Dominica Citizenship by Investment – The Ultimate Guide by Experts

If you are a global citizen considering a second citizenship, then Dominica, the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” may have the right investment program for you. Thanks to their Citizenship by Investment Program, you and your family can receive Dominica passports in less than six months, in exchange for making an investment in the country.

To become a Dominica citizen, you must choose one of two investment routes: make a donation starting at $100,000 to the Economic Development Fund, or invest a minimum of $200,000 in government-approved real estate developments, such as luxury resorts and condominiums.

A Caribbean passport by investment may be a great option for you if:

• Your current passport allows for limited global mobility. With a Dominica passport, you can have visa-free access to over 140 countries, including the European Union, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, and China.
• You are considering diversifying your assets and looking for a place where you can enjoy a number of tax breaks. In Dominica, there is no income tax on worldwide income, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax.
• You want to invest in high-end tourist real estate and benefit from the thriving tourism industry in the Caribbean.
• You are looking for a Plan B for yourself and your family. A second citizenship offers alternatives in instances of global instability.
• You are making plans to retire in a peaceful, sunny paradise. With Dominica citizenship, you and your family are allowed to live in any of the 15 member states of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

What is Citizenship by Investment?

Citizenship by investment programs, also sometimes referred to as economic citizenship or golden visa programs, offer foreign investors the opportunity to receive citizenship of a country in exchange for an economic contribution to the nation’s development, usually in the form of either a donation to fund government projects or the purchase of real estate.

Some countries offer additional investment routes such as government bonds, contributions to educational institutions, or the creation of business enterprises. Citizenship can be extended to family members and is valid for life, passing down to future generations.

During the application, all documentation provided will go through the due diligence process. This is a vital step in a CBI application, as it means the documents and information will be checked to confirm the identity, financial profile, and security profile of the applicant, as well as all family members aged 16 or over. A solid due diligence process is crucial to guarantee the credibility (and longevity) of an investment citizenship program.

Benefits of the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program

Having a Caribbean passport is the ultimate plan B for you and your family, providing flexibility and opportunities.

The Dominica passport is the most affordable for a single person: it costs less than $110,000 in total for the program costs (investment, application fees, and due diligence fees). There is no cheaper option in the Caribbean or in the world.

You can include your entire family in the application: spouse, children, parents, and grandparents. And since citizenship is lifelong, it will pass down to the generations to come.

The application process is simple and flexible: there are no residency requirements, no language tests, and no interviews. You can do everything remotely, from home, and have your passports delivered to an address of your choice.

The citizenship process is quick: it takes from three to six months.

As Dominica passport holders, you and your family will be able to travel visa-free to over 140 countries, including European countries, the UK, Russia, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Dominica citizens enjoy an attractive tax environment, with no income, wealth, or inheritance tax.

Running since 1993, this is one of the best and most reliable citizenship programs available. For four years in a row, Dominica has ranked the best country for citizenship by investment by CBI Index — the most prestigious study of citizenship by investment programs (CBI) in the world from Professional Wealth Management, the magazine published by the Financial Times.

About Dominica

Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean”, Dominica is a former British colony known for its stunning and well-preserved nature. 

It has a population of around 71 thousand people. The Official language is English, but Dominican French creole is also spoken.

Despite the similar names, Dominica is a completely separate country from the Dominican Republic, which is a former Spanish colony in the Greater Antilles, near Cuba. The Commonwealth of Dominica is much smaller and lies in the Lesser Antilles.

Dominica Citizenship: Investment Routes

In order to qualify for economic citizenship, you must choose one of the two investment routes available:

1. Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)

The Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) was created in 1993 to support socio-economic projects and drive Dominica’s development. In order to acquire citizenship, you must make a non-refundable contribution to the fund. The minimum donation value will depend on the number of family members included in the application.

2. Pre-approved real estate

This investment route demands that you invest at least $200,000 in government-approved real estate. Most of the options available are shares in high-end tourist accommodation.

