The Dominica citizenship by investment programme was launched in 1993 to attract foreign capital and promote the development of the country’s economy. Candidates wishing to acquire Dominica citizenship by investment have two options to choose from.
Cost of a Dominica passport: how much will you pay for Caribbean citizenship on the Nature Island?
To qualify for Dominica citizenship by investments, applicants pass Due Diligence, contribute at least $200,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund or buy real estate for at least $200,000, and pay additional duties and fees.
The country’s CBI program is a popular choice as it is affordable and allows getting a second passport in 6 months or more.
Discover all expenses included in the cost of a Dominica passport.
Fact checked by Elena RudaElena Ruda
Fact checked by Elena Ruda
Elena helped over 500 investors’ families to choose and obtain second citizenship or residency. She knows the pros and cons of each investment option and improves the industry expertise at the company.
Reviewed by Vladlena BaranovaVladlena Baranova
Reviewed by Vladlena Baranova
Vladlena leads preparation to Due Diligence and application for citizenship or residency by investment. She performs independent and in-depth analysis of investors’ situations and indicates possible risks. Vladlena helped to get second passports and residence permits to over 300 investors from all over the world.
Article content
- Dominica citizenship cost: investment options and conditions
- Other expenses related to getting a Dominica passport by investment
- Examples of the total Dominica citizenship cost for investors
- 6 reasons to obtain Dominica citizenship
- Who can obtain citizenship by investment in Dominica?
- Key takeaways on the Dominica citizenship by investment cost
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Dominica citizenship cost: investment options and conditions
1. State fund contribution — $200,000+. In this case, money is donated to the Economic Diversification Fund. The Government uses the money to build schools, renovate hospitals, create sports stadiums, and finance such industries as tourism, information technology, and agriculture.
The investment is non-refundable. The contribution amount depends on the number of family members included in the application:
- $200,000 — for the main applicant alone;
- $200,000 — for the main applicant and a spouse;
- $250,000 — for the main applicant and up to three dependants.
If the family includes more than four people, each dependant under 18 adds $25,000 and each adult relative adds $40,000 to the contribution.
2. Real estate purchase — $200,000+. Investors who wish to return their capital later can purchase property approved by the Dominica Government. The available projects list mainly includes five-star hotels and some infrastructure facilities, such as marinas.
No matter how many people are included in the application, the minimum investment amount of $200,000 remains the same.
Examples of real estate projects for investors
Dominica, Portsmouth
$220,000
Share in a five-star resort managed by Autograph Collections (premium branded by Marriott)
1-2
Dominica, Portsmouth
$200,000
Share in the hotel complex of 72 eco-cottages in the rainforest
Dominica, Roseau
$220,000
Share in a resort on the coast of Dominica managed by Hilton
1-3
After buying a property, the investor receives rental income in proportion to their share.
Under the citizenship by investment program conditions, the investor can sell the property after several years and return their capital. The minimum period of ownership is three years. If the property is held for five years, it can be sold to another CBI programme participant.
Apart from the capital invested in the chosen option, applicants have additional costs related to the citizenship application process.
The Due Diligence fee — $7,500+. All applicants over 16 have to pass a Due Diligence check. The check costs $7,500 for the main applicant and $4,000 for a spouse and other dependants aged 16 and above.
The state fee for real estate buyers — $75,000+. This fee depends on the number of participating family members:
- $75,000 for the main applicant;
- $100,000 for the main applicant and up to three dependants;
- $100,000 for the main applicant and up to five dependants;
- plus $25,000 for any additional dependant under 18, and $40,000 per adult relative over 18, starting from the fifth family member.
Candidates who choose to contribute to the Economic Diversification Fund do not pay this fee.
The processing fee is $1,000 per application. It is paid with the Due Diligence fee when the investor submits documents to the CBI Unit. There is also an additional fee of $250 per person for processing government forms.
The interview fee — $1,000 per interview. All applicants over 16 have to attend a mandatory interview. The whole family is present at the interview together and pays a single amount of $1,000. If someone misses the main interview, they have to attend a separate one and pay an additional $1,000 fee for it.
The naturalisation certificate issuance fee — $250 per person. A naturalisation certificate confirms that a person has obtained Dominica citizenship and allows getting a Dominica passport.
The passport fee — $300 per person. Under the standard procedure, the passport will be ready in 4—6 weeks.
The expedited passport issuance fee — $1,200 per person. The passport is applied for in a separate process after the naturalisation by investment is completed. The term of issuing a passport can be cut to just 2 days.
Bank commissions usually account for $270 per payment, subject to a change over time.
Examples of the total Dominica citizenship cost for investors
The investor’s full expenses depend on the chosen option as well as the number of people included in the application.
Adding family members does not affect the investment amount in real estate but increases the sum to be contributed to the Economic Diversification Fund. Due Diligence, the state fee for real estate purchase and document issue fees also increase.
Expenses for a single investor, married couple and family of 4
| Applicants | Fund contribution | Real estate purchase |
| Single investor | $210,800 | $285,631 |
| Married couple | $214,800 | $300,492 |
| Family of four, including the spouses and children aged 9 and 19 | $271,200 | $321,200 |
6 reasons to obtain Dominica citizenship
1. Increased global mobility. Dominica passport holders can travel visa-free to 145 countries, including the Schengen Area, Singapore, and China.
As of 2023, Dominica is included in the CAN+ Visa programme. This means Dominica citizens are eligible for expedited visa processing to Canada if they have had Canadian visas over the past 10 years or a valid current US visa.
