Frequently Asked Questions

The Citizenship by Investment Programme allows reputable investors and their eligible family members to legally obtain citizenship in return for a significant investment in Dominica, as determined under the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment Regulations. Presently, there are two qualifying investments: a direct contribution to the Government (commonly known as the contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund route), starting at USD 100,000 for a single applicant, or the purchase of pre-approved real estate at a minimum value of USD 200,000.

A detailed breakdown of the steps for applying for citizenship can be found here.

An Authorised Agent is a person licensed by the Government to act on your behalf when you apply for Citizenship by Investment in Dominica. A full list of Authorised Agents can be found here.

As an applicant for citizenship, you must be at least 18 years of age, of good character, without a criminal record, and able and willing to make the required contribution. You must engage an Authorised Agent who will assist you in preparing the required forms and supporting documents. There are also limitations if you are citizen of Iran, North Korea, Sudan. Syria, Russia or Belarus. Find out more here.

The total cost will be made up of either (1) the contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or (2) the investment in pre-approved real estate, plus fees relating to due diligence and the processing of the application. Some fees apply to both citizenship routes, while others depend on whether you choose to obtain citizenship through the Economic Diversification Fund option or the real estate option. For a breakdown of the applicable fees, please click here.

Yes, subject to the fulfilment of certain requirements, citizenship can be extended to your spouse, dependent children, dependent parents and grandparents. Fees vary according to the number of family members you include in your application for citizenship.

• A spouse of the main applicant.
• A child under eighteen 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 eighteen and thirty 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 twenty-five 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 eighteen 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 sixty-five years who are substantially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.

Please note:

• A ‘child’ means a biological or legally adopted child
• By “eighteen (18) to thirty (30) years” it is intended that a child who is 30 can be included in an application, but not a child who has turned 31

Please contact an Authorised Agent for questions relating to which of your family members may be included in your application.

Once you receive citizenship of Dominica you will have the same right to live, work, and study in Dominica as any other citizen. With a Dominican passport, you will be able to travel visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival to around 140 countries and territories, including major business hubs. For more information about the benefits of Dominican citizenship, please click here.

There is no wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income, or capital gains tax in Dominica. As a citizen, you would be liable to pay personal tax if you resided in Dominica.

No. You must submit your application through an Authorised Agent.

From submission of the application to an approval in principle, applicants are generally expected to wait three months.

Our Programme has been running since 1993 and our Citizenship by Investment Unit is highly experienced in processing applications. Our Programme has efficient processing times and offers one of the most affordable routes to citizenship in the Caribbean. Dominica’s Programme has been ranked number one in the world’s most comprehensive study of the citizenship by investment industry for three consecutive years.

The application process itself is confidential, except where necessary checks are carried out by authorised due diligence agencies and international partners.

No, you don’t have to attend a mandatory interview. However an interview may be required at the discretion of the Government.

No, you don’t have to travel to Dominica as part of the application process. However, we always encourage you to visit our beautiful Dominica. In exceptional circumstances where an interview is required, we would usually like to meet you face-to-face in Dominica. However, should you be unable to attend an interview in Dominica, we may decide to interview you in certain centres outside of Dominica, subject to you being able and willing to pay applicable costs.

No. You do not have to reside in Dominica before or after citizenship is granted.

No. All application forms for the Citizenship by Investment Programme can only be obtained through an Authorised Agent.

No. You must submit your application in English.

A Police Clearance Certificate is a document provided by a law enforcement agency confirming the absence of a criminal record.

Upon receiving citizenship, each applicant is required to sign an Oath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth of Dominica. The Oath must be signed before a Notary Public, Justice of the Peace, or Commissioner of Oaths.

International travellers from Europe and the USA arrive in Dominica through transit hubs in Antigua, Barbados, St Maarten, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. Dominica’s main and larger airport is Melville Hall (DOM) which accommodates commercial airlines and has an updated terminal. Canefield Airport (DCF) currently serves only courier services and private charters. For more information on your trip to Dominica, please click here.

Everywhere. The passport that you obtain as an economic citizen is a fully legal passport, and is universally recognised by all state parties to the United Nations.

Yes, the laws of Dominica recognise and allow dual citizenship and you are not required to renounce your other citizenships. You are not required to reside in Dominica to keep your citizenship status.

You will have the right to live, work, and study in Dominica at any time. Holders of a Dominican passport, like holders of passports from any Caribbean country, require a visa to enter the United States, because we are not part of the Visa Waiver Programme.

Dominican passports are generally valid for up to 10 years. Passports for children under 16 years old are issued for 5 years.

Expired passports or those with no free pages can be easily renewed for a fee at the Passport and Immigration Department in Dominica or through any Dominican Consulate (with no need to personally travel to Dominica or its Consulates).

As part of the laws of Dominica, and as a citizen of Dominica, you would be entitled to a passport.

No, you do not need an address in Dominica. You can renew your passport at the Passport and Immigration Department in Dominica or through any Dominican Consulate, and may simply give your primary residence as your address.

Yes, as long as you held the property for the required number of years after obtaining your citizenship. For more details click here.