Frequently Asked Questions
About Dominica and the Citizenship by Investment Programme
CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT DOMINICA?
The Commonwealth of Dominica is a Caribbean republic with a parliamentary democracy. The capital city is Roseau and the population is approximately 73,000. Dominica’s official language is English, although French Patois is also spoken. The local currency is the East Caribbean dollar, which is pegged to the United States dollar.
WHAT IS THE CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMME?
The Citizenship by Investment Programme allows reputable investors and their eligible family members to legally obtain citizenship in return for a significant investment in Dominica, as determined under the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment Regulations. Presently, there are two qualifying investments: a direct contribution to the Government (commonly known as the contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund route), starting at US$200,000 for a single applicant, or the purchase of pre-approved real estate at a minimum value of US$200,000.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP?
A detailed breakdown of the steps for applying for citizenship can be found here.
Step 1 – Choose an Authorised Agent
Step 2 – Contact your Authorised Agent
Step 3 – Processing of application
Step 4 – Background checks
Step 5 – Payment of investment and issuing of certificates of naturalisation
“Authorised Agent†means a person –
(a) licenced by the Cabinet who has paid the Authorised Agent’s fee under paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 1 the CBI regs 2024; and
(b) is authorised to act on behalf of the main applicant in relation to a Citizenship by Investment application. A full list of Authorised Agents can be found here.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP?
Any person who is:Â
- at least 18 years of ageÂ
- has a clean criminal recordÂ
- has certified in writing that if granted citizenship of Dominica they will not within 5 years of receiving a certificate of naturalisation change or seek to change their name other than by marriage; and Â
- has agreed be make the required minimum contribution Â
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may apply to become a citizen of Dominica pursuant to section 8 of the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act. Â
Any applicant who:Â
- has a criminal record other than for a minor offenceÂ
- is the subject of a criminal investigation for which he/she was aware or ought to have been aware and failed to discloseÂ
- has been denied citizenship in any other country Â
- has been denied a visa to the EU or the UK Â
- has been denied a visa to a country with which Dominica has visa-free travel and has not subsequently obtained a visa to or residence permit for that countryÂ
- is deemed a potential security risk to Dominica or any other countryÂ
- has provided information which is false in any material respect on his or her application forms; or Â
- is or has been involved in activity likely to bring disrepute to Dominica Â
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shall not be approved for citizenship of Dominica and if approved may be deprived of citizenship of Dominica. Â
All CBI applications must be submitted to the CBIU through an Authorised Agent. For a list of Authorised Agents click here. Â
There are explicit bans, limitations or enhanced due diligence requirements on applications from nationals of: Belarus, Iran, Northern Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Yemen and Sudan. For more information click here. Â
HOW MUCH DOES THE PROGRAMME COST? WHAT ARE THE FEES?
The total cost will be made up of either (1) the contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or (2) the investment in pre-approved real estate, plus fees relating to due diligence and the processing of the application. Some fees apply to both citizenship routes, while others depend on whether you choose to obtain citizenship through the Economic Diversification Fund option or the real estate option. For a breakdown of the applicable fees, please click here.
DOES CITIZENSHIP EXTEND TO MY FAMILY?
Yes, subject to the fulfilment of certain requirements, citizenship can be extended to your spouse, dependant children, dependant parents and grandparents. Fees vary according to the number of family members you include in your application for citizenship.
- A spouse of the main applicant.
- AÂ child under 18Â years of age of the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.
- A child of the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant between 18 and 30 years who is in attendance at a recognised institution of higher learning and fully supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.
- An unmarried daughter of the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant who is under 25 years of age and is living with and fully supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.
- A child of the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant who is 18 of age or older and physically or mentally challenged and who is fully supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.
- Parents or grandparents of the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant above the age of 65 years who are substantially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.
Please note:
- A ‘child’ means a biological or legally adopted child
- By “18 to 30 years†it is intended that a child who is 30 can be included in an application, but not a child who has turned 31
Please contact an Authorised Agent for questions relating to which of your family members may be included in your application.
Once you receive citizenship of Dominica you will have the same right to live, work, and study in Dominica as any other citizen.
