Dominica Citizenship by Property Investment: Updated 2026 Guide

The Dominica citizenship by investment programme allows applicants to qualify for citizenship by purchasing real estate worth at least $200,000. The programme is established under Section 101 of the Constitution of Dominica and Sections 8 and 20 of the Citizenship Act^{[1]Source: Dominica CBIU — Legal Basis and Relevant Legislation}.

The application process takes at least 6 months, and there is no requirement to visit or reside in Dominica before or after obtaining citizenship. The entire process can therefore be completed remotely.

Real estate investment rules

The real estate option is refundable. Investors may sell the property 3 years after obtaining citizenship and recover their investment.

If the property is held for at least 5 years, it can be resold to another participant of the citizenship by investment programme. This can improve the property’s resale potential.

In our experience, investors usually keep real estate for at least 5 years to preserve this option.

Family eligibility

The main applicant can include close family members in the same citizenship application:

• spouse;
• children under 30 — those over 18 studying at a university and financially dependent on the investor or the investor’s spouse;
• daughters under 25 — unmarried, living with and fully dependent on the investor;
• parents and grandparents over 65 — financially dependent on the investor or the investor’s spouse.

Alternative investment route

Instead of purchasing real estate, applicants can make a non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund.

The minimum contribution starts at $200,000, while the final amount depends on the number of family members included in the application.

Contributions to the fund support national development projects, including housing, healthcare, and other public programmes.

The $200,000 property investment is only the starting point. Applicants should also budget for government charges, Due Diligence, document processing, passport issuance, and transaction costs.

Government fees

A government fee applies when purchasing real estate under Dominica’s citizenship programme. The amount depends on family size:

• $75,000 — single applicant;
• $100,000 — main applicant plus up to 3 dependants.

From the fifth applicant onwards, the fee increases by $25,000 for each dependant under 18 and $40,000 for each dependant aged 18 or over.

Due Diligence fees

Due Diligence is a mandatory part of the citizenship process and covers background checks on the applicant and family members.

The fees are: 

• $7,500 for the main applicant;
• $4,000 for each family member aged 16 or over.

Applicants must also attend a mandatory Due Diligence interview. The fee is $1,000 per applicant.

Children under 16 are exempt from interview and both fees.

Processing and passport fees

Applicants should also budget for:

• $500 per person — certificate of naturalisation;
• $300 per person — passport issuance;
• $250 per person — processing of forms;
• $1,000 per family — application processing;
• $4,000 per family — document processing.

Accelerated passport issuance costs $1,200 per applicant, regardless of age.

Property transaction costs

Dominica has no capital gains tax, but property transactions may still involve transfer charges. Under the general rules, the seller pays 2.5% stamp duty, while the buyer pays 2%, plus applicable registration fees.

For CBI-approved real estate, the final transaction costs depend on the project and the legal structure of the purchase.

Only government-approved properties qualify for Dominica’s citizenship by investment programme. This approach limits investors’ choice but, on the other hand, protects them from scammers.

Approved projects are primarily hotels, resorts, and other tourism-focused developments. The InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa was the first real estate project approved under the programme; today, the official CBIU list includes 8 approved projects^{[2]Source: Dominica CBIU — Overview of Dominica Real Estate Investment}.

An investor can purchase a share, an apartment, or a villa in a hotel. Some developments include owner benefits: for example, Timbo’s Downtown offers investors 7 complimentary nights per calendar year.

If you buy an apartment or a villa, you can keep it or rent it out. You will not have to deal with maintenance issues or finding tenants, as the management company will take care of these matters.

Immigrant Invest real estate experts study information about all citizenship programme projects. Lawyers review contracts, verify their legal soundness, and assess potential risks. This is how Immigrant Invest clients receive proposals for the most reliable and suitable projects.

Below are four government-approved projects available under Dominica’s citizenship programme. These include hotel shares, resort apartments, and private villas, making them a good fit for investors who want professionally managed property, rental potential, and minimal day-to-day involvement.

The properties are sold fully finished and furnished, so buyers do not need to invest separately in renovations or furniture.

5-star resort complex, premium branded by Marriott

The 5-star resort sits on Picard Beach in Portsmouth, on Dominica’s north-west coast, with views towards Prince Rupert Bay and Cabrits National Park. The project is managed by Autograph Collection, part of Marriott International, and includes 128 rooms, restaurants, a spa, fitness facilities, a lagoon-style pool, and a water sports centre.

Investors can buy a share from $220,000 or purchase 1- or 2-bedroom suites from $300,000. The estimated annual return is 3.5%.

The property is fully managed by the resort and is not intended for permanent residence. Preferred shareholders can stay at the hotel free for 1 week per year.

