Dominica Citizenship by Investment: The Ultimate Guide

Known as the ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean’, Dominica is famous for its tropical rainforests, rivers and waterfalls. 

Perhaps that’s why on a serene Sunday in 1493, Christopher Columbus christened it ‘Diēs Dominica’ or ‘the Lord’s Day’ – a name that captures the moment he first laid eyes on this splendid island.

Stepping onto Dominica’s shores you’re immediately transported into a world of natural wonders, a gem in the Caribbean that captivates more than 200,000 travellers each year with its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture.

But the wonders of nature aren’t the only attraction this island has to offer.

The Dominica Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) program has been running for nearly three decades. It generates significant revenue for the island nation and continues to attract investors to its shores.

So, let’s explore Dominica’s CBI program and take a closer look at why it captures the attention of so many high-net-worth investors.

Dominica Citizenship by Investment: Overview

Let’s first quickly cover what Dominica CBI offers. 

To start with, there is the standard option whereby, in exchange for a donation of US$200,000, you get a Dominican passport. 

Dominica’s award-winning CBI program is straightforward in comparison with others.

It remains one of the cheapest economic citizenships you can obtain anywhere in the world and features in our list of the easiest passports to get. 

Dominican CBI’s affordability and fast processing time make it a good option for various high net-worth individuals, including those looking for a fast second passport as an insurance policy or a means to renounce US citizenship quickly.

So, how do you decide if a Dominican passport is the right option for you? 

Well, a good start would be to read our comprehensive analysis, which explains everything you need to know about this program. 

What is Citizenship by Investment?

Citizenship by investment, also called economic citizenship, is a program run by a national government that allows investors to legally obtain a passport in return for an investment or donation.

The reasons why a government would choose to sell its citizenship vary, but mostly, it’s about raising foreign capital, improving national infrastructure and diversifying its economy. 

A foreign investor will typically be asked to do one or more of the following: 

• Make a donation to a government fund
• Invest in financial instruments, such as government bonds
• Purchase (pre-approved) real estate in the country
• Start a local company and employ a set amount of local people.

CBI programs require applicants to follow a number of steps to obtain citizenship, so the process is best undertaken with the help of an industry professional.

Why Dominica Citizenship by Investment?

Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s first take a look at the country itself. 

Dominica is renowned for its natural beauty and laid-back living and is not to be confused with the Dominican Republic.

Located between the French overseas territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the island boasts stunning waterfalls, verdant mountain landscapes and enchanting ocean views. 

With rainforests full of rare plants, animals and birds, and opportunities to snorkel and dive to shipwrecks and underwater hot springs, Dominica is an increasingly popular ecotourism destination. 

Dominica gained independence from Britain in 1978, although it remains a member of the British Commonwealth.

A parliamentary democracy with a judiciary system based on English common law, the entire country has fewer than 75,000 residents. 

Most of its people are of African descent, although there is also a small indigenous population (the last in the Caribbean) and a growing number of European and Chinese inhabitants. 

English is the official language, but the French dialect, Creole, is also widely spoken.

With all its attractions, it’s no surprise that some people want to spend the rest of their lives here. 

However, you don’t actually have to reside there to become a citizen and get the benefits that come with having a second passport.

Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment Program

Dominica is among the fastest countries in the world to secure second citizenship due to its long-running economic citizenship program. It’s also one of the oldest programs, second only to St Kitts and Nevis.

Investors willing to donate at least US$200,000 to the country receive citizenship in return. We’ll cover the two different investment options in more detail below.

The program is enshrined in Dominica’s Constitution and citizenship laws, giving it added credibility and security. 

While the average timeline to process Dominica’s economic citizenship is about three months, it can take anywhere from two to four months for most nationalities to obtain full citizenship. As ever, there are unique cases where it may take longer.

Dominica’s Citizenship Act waives any residence requirements for qualified investors, making it possible to obtain Dominican citizenship without ever residing in the country.ied investors, making it possible for interested individuals to obtain Dominican citizenship without ever residing in the country.

How Much Does Dominica CBI Cost?

The investment amount for Dominica’s citizenship-by-investment program starts at US$200,000, making it the most affordable option in the Caribbean. 

Back in 2015, Dominica passport holders received access to the Schengen area and, at the time, became one of only two real passports for sale that enjoyed unfettered access to the European Union (EU).

With this added value, Dominica raised its price for the first time from US$100,000 for a single applicant to US$175,000, effective from August 2016.

However, several other Caribbean countries decided to join the economic citizenship club circa 2016, and Dominica eventually walked back to the original price of US$100,000. 

Fast forward to 2017, and increased competition among Caribbean CBI programs, combined with a devastating hurricane season, ignited a price war.

With five programs available in the region, some Caribbean governments lowered the price of both the donation and real estate options to tempt investors away from neighbouring rivals.

Today, the minimum price for Dominica CBI sits at US$200,000, the lowest amount for Caribbean CBI available. 

This goes to show that CBI programs are in constant flux. Moving forward, it seems unlikely that prices will go below the US$200,000 floor again. So, if you want to get the Caribbean’s most affordable passport, now is the time to act.

How to Get Dominican Citizenship by Investment

You have two available options:

• A non-refundable donation to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)
• Purchase a property from a government-approved real estate project.

Unlike neighbouring St Lucia’s’ CBI program, there is no options to invest in government bonds. 

Dominican Citizenship by Investment: The Donation Option

Making a donation is the oldest and most straightforward route. An investor choosing this option is required to donate to the Economic Diversification Fund which supports public and private projects in Dominica. 

The price tag depends on whether you’re applying alone or with a spouse, children, other dependents or siblings. 