The properties can be resold after three years, or five years if the buyer is also an applicant for Dominica citizenship. For this option, there are also Government Fees, which value depends on the number of family members included in the application.

Pros and Cons of the Dominica Citizenship Program:

Here you can find the advantages and disadvantages of the Dominica CBI program in comparison to the other Caribbean programs: Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia. In short, Dominica is a solid and affordable program, with few bells and whistles. And that’s the appeal.

Pros:

It’s the most affordable second passport for a single applicant: it costs less than $110,000 in total program costs (investment plus government and application fees).

Long-running and reliable, having earned the prize of best CBI program in the world for four years in a row by the CBI Index study.

Good global mobility: not all Caribbean passports give visa-free access to Russia and China, as Dominica does. All five Caribbean programs allow visa-free travel to the EU, the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore, amongst others.

Cons:

It’s not very family-friendly: Compared to the other Caribbean programs, Dominica has less inclusive requirements for family members. Siblings can’t be included in the application, and parents and grandparents must be over 65 years old (compared to the 55 age threshold of countries such as Antigua and Barbuda). Children over 18 and under 30 years old must be in education or, if they are women under 25, unmarried and supported by the family.

Extreme weather: Dominica is vulnerable to hurricanes, such as Maria, which devastated the island in 2017. That may be a concern if you are planning to make a real estate investment.

Limited investment options: There are only two investment routes, real estate or government donation.

1. Choose your investment route: Decide which of the investment routes is best for you, either making a non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or purchasing real estate.
2. Complete all application forms: Complete all the forms and necessary documents as provided by Global Citizen Solutions.
3. Submit your application: Your dedicated specialist will submit the application on your behalf*.
4. Receive the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) approval of application: Within three to six months of applying, you will receive a confirmation letter with the status ‘approved in principle’.
5. Make your investment: Make the investment, pay the additional fees, and send proof to the CBIU.
6. Become a citizen: You and your family will be granted citizenship of Dominica, and receive your passports at an address of your choice.

*The CBIU doesn’t accept applications directly from applicants, but only from Authorized Agents, who are previously approved. These agents will provide the forms, and submit the application.

Tax Considerations

Dominica is a tax-free country if you choose not to live there. However, if you decide to set up a base for six months or more in your new country of citizenship, taxes on worldwide income will be charged. 

In addition, Dominica has double taxation treaties with the US and CARICOM, meaning that there are no restrictions on the repatriation of profits or imported capital. There are also several corporate tax incentives, a full waiver from import duties, as well as tax relief benefits, and export allowance. Dominica also offers generous tax holidays and other import duties and tax waivers.

Dominica Document Requirements:

Important information: Applications for citizenship by investment are only handled by registered Authorized Persons. Furthermore, the list of required documents is not exhaustive. The CIU may request additional supporting documentation from the applicant.

General Dominica citizenship by investment document requirements:

• Disclosure Form
• Fingerprint and Photograph Verification Form (to be completed in front of a fingerprinting officer)
• Medical Questionnaire and Certificate (to be completed by a licensed medical practitioner)
•  Investment Agreement (EDF option only; to be completed by the main applicant only)
• Sales and Purchase Agreement – (real estate option only)
• Application Form completed and notarized copies
• Color copies of all passports held
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate/Dissolution of Marriage Certificate, if applicable
• Police records from the country of birth, country of citizenship, country of residence (if different), and any country in which the applicant has resided for more than six months in the past ten years, for each applicant 16 years and over. For children aged 12-15, a sworn affidavit by the parent that a child does not have a criminal record is required
• Color copy of your driver’s license
• Color copies of all identity documents/books or cards
• Color copies of all military service and discharge documents, if applicable
• Color copies of all documents evidencing a name change (other than through marriage), if applicable
• 8 passport-size photos
• Proof of residential address (lease agreement or utility bill)
• Color copies of university/college diplomas
• Letter of recommendation from the head of the school/university for children between 12 and 18 years old
• Notarized affidavit of support for each dependent aged 18 or over included in the application, with the exception of the spouse
• HIV test results (for all applicants aged 12 or above)
• Routine blood and urine test results

