Dominica passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children. The country now issues only biometric e-passports, which offer stronger security and smoother border checks.
Renewal is straightforward and typically takes about two weeks, with faster options in urgent cases. Holders of the older machine‑readable passport can upgrade to the e‑passport even if the old document is still in date.
Since January 31th, 2023, Dominica has been issuing biometric e-passports[1]. They replace all previous versions and serve as the only valid document for international travel. Holders of older, non-biometric passports are advised to exchange them for the new type, even if their current documents remain valid. The e‑passports are issued for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children.
The renewal procedure is carried out through the official electronic channels, including the government service portal[2], which provides full application guidance, and the national ePayment platform[3] for fee processing.
Here are the essentials of renewing a Dominica passport at a glance:
Renewal timelines vary depending on demand. Normal processing in Dominica typically takes about two weeks, with faster turnaround possible in emergencies.
Foreigners who obtained Dominica citizenship by investment can renew or replace their passports through Immigrant Invest without travelling to Dominica. The Immigrant Invest team prepares the documents, arranges forms and photos, submits the application through the competent authority or mission, tracks processing, and delivers the new passport to investors.
We recommend starting the renewal process at least six months before your passport expires. This helps ensure a smooth transition and prevents any disruptions to your travel plans.
Holders of older machine-readable passports can replace them with the new biometric e-passport at any time. There is no need to wait until the expiry date.
Renewing a passport usually takes around two weeks if you submit the application in Dominica[4]. If you apply through an embassy or consulate abroad, the process can take longer because your file must be sent to the Passport and Immigration Department in Roseau for printing and then returned for delivery.
In emergency situations, such as medical travel or loss of documents, the government can issue an express passport within two to three working days.
Dominica does not yet provide an online tracking system for passport renewals, but you can stay updated by:
Delays most often happen for the following reasons:
With Immigrant Invest’s support, delays are highly unlikely. Our specialists prepare and verify every document before submission, ensuring your renewal proceeds without interruptions.
For adults, you typically need your current passport, proof of citizenship, two passport photos, and a receipt confirming payment of the renewal fee. For minors, many of the same documents are required, plus proof of parental consent, the child’s birth certificate, and identification of the parents or guardians.
Before submitting, make sure you’ve assembled the following:
If your documents are not in English, a certified translation is required[6]. The signature on the application must be notarised if the application is submitted:
For minors, the list of documents is largely the same as for adults but includes additional items to confirm guardianship and parental consent. Parents or legal guardians must complete the renewal form with their details and signatures.
The child’s original or certified birth certificate is required, along with their current or expired passport if one was previously issued. Two recent passport photographs of the child must meet the same specifications as adult photos. Proof of payment for the renewal fee should also be provided.
Renewing a Dominica passport costs $75 per person, while replacing one that has been destroyed, lost, or stolen costs $2,000.
A simple amendment to the information already on a passport costs $150, but a replacement triggered by a legal name change is priced differently — a $1,200 processing fee plus a $2,000 Due Diligence fee, $3,200 in total.
These fees apply to e-passports and are paid to the Treasury or via the official e‑payment portal[7]. Overseas submissions may incur additional local handling or courier charges at the mission.
Photo services and notarisation or witnessing can also add small third-party costs, depending on where you apply.
You must complete every relevant section of the official form in ink or via approved digital means, include all required declarations, ensure your signature is witnessed or notarised where necessary, and submit compliant photos.
Before you start completing your renewal form, carefully follow the official instructions[8]. They will help you avoid the most common errors and speed up processing:
Photos must be 45 × 38 mm, taken within the last six months. The background must be clear and light: white, light grey, light blue or beige.
Your head should be centred: 3‑5 mm from the top edge and 10‑12 mm from the bottom edge.
Wear neutral clothing without bold prints, no military or camouflage patterns, and avoid head coverings unless required for religious reasons.
Applicants must not wear sunglasses or dark glasses in passport photos. The image should be free from shadows or glare. Facial expression must be neutral, with eyes open and mouth closed.
The signature should be in black or dark blue ink, consistent with the style on your identity documents. It must fit entirely within the designated box without touching its borders.
Many applications are delayed or rejected because of small, avoidable errors. Pay special attention to the following points:
The official form is submitted with the required documents and fee. The Passport and Immigration Department in Roseau personalises the e-passport, which is then made available for local collection or returned to the mission that received the application. Standard processing takes about two weeks.
The government defines the service, required documents, and timelines, and requires that lost, stolen, or damaged passports be reported before renewal.
Before submitting your application, complete these core steps in order:
All Dominica passports are printed in Dominica, but overseas missions accept and transmit applications and then return the finished passports for collection or dispatch. This adds mailing and handling time beyond the standard processing window.
When applying through a mission, follow this sequence:
It is also recommended to monitor official notices about mobile application units that periodically serve Dominica diaspora locations, as these can simplify submission.
Mobile application units are temporary passport service teams deployed by the Dominica government or its missions to regions with high numbers of compatriots. During their visits, applicants can submit and process passport renewals locally, reducing travel time to consulates or embassies.
These units have operated in locations such as Saint Martin and Sint Maarten[10], as well as several community police stations across Dominica. Notices about their schedules are published on government websites.
Most renewals handled by Immigrant Invest are completed within approximately 4 weeks of submission. All steps are managed remotely, and no travel is required.
For investors who obtained citizenship by investment, early replacement of an older machine-readable passport with a biometric e-passport can be arranged at any time.
