Dominica citizenship
by investment
New opportunities for travelling the world for cosmopolitans
Download the guide Calculate the costcontribution
purchase
period
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme is one of the most inexpensive in the Caribbean and globally.
The programme has been steadily operating since 1993, and its budget is highly transparent. The country’s government not only grants citizenship to investors but also regularly reports on the distribution of the programme investments.
Dominica citizenship can be obtained by contributing to a government fund or participating in a real estate project. Investors buy shares in large hotels built by international hotel corporations and leave the project after 3—5 years.
The whole family can participate in the Dominica economic citizenship programme: a spouse, children, parents, and grandparents. The Dominica passport is issued within 3 to 6 months. The process is remote and confidential.
The change is set to be implemented by June 30th, 2024. Therefore, you still have time to apply for citizenship without overpaying at least $100,000.
11 main benefits of the Dominica programme
Low investment threshold
An applicant invests at least $100,000 in the country’s economy to become a citizen by investment in Dominica.
Fast processing time
A citizenship application is processed within 3 to 6 months.
Visa-free entry
to 145 countries
The Dominica passport allows its holder to travel to 145 countries visa-free. The list of visa-free destinations includes the European Union, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Dominica citizens can apply for a 10-year visitor visa to the USA at the nearest consulate and get it in two weeks.
Preferential education
The investor’s children can attend some schools and universities in the UK on favourable terms.
European bank accounts
The Dominica passport makes opening an account with European banks easier to keep savings in hard currency and make quick currency transactions.
Tax optimisation
Non-residents of Dominica pay taxes only on income earned in the country. Residents have no taxes on dividends, inheritance and capital gains.
Tax rates in Dominica:
- 15% — withholding tax;
- 2—4% — stamp duty;
- 6% — property transfer tax.
Return on investment
Dominica offers investors the opportunity to acquire a share in tourism infrastructure projects. During ownership, the investor can earn a rental income of 2 to 5% per annum. After 5 years, the property can be sold at a profit.
Convenient service
The citizenship-obtaining procedure is remote and confidential.
Dual citizenship
Dominica recognises and allows dual citizenship. Foreigners don’t need to renounce their other passports upon obtaining citizenship in Dominica. This rule applies if the country of the person’s origin also allows for more than one citizenship.
Reliable programme
The Dominica citizenship programme has been operating for over 30 years.
Right to live in Dominica
Dominica citizens can enter the country under any circumstances, even if the borders for tourists are closed.
The air temperature in Dominica rarely goes below 20°C. Thus, it is a wonderful place to spend holidays all year round.
Visa-free destinations with the Dominica passport
- Comoro Islands
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- + 24 countries
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Curacao
- + 35 countries
- China
- Hong Kong
- Maldives
- + 13 countries
- Austria
- Iceland
- Portugal
- + 44 countries
- Armenia
- Iran
- Israel
- + 2 countries
- Fiji
- Micronesia
- Niue
- + 9 countries
Practical guide to obtaining Dominica citizenship
- Step-by-step procedure
- Requirements for applicants
- Necessary documents
- Answers to frequently asked questions
is a licensed agent
(Licence IMA DM)
Who gets Dominica citizenship
- Over 18 years old
- Without criminal records
- Without visa refusals
- Without citizenship refusals
- With legal income
- Has passed Due Diligence
- Studying at a university
- Financially dependent on the investor
- Over 65
- Financially dependent on the investor
Investment options and requirements for obtaining Dominica citizenship
Non-refundable contribution
$100,000+A non-refundable contribution is made by the investor to the Economic Diversification Fund. The Dominica government uses the funds to develop education and healthcare. Another important area of investment is in green energy projects, particularly those utilising thermal lakes.
In addition, the investor is responsible for paying government fees and a Due Diligence fee. The total expenses associated with participating in the Dominica CBI programme vary depending on the number and ages of family members included.
