Overview of Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program was established back in 1993. It is one of the longest-running and most reliable citizenship by investment program whereby you get a second passport in return for your donation to a government fund or purchase of real estate. Bear in mind that an investment in properties is both a lawful way of getting a second citizenship and a profitable way of investing money.
Dominica stands out among other Caribbean islands with its unique nature, austere volcanic peaks, forests full of exotic plants and animals, picturesque waterfalls, fresh-water lakes and unusual beaches. The islands attract over 200,000 eco-tourists each year.
Dominica citizenship by investment program is the cheapest solution for a single applicant without a family. Dominica passport is your ticket to the world without visas and an opportunity to optimise taxes.
Benefits of investing in Dominica passport
- To apply for a passport of Dominica, an investor does not need to speak the language or take a test in local culture and traditions.
- Citizens by investment are not required to live on the islands or even spend any time there.
- The whole process of obtaining a second passport can be done remotely as it is required by law to submit an application to and communicate with the citizenship by investment unit only through an agent. You can get your Dominica passport from the comfort of your home.
- Citizenship applications are processed quickly: it takes 3 to 6 months.
- Dominica accepts dual nationality and guarantees 100% confidentiality to its new citizens.
- Passport of this country is much more affordable than European citizenship by investment obtained under similar programmes. If you are single and have no dependants, Dominica program is the cheapest among other Caribbean citizenship by investment programs.
Dominica citizenship – key facts
$200,000
Minimum investment
3 – 6 months
Processing time
refundable & non-refundable
Investment options
after 3 years
Investments recovered
delivered to you
Passport collection
133 countries
Visa-free travel
Who can apply for Dominica citizenship by investment
Dominica government is interested in attracting foreign investors, therefore there are minimum application requirements:
- Main applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
- All applicants must be in good health.
- An investor must have clean criminal record.
- Main applicant must have access to legally sourced funds that are sufficient to make a required investment/contribution and cover additional costs.
Dependent family members you can add to your application
- A spouse.
- Children under 30 years of age, including from previous marriages.*
- Parents and grandparents over 55 years old.*
- Siblings not older than 25 who are unmarried and have no children.*
Besides, you can apply for a Dominica passport for your child that was born after you obtained your citizenship.
*Children aged over 18, as well as parents and siblings, must be financially dependent on the main applicant.
Important!
Dominica does not accept citizenship applications from residents of Northen Iraq, Yemen, Russia and Belarus.
Application from nationals of North Korea and Sudan will be refused unless the applicant has (1) not lived in these countries for at least ten years, (2) no substantial assets there, and (3) not performed any business or similar activity, in whole or in part, in or with the countries.
Two ways to invest in Dominica citizenship
One of the biggest advantages of Caribbean passport schemes is a choice of investment options. Dominica offers two.
Non-refundable contribution to Economic Diversification Fund
Investment amount – from $200,000
As you can guess from the heading above, this is a donation which cannot be recovered once you get your passport. By making it, you are contributing to the construction of schools, hospitals, transport infrastructure, as well as local tourism industry and agriculture.
A single applicant must be prepared to invest at least $200,000, excluding due diligence, passport and other fees.
Dependants come at an additional cost. Have a look at three calculations: for one applicant, for a couple and for a family.
Cost of Dominica citizenship by investment in the government fund
 |  |  | |
| Purchase of real estate | $200,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 |
| Due diligence fee | $7,500 | $11,500 | $11,500 |
| Property tax | $8,800 | $8,800 | $8,800 |
| Government fee | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Passport and processing fee | $2,200 | $3,400 | $5,800 |
| Naturalisation certificate | $500 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Interview fee | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Total: | $295,000 | $326,700 | $330,100 |
*A family includes two adults and two minor children under 16. If your application includes more than 4 people, the size of your donation must increase by $25,000 for each additional child under the age of 18 and by $40,000 for each additional adult. Plus, you will need to pay an additional due diligence fee of $4,000 for each dependant over 16.
**The officially permitted minimum investment in real estate is 200,000; however, the cheapest shares in projects start at 220,000.
Purchase of real estate in Dominica
Investment amount – from $220,000
You can contribute to the island economy by buying a share in a hotel under construction, a spa facility or a villa – one of the government approved projects. On the one hand, the state involvement significantly reduces a choice, but, on the other hand, it minimises risks by eliminating unscrupulous developers and fraudulent schemes.
The minimum purchase amount of $220,000 does not increase if you want to add dependants to your citizenship application. Unlike a one-off donation, you can return most or all of your money after 3 years. However, there is an additional government fee to pay.
You can make up for a part of the purchase costs if you decide to rent your property out. Dominica is popular for eco-tourism, so you can even gain on your investment if you sell after the required 3 years after you receive Dominica citizenship.
If for any reason you do not want to invest in a share in a hotel or an off-plan resort program, you can co-invest in a villa. Please bear in mind that in this case each investor must contribute at least $200,000.
Cost of Dominica citizenship by investment in real estate
| | | |
| Purchase of real estate | $220,000* | $220,000 | $220,000 |
| Due diligence fee | $7,500 | $11,500 | $11,500 |
| Processing fee | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Government fee | $75,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Passport fee | $1,200 | $2,400 | $4,800 |
| Naturalisation certificate | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Interview fee | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Total: | $286,200 | $317,900 | $321,300 |
*Family includes two adults and two minor children under 16. If your application includes more than 4 people, the government fee increases by $25,000 for each additional child under the age of 18 and by $40,000 for each additional adult. Plus, you will need to pay an additional due diligence fee of $4,000 for each dependant over 16.
Caribbean passport is not a popular relocation tool; it is more of a solution to a visa-free travel around the world. You would need a reliable property management company to take care of your real estate in a most efficient manner. Imperial & Legal team will be happy to assist you in this matter.
5 steps to Dominica citizenship by investment
Standard processing time is 3 to 4 months. However, it can take longer depending on your circumstances.
5 unique opportunities for Dominica passport holders
1. Freedom of movement
With a Dominica passport, you can cross borders of over 133 countries around the world, including the UK, EU states, South Korea and Singapore.
2. Favourable tax regime for Dominica residents
Tax residents of Dominica do not pay income tax and have no wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income or capital gains taxes. The government has also signed double taxation agreements with many countries worldwide.
3. Excellent business environment
Dominica-registered companies trading abroad do not pay tax on foreign profit. The government also offers significant tax and export incentives to support businesses.
Dominica businessmen have a duty-free access to several Caribbean markets. There are no restrictions on the repatriation of profits and imported capital.
4. Economic and political stability
Dominica remains an island of stability while this cannot be said about some other Caribbean states. It boasts a laid-back atmosphere that at the same time is conducive to business activities. Local currency, the Eastern Caribbean dollar, is pegged to the US dollar.
This tiny island state can become both your second home and plan “B” in case the worst comes to the worst in your home country.
5. Unique natural beauty of Dominica
If you decide to settle here, it will all be yours to enjoy – pristine nature that is so different from popular tropical resorts. Dominica’s rugged volcanic peaks organically co-exist with lush forests, fresh-water lakes, scenic waterfalls, fast rivers and outstanding coastline – it is a paradise for outdoor lovers and divers.
If you wish to enjoy all benefits that Dominica offers to its citizens, get in touch with our experts at Imperial & Legal. Our qualified advisers will help you and your family to obtain Dominica citizenship by investment in no time and at a minimum cost.
