Cost of Dominica citizenship by investment
Dominica citizenship by investment program is one of the cheapest in the world. Citizenship can be obtained by investing at least $200,000 in the state fund or real estate.
With addition of at least $10,750 of other fees for fund contribution and at least $85,750 to real estate investment, the overall Dominica passport costs for a single applicant are $210,750 and $285,750, respectively.
The passport is issued within 6+ months.
Author •Lyle Julien
Cost of Dominica citizenship by investment
Who can obtain Dominica citizenship by investment
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) has been operating since 1993. From 2017 to 2020, more than 5,800 investors received citizenship by investment in Dominica, and the state earned an income of $1.2 billion.
A foreigner can obtain Dominica citizenship by investment if they are at least 18 years old, have no criminal records, have no serious illnesses, and can prove that the money for participation in the program was earned legally.
Investor’s family members. In the application for Dominica economic citizenship, an investor can include family members such as spouses, children, parents, and grandparents. They can obtain Dominica nationality at the same time as the investor or join later after the investor gets a passport.
Age requirements for participation in the Dominica investment citizenship program for investor’s relatives are the following:
under 18 for the investor or their spouse’s children;
18—30 for the investor or their spouse’s children who study at a university;
18—25 for unmarried daughters who live with the investor or fully depend on them;
65+ for parents and grandparents.
To include parents, grandparents, and children over 18 in the application, the investor or the investor’s spouse confirms that they support the relatives financially. For this, the lawyers of Immigrant Invest draw up a particular statement — an affidavit with checks or bank statements attached to it.
A spouse of the investor does not need to be financially supported to get Dominica citizenship. However, they must be of the opposite sex and have no criminal records.
Investment requirements for Dominica economic citizenship
The Dominica citizenship program offers applicants two investment options to choose between:
$200,000+ — a contribution to the Dominica Economic Diversification Fund (EDF);
$200,000+ — in villas, apartments, a resort, a hotel complex, or shares of a real estate project approved by the government.
The government spends program income on educational grants, hurricane-resistant homes, schools, and clinics. Dominica’s citizenship program is the source of funding for geothermal energy projects.
Cost of Due Diligence and other fees for Dominica citizenship by investment
Due Diligence. For the citizenship application to be approved, the CBI Unit checks the investor and their family members over the age of 16 for reliability. With the help of this Due Diligence, the government of Dominica makes sure that future citizens do not have problems with the law and that the money for investment is obtained lawfully.
The program’s legal department checks to see if applicants have a criminal record or denials of citizenship and residence permits, followed by an inspection of income sources. The cost of Due Diligence is $7,500 for an investor and $4,000 for each participant over 16.
An interview is a mandatory step during Due Diligence. It takes place online and can host all family members over 16 at once. However, if a family member is late or cannot join on the appointed day and time, another interview is scheduled for them. The fee is $1,000 per interview.
Other fees include the following:
$1,000 is a processing fee per application;
$500 is a naturalisation certificate fee per applicant;
$250 is a passport fee per applicant;
$500 is for courier services.
Besides, the investor pays for services of a licensed agent, bank commissions, delivery costs, notarisation, and translation fees. The total amounts depend on the composition of the family and necessary documents.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the program and our lawyers can help you calculate the exact cost of participation.
Dominica citizenship by investment cost when contributing to the state fund
The contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund is charitable and is not returned to the investor. The minimum investment amount will be:
for an investor — $200,000;
for a family of up to four people — $250,000.
An additional $25,000 is paid per family member from the fifth applicant under 18 and $40,000 for those over 18.
Cost of investments in the Dominica EDF with fees
Dominica citizenship cost when investing in real estate
The minimum investment in real estate is the same as the contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund — $200,000. At the same time, investment property costs do not depend on the number of participants.
The investor can purchase an apartment, a villa, or a hotel. It is also possible to buy shares of one of such properties worth $200,000. When buying a share, the investor becomes a shareholder of the hotel: the bonus includes free accommodation in luxury apartments for up to two weeks a year.
In addition to the cost of the property itself, the investor pays a government fee:
$75,000 for a single investor;
$100,000 for a family of up to 4 people;
$25,000 per family member under 18, starting with the 5th applicant;
$40,000 per family member over 18, starting with the 5th applicant.
