Dominica Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) CBI Investment Option

The Dominica Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) was established in 1993 by the Dominica Government. The aim of the program is to support the country’s socio-economic initiatives and drive the country’s development. The fund was established as a route of investment under the country’s citizenship by investment program and offers investors the opportunity to obtain citizenship in exchange for a non-refundable minimum contribution of $200,000 to the fund.

• Economic Diversification Fund overview
• Benefits of Economic Diversification Fund investments
• Economic Diversification Fund requirements
• Application process for the Economic Diversification option

The Dominica EDF is regulated by Section 101 of the Constitution of Dominica, the Citizenship Act, and Dominica’s economic citizenship regulations. As such, money contributed to the fund is used to develop the country by improving its infrastructure, medical facilities, and more.

Dominica Citizenship by Investment is a popular route to become a Dominica citizen. In fact, the Dominica citizenship program is the country’s main revenue generator for Dominica’s 2022/2023 $1.2 billion budget and raised over $450 million in 2021 and 2022.

Main investment points:

• The main applicant must make the EDF contribution of the minimum value, as set by the Dominica CBI Program regulations.
• Payments are completed via wire transfer, and the applicant assumes transfer charges, ensuring the Dominica government receives the EDF contribution in full.
• The minimum contribution requirements under the EDF are quoted in United States dollars (USD). Payments in euros (EUR) and pound sterling (GBP) are accepted, provided they’re equivalent to or greater than the minimum amount in USD.

How Dominica’s EDF spends investors’ financial contribution

Money generated from foreign nationals’ contributions to the fund is used to: 

• Construct new homes that are earthquake resistant
• Protect against flooding by deepening rivers, building river dams, and building structures to regulate drainage
• Repair and build airports, bridges, and roads
• Improve education facilities and opportunities
• Provide job opportunities and financial support for local businesses
• Improve citizens’ access to clean drinking water
• Develop renewable energy sources

Most affordable option for a single applicant   

A significant contributor to the CBI Index’s vote for Dominica as the best country for citizenship by investment is that, for Caribbean CBI program applicants, Dominica’s citizenship program is one of the most affordable options for a foreign national to obtain citizenship, with its low $200,000 minimum investment amount.

Development of Dominica’s public infrastructure 

Money from the fund is used to develop and improve local infrastructure to create a safer, more efficient, and greener environment. The fund is used to support public and private sector projects that work to build schools, renovate hospitals, and have even helped to create a national sports stadium. Additionally, money generated by the fund is used to provide financial support to the country’s tourism, information technology, and agricultural sectors. Contributions have already been used for infrastructural development of the country’s Douglas Charles International Airport.

Streamlined application process 

The EDF application process to gain economic citizenship in Dominica is streamlined, with approvals for the main applicant and dependent children taking up to six to nine months after being filed with the government.

In order to acquire Dominica citizenship by making an investment in Dominica’s Economic Diversification Fund, applicants must make a non-refundable contribution in accordance with the requirements of the fund set by the Dominican government. This amount to qualify for Dominican citizenship will vary based on the number of dependent family members, as outlined in the table below.

Additional EDF Fees

In addition to the minimum contribution amount, you will also need to pay costs such as government fees or processing fees, due diligence fees, a certificate of naturalization fee, and a passport fee. Again, these costs will vary depending on the number of applicants.

Processing fee

$1,000 per applicant

Due diligence fee

$7,500 for the main applicant

$4,000 for the spouse and each dependent over 16

Applicants who are Iranian citizens or permanent residents must pay the following enhanced due diligence fees:

$25,000 for the main applicant

$15,000 for the spouse and each dependent over 16

$10,000 for dependents aged 2 to 15

Mandatory interview fee

$1,000 per applicant over 16

Certificate of Naturalization fee

$500 per applicant

Note: Additional donations are not required for a main applicant to include an additional dependent for legal citizenship when choosing the real estate option. The total minimum EDF contributions, including applicable fees, are specified in United States dollars (USD), but the government also accommodates payments made in euros (EUR) or pound sterling (GBP), provided the sum meets or exceeds the USD amount on the day.

As the applicant, you are responsible for paying the full contribution amount under the laws and regulations that govern the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program. Eligibility for Dominica citizenship by EDF investment requires the payment to be made as a bank transfer, and you must make sure to pay any applicable local and Dominica bank charges to ensure the Dominica government receives the complete EDF contribution amount.

Fortunately, one of the benefits of contributing to Dominica’s EDF is you will only be required to pay your contribution amount once the government has approved your citizenship application.

Important note: While the Economic Diversification Fund contribution amounts are expressed in United States Dollars (USD), Dominica’s government will also accept payments in Euros (EUR) and Pound Sterling (GBP).

Step 1: Discussion with our success team and obtain a proposal

Obtain a proposal from a licensed Dominica Citizenship by Investment lawyer that details all costs and fees associated with your Dominica EDF investment application submission.

Step 2: Start the onboarding process

The team at Global Citizen Solutions will help you prepare your application forms and gather all the necessary supporting documents to acquire Dominica citizenship through Economic Diversification Fund. Make sure to notarize and certify documents as needed.

Step 3: Application review

We will review your citizenship application and supporting documents to ensure everything is in order to officially submit your application.

Step 4: Due diligence

Submit your documents required for due diligence.

Step 5: Application submission

Submit your application to the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit and pay the necessary processing fees.

Step 6: Approval

The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit will assess your application in accordance with various requirements, such as passing a background check, and decide on the success of your application. It generally takes about six to nine months from the date of submission to the issuing of your passport.

Step 7: Final invoice

Your final invoice will be issued to begin the Dominica Economic Diversification Fund contribution process. You will be required to pay your contribution amount, as well as the remainder of the government processing fees.

Step 8: Issuing of passport

Your passport and Certificate of Registration (COR) will be issued. This generally occurs within one month of you making your investment payment.

Step 9: Receive documents

Your Dominica passports and COR will be couriered to you.

Obtaining a Dominica passport under the Dominica economic citizenship program comes with a number of benefits. For example, Dominica passport ranks 70th on the Global Passport Index for 2025, allowing holders to enjoy visa free travel to 160 countries, including the European countries in the Schengen area, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Russia.

In addition to this, Dominica citizens can benefit from favorable Dominica taxes, with no capital gains tax, tax global income, and no wealth or inheritance tax. Dominica dual citizenship is also permitted, meaning you will not have to give up your current passport once you acquire this second citizenship. Finally, Dominica has no stay or visitation requirements to maintain citizenship, which is particularly attractive if you travel a lot for work or are not yet ready to relocate.

Another answer to how to invest in Dominica’s economic growth and obtain Dominican citizenship under Dominica’s economic citizenship program is by making a real estate investment. When comparing the St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica passport programs, Dominica is much cheaper at $200,000 versus $325,000 for St Kitts and Nevis’s program.