Investments in the Dominica state fund, including fees
Contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund | $100,000 — for an investor $150,000 — for a married couple $175,000 — for a family of 4 people $25,000 — per applicant, starting with the fifth family member under 18 $50,000 — per applicant, starting with the fifth family member over 18 |
Due Diligence | $7,500 — for an investor $4,000 — per spouse, parent, and child aged 16 and over |
Processing fee | $1,000 — for a family |
Interview | $1,000 — for a family |
Purchase of government-approved real estate
$200,000+Investors can select from over 50 government-approved properties, including predominantly five-star hotels and infrastructure like marinas. It is allowed to purchase either project shares or specific units like apartments or cottages.
Under the terms of the Dominica real estate citizenship by investment programme, properties are resellable after 3 years. But selling after 5 years allows for purchase by another programme participant, enhancing demand.
Shareholders earn rental income, and full owners may live in or rent out their properties, often via management companies for hassle-free tenant management. Rentals yield a 2—5% annual income, benefiting from the year-round tourist season.
Dominica, an ecotourism hub, mandates eco-friendly standards for hotel construction to protect the environment.
Investments in Dominica real estate, including fees
Investment amount | $200,000 — regardless of the number of applicants |
State fee | $25,000 — for an investor $35,000 — for a married couple or a family of up to 4 people $50,000 — for a family of up to 6 people $70,000 — for a family of over 6 people |
Due Diligence | $7,500 — for an investor $4,000 — per spouse, parent, and child aged 16 and over |
Processing fee | $1,000 — for a family |
Interview | $1,000 — for a family |
Cost of Dominica citizenship for a family of 4 people
Expenses | Fund contribution | Real estate purchase |
---|---|---|
Investment amount | $175,000 | $200,000 |
Due Diligence | $15,500 | $15,500 |
State fee | — | $35,000 |
Processing fee | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Interview | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Total | $192,500 | $252,500 |
Individual cost calculation for Dominica citizenship
Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees
Get the cost calculationExamples of investment properties in Dominica
Individual selection
of investment properties
- Discuss your tasks and goals
- Choose between properties from reliable developers
- Get fully prepared and verified documents for a purchase
Why you need a licensed agent for Dominica citizenship by investment
Dominica law prohibits investors from applying for citizenship by investment on their own. To obtain a Dominica passport, one must work with a licensed agent. The agent company prepares documents and submits the citizenship application on the investor’s behalf.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme.
5 steps to obtaining Dominica citizenship by investment
The process of obtaining citizenship is the same regardless of the investment option. All procedures are confidential and can be completed remotely in 3—6 months.
Preliminary Due Diligence
The preliminary check prepares the investor for the programme’s key stage: Due Diligence at the Dominica CBI Unit.
An Immigrant Invest expert, a certified Compliance Anti-Money Laundering Officer, confidentially checks the applicant against international legal and business information databases, warning of potential risks.
Should any issues arise during the check that could lead to the rejection of the investor’s application, Immigrant Invest offers alternative citizenship by investment programmes.
Upon successful completion of the preliminary Due Diligence check, the investor enters into a Services Agreement with Immigrant Invest.
Document preparation and application
Immigrant Invest provides the investor with a list of required documents. Lawyers then translate and apostille these documents, fill out government forms, and prepare an affidavit, if necessary.
Due Diligence
The citizenship application process initiates the procedure, spanning 3 to 6 months. Due Diligence is conducted remotely, eliminating the need for the investor’s physical presence.
Throughout the Due Diligence phase, the investor and any family members aged 16 and above are interviewed by the programme’s officer.
Fulfilment of the investment conditions
After the application is approved, the investor is required to either make a contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or purchase approved real estate.
Receiving a passport
Investors can either collect their Dominica passports and naturalisation certificates at a licensed agent’s office or opt for courier delivery to a preferred address.
Frequently asked questions
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme is one of the cheapest in the world. The programme was launched in 1993. The Dominica Government strictly checks the programme budget to keep a high degree of transparency.