The final Dominica citizenship cost depends on the composition of the family.
Dominica citizenship price when purchasing real estate
The potential income from renting out real estate is 2—5% per annum. The investor does not need to worry about the maintenance of the property: the management company pays bills, attracts tourists, and hires staff for renovation and room service.
According to the law, it is possible to sell real estate after 3 years. It is the shortest minimum ownership period among the Caribbean CBI programs. The property must be owned for 5 years if the investor wants to sell it to a future participant of the CBI program.
Real estate prices in Dominica rise by an average of 4% per year. After the sale, investors receive a profit of 2 to 8%. You do not need to be present in the country to sell real estate, as the transaction takes place remotely. Additionally, there is a sales tax of 6%.
The government approves the estate for the Dominica program, which guarantees the transaction’s legality. Elite hotels and resort complexes are approved for the program. They are run by international companies with real estate experience in Europe, America, and the Caribbean.
Examples of properties in Dominica
5 steps to obtain Dominica citizenship
In Immigrant Invest lawyers’ practice, obtaining Dominica citizenship by investment takes at least 6 months and requires the following five steps to complete remotely.
Contact and sign an agreement with a licensed program agent
Only a licensed agent can process applications for citizenship by investment. Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) does not accept direct applications.
The Government of Dominica has empowered Immigrant Invest to apply for citizenship on behalf of the applicant. You can complete a contract in one of our offices or remotely.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the Dominica CBI program with an in-house Compliance Department. A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer will study the applicant’s situation in detail, assess the possible risks of rejection, advise, and offer solutions.
A Services Agreement with Immigrant Invest is signed only after the investor has passed our preliminary Due Diligence.
Only a licensed agent can process applications for citizenship by investment. Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) does not accept direct applications.
The Government of Dominica has empowered Immigrant Invest to apply for citizenship on behalf of the applicant. You can complete a contract in one of our offices or remotely.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the Dominica CBI program with an in-house Compliance Department. A certified Anti Money Laundering Officer will study the applicant’s situation in detail, assess the possible risks of rejection, advise, and offer solutions.
A Services Agreement with Immigrant Invest is signed only after the investor has passed our preliminary Due Diligence.
Prepare documents
Immigrant Invest lawyers make a list of required documents. They fill out government forms, translate them into English, and notarise documents. The application is then sent to the Government of Dominica.
Immigrant Invest lawyers make a list of required documents. They fill out government forms, translate them into English, and notarise documents. The application is then sent to the Government of Dominica.
Attend an interview
All applicants over 16 are obligated to have an interview with a representative of the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit.
All applicants over 16 are obligated to have an interview with a representative of the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit.
Wait for the decision from the government of Dominica
Due Diligence takes three to six months. If it is successful, the application is approved.
The approval is sent in an official letter to the address of the licensed agent at Immigrant Invest. After receiving a favourable decision, you need to fulfil the investment condition. This is given 30 days after permission to issue citizenship.
Due Diligence takes three to six months. If it is successful, the application is approved.
The approval is sent in an official letter to the address of the licensed agent at Immigrant Invest. After receiving a favourable decision, you need to fulfil the investment condition. This is given 30 days after permission to issue citizenship.
Obtain a passport and a naturalisation certificate
The documents are collected at the Immigrant Invest office or a convenient address through courier delivery. The Dominica passport is valid for 10 years.
The documents are collected at the Immigrant Invest office or a convenient address through courier delivery. The Dominica passport is valid for 10 years.
Costs of adding relatives after the investor received a Dominica passport
Dominica does not generally limit the period of adding family members. However, children under 18 born or adopted can obtain citizenship only within 5 years after the investor got their passport.
The time affects the amount of fees for family members. It is cheaper if the investor became a citizen less than a year ago.
Dominica passport price for family members: post-approval additions
If the investor or someone from their family has got married after obtaining citizenship in Dominica, the fee for joining a husband or wife will be $75,000. The amount does not depend on when the investor received the passport.
There is no need to pay extra for newborns and adopted children — it is enough to pay government fees.