Immigrant Invest recommends initiating renewal about six months before expiry to ensure a seamless update and on-time delivery.
Immigrant Invest opens the case, confirms identity and citizenship, runs an eligibility screen, reviews previous passport data and any name changes, and issues a personalised document checklist.
Immigrant Invest gathers core documents, verifies them, checks photos against official rules, prepares declarations, obtains police reports for lost or stolen passports, and adds marriage or deed poll documents for name changes.
The applicant pays the government fees through approved channels, secures the official receipts, and submits the complete file to the Passport and Immigration Department in Roseau or lodges it through the nearest mission.
The central facility in Dominica personalises the e-passport, while Immigrant Invest monitors progress and responds immediately to any requests from the authorities.
Immigrant Invest arranges secure courier delivery or mission collection, confirms receipt, and provides guidance on safe storage and future renewal timing.
Report the loss immediately and begin the replacement process. The old passport will be cancelled once reported.
Follow these steps in order:
If you need to travel urgently, request an emergency travel document from the mission.
Investors and their families can replace a lost or stolen passport through Immigrant Invest without travelling to Dominica. The team assembles the file, submits it through the competent authority, and arranges secure delivery.
A legal name change or a damaged passport can be addressed at any time. The application follows the standard renewal process, with a few additional documents where relevant.
For a damaged passport, include the passport itself, two compliant photos, proof of citizenship, and the renewal fee receipt. Include a brief written note explaining the damage; a police report is only required if the damage resulted from an incident.
A passport is considered damaged if it has torn or missing pages, a broken or detached binding, water or heat damage, illegible personal data, or a compromised biometric chip.
For a name change, submit the usual renewal documents along with legal proof, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or deed poll, and ensure that your signature and form details match the new name.
Applications can be filed in Dominica, submitted through a mission abroad, or managed end-to-end by Immigrant Invest without the need to travel.
Dominica citizenship is available through several lawful routes, with the most practical path for international applicants being investment. Other routes include naturalisation, marriage, and descent.
Legislation regarding the acquisition of citizenship is codified in the Constitution and the Citizenship Act[11].
Dominica offers two investment options administered by the government’s Citizenship by Investment Unit[12]. Both require thorough Due Diligence and approval before any funds are finalised. Processing typically takes at least 6 months once a complete file is submitted.
The minimum qualifying investment is $200,000, making Dominica one of the most affordable citizenship programmes in the world. There are two investment options available to applicants:
Qualifying family members, such as a spouse, dependent children, parents, and grandparents, can obtain Dominica passports alongside the main applicant.
A person born on Dominica soil after the adoption of the Constitution automatically becomes a citizen. The right to birth citizenship does not depend on the parents’ nationality, unless one of the legal exceptions applies.
Children born abroad to Dominica parents can claim citizenship by descent. To be eligible, the applicant must prove that at least one parent, either mother or father, was a Dominica citizen at the time of the applicant’s birth.
A foreign spouse of a Dominica citizen may apply for citizenship by marriage, also called registration, rather than by naturalisation. Under the Citizenship Regulations of 1979, spouses qualify if they meet two requirements:
Long-term residents can apply for citizenship by naturalisation after living in the country for at least seven years. Applicants must demonstrate stable residence, integration into Dominica society, a clean criminal record, and adequate knowledge of the English language and Dominica civics.
After citizenship application approval, foreigners must take an oath of allegiance before receiving their citizenship certificate and passport.
Dominica citizenship grants full legal protection under the Constitution, along with social, economic, and political rights. At the same time, citizens are expected to uphold the country’s laws and fulfil basic civic duties.
Citizens enjoy a wide range of civil and political rights guaranteed by law:
Those who live or earn income in Dominica must meet their tax obligations in accordance with national legislation[13]. Non‑residents pay taxes only on their Dominica-sources income.
Dominica citizens are expected to respect the Constitution and national laws, participate in civic life, vote in elections, contribute to the country’s development, and keep their personal documents, including passports, up to date to maintain legal status.
Renewing a Dominica passport costs $75 per person, while replacing one that has been destroyed, lost, or stolen costs $2,000.
A simple amendment to the information already on a passport costs $150, but a replacement triggered by a legal name change is priced differently — a $1,200 processing fee plus a $2,000 Due Diligence fee, $3,200 in total.
Additional courier or notarisation fees may apply when applying from abroad.
Payment for renewal can be made online through the government e-payment portal, but applicants must still submit the completed form, photos, and supporting documents either in person at the Passport and Immigration Department in Dominica or through an authorised embassy or consulate.
Fully remote handling is available for investors through Immigrant Invest, which manages every step without travel.
Processing usually takes about two weeks from the date of submission. In emergencies, such as urgent travel or lost documents, authorities may issue a passport within two to three working days. Applications filed overseas may take slightly longer because passports are printed in Dominica and returned to the mission for collection.
Applicants must provide proof of identity and citizenship, two compliant photos, a police report confirming the loss or theft, and a completed passport renewal form with the replacement fee receipt.
When handled through Immigrant Invest, all documents are prepared and filed directly with the competent authority.
No, travel is not permitted once the old passport is surrendered for renewal. A valid passport is required for international travel. If travel cannot be postponed, the nearest Dominica mission may issue an emergency travel document for returning home or completing essential trips[14].
No, an expired Dominica passport is not valid for international travel. Dominica citizens should renew their passport before it expires, especially if they plan to travel, apply for visas, or use the passport as proof of identity abroad.
Citizenship itself remains valid for life, but the passport must be up to date to confirm identity and cross borders.
