. The country seeks to rapidly process applications while maintaining strict due diligence standards. Thanks to a streamlined application process, you could receive approval in principle within 3 to 4 months of submission of your application, providing you with swift access to all the benefits of Dominican citizenship and the peace of mind that comes with expanded opportunities.
Family-Friendly Program
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program readily welcomes families, allowing the main applicant to include immediate relatives in their application. Spouses, children, parents and grandparents can all apply for citizenship alongside the main applicant. In addition, the right to citizenship passes to future generations, allowing descendants to inherit all the benefits of citizenship as well. So, for families, applying for citizenship in Dominica creates a legacy of security and access to opportunity for generations to come.
Dual Citizenship Permitted
A key advantage of Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program is that dual citizenship is permitted. Unlike some countries, Dominica’s laws fully recognize dual nationality. Applicants can therefore acquire a valuable second passport without having to renounce their existing citizenship. This makes the Dominica program ideal for investors looking to enjoy the benefits of a new citizenship while retaining their current one.
Requirements
In order to be eligible for the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program, an applicant must be able to meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age,
- Be of good character with no criminal record,
- Be able to satisfy the minimum required investment and pay the required processing, due diligence and administrative fees,
- Pass due diligence checks.
- Nationals of the following countries are not eligible to apply for citizenship in Dominica: Belarus, Northern Iraq / Kurdistan Region of Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Sudan.
The following family members of the main applicant (or the main applicant’s spouse) can be included in the application:
- Spouse
- Dependent children aged under 18 the main applicant (or the main applicant’s spouse)
- Children aged 18 to 30 who are financially dependent on the main applicant
- Children aged 18 or over who are physically or mentally disabled, living with and fully supported by the main applicant
- Parents or grandparents of the main applicant (or the main applicant’s spouse) who are aged 55 or older and financially dependent
- Unmarried siblings of the main applicant (or the main applicant’s spouse)
Investment Options
- 1 Option 1 Financial Contribution
Applicants can qualify for the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program by making a non-refundable financial contribution to Dominica’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF).
Investment Amount
- Main applicant: US $200,000
- Main applicant with up to three family members: US $250,000
- Each additional dependant under the age of 18: US $25,000
- Each additional dependant over the age of 18: US $40,000
Administrative Fees
In addition to the financial contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) outlined above, additional administrative fees are payable.
Applicants are required to pay processing and due diligence fees as part of the application process.
Processing Fee
Processing Fee: US $1,000 per application
Due Diligence Fee
- Main applicant: US $7,500
- Spouse: US $4,000
- Dependant aged 16 years or above: US $4,000
Other Fees
- Certificate of Naturalisation fee: US $500 per person
- Expedited passport issuance fee: US $1,200 per person
- 2 Option 2 Real Estate Investment
Applicants can qualify for the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program by making an investment in Dominica real estate authorized by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (N.B. the property must be held for a minimum of 3 years).
Investment Amount
Minimum investment: US $200,000.
Search our Dominica Citizenship by Investment real estate for approved properties in Dominica.
Real estate must be held for either three years from the date your citizenship is granted or, if the future purchaser is also a citizenship by investment applicant, five years from the date your citizenship is granted.
Government Fee
Applicants applying for citizenship via the real estate investment route are required to pay a supplementary Government Fee on top of the real estate investment as follows:
- Main applicant: US $75,000
- Main applicant with up to three family dependants: US $100,000
- Each additional qualified dependant under the age of 18: US $25,000
- Each additional qualified dependant over the age of 18: US $40,000
Administrative Fees
In addition to the financial contribution to the real estate investment and the Government fee outlined above, additional administrative fees are payable.
Applicants are required to pay processing and due diligence fees as part of the application process.
Processing Fee
Processing Fee: US $1,000 per application
Due Diligence Fee
- Main applicant: US $7,500
- Spouse: US $4,000
- Dependant aged 16 years or above: US $4,000
Other Fees
- Certificate of Naturalisation fee: US $500 per person
- Expedited passport issuance fee: US $1,200 per person
Application Process
The application process involves the following steps:
- 1 Compile Application
Complete all required forms for the Dominican Citizenship by Investment Program in the English language and gather together all required supporting documents with the guidance and support of an authorized Agent. We can introduce you to a qualified and authorized Agent with experience of handling citizenship applications.
- 2 Submit Application
Submit application to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) via an authorized Agent for review and due diligence.
- 3 Application Review & Determination
The application will be thoroughly reviewed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).
Interview
Each main applicant aged 16 years and over is required to attend a mandatory interview.
Due Diligence
Strict due diligence (including AML (anti-money laundering), CTF (counter-terrorism financing) and criminal record checks will be conducted by multiple organizations including the CIU, international due diligence firms and regional and international law enforcement agencies.
Determination
Approval in principle or rejection is usually provided within a period of 90 days.
- 4 Conclude Investment
If approved, applicants are required to pay the balance of the required investment and the remaining fees.
- 5 Citizenship Granted
The passport(s) will then be made available for collection either in Dominica or at an Embassy or Consulate, usually within a period of 30 days. At this time successful applicants will take an oath of allegiance.
Real Estate
Searching for real estate approved for the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program? Several of our property listings in Dominica are approved projects under the CIP program.
Several of the listings on our site are officially approved projects which means that an investment in one of them provides eligibility to apply for citizenship of Dominica.
Search our Dominica Citizenship by Investment real estate options or contact us to discover your options.
Costs & Fees
Administrative Fees
In addition to the financial contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or the real estate investment (and Government Fee) outlined above, additional administrative fees are payable.
Applicants are required to pay processing and due diligence fees as part of the application process.
Processing Fee
Processing Fee: US $1,000 per application
Due Diligence Fee
- Main applicant: US $7,500
- Spouse: US $4,000
- Dependant aged 16 years or above: US $4,000
Other Fees
- Certificate of Naturalisation fee: US $250 per person
- Expedited passport issuance fee: US $1,200 per person
Find Out More
We would be delighted to discuss your options and consider whether the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program would be a good fit for you.
To request a telephone callback, please complete the contact form and a specialist citizenship advisor will be in touch as soon as possible.
We look forward to hearing from you.