Dominica Citizenship by Investment: Everything You Need to Know

Gaining a second passport in the 21st century is a necessity. The good news is that you are spoilt for choice when it comes to acquiring citizenship by investment.

Caribbean nations are known to have one of the best citizenship-by-investment programs in the world, providing high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, investors, and their families access to priceless opportunities, security guarantees, and a unique lifestyle.

This guide aims to provide a detailed overview of the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program so you can decide if it is a good fit for you and your family, your investment goals, and your long-term plans.

Let’s unpack the program’s benefits, eligibility requirements, possible investment routes, the application process, and commonly asked questions.

About Dominica 

Dominica is a tropical island nation found in the Lesser Antilles of the eastern Caribbean. It is situated between Guadaloupe, to the north, and Martinique, to the south. Though small in size, Dominica boasts a wide variety of beautiful natural features, from its volcanic hot springs to its jungles and black sand beaches.

The nation is increasing in popularity as a tourist destination, with a particular focus on eco-tourism, to preserve the island’s stunning natural beauty while sharing it with the world. The official language of Dominica is English, though there is a significant French influence due to its history as both a colony of Britain and France.

How to Get Dominica Citizenship By Investment

The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program is extremely attractive to those pursuing dual citizenship. Interested parties can invest in Dominica’s Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or government-approved real estate.

The EDF requires a minimum variable investment (starting from $200,000 for a single applicant), contingent on how many applicants/dependents are included in each application. If you choose to invest in real estate, you must purchase a government-authorized property worth a minimum of $200,000 and pay all associated fees, plus those for dependents.

Dominica Citizenship By Investment Benefits

1. Quick and Simple Application

The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program does not accept direct applications, so you must choose an agent to assist you with the application. This means that a certified expert will handle your application, significantly reducing stress and dealing with complications on your behalf. 

In addition, as part of the process, specialized companies will perform necessary due diligence checks on you.

That said, following Dominica’s recent announcement, applicants aged 16 and above will be required to attend a mandatory interview as part of the application process. For more information on this, read our blog post that covers the recent changes in Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program.

2. Eligibility for the Entire Family

Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program allows applicants to include their dependents in their application. These include

• Applicant’s spouse
• Children under 18
• Financially dependent children up to 30 years of age enrolled in a higher education institution
• Unmarried daughter under 25 years old and fully supported by the principal applicant or the spouse
• Disabled children 18+ years old
• Substantially supported the main applicant’s or the spouse’s parents or grandparents older than 65 years old.

3. Affordable Second Passport

The Dominica Citizenship By Investment Program is one of the most affordable programs of its kind, with a minimum donation of only $200,000 to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund.

4. Dual Citizenship 

Obtaining a passport from the Commonwealth of Dominica is a highly advantageous option for those looking to capitalize on dual citizenship. This passport gives holders access to increased global mobility, Caribbean markets, and the ability to live and work in an island paradise.

5. Flexibility with Requirements

Although specific criteria exist to be eligible for Citizenship by Investment, Dominica’s program, in particular, has great flexibility within its requirements. There are different financial options depending on which type of investment you choose. There is no residency requirement, you retain the ability to hold multiple citizenships, and you can include family members in your application.

6. Visa-Free Travel

The passport of Dominica has a mobility rating of 133 on the global Passport Index. It enables visa-free travel to 87 countries, including the European Union and the United Kingdom. It also allows visa-on-arrival travel to an additional 42 countries.

7. Lenient Tax Freedoms 

Citizenship in Dominica comes with significant tax incentives. There is no capital gains tax or personal income tax for residents, and there is no restriction on the repatriation of profits and imported capital.

Eligibility and Requirements of Dominica Citizenship By Investment

To apply for Citizenship by Investment in Dominica, you must first be from an eligible country, as a small number of nationalities are restricted from applying. Currently, these nations are

• Northern Iraq
• North Korea*
• Sudan*
• Russia
• Belarus
• Kurdistan Region (no new applications are accepted at the present time.)

*Special conditions apply to investors from these countries, contact us for the latest updates.

You are also subject to a standard criminal record check and cannot have any previous convictions. In addition to this, you must have a medical examination and submit a medical certificate.

There is no residency requirement in Dominica. Therefore, you are not obliged to live in or visit the country at any point during your application or after your citizenship is granted. However, if you wish to gain the right to vote, you must reside in Dominica for one year. It is not automatically granted to citizens by investment.

Besides, Dominica recognizes dual citizenship, and you do not need to renounce any other citizenship to apply.

Options for Obtaining Dominica Citizenship by Investment

Individuals seeking Dominica Citizenship by Investment (CBI) can apply for the program via one of two routes.

Which Is Best? Should You Buy Dominica Real Estate or Donate to the Government Fund?

One of the biggest perks of Dominica CBI is how affordable the program is compared to other popular citizenship schemes. Yet, you may need clarification on which investment pathway is best for you.

Both routes have particular benefits depending on the goals of each applicant. Investing in the EDF may be slightly more affordable at the baseline but requires increased investment for each dependent. Real estate investment is initially more expensive and requires additional government fees. However, a real estate investment may be more appropriate for individuals who wish to gain an asset, already have real estate portfolios, or want to reside on or visit the island frequently.

Likewise, it is important to note that the contribution to the EDF is non-refundable, so it may only suit some. Meanwhile, if you go down the real estate investment route, you can generate returns on your investment via rental income. For example, if you acquire a villa or an apartment, you can rent it out for an annual ROI of 3% to 7 %, which makes more financial sense in the long run.

Are You Guaranteed Acceptance?

Like any other citizenship-by-investment program, you are not 100% guaranteed acceptance. Applicants for the Dominica CBI scheme are carefully vetted to ensure compliance and fit for the program. In addition, you must not be a national from one of the restricted countries, as your application will be immediately rejected.

