Dominica, known as the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, has run its Citizenship by Investment Programme since 1993, making it one of the longest-standing programmes in the world. Investors can qualify with a contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or the purchase of government-approved real estate, both starting at USD 200,000, with no requirement to live in or visit the country.
Dominica is one of the most mountainous and densely forested islands in the Caribbean, and one of the few that has built its identity around protecting that landscape rather than developing it.
The Commonwealth of Dominica sits in the Eastern Caribbean between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, roughly halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. Covering 751 square kilometres, it is almost entirely forested, with volcanic peaks, rivers and waterfalls. Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the island is home to the Boiling Lake, the second-largest hot lake in the world.
The capital is Roseau, on the southwest coast, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the Roseau River and Morne Bruce. It is the largest town on the island and its main port for foreign trade, known for its 18th-century French architecture, busy markets and landmarks such as the Roseau Cathedral.
English is the official language, while Dominican Creole and French Patois are also widely spoken, a legacy of the island's French history. Dominica gained independence from the United Kingdom on 3 November 1978 and is a parliamentary republic within the Commonwealth, with a legal system based on English Common Law.
Dominica's economy rests on agriculture, tourism and manufacturing. Bananas have traditionally been the largest export, with a growing shift towards other fruits, vegetables and coffee. Eco-tourism has expanded steadily since the late 1990s. The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), pegged to the US Dollar at 2.70 XCD to 1 USD.
International OrganisationsDominica is a member of the United Nations, CARICOM, the OECS and the Commonwealth of Nations. Because French is widely spoken on the island, it is also a member of La Francophonie.
Investing in a second citizenship provides greater global mobility, financial freedom, tax advantages and access to a secure, high-quality lifestyle, while ensuring long-term security for you and your family.
Visa-free, visa-on-arrival or eTA travel to 135 destinations, including the Schengen Area, Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland.
No wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income or capital gains tax. Personal income tax applies only if you live in Dominica.
Dominica permits dual citizenship, so you keep your existing nationality and never have to renounce it.
Include your spouse, children under 18, children aged 18 to 30 in full-time higher education, and parents or grandparents over 65 who rely on your support.
Citizenship is for life and passes on to future generations. Minor children can be added after you become a citizen, with no time limit.
Full residence status, including the right to live, work and study in Dominica, like any other citizen.
Six conditions apply to every main applicant. All applications must be submitted through a government-authorised agent.
A non-refundable contribution for a single applicant, or USD 250,000 for the main applicant and up to three dependants. Each additional dependant adds USD 25,000 if under 18, or USD 40,000 if 18 or over.
Purchase of a unit in a government-approved project, held for at least three years, or five years if sold to another citizenship applicant. Government fees from USD 75,000 also apply.
The process is straightforward and typically takes 3 to 6 months once a complete application is submitted. These stages are genuinely sequential, and each one depends on the last being complete.
The programme has run since 1993 and is set out in Dominica's written law, approved by Parliament and published by the Government.
Yes. You can include your spouse, children under 18, children aged 18 to 30 who are in full-time higher education and fully supported by you, unmarried daughters under 25 living with and supported by you, adult children with a disability who rely on you, and parents or grandparents over 65 who are substantially supported by you. The cost rises with the number of family members included.
Most complete applications are processed in about 3 to 6 months. Applicants should expect at least three months from submission to approval in principle, with the exact time depending on due diligence and how complete the documents are.
Either a non-refundable Economic Diversification Fund contribution of USD 200,000 for a single applicant (USD 250,000 for the main applicant and up to three dependants), or a real estate purchase of at least USD 200,000 plus government fees from USD 75,000. Both routes also carry a USD 1,000 processing fee, due diligence fees of USD 7,500 for the main applicant and USD 4,000 per dependant aged 16 or over, a USD 1,000 interview fee per applicant aged 16 or over, and a USD 500 certificate fee per person.
Yes. The property must be held for at least three years from the date citizenship is granted, or five years if the buyer is also using it for a citizenship application.
Yes, as long as you held the property for the required number of years after obtaining citizenship.
No. The Citizenship by Investment Unit does not accept direct applications. Every application must be submitted through a government-authorised agent.
No. You do not have to live in Dominica before or after citizenship is granted, and you do not need to travel there to apply. The mandatory interview is usually held online.
Yes. A main applicant who became a citizen through the programme can apply to add a minor child, biological or adopted, at any time after citizenship is granted.
Adult passports are valid for 10 years and children's passports for 5 years. They can be renewed through the Passport and Immigration Department or any Dominican consulate, with no need to travel to Dominica.
Dominica's eco-tourism sector continues to grow, and approved projects include internationally branded and boutique resorts such as the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa, Anichi Resort & Spa and The Residences at Secret Bay. Returns vary by project, so your advisor will walk you through the options.
A thirty-minute consultation with our advisory team will tell you whether Dominica is the right programme for you, and if it is not, which of our other programmes is.