2. Tax optimisation. The country has double taxation treaties with the USA and CARICOM, and individuals pay income tax only if they reside and earn income in Dominica. No wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income, or capital gains tax exists.
Businesses can enjoy corporate tax incentives, full exemption from import duties, and duty-free trading in the Caribbean.
3. Investment return. Investors can get regular income when investing in tourism infrastructure projects or real estate in Dominica. Due to the all-year-round summer, the demand for rental property is constant, and the rental income varies between 2 and 5% per year. The property can be sold after several years, and the invested money is redeemed.
4. International business opportunities. After receiving the Dominica passport, an investor will have the right to set up a company in the country. As Dominica is a CARICOM member, its citizens can do business in other member states, which helps to expand a company’s presence on the international market.
5. Pathway to dual citizenship. Dominica allows dual citizenship. Foreigners don’t need to renounce their other passports upon obtaining citizenship in Dominica.
6. Safe haven. Dominica citizens can enter the country even if the borders are closed to foreigners. This means a person will have a second home in case of unfavourable circumstances and can move to Dominica whenever needed.
Who can obtain citizenship by investment in Dominica?
To be eligible to participate in the Dominica citizenship by investment programme, an investor must meet the requirements stated in the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment Regulations:
- be over 18 years old;
- have no criminal records or prosecutions;
- be able to prove the legality of the income;
- have good health;
- be able to demonstrate outstanding character and repute.
The program conditions allow extending citizenship to the investor’s family:
- a spouse of the opposite sex;
- children under 18 of the main applicant or those of the spouse;
- children aged between 18 and 30 getting higher education and fully supported by the main applicant;
- a main applicant’s unmarried daughter under 25, living with and fully supported by the main applicant;
- children above 18 who are physically or mentally challenged and fully supported by the main applicant;
- parents and grandparents over 65, living with and fully supported by the main applicant.
Learn about unique opportunities offered by the Dominica investment program
5 steps to get the Dominica passport by investment
A path to a Dominica passport by investment usually takes at least 6 months. Candidates cannot submit applications in person and must turn to an authorised agent. Immigrant Invest licensed lawyers accompany the investor through the whole process.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest checks candidates against different databases to determine circumstances that may lead to a refusal. If any risks exist, we offer possible solutions.
2—4 weeks
Gathering documents
Our lawyers provide an applicant with a list of documents to be prepared. Once all the documents are ready, we translate and notarise them, fill in the government forms, and submit an application to the Citizenship By Investment Unit.
3—6 months
Due Diligence
The Dominica Citizenship By Investment Unit carries out a stringent Due Diligence check for all applicants over 16. When Due Diligence is passed, the application is handed over to the Minister for Finance and Citizenship for review and final approval.
Up to 30 days
Fulfilment of investment condition
At this point, the investor contributes to the Economic Diversification Fund or deposits the minimum real estate investment into a designated escrow account.
Up to 4 weeks
Receiving citizenship documents
After investing, applicants receive naturalisation certificates confirming Dominica citizenship's acquisition. After that, Immigrant Invest lawyers submit a separate application for passports.
Key takeaways on the Dominica citizenship by investment cost
- Candidates for Dominica citizenship can choose one of two investment options: to make a non-refundable contribution of at least $200,000 to the government fund or to invest $200,000 or more in an approved real estate project.
- Except for the investment amount, applicants need to pay additional fees: Due Diligence, a state fee for real estate purchase, a processing fee, an interview fee, and fees for naturalisation certificates and passports issue. Total expenses depend on the chosen option and the number of people in the application.
- Dominica citizenship by investment program conditions allow the main applicant to add their family members to the application: a spouse, dependent children under 30, and dependent parents and grandparents over 65.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to buy a Dominica passport?
No, you cannot buy a Dominica passport. However, you can obtain citizenship by investing in the country’s economy.
The minimum investment amount starts at $200,000. Citizenship is obtained in 6 months or more, and the investor can add their family to the application.
How to get citizenship in Dominica?
There are four ways one can become a Dominica citizen:
- by birth or descent;
- by marriage;
- by naturalisation;
- by investment.
To get a passport by investment, a person should make a non-refundable contribution of $200,000+ to the government fund or purchase real estate for at least $200,000.
Investors get passports within 6 months or more and can extend citizenship to their close relatives.
What benefits does the Dominica passport provide?
Some benefits that Dominica passport holders enjoy include increased global mobility and visa-free entry to 140+ countries, tax optimisation, and increased business opportunities.
Getting a second passport in Dominica also helps to create a safe haven for cases of an unfavourable situation in the country of the first citizenship.
How much does it cost to become a citizen of Dominica?
Investors wishing to obtain a Dominica passport have the following expenses:
- investment amount — $200,000+ for non-refundable donation or $200,000+ for real estate purchase;
- Due Diligence fee — $7,500 for the investor and $4,000 for each dependant over 16;
- state fee — $75,000+ for real estate purchase;
- processing fee — $1,000;
- interview fee — $1,000;
- naturalisation certificate and passport issuance fees — $1,450.
Total costs for getting Dominica citizenship depend on the chosen investment option and the number of applicants.
Which countries are visa-free with a Dominica passport?
The Dominica passport provides visa-free entry to 140+ countries. The list includes the Schengen Area, China, and Singapore.
How much is Dominica citizenship for a family?
The total price for Dominica passports for a family depends on the chosen investment option and the number of family members included in the application.
Minimum investment expenses for a family of 4 start at $271,200.
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Cost of a Dominica passport: how much will you pay for Caribbean citizenship on the Nature Island?
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