WILL I BE LIABLE TO ANY TAXES IN DOMINICA?
There is no wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income, or capital gains tax in Dominica. As a citizen, you would be liable to pay personal tax if you resided in Dominica.
The Citizenship by Investment application process
CAN I SUBMIT THE APPLICATION TO THE CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT UNIT MYSELF?
No. You must submit your application through an Authorised Agent.
HOW LONG DOES THE APPLICATION TAKE?
From submission of the application to an approval in principle, applicants are generally expected to wait at least three months.
HOW DOES THIS PROGRAMME COMPARE TO OTHER CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES?
Our Programme has been running since 1993 and our Citizenship by Investment Unit is highly experienced in processing applications. Our Programme has efficient processing times and offers one of the most affordable routes to citizenship in the Caribbean.
IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS CONFIDENTIAL?
The application process itself is confidential, except where necessary checks are carried out by authorised due diligence agencies and international partners.
DO I HAVE TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW?
All applicants 16 years of age or over will be required to attend a mandatory interview. The fee is US$1,000 per interview. It is usually conducted virtually.
DO I HAVE TO TRAVEL TO DOMINICA?
No, you don’t have to travel to Dominica as part of the application process. However, we always encourage you to visit our beautiful Dominica.
DO I HAVE TO BE RESIDENT IN DOMINICA IN ORDER TO OBTAIN CITIZENSHIP?
No. You do not have to reside in Dominica before or after citizenship is granted.
IS THE APPLICATION FORM AVAILABLE ONLINE?
No. All application forms for the Citizenship by Investment Programme can only be obtained through an Authorised Agent.
CAN I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION IN ANY LANGUAGE?
No. You must submit your application in English.
WHAT IS A POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE?
A Police Clearance Certificate is a document provided by a law enforcement agency confirming the absence of a criminal record.
WHAT IS THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE?
Upon receiving citizenship, each applicant is required to sign an Oath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth of Dominica. The Oath must be signed before a Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or Commissioner of Oaths.
HOW DO I ADD A MINOR CHILD TO MY APPLICATION POST CITIZENSHIP?
A main applicant who obtained citizenship through the Dominica CBI Programme may apply to add a minor child (either biological or adopted) as a post-citizenship addition to his application without any time restriction relating to when the main applicant obtained.
Visiting Dominica
International travellers from Europe and the USA arrive in Dominica through transit hubs in Antigua, Barbados, St Maarten, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. Dominica’s main and larger airport is Douglas-Charles (DOM) which accommodates commercial airlines and has an updated terminal. Canefield Airport (DCF) currently serves only courier services and private charters. For more information on your trip to Dominica, please click here.
WHERE WILL MY DOMINICAN PASSPORT BE RECOGNISED?
Everywhere. The passport that you obtain as an economic citizen is a fully legal passport, and is universally recognised by all state parties to the United Nations.
DOES DOMINICA RECOGNISE DUAL CITIZENSHIP?
Yes, the laws of Dominica recognise and allow dual citizenship and you are not required to renounce your other citizenships. You are not required to reside in Dominica to keep your citizenship status.
FOR HOW MANY YEARS IS A DOMINICAN PASSPORT VALID?
Dominican passports are generally valid for up to ten years. Passports for children under 16 years old are issued for five years.
HOW DO I RENEW MY PASSPORT WHEN IT EXPIRES?
Expired passports or those with no free pages can be easily renewed for a fee at the Passport and Immigration Department in Dominica or through any Dominican Consulate (with no need to personally travel to Dominica or its Consulates).
HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT MY PASSPORT WILL BE RENEWED UPON EXPIRY?
As part of the laws of Dominica, and as a citizen of Dominica, you would be entitled to a passport.
DO I NEED AN ADDRESS IN DOMINICA TO RENEW MY PASSPORT?
No, you do not need an address in Dominica. You can renew your passport at the Passport and Immigration Department in Dominica or through any Dominican Consulate, and may simply give your primary residence as your address.
CAN I RENEW MY PASSPORT IF I HAVE ALREADY SOLD THE INVESTMENT PROPERTY?
Yes, as long as you held the property for the required number of years after obtaining your citizenship. For more details click here.