The price breakdown is as follows:

• Single applicant: US$200,000 
• A main applicant with up to three qualifying dependents: US$250,000
• Any additional dependent under 18: US$25,000
• Any additional dependent over 18: US$40,000.

It doesn’t get much simpler than this. You pay the due diligence and fees (which can add up to around US$17,000 for a single applicant), make the donation and you’re in. 

Processing your application doesn’t take long, so you can expect to receive your passport in short order.

Public projects which qualify under the Economic Diversification Fund include building schools, renovating hospitals, building a national sports stadium and promoting the offshore sector. 

Private sector projects include tourism, information technology and agriculture.

All in all, Dominica is a business-friendly nation that’s ready to welcome investors who can contribute to the country’s development.

Dominican Citizenship by Investment: The Real Estate Option

The more complicated and expensive route to Dominican citizenship by investment is by purchasing real estate. 

Dominica offers economic citizenship to those willing to purchase approved real estate in the country. Available to investors since 2015, it has a low entry point of US$200,000, and you can resell the property after holding it for three years.

However, because that money essentially goes to a developer, the government charges an additional fee to recoup something from the process. 

With this in mind, on top of the minimum real estate purchase of US$200,000, the fee breakdown is :

• Single applicant: US$75,000
• Main applicant and up to three dependents: US$100,000
• Any additional dependents under 18: US$25,000
• Any additional dependents over 18: US$40,000.

The main benefit of the real estate option is that you can eventually resell the property and recoup the investment. To do so, you must hold the property for at least three years.

It’s not all plain sailing with this option and there are a couple of things to note:

• If you choose to resell to another CBI applicant, you have to wait a total of five years, effective from the original purchase date.
• You will likely make only a small profit and may lose some money on the investment.
• Depending on the developer and when the property is ready to purchase,, the time it takes to get your passport may vary. 

The bottom line is that this route has a few more logistical issues that applicants should be aware of. on other ways you can become a citizen of Dominica.

The Pros of Citizenship by Investment in Dominica

Dominica’s economic citizenship program has been around for a long time, so it’s got a solid footing in the industry and offers applicants many benefits, such as:

• It’s affordable: It’s one of the cheapest CBI programs in the Caribbean and the second cheapest in the world (after Vanuatu) provided you take the donation route.
  
• No tax on your global income: Non-residents only pay taxes on income earned in Dominica. 

• Travel opportunities: You can easily visit Europe’s Schengen zone, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey – among others – when you’re a citizen of Dominica.
  
• Fast and easy citizenship: You don’t need to pass history or language exams in order to obtain a Dominican passport.
  
• Citizenship can be inherited: You can pass on Dominican citizenship to your children. It can be part of your legacy.
  
• Citizen of Dominica is for life: Once you obtain a Dominican passport, you are a citizen forever, with no expiry date.
  
• Dual citizenship is allowed: You can enjoy a Dominican passport and remain a citizen of another country or countries. Dominican citizenship gives you the ability to vote, purchase property, and live and work in Dominica.
  
• Bring the family: Dependent children under the age of 30 can be added to your Dominica citizenship-by-investment application. You can also add dependent parents and grandparents over the age of 65.

Optimise your taxes: Dominica has no wealth, gift, inheritance or capital gains tax. It also has double taxation treaties with the US and Caribbean Community (CARICOM), no restrictions on the repatriation of profits or imported capital, several corporate tax incentives, as well as tax relief benefits and export allowance. There are also generous tax holidays and other import duties and tax waivers.

Dominica Citizenship by Investment Cons

There are always two sides to a coin. Here are some of the cons that you should consider:

• It’s more expensive if you have a family: Whereas the price for a single applicant is one of the best in the industry, families are let down by Dominica’s CBI program. A family of four can get citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda with a US$230,000 donation plus a processing fee of US$20,000. This compares to a donation of US$250,000 and fees of around US$24,000 for a family of four in Dominica.
  
• It’s a Tier B passport: Dominican citizenship will give you a relatively straightforward Tier B passport. There’s nothing remarkable about its ability to get you into countries that are difficult to enter.
  
• Passport revocation: While you are technically granted non-revocable citizenship for life in exchange for your donation, Dominican law does give the government power to revoke passports. In July 2024, 68 passports were revoked due to fraudulent activity, but as long as you keep within the law, you shouldn’t have a problem.
  
• It’s been on the EU’s blacklist: Dominica has appeared on the EU’s list of non-compliant jurisdictions in the past, although it has since been exonerated. This means, at one point, the Dominican government chose not to participate in sharing tax and financial information with the EU.
  
• External influence: While Caribbean CBI programs are relatively affordable, many of these countries are still highly influenced by the same Western governments that most citizenship applicants try to escape. So, while the US and Canadian governments do not have the power to shut these programs down directly, they certainly have some influence over them.

Dominican Citizenship by Investment: FAQs

Is Dominica Right for You?

If you’re seeking a budget second passport, Dominica’s CBI program is worth considering. 

This remains the world’s most affordable place to get citizenship with a competitive US$200,000 price tag via the donation route.

Dominica has also announced that it will make its due diligence checks stricter, boosting the integrity of its CBI program – the country doesn’t want to jeopardise what it has worked so hard to build over almost three decades. 

But… it’s no longer the only game in town. 

In fact, there are cheaper options for married couples and families. 

Still, picking a second citizenship isn’t like selecting which speakers to buy from Amazon, especially when you’re spending six-figure sums.

You need to figure out which passport is best for you and that takes planning. 

That’s why it helps to talk to someone who has gone through the process and can give honest, objective advice based on your situation. 

Make sure to consider the whole picture: where you want to live, travel and do business. 

Here at Nomad Capitalist, we can help you cover all the bases. To find out how, get in touch today. at all. Here at Nomad Capitalist, we can help you cover all the bases.