In addition to the state fee for joining, the Dominica citizenship by investment cost for family members includes:
$4,000 — the state fee for the Due Diligence check for each family member over 16;
$1,000 — the government fee for processing for the whole family, regardless of the number of people;
$500 — a certificate of naturalisation fee;
$250 — a passport fee.
The main applicant undergoes Due Diligence again with family members if more than a year has passed since the initial application for Dominica citizenship by investment. Due Diligence for the main applicant is $7,500.
5 benefits of Dominica economic citizenship for an investor
1. Freedom of travel worldwide. The list of visa-free destinations for those with a Dominica passport includes over 140 countries, including the Schengen states, Singapore, and China.
Terms of visa-free stay:
Schengen Area — up to 90 days every 180 days;
Singapore — up to 30 days a year;
China — up to 30 days a year.
2. Tourist visa to the USA for 10 years. A B‑1/B‑2 visa entitles you to visit the United States for business or leisure purposes. US consulates accept visa documents in any country where entry is allowed with a Dominica passport.
3. Access to services of foreign banks. Foreign banks strictly check the documents and might refuse to open an account. It is easier for those with Dominica economic citizenship to use banking services. For example, some foreign banks do not ask for a lease agreement and an insurance policy number to open an account. Therefore, the second citizenship allows you to make settlements without currency control and additional commissions.
4. Preferential taxation for tax residents of Dominica. There are no taxes on gifts, property, and inheritance. The tax on income earned outside the country is 0%.
5. Business development abroad. It is easy to register an international company in Dominica to work with foreign partners. The government does not disclose personal and financial information about business owners, as their data is not entered into the commercial register when the company is registered.
Which countries are visa-free with a Dominica passport
The Dominica passport helps with global mobility. Citizens of this country are allowed free entry to 140+ of the 200 states.
Dominica has a reputation for being a peaceful and friendly nation. The list of visa-free countries grows every year: the government decides on new agreements for visa-free entry.
Visa-free destinations for Dominica citizens
Benefits of a tax residency in Dominica
To become a tax resident of Dominica, you need to live in the country for at least 183 days a year. For a company to obtain tax resident status, it must be registered in Dominica.
A non-resident does not need to pay any taxes in Dominica if they do not receive income in the country. There are no taxes on dividends, inheritance, and capital gains for residents, but there is a tax on global income.
The tax rate on global income is progressive: 15 to 35%. In general, living in Dominica is beneficial if the primary source of income is dividends and interest.
Taxes in Dominica
Dominica concluded two treaties on double tax avoidance. The first one is multilateral with 10 other Caribbean countries, and the second is with Switzerland. If the investor has the nationality of another country, it will be necessary to comply with its tax policy as well.
Dominica participates in the international Common Reporting Standard (CRS) system and exchanges financial information. Like other Caribbean countries, Dominica does not disclose information about the company’s owners: the data is not entered into the commercial register.
Registration of an international business company (IBC) takes up to two weeks. The registration cost is about $2,100, and the minimum charge for maintaining a company is about $1,400 per year.
Documents for registration:
agreement on the establishment of a company;
order on the appointment of a director;
Dominica office registration certificate;
statement from the company owner about the age of the majority.
It is easier for Dominican tax residents to open an account in international banks. This helps to transfer currency faster and without additional fees.
Key takeaways on Dominica citizenship cost
Dominica grants citizenship under the state citizenship by investment program operating since 1993. The timeframe for becoming a citizen this way is 6+ months.
There are two investment options: a contribution to a state fund and a real estate purchase.
The fund contribution requires at least $200,000 and is non-refundable.
The minimum investment in real estate is $200,000 with a government fee of $75,000 for a single applicant. Only government-approved projects qualify. The property can be sold in 3—5 years.
Associated costs include Due Diligence, processing, passport, and legal fees.
The total expenses depend on the number of family members under one citizenship application. A single investor will spend at least $210,750, while a family of four needs at least $265,500.
Dominica citizenship provides global mobility, tax benefits, banking and business opportunities.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.
Frequently asked questions
Case studies
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Dominica citizenship for tax optimisation: a story of a businessman from the UK
How to get tax residency in Dominica in two weeks