InterContinental resort by Cabrits National Park

Set beside Cabrits National Park, this secluded 5-star resort is surrounded by tropical greenery, volcanic landscapes, and the Caribbean Sea. Its setting combines dramatic mountain scenery, lush rainforest, and open sea views, making the location one of the project’s main attractions. The resort is operated by InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.

The property has 151 rooms and a broad range of facilities, including four restaurants and bars, four swimming pools, a spa, gym, art centre, two floodlit tennis courts, and conference and wedding venues.

Investors can purchase a share in the resort for $220,000.

Hilton-managed coastal resort with private beach access

The Hilton-managed coastal resort occupies a scenic cliffside location with panoramic Caribbean views and access to two secluded beaches. The development includes both hotel accommodation and private villas.

The complex comprises 73 hotel rooms and 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom villas, alongside a spa and wellness centre, gym, restaurant, swimming pool, gift shop, and parking.

Investors can purchase a share from $220,000. Shareholders may stay at the resort for 1 week per year, while the projected annual return is 3—7%.

6-star cliffside resort near Roseau

This intimate 6-star spa resort overlooks the Caribbean Sea from a dramatic clifftop near Roseau. With just 42 villas, it offers a private, low-density setting surrounded by tropical nature and secluded beaches.

The resort features three private beaches, a seawater infinity pool, spa, wellness pavilion, restaurant, fitness centre, kids’ club, art gallery, and nature trails. Villas are available through co-ownership or full ownership.

Investors can buy a share starting at $216,000, while full villa ownership starts at $1.5 million. The projected annual yield is 3%, and owners can stay at the resort for up to 1 month per year.

With an investment from $200,000, Dominica’s real estate route combines property ownership with the wider advantages of second citizenship — from greater mobility to tax planning opportunities and a Caribbean Plan B.

1. Investment returns

Dominica citizenship by investment in property offers both resale and rental potential. Investors can sell after 3 years to a regular buyer, or after 5 years to another CBI applicant.

Property values may grow by around 4% a year.

2. Passive income potential

Dominica property owners can also earn income from short- or long-term rentals, supported by strong tourism demand.

Tourism contributes 18% of Dominica’s GDP and almost 29% of employment, supporting demand for holiday accommodation^{[3]Source: World Bank — Prosperity data: Dominica}. The sector has continued to expand: tourism receipts rose from $98.9 million in 2023 to $117.5 million in 2024, with a preliminary $138.7 million in 2025 — an increase of about 40% in just 2 years^{[4]Source: IMF — Dominica: 2026 Article IV Consultation-Press Release}.

Short-term rentals are the more visible part of the market. In 2025, Dominica’s short-term rental market recorded:

• over 700 active listings;
• 41% average occupancy;
• average nightly rate of about $98;
• average annual revenue of roughly $15,000 per listing;
• 39.3% increase in active listings over 1 year;
• revenue growth of about 12.6% year on year^{[5]Source: Airbtics — Airbnb Revenue in Dominica: 2026 Short-Term Rental Data & Insights}.

3. Home or plan B in the Caribbean

Dominica citizenship gives investors the option to settle on the island permanently or keep it as a Plan B. The country offers a warm tropical climate, Caribbean beaches, lush nature, and fresh local fruit year-round, making it suitable for both relocation and occasional stays.

4. Expanded global mobility

Dominica citizenship expands international mobility, with visa-free access to 159 destinations including the Schengen Area, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Ireland, as well as countries across Latin America and the Caribbean.

5. Tax optimisation

Dominica offers a relatively light tax environment for individuals. There is no capital gains tax, estate tax, or death tax, which can make the jurisdiction attractive for long-term wealth and succession planning.

A major personal income tax reform is also planned from January 1st, 2027. The current progressive rates of 15%, 25%, and 35% are due to be replaced by a flat 10% rate, while the $11,000 tax-free allowance will remain.

The reform also introduces a territorial approach to taxation: both residents and non-residents would be taxed only on income earned in Dominica, rather than on worldwide income.

6. Access to a stable currency

Dominica uses the East Caribbean dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar at EC$2.70 = US$1, helping reduce exchange-rate volatility^{[7]Source: Eastern Caribbean Central Bank — History of the EC Currency}. For investors and entrepreneurs, this adds predictability when planning costs, revenues, and cross-border transactions.

7. Citizenship for future generations

Dominica citizenship is hereditary, so investors can pass it on to their children and future generations under the country’s citizenship by descent rules. This gives the status long-term value beyond the original applicant and allows descendants to retain a legal connection to Dominica.

