Dominica Citizenship by Investment

Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Program grants full citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica in return for an approved investment. It is not a visa or a residence permit. The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) runs it, and the program is active (CBIU).

Two investment routes

• Economic Diversification Fund: a government contribution of $200,000 for a main applicant alone, or $250,000 for a main applicant with up to three dependents (CBIU fund page).
• Approved real estate: a purchase of at least $200,000 in a government-approved project, held for 3 years, plus a government fee (CBIU price notice).

The current prices took effect July 1, 2024, when Dominica aligned its program with a pricing agreement among Eastern Caribbean states. Every applicant aged 16 and older now sits a mandatory interview. Scrutiny of Caribbean citizenship programs by the United States has led to tighter screening (Office of the Prime Minister).

Dominica allows multiple citizenships, and the citizenship is for life. Applications go only through authorized agents.

Main applicants must be at least 18, in good health and have no criminal record (CBIU).

No minimum income or net worth is published. Applicants must fund the investment and the government fees and pass due diligence background checks.

• Family: a main applicant can include dependents in the same application. The fund price covers up to three dependents; each further dependent adds $25,000 if under 18 or $40,000 if 18 or older (CBIU fund page). Agents confirm which relatives qualify as dependents.
• Interview: every applicant aged 16 and older attends a mandatory interview.
• Nationality: the CBIU keeps a list of nationalities it does not accept, so applicants should check it with an agent before paying any fees.

The CBIU does not accept applications filed directly by investors. Only authorized agents can submit and manage files, and they supply the forms and document checklist (CBIU).

• Due diligence background checks on the main applicant and on every dependent aged 16 or older. Enhanced due diligence may apply in some cases, at extra cost (CBIU fund page).
• A mandatory interview for each applicant aged 16 and older.
• The qualifying investment: a fund contribution or an approved real estate purchase.
• Payment of the government fees listed under costs.

The CBIU does not publish a full document list online, so translation and certification rules come from the agent handling the file.

Investment

• Economic Diversification Fund: $200,000 for a main applicant alone, $250,000 with up to three dependents, then $25,000 for each further dependent under 18 and $40,000 for each further dependent aged 18 or older.
• Real estate: a purchase of at least $200,000 plus a government fee of $75,000 for a single applicant or $100,000 for a family of four (CBIU price notice).

Government fees

• Processing: $1,000 per application
• Due diligence: $7,500 for the main applicant and $4,000 for each dependent aged 16 or older
• Interview: $1,000 per interview, for each applicant aged 16 and older
• Certificate of naturalization: $500 per person

Source: CBIU fund page. Agents set their own fees, which come on top, as do passport fees and any enhanced due diligence.

1. Choose an authorized agent from the CBIU list of agents.
2. The agent prepares the forms and files the application with the CBIU.
3. The CBIU runs due diligence checks and holds the interviews.
4. After approval, the investment and remaining fees are paid and citizenship is granted by certificate of naturalization.
5. The new citizen, or the agent, then applies for a Dominican passport.

The CBIU says approval typically takes 3 to 4 months (CBIU investment options). Larger families and enhanced due diligence can take longer.

The program grants citizenship for life, so there is no visa term to renew and no further investment once citizenship is granted (CBIU).

Only the passport needs renewing as it expires, through the normal passport process.

Real estate investors must keep the property for 3 years, or five years if they sell it to another citizenship by investment applicant.

The CBIU publishes no tax rules specific to the program. Tax follows Dominica's general rules, which tie residence to physical presence rather than nationality.

The Inland Revenue Division counts people physically present in Dominica for more than 183 days continuously among residents, and resident individuals file a return by March 31 each year (Inland Revenue Division).

A second citizenship does not end tax obligations elsewhere. Applicants should check the rules of every country where they live or hold citizenship before investing.