Obtaining citizenship by investment in Dominica. Service offer

Dominica (the Commonwealth of Dominica) is a small state located on an island with the same name, which is part of the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean Sea. Dominica gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. It is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the UN, the Caribbean Community, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.

• The official language is English; local population also speaks Dominican Creole French;
• Population – 73 600;
• Area – 751 sq. km;
• Currency – East Caribbean dollar EC $ (US $1 = EC $2.70).

The citizenship by investment program was launched by the Government of Dominica in 1993 for the purpose of facilitating economic development of the country. The legal basis of the program is Section 101 of the Constitution of the country and Sections 8 and 20 (1) of the Citizenship Act.

• be over 18 years old;
• have no criminal record;
• undertake to not change the name within 5 years after obtaining a certificate of naturalization, except when such a change is connected with a marriage;
• be able and willing to make the contribution required by the program.

Application will be rejected in the following cases:

• if the applicant provided false information in the application;
• if the applicant has criminal records;
• if the applicant is under criminal investigation;
• if the applicant is a carrier of certain infectious diseases or has serious health problems;
• if the applicant is a potential threat to the state security of Dominica or any other country;
• if the applicant is involved in activity that can harm the reputation of Dominica;
• if the applicant has received visa refusals from EU countries, the United Kingdom, the USA or Canada and after a refusal they have not obtained a visa or residence permit in that country.

The applicant can choose one of the two options:

1. Non-refundable contribution (donation)

The size of contribution depends on the number of people included in the application:

• the main applicant – 200 000 US dollars;
• for the main applicant and up to 3 family members – 250 000 US dollars;
• for each additional family member under 18 years old – 25 000 US dollars;
• for each additional family member aged 18 years or older – 40 000 US dollars.

2. Investment of at least 200 000 US dollars in real estate approved by the government. The real estate must be owned by the applicant during 3 years after assignment of citizenship or during 5 years if the next purchaser is also an applicant of the citizenship by investment program.

+

If real estate investment has been chosen, the applicant shall also pay a non-refundable government fee.

The size of the fee depends on the number of people included in the application:

• the main applicant – 75 000 US dollars;
• for the main applicant and up to 3 family members – 100 000 US dollars;
• for each additional family member under 18 years old – 25 000 US dollars;
• for each additional family member aged 18 years or older – 40 000 US dollars.

*Effective since 01 July 2024.

• application review fee – 1 000 US dollars (per application);
• due diligence fee:
  • the main applicant – 7 500 US dollars;
  • for each family member aged 16 years or older – 4 000 US dollars;
• other fees:
  • naturalization certificate fee – 500 US dollars (each);
  • passport fee – 1 200 US dollars (each);
• interview fee:
  • for each person aged 16 years or older – 1 000 US dollars.

• spouse;
• minor children;
• children under 30 years of age when certain conditions are met;
• parents and grandparents over 65 years of age dependent on the main applicant or their spouse.

• prescribed application, questionnaire and forms;

The questionnaire shall contain information on education and professional experience, assets and sources of funds.
One of the forms requires fingerprints.

• color copies of all passports;
• birth certificate;
• marriage certificate, divorce certificate (if applicable);
• no-criminal-record certificate from the country of birth, country of citizenship, country of residence (if different), and all countries where the applicant has lived for over 6 months during the last 10 years – applicable to all applicants aged 16 years or older; for children aged 12 to 15 years – declaration (affidavit) from a parent confirming that the child has no criminal record;
• color copy of driver’s license;
• color copies of all identification documents;
• color copy of military ID card;
• color copies of all documents certifying change of name (besides marriage certificates), if applicable;
• 8 passport-sized color photographs;
• document proving the residential address;
• color copies of education documents – diplomas proving graduation from a university or college;
• letter of recommendation from the management of educational institution – for children aged 12 to 18 years;
• prescribed medical questionnaire and certificate completed and signed by a licensed doctor, medical test result certificates;
• employment confirmation letter / financial statements;
• bank reference letter;
• bank statements for 12 months – for the main applicant;
• color documents proving the source of funds;
• notarized declaration (affidavit) of sources of funds;
• reference letter;
• detailed description of professional experience, CV;
• proof of payment of applicable fees.

The application and supporting documents shall be filed with the Citizenship by Investment Unit by an authorized agent. The applicant may not apply by themselves.

All further requests and correspondence regarding the application shall be sent to the authorized agent.

When filing the application, the application review fee and due diligence fee must be paid.

Review of the application and check of the provided information take around 3 months. The main applicant and all family members aged 16 years or older who are included in the application will be asked to give an interview by means of a video conference.

The Citizenship by Investment Unit notifies the authorized agent of the result: whether the application has been approved, referred for further review or rejected.

If the application has been approved, the Unit sends a letter instructing the applicant to pay the non-refundable contribution or complete the real estate purchase transaction (depending on the option chosen by the applicant). Having received a proof of payment, the Unit issues a certificate of registration based on which the authorized agent applies for Dominican passport on behalf of the applicant.

[1] The service fees are effective as of August 2024.

[2] Excluding VAT.