Dominica citizenship by investment programme is one of the most widely used in the Caribbean. Between 2018 and 2022, 34,596 passports were issued to investors and their family members. The programme remained active in the following years, with more than 9,000 passports issued in both 2023 and 2024^{[8]Source: Council of the European Union — 8th Commission Report under the Visa Suspension Mechanism}.

For comparison, St Kitts and Nevis received 19,655 CBI applications between 2015 and 2023, followed by 223 in 2024 and 171 in the first four months of 2025. Over the 2015—2023 period, Antigua and Barbuda issued 7,995 CBI passports, while Grenada granted 16,086.

Dominica is one of the five Caribbean CBI countries and ranked second in the 2025 CBI Index, behind St Kitts and Nevis^{[9]Source: CBI Index — 2025 Report}. Each programme has its own strengths. For example, Antigua and Barbuda is particularly attractive for larger families: from the 5th family member, its real estate route can become cheaper than Dominica’s. 

Grenada stands out for allowing dependent parents and grandparents with no minimum age requirement. St Kitts and Nevis has the region’s longest-established CBI programme and a broad choice of approved properties. St Lucia is notable for its resort and villa segment, with projects including high-end branded hotels, boutique properties, villas, and apartments.

Dominica’s real estate route combines citizenship with a tangible asset, but it is not risk-free. Investors should look beyond the $200,000 headline price and consider resale conditions, rental performance, climate exposure, compliance checks, and possible rule changes.

Resale and rental returns are not guaranteed

Government approval does not guarantee that a property will be easy to sell. A property can be resold after 3 years, but the sale to another CBI applicant is possible only after 5 years, which narrows the pool of potential buyers during the holding period.

Rental income is not guaranteed either. Performance depends on the project, occupancy, management model, and operating costs.

Real cost is higher than $200,000

The minimum property investment is only part of the budget. For a single applicant, extra fees can add roughly $85,000—90,000, increasing the starting cost by about 45%. For a family of 5, additional charges can approach $170,000, depending on the dependants’ ages — around 85% on top of the property price.

Dominica is exposed to natural disasters

Dominica is highly exposed to hurricanes, floods, and landslides. Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 and Hurricane Maria in 2017 caused around $1.8 billion in combined damage — almost three times the country’s GDP. Property location, construction standards, and insurance therefore matter.

Due Diligence and banking scrutiny can delay or derail an application

Every applicant undergoes extensive background and financial screening, including checks of identity, source of wealth and funds, sanctions exposure, and adverse media. Additional documents or enhanced Due Diligence may be required, which can extend the timeline. An application may also be refused if the checks raise concerns.

Programme rules can change

CBI rules and passport privileges can change. For example, under the new Eastern Caribbean framework, a 30-day physical-presence requirement within the first 5 years of citizenship is planned across the region. Antigua and Barbuda already has a 5-day stay requirement and has moved towards 30 days^{[10]Source: Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority Agreement Act 2025 — Article 48}, while Dominica has announced the same 30-day standard but has not yet brought it into force.

Immigrant Invest has worked in investment migration since 2006 and has assisted over 10,000 investors across 25 jurisdictions. We are a licensed agent of Dominica’s citizenship by investment programme.

The team handles the process from the first background check to passport issuance:

1. Preliminary Due Diligence — identifying risks before the investor commits to the programme.
2. Property selection — shortlisting government-approved projects based on budget, investment goals, and preferred ownership structure.
3. Property checks — reviewing the price, expected yield, transaction structure, and resale conditions before purchase.
4. Document preparation — completing application forms and organising supporting, notarised, and apostilled documents.
5. CBIU submission and support — filing the application through the licensed-agent channel and guiding the family through Due Diligence and the mandatory interview.
6. Property purchase after approval — coordinating the investment and government payments once approval in principle is received.
7. Citizenship documents — overseeing the final stage until naturalisation certificates and passports are issued.

Our support does not end once the passport arrives. We also assist Dominica citizens with passport renewal or replacement, adding family members, company incorporation, bank-related matters, local addresses, and other administrative needs after citizenship is granted.

1. Dominica citizenship can be obtained by investing at least $200,000 in government-approved real estate. The property may be resold after 3 years, or after 5 years if it is to qualify for another CBI applicant.
2. Government, Due Diligence, and administrative fees raise the total by roughly 45% for a single applicant and significantly more for larger families.
3. The process takes at least 6 months and can be completed remotely, with no residence requirement before or after citizenship is granted.
4. One application can include a spouse, children up to 30, and parents and grandparents aged 65 or over.
5. Beyond citizenship, investors may benefit from property appreciation, rental income, and an active resort market. A Dominica passport also offers visa-free access to 159 countries, a favourable tax environment, and the option to live in one of the Caribbean’s most nature-rich islands.