The main advantage for investors is the freedom to travel to 145 countries without visas. It is possible to travel visa-free to the EU, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
- Low investment amount — to become a Dominica citizen, you must invest at least $100,000.
- Fast processing time — the CBI Unit checks the investor and their family within 3—6 months and issues passports.
- Convenient service — Due Diligence and application processing are done remotely and confidentially.
A person who obtains Dominica citizenship by investment gets all the rights of a citizen. For example, Dominica citizens travel to 145 countries freely: they visit the EU, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong without visas.
As a Dominica citizen, the investor also:
- Obtains a 10-year visitor visa to the USA at the country’s nearest consulate.
- Educates children in some institutions in the UK on preferential terms.
- Opens accounts with European banks to keep savings and make currency transfers.
- Receives income from the real estate if they choose it as an investment option under the CBI programme. Income from renting out real estate in Dominica is between 2 and 5% per annum.
- Can become a tax resident of Dominica and optimise taxes.
The investor must choose one investment option and make a money transfer.
Investment options under the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme are:
- Non-refundable contribution. The investor contributes at least $100,000 to the Dominica Economic Diversification Fund. The total investment amount depends on the number of applicants.
- Purchase of real estate. An investor chooses a property from the proposed list of projects. The minimum property price is $200,000.
In addition, the investor pays state and Due Diligence fees.
The Dominica Government grants economic citizenship to foreign investors within 3 to 6 months.
Most of the time is spent on the Due Diligence check. The CBI Unit checks the investor’s financial assets, documents and family records. The main task of the CBI Unit is to verify that the investor’s capital has been obtained legally.
The cost of Due Diligence for an investor is $7,500, plus an additional $4,000 per family member over 16.
Under the CBI programme, only government-approved properties are eligible for purchase. The list includes over 50 properties, predominantly consisting of five-star hotel complexes. Investors have options to buy shares, apartments, or villas, with the investment threshold starting at $200,000.
Investors can sell real estate acquired under the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme after 3 years. However, selling after 5 years is advisable because the subsequent owner can also participate in the CBI programme, making it easier for the investor to find a buyer.
Investors earn rental income proportional to their project shares, with annual yields ranging from 2% to 5%. With the island’s year-round tourist season, rental demand remains consistently high.
Besides investing in the country’s economy, the investor pays government and Due Diligence fees. For convenience, we provide the cost calculation in the table below.
Investor’s expenses under the Dominica CBI programme when contributing to a state fund
Expenses | Amount |
Main investments — a fund contribution | $100,000 |
Due Diligence | $7,500 |
Processing fee | $1,000 |
Interview | $1,000+ |
Total | $109,500 |
If the investor includes family members in the application, the investment amount increases by:
- $50,000 — for a spouse;
- $75,000 — for a spouse and two children.
Starting with the fifth family member, the investor pays an additional $25,000 per child under 18 and $50,000 per person over 18.
The investor is entitled to include family members in the application:
- a spouse;
- children under 30;
- parents and grandparents over 65.
The investor must enter into an agreement with a licensed programme agent to participate in the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme as the investor cannot apply by themselves.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of Caribbean government CBI programmes. We help to choose a programme to suit the investor’s goals and conduct a preliminary Due Diligence check that minimises the rejection risks.
Yes, Dominica allows its citizens to have dual citizenship. Therefore, investors don’t have to give up their first passports to get Dominica citizenship. However, it only works if the country of origin allows multiple citizenships, too.
Citizenship may not be granted if the investor:
- provides false information;
- has a criminal record for a serious offence.
To live in the UK, Dominica citizens must obtain a residence permit, such as a student or working visa.
Yes, Dominica citizens can enter the Schengen countries visa-free and spend 90 out of 180 days there.
Let’s discuss the details
Schedule a meeting at one of the offices or online. A lawyer will analyze the situation, calculate the cost and help you find a solution based on your goals.