The Commonwealth of Dominica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. Dominica has a population of 71,293 (Census 2011). The capital of the country is Roseau. The official language is English. Dominica gained independence from the United Kingdom on November 3, 1978. Its economy is heavily dependent on tourism and agriculture. Dominica is a parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth of Nations and a full member of both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The official currency is the East Caribbean dollar (XCD).
Citizenship by Investment
Dominica’s citizenship by investment program allows foreign nationals to obtain a second passport either through an official donation or through real estate investment. The program was established in 1991.
Benefits of Dominica Citizenship:
- Visa-free travel to more than 143 countries and territories.
- As a citizen of Dominica, you can relocate to Dominica or any other CARICOM country at any time.
- As a Commonwealth citizen, you will enjoy special rights and privileges in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries.
- You can include family members in your citizenship application (children under 30 years of age and parents aged 55 and above).
- Citizenship is passed on to future generations without additional investment.
- Multiple and dual citizenship is recognized. There is no need to renounce your previous citizenship or passport after becoming a citizen of Dominica. Certain exceptions apply to citizens of countries that prohibit dual citizenship (e.g., China, Denmark, India, Singapore, Japan, and others). Interestingly, some Chinese citizens obtain Dominica citizenship without renouncing their Chinese nationality, as the Government of Dominica does not report its new citizens to any other country.
- No global taxation. You are not liable to taxation in Dominica on income earned outside the country unless you choose to reside in Dominica.
- You can use your Dominica passport for banking purposes.
Eligibility and Investment Options to Qualify for Citizenship
Cash Donation A contribution of US $200,000 entitles a foreign investor to acquire second citizenship and passport in Dominica. A contribution of US $250,000 applies for a family of up to four members (e.g., husband, wife, and two children under 18). For any additional child starting from the 5th family member, an extra US $25,000 is required. US $40,000 applies for a child aged 19–30 or for a parent. The contribution is payable only after pre-approval of the citizenship application, not in advance.
Real Estate Investment The main applicant must purchase real estate for a minimum of US $200,000 in an approved development. Several real estate projects, mainly hotels, are approved under the Dominica citizenship-by-investment program. In addition to the minimum investment, the following government fees (in US$) apply after approval:
- 75,000 for the main applicant
- 100,000 for a family of up to four persons, including the main applicant and up to three dependents
- 25,000 for any additional child starting from the 5th family member
Due Diligence and Other Fees – For Both Options
US $7,500 for the main applicant, and US $4,000 for a spouse or any additional applicant over 16 years of age. Other fees include the application fee (US $3,000) and the certificate of naturalization fee (US $750).
The legal process of acquiring citizenship in Dominica includes a mandatory interview, which can be conducted online. The current processing time for citizenship applications ranges from 4 to 6 months.
Questions & Answers:
Q: Can the applicant buy any property in Dominica he likes? How long must the property be kept?
A: In Dominica, you must not resell the property for at least three years after citizenship is granted. Note, however, that the purchase must be in an approved development. You cannot buy any property you like if your goal is citizenship.
Q: Is there any way to reduce the processing time by making an additional investment?
A: Unfortunately, the process cannot be expedited by further investment. Processing time depends on the number of applications currently in the queue. Due diligence also takes time and may vary case by case. The average processing time of 4–6 months is already considered fast without any fast-track option.
Q: Regarding payments, what needs to be made in advance and what safeguards exist if the application is rejected?
A: The Dominica citizenship program is structured with built-in protection. The main contribution is not transferred to the government unless your application receives “approval in principle.” In the event of refusal, only the due diligence fee and professional service fees are at risk, as they must be paid in full before submission of the citizenship application.
Q: We are not married (common law union) but have two children. Can we apply as a family in one citizenship application?
A: A couple that is not legally married, even with common children, cannot apply jointly as a family. To apply together, the couple must be officially married. Otherwise, either parent may apply with the children, while the second parent submits a separate application.
Professional Services
If you have any questions regarding the information above or wish to use our legal assistance in obtaining second citizenship in Dominica, please contact us today.
When sending us an email, please indicate your citizenship, country of residence, and the age of each family member to be included in the application. This information is required to provide an accurate quote of the fees and expenses applicable to your case.