Tax Considerations

Taxation in Dominica is relatively generous, especially if you decide not to reside in the country for more than 183 days a year. In this case, any income you earn outside of Dominica is not subject to taxation. This does not, however, apply to income earned within the country.

For instance, if you rent out a property in Dominica and collect rent, you must pay taxes on your income.

If you are a tax resident (live in Dominica for more than 183 days in a calendar year), you must pay taxes on both foreign and domestic income.

In addition, Dominica offers other tax breaks and several corporate tax incentives while enjoying double taxation treaties with CARICOM countries and USA and tax information exchange agreements with nations such as the UK, Canada, Belgium, Sweden, and France, among others.

You can find more information about taxation in Dominica via the Inland Revenue Division. 

Dominica Citizenship by Investment Application Processing Time

According to the timeframes set out by the Dominican government, the processing time for Citizenship by Investment applications is three months. However, the processing time could vary on a case-by-case basis.

Who Can Apply for the Dominica Citizenship Program?

Apart from those on the restricted nationality list, all individuals above 18 years old with no criminal convictions and good health and character are eligible to apply. You must also have sufficient investment to apply for one of the two Dominican citizenship investment options.

Which Family Members Qualify for Dominica Citizenship?

One of the perks of the Dominican CBI program is that your entire family is covered. This includes your spouse, dependent children under 30, an unmarried dependent daughter under 25 of the principal applicant or the spouse, mentally or physically impaired children supported by the principal applicant or spouse, dependent parents and/or grandparents older than 65 years of age.

Guide to Dominica Citizenship by Investment Application

1. Find an Authorized Agent to Process Your Application

Dominica only accepts applications made through an agent (subagent) approved by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU). You cannot attempt to apply directly.

2. Process All Forms for Dominica Citizenship

All paperwork must be completed in partnership with your authorized agent or subagent. You must provide a number of documents, including a medical certificate, fingerprints and photos, an investor agreement, and copies of all your identity documents. You can find an exhaustive list of all the documents required here.

3. The CBIU Then Assesses Your Application and Conducts a Background Check

Your application should be processed within three months. As part of the application, you will be invited to attend a citizenship interview.

4. Application Approved

If you have applied contingent on an investment in the EDF, you have 30 days after the date of your approval to complete the donation. 

5. Choose Which Investment Program & Make Your Initial Investment

If you have chosen to invest in real estate, you must complete all the appropriate paperwork and pay 10% on your property in order to be approved. Once approved for citizenship, you have seven days to pay the remaining 90% and take possession of the property.

6. Become a Dominica Citizen!

Once you have completed all the steps of the application, all that is left to do is apply for your passport and enjoy your new citizenship. Passports from Dominica last for ten years and can be renewed for life once citizenship has been attained.

Fees and Additional Costs for Dominica Citizenship

Option 1: EDF Donation

As stated above, the minimum contribution amount for the principal applicant is $200,000. In addition to the principal applicant, fees progressively increase for any dependents included as part of the application.

Take a look at the summary below.

Applicants also have to cover additional EDF fees related to application processing and due diligence. These are

Interview fees: $1,000/application
Due Diligence Fees*: single applicant – $7,500; spouse -$4,000; dependant (16 and over) - $4,000
Other fees: certificate of naturalization - $500 per person, fast-track passport issuance fee – single applicant - $361, family of four -$ 1,444

*The applicant's existing citizenship status and other personal circumstances may necessitate additional expenses and due diligence checks.

If you are an Iranian citizen applying for Dominica’s CBI program, you are subject to higher due diligence fees. This change was introduced in July 2023. Here’s how the fee schedule for citizens of Republic of Iran looks like:

Option 2: Real Estate

Apart from needing to have a minimum of $200,000 for the investment in the Dominican property, you also face additional government fees, which are

Besides, you will also be asked to cover application processing, due diligence, certificate of naturalization, and expedited passport issuance costs which are the same as under the EDF route. ;

Note: The government fees only apply for real estate investments, not EDF contributions.

What Is the Total Cost of Citizenship for an Individual?

Dominica Citizenship via the EDF route costs $200,000 for a single applicant, plus $10,000 in processing fees, for an overall cost of $210,000. Investors in government-approved real estate must spend at least $200,000 on the property, plus other government and application processing costs ($85,000), for a total of $285,000. Please note that you will also be required to pay the agent's service fee.

What Is the Total Cost of Citizenship for a Family of Four?

The cost of Dominica Citizenship by Investment for a family of four depends on the selected investment route. If you decide to make an economic contribution to the EDF, the total cost will be $279,500, which includes additional expenses. 

Here is the breakdown of the calculation

Those who want to purchase a Dominican property will have to part ways with a total of $329,000, as demonstrated in the table below.

How Does an Official Dominica Citizenship Agent Help?

Conclusion

Dominica Citizenship by Investment is an attractive program that grants its applicants and their families full citizenship in exchange for economic contribution or real estate investment in the country.

However, do not limit yourself to just one option. Various comparative programs in the Caribbean offer attractive benefits and manageable eligibility requirements, including Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia. 

Not sure which Caribbean program is the right fit for you? At High Net Worth Immigration, we take the time to get to know our customers and provide them with global mobility and second citizenship solutions tailored to their unique circumstances and specific requirements.

Get in touch with us today, and we will show you how to unlock global opportunities you never knew existed.

Dominica Citizenship FAQ

Vicky Katsarova, CEO

“My world travels and my own immigration experiences have given me a deep understanding and clear insight into each of our clients’ specific requirements, aspirations and concerns. It is this intense personal association with client expectations and needs that helps to set our company and our service apart.”