Dominica Citizenship by Investment

Launched in 1993, Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme has been ranked as the number one CBI initiative for six consecutive years by the CBI Index. This is a ranking system published by the Financial Times’s Professional Wealth Management (PWM) magazine.

Dominica’s CBI programme focuses on the overall quality and integrity of its applicants, as it only accepts individuals of outstanding character and repute. To ensure credible persons of excellent standing are granted citizenship, comprehensive due diligence checks are performed on all applicants 16 years of age or over.

For those who meet Dominica’s citizenship requirements, the idyllic Caribbean island offers one of the best standards of living in the region. Dominica is politically and economically stable, with a low crime rate and rich investment opportunities.

Nicknamed the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean”, it is also one of the most beautiful places on earth. Dominica boasts a pristine coastline, acres of unspoiled tropical rainforest, incredible marine biodiversity and a number of natural hot springs thanks to its volcanic origin.

As well as the many advantages of living in Dominica, Dominica citizenship confers many benefits in its own right. These include:

There are two ways to obtain Citizenship by Investment in Dominica:

Applicants can make a substantial contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), a government fund that supports socio-economic initiatives in Dominica.

Due diligence and processing fees apply.

Under the Real Estate Investment option, applicants are required to make a real estate investment in an Approved Project. The real estate must be held for a minimum of three years.

Minimum investment: US$ 200,000

The following Government Fees apply:

Once an individual’s Citizenship by Investment application is approved, they are officially an economic citizen and can apply for a Dominican passport at the Passport Office.

What are the Benefits of a Dominican Passport?

Dominican passports are CARICOM passports that are issued to citizens of Dominica for international travel.

Ordinary Dominican passports are valid for 10 years if issued to a person aged 16 or over, while those held by children under the age of 16 are valid for five years. They can be renewed at the Passport Office in Roseau (Dominica’s capital city) or at a Dominica High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate.

What is the Dominica Passport Application Process?

The passport application process is separate from the Citizenship by Investment process, and requires the applicant to present a number of documents. This includes a certified copy of the applicant’s Certificate of Naturalisation – the document that is issued to an economic citizen at the end of the Citizenship by Investment process.

It is possible for an economic citizen to appoint a third party to apply on his or her behalf. Applications for a passport can be submitted as soon as citizenship is received.

How to Re-Apply for a Dominica Passport

Every time Dominican passport holders re-apply for a passport (for example, because their old passport has expired), they must present their old Dominica passport. This will be cancelled upon issuance of the new document.

CS Global Partners assists clients who wish to obtain Dominica citizenship, providing them with the guidance and commitment they need to see their application processed seamlessly.

Our team then ensures that clients who obtain their citizenship also apply for and receive Dominica passports if desired.

For successful applicants, the Dominica Citizenship by Investment application process consists of seven main steps, which are:

• Step 1: Pre-approval by CS Global Partners and preparation of the application
• Step 2: Submission of the citizenship application
• Step 3: Application processing by the Citizenship by Investment Unit and internal and external due diligence checks
• Step 4: Approval in principle
• Step 5: Contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or real estate investment in an Approved Project
• Step 6: Certificate of Naturalisation issued
• Step 7: Passport application

What are the investment options under the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme?

 

• A direct contribution to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund
• A real estate investment in an Approved Project

Who is eligible for Dominica citizenship investment?

Applicants for citizenship should be at least 18 years of age, of good character, without a criminal record, and be able and willing to make the required contribution.

Individuals wishing to apply must engage with an Authorised Agent that assists and prepares the required forms and supporting documents.
 
With immediate effect, all nationals from Northern Iraq are banned from applying for the Citizenship by Investment programme of the Commonwealth of Dominica. This includes specific nationals from the Kurdistan region of Iraq, namely nationals from the cities of Erbil, Amedi, Dahuk, Kirkuk, Lalish, Raniya, Soran, Sulaymaniyah and Zakho.
 
Application from citizens of North Korea and Sudan will be refused unless the applicant has (1) not lived in these countries for at least ten years, (2) no substantial assets there, and (3) not performed any business or similar activity, in whole or in part, in or with the countries.
 
Enhanced due diligence may apply to all applicants who meet the above requirement, with the cost to be born on the applicant.
 
As of March 2022, the Unit will refuse the submission of any new applications submitted on behalf of Russian and Belarusian nationals with immediate effect.

Enhanced Due Diligence

From 17 July 2023 onwards, enhanced due diligence will be conducted on all Iranian applicants. Iranian applicants include:

• Applicants who are citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran; and
• Applicants who are domiciled in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Enhanced due diligence fees apply for all Iranian nationals.

Where do the funds invested go?

The funds generated from the EDF are used to support national growth in areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and climate change.

Which family members can I include in my application for Dominica citizenship?

You can include:

• A spouse of the main applicant;
• A child under 18 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 substantially 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 years of age or older and physically or mentally challenged and who is substantially 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.

What does the due diligence process in Dominica entail?

All applicants sixteen years of age or over will be required to attend a mandatory interview. During this time, a third party due diligence agency will perform stringent background checks on the information you have provided.
 
You will be vetted by multiple entities:

• KYC (know-your-customer) checks performed by local authorised agents.
• Internal checks including AML (anti-money laundering) and CTF (counter-terrorism financing) vetting by the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
• Mandated international due diligence firms perform online and on-the-ground checks
• Regional and international crime prevention bodies check that you aren’t on any wanted or sanctions lists.

Is This Programme for Me?

The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme is a good value for money for both individual applicants and families looking to apply for second citizenship.

The following is also a good fit for the programme:

• Single professionals who want to broaden their horizons
• Families of four who would eventually like to add dependants such as grandparents
• Individuals looking to study abroad
• Digital nomads who want greater global mobility

Book a free first consultation with one of our citizenship experts and discuss your individual requirements.

Book Free Consultation

*Citizenship by investment programme requires a financial investment into the country.

• Government of Dominica
• Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit
• Invest Dominica
• Dominica Tourism Authority

Have a look at other CBI programmes:

• St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
• St Lucia Citizenship by Investment
• Grenada Citizenship by Investment
• Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment