Citizenship Dominica: New Opportunities for Investor Family Members

A number of conditions have changed for the members of the investor’s family when applying for citizenship of Dominica for investment.

• Children over the age of 18 no longer have to prove that they are enrolled in university or live with their parents. It is sufficient to demonstrate that they are financially dependent on the principal applicant or his/her spouse.

• Parents and grandparents of the investor and his or her spouse are also not obliged to live with them. It is enough to confirm financial dependence.

• The sisters and brothers of the applicant and his spouse can now also obtain Dominica’s passports. They must be over 18 years old, unmarried and have no children. Both siblings and adopted siblings can be included in the application.

• Newborn children and new spouses of any family member can now participate in the program after obtaining a passport by the investor. For example, if the son of the main applicant gets married, he can apply for citizenship for the spouse.

It was reported that the Government of Dominica intended to facilitate the accession of family members who, upon initial application, could have applied for citizenship. However, specific measures had not yet been identified.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the changes in the programme are meant to speed up family reunification. He noted that the opportunity to live in a safe, hospitable and stable environment is more important than ever.

Every family member over 16 years of age who joins the program after the passport is issued by the main applicant will have to pass the Due Diligence.

The main applicant will also have to repeat the security check when a new family member joins if more than one calendar year has passed since the last Due Diligence.

Caribbean countries are changing programme rules because of the pandemic. Options become more advantageous and conditions for family members softened. It’s time to apply for a second passport to travel without visas.

We previously said that St. Lucia had allowed siblings of investors to obtain passports and had relaxed the age requirements for children and parents. In addition, the country has reduced the cost of participation in the citizenship programme and increased delays in payments.

Antigua and Barbuda offered a new option that benefits families of six people. It is accompanied by a bonus — a year of free education in the British system.

Earlier, Prime Minister Dominique said that the funds from the citizenship programme are used for investments. The country is developing education and medicine, building storm-resistant houses and investing in the production of electricity from renewable sources.