DOMINICA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
Introduced in 1993, the Dominica citizenship by investment (CBI) program is the most popular Caribbean program. It remains one of the most economical programthat gives investors the highest return on their investment.
Program requirements:
- Persons over 18 years of age
- Be of good character, without any criminal record
- Have a basic knowledge of the English language
- Be able and willing to make the required contribution
Updated march 2025 – The following family members can be included in the citizenship application:
(i) Spouse and children under the age of 18 years
(ii) Children between the age of 18-30 years can be included provided they are unmarried, studying at an university and financially dependent on the main applicant
(iii) Parents or grandparents of the main applicant and spouse over the age of 55 years (only one parent/grandparent is required to be over the age of 55 years)
Applicants can apply for citizenship of Dominica through authorized representatives/licensed agents only.
Investors applying for citizenship under Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment program are not required to reside in Dominica before or after granting of citizenship.
The processing time, regardless of the option chosen by the investor, is generally between 60 to 90 days.
Under the current regulations, there are two options under which willing applicants can apply for citizenship of Dominica under its Citizenship by Investment Program.
They are:
(i) Contribution made into the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)
OR
(ii) An investment in designated real estate with a value of at least US$200,000.
Option 1 – Economic Diversification Fund:
Under his option, applicants are required to make a minimum non-refundable contribution of US$200,000 for a single applicant. Depending on the number of dependents included in the application, the investment amount changes.
The summary of the different contribution amounts is as follows:
- US$200,000 (two hundred thousand United States dollars) for the main applicant;
- US$250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand United States dollars) for the main applicant and up to three qualifying dependants;
- US$25,000 (twenty-five thousand United States dollars) for any additional dependant under the age of eighteen;
- US$40,000 (forty thousand United States dollars) for any additional dependant eighteen years of age or older;
In addition to the non-refundable contribution, applicants are also required to pay certain government fees including due diligence fees.
The following fees must be paid in addition to the minimum EDF contribution:
PROCESSING FEES
- Per application – US$1,000
DUE DILIGENCE FEES*
- Main applicant – US$7,500
- Each dependant aged 16 years or above – US$4,000
*Enhanced due diligence checks and fees may sometimes be required, depending on the applicant’s current citizenship status, and other personal circumstances.
OTHER FEES
- Certificate of Naturalisation fee – US$500 per person
NOTE: ADDITIONAL ‘GOVERNMENT FEES’ ARE NOT REQUIRED BY THOSE APPLYING FOR DOMINICAN CITIZENSHIP WITH AN EDF CONTRIBUTION. THESE FEES ARE ONLY RELEVANT TO APPLICANTS WHO INVEST IN REAL ESTATE.
Mandatory Interview Fees
- All applicants aged 16 and over will be subject to an interview fee of US$1,000 per interview.
- Enhanced due diligence fees apply to Iranian Applicants.
Option 2 – Real Estate:
Under this option, applicants can obtain citizenship of Dominica by purchasing an authorized real estate of a minimum value of US$200,000.
Government fees
If the application for Dominica citizenship by real estate investment is approved, the following government fees also apply:
- US$75,000 (seventy-five thousand United States dollars) for the main applicant;
- US$100,000 (one hundred thousand United States dollars) for the main applicant and up to three dependants;
- US$25,000 (twenty-five thousand United States dollars) for each additional dependant under the age of 18;
- US$40,000 (forty thousand United States dollars) for each additional qualified dependant aged 18 years of age or older.
Additional fees
In addition to the capital required for Dominica real estate investment, the following fees are also applicable:
- Processing fees – US$1,000 per application;
- Due diligence fees – US$7,500 for the main applicant, US$4,000 for any dependants aged 16 or above;
- In some cases, enhanced due diligence fees may be required depending on current citizenship status, and other personal circumstances;
- Certificate of Naturalisation fee – US$500 per person;
- Mandatory interview fees – US$1,000 per interview;
- Enhanced due diligence fees apply to Iranian applicants.
Benefits of Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program:
• This program has quick processing times and offers the most affordable route to full, legal citizenship of any of the Citizenship by Investment Programs in the world.
• Applicant and spouse can live, work and operate a business in Dominica at any time and enjoy the same rights and privileges accorded to a Dominican citizen i.e right to vote and right to purchase a property.
• As Dominica is a member of CARICOM, applicant can live and work in any other member nation.
• A Dominican passport ensures visa-free travel to over 120 countries, including the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong and Ireland.
• As a Common wealth citizen, applicants enjoy special rights and privileges in the United Kingdom. For example, their children can study in U.K. without a student visa and work in U.K. after completion of studies for up to 2 years.
• No language, education or minimum age requirement.
• No minimum stay requirements. Applicants are not required to stay in Dominica before or after granting of citizenship.
• Citizenship is for life and is irrevocable.
• Dual citizenship is permitted and applicants are not required to give up their primary citizenship.
• Applicants are not liable to taxation on any income earned outside of Dominica and hence applicants can enjoy tax-free status on foreign income, capital gains, gift, wealth and inheritance tax. Applicants’ income is liable to taxation only if they reside in Dominica.
• Off-shore bank accounts, investments, and Dominica-incorporated companies give unique opportunities for business and tax planning.
Additional benefits:
• Minimal taxation
• No wealth, gift, inheritance tax
• No foreign income tax
• No capital gains tax
The Common wealth of Dominica has launched the
Dominica entrepreneurship visa program
in September 2020. The program is an alternative to citizenship by investment program.
Benefits of the Dominica entrepreneurship visa program:
● This program reduces application processing and approval time frame.
● Gain residency with complete family (spouse and children) up to the age of 25.
● In the Caribbean, it simplifies business and tax planning.
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