Supporting documentation

• Professional reference
• Letter of employment/financial statements
• 12 months of bank statements
• Notarized affidavit of the source of funds
• Detailed business background reports/resume/CV
• Letter to the Minister
• Proof of payment of relevant fees

Important note: Any color copies of documents must be notarized and legalized before they’re submitted. If any documents are not in English, they must be translated, notarized, and legalized prior to submission. Agents must inform applicants that their bank references and audited financial reports for the two most recent years are required by the bank in order to process the funds.

Certification of documents

Where a document is required to be produced in support of the application for citizenship by investment program, it must be certified and authenticated in accordance with the law of the jurisdiction from where the document originates.

If you are interested in getting Caribbean citizenship, why not arrange a chat with our Global Citizen Solutions team of experts? With up-to-date knowledge of all the most recent changes and trends in CBI programs, we can help you acquire your Dominica passport in just a few months.

Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?

• Global approach by local experts. We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all six Caribbean CBI programs.
• 100% approval rate. We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
• Independent service and full transparency. We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
• An all-encompassing solution. A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family’s mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
• Confidential service and secure data management. All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

 

FAQs:

How to get Dominica citizenship by investment?

To obtain Dominica citizenship, you must either make a government fund contribution or purchase Dominica real estate at a predetermined value. You must also be over 18 years old, have an outstanding character, be in excellent health and hold no criminal record. After passing a detailed background check, in three to six months, you and your family will receive a Dominica passport, which allows visa-free travel to over 140 countries, including the European countries in the Schengen area, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, and China.

What is the cost for Dominica citizenship?

Dominica citizenship by investment cost starts at $100,000 if you are a single applicant and choose to make a donation to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund. The Dominica citizenship by investment real estate option has a minimum investment threshold of $200,000, plus application fees.

Is it possible to have Dominica dual citizenship?

Yes, Dominica recognizes dual citizenship, meaning you can keep your existing citizenship and also be granted Dominica nationality, through Dominica economic citizenship program (sometimes also called Dominica Golden Visa).

Is a Dominica passport good?

A Dominica passport is an excellent passport to own. It holds numerous benefits, like visa-free travel to over 140 countries, with a global passport ranking of 78th for its travel freedoms. You can acquire this passport if you invest in Dominica via the country’s citizenship by investment program.

What is the Dominica citizenship by investment program?

It is a way for investors to receive Dominica economic citizenship and a Dominica passport, in exchange for investing in the country. The applicant can choose between making a donation starting at $100,000 or purchasing real estate worth $200,000 or more.

Can I live in Europe with a Dominica passport?

Having Dominica citizenship, you will have visa-free access to all the European countries and stay there for up to 90 days. Regarding the UK, you will be able to visit the country and stay for up to 180 days visa-free. If you plan to stay longer in any of those places, you will need to apply for a visa.

Can I sell my investment in Dominica?

Yes, if you chose the Dominica CBI real estate route, investing in shares of pre-approved properties, you can sell these shares after three years. However, this period increases to five years if the buyer is also applying for citizenship by investment.

Does my Dominica Citizenship extend to my family?

Yes, it is possible to include family members in the citizenship by investment application. Children under 18 and spouses are eligible, along with dependent children aged between 18-30 attending higher education, unmarried daughters under 25 supported by and living with the applicant or spouse, mentally and physically challenged dependent children, plus dependent parents and grandparents above 65.

How do I get Dominica citizenship for $50,000?

The Dominica citizenship $50,000 threshold refers to the Dominica Entrepreneur Visa, launched in 2020. This is a visa program separate from the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, as it has different requirements: at first, you must make a minimum investment of $50,000 in a government-approved business. Then, after two years, you can be granted citizenship, provided you live in the country for three months each year.