Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program: Application Guide

If you know the Caribbean, then you’ll know that the ‘island time’ culture among government officials can often mean that things happen slowly.

Thankfully, this isn’t an issue when it comes to getting Dominica citizenship by investment (CBI). 

And that’s right and proper – after all, you’re making a substantial investment in the island. 

The Dominica citizenship-by-investment program has a reputation for being one of the most efficient in the world, serving up a powerful passport in the process.

Beyond the natural allure and laid-back living on offer, a Dominican passport grants visa-free access to 89 countries and a further 39 by obtaining a visa on arrival, including the UK and Schengen Area countries.

As a single applicant, all this can be yours for a reasonable US$200,000 or US$250,000 if you want to include up to three dependents. 

However, you’ll also have to factor in other costs, like government and due diligence fees. 

Here, we detail the program fees and eligibility requirements before covering the Dominica passport application process. 

Dominica Citizenship by Investment: Fees and Requirements

All Dominican citizenship-by-investment program applications – whether by donation to a government fund or by real estate purchase – come with government fees for each family member. 

That said, the fees for Dominica’s economic citizenship program are lower compared to others in this part of the world. 

Here’s what you can expect to pay: 

• Government fees: US$75,000 (main applicant) or US$100,000 (main applicant and up to three dependents)
• Processing fee: US$1,000 per application
• Due diligence fee: Main Applicant US$7,500, spouse US$4,000, dependent (16+) US$4,000
• Certificate of Naturalisation fee: US$500 per person
• Expedited passport issuance fee: US$1,200 per person.

In addition to these fees, applicants must be over 18 years old, pass background checks, be of good health and prove the source of their funds. 

The program does not accept Russian applicants, while any from Iran, Sudan or North Korea will have to meet other, specific conditions.

Dominica Citizenship by Investment: Application Process

So, how exactly does the Dominica CBI application process work, and how long does it take? 

You’ll be glad to know that it’s pretty streamlined, taking between three and nine months for the donation and real estate routes. 

While Dominican law mandates a minimum processing time of two months, the actual duration can vary depending on your individual circumstances.

STEP 1 – Gather Documentation 

You will need to work with an agent of your choosing to prepare and certify all the documents required, which must be in English. 

This includes all required documents, a medical examination and – if you are purchasing property – a sales and purchase agreement to reserve your selected real estate. 

At this point, the authorised agent will most likely conduct background checks and take other due diligence measures.

STEP 2 – Submit Application 

Once your agent has determined everything is in order, your application is submitted to Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) for review.

While an interview is not mandatory, it is requested in some cases: if that happens, the interview is usually conducted in Dominica but can be held outside the country for an extra passport application fee. 

STEP 3 – Wait

The government will conduct due diligence to verify the information provided in your application. This typically takes two to four months. At the end of this period, you will be notified if your application has been accepted, requires further processing or has been rejected. 

STEP 4 – Make the Investment 

Upon receiving approval from the CBIU, you can proceed with your investment. 

​​This involves either making a non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or completing the payment for your chosen real estate property. 

The government will not transfer or use the funds you deposit in the citizenship account until naturalisation certificates have been issued to you and your family.

STEP 5 – Obtain Your Dominica Passport

Once the CBIU receives proof of payment for your investment, it will issue your certificate of naturalisation, which is used to apply for your Dominican passport.

While the Dominica passport process is streamlined, it does require a lot of paperwork. 

For that reason alone, it can be helpful to base yourself in one location while going through the process. Everything you provide with your Dominica passport application has to have been issued within the previous 90 days. 

This means that a lot of coordination is required to pull everything together within the set timeframe.

It’s also useful to know that passports can be collected on your behalf with written, notarised authorisation.

Expired Dominica passports can be renewed in any Dominica consulate.

Other Ways to Get a Dominican Passport

While the citizenship-by-investment program is a popular pathway, Dominica offers several other avenues for acquiring citizenship.

Firstly, Dominica adheres to the principle of ‘jus soli’, meaning that any child born within its borders automatically receives Dominican citizenship, irrespective of their parent’s nationality. 

Any children or grandchildren born on the island are given Dominican citizenship. Even if one of your kids or grandkids is not born on the island, they can still claim citizenship by descent (as long as you maintain yours). 

Aside from these options, you can become a citizen by living in Dominica for seven years, which permits you to apply for naturalisation. ‌If you’re married to a Dominican, you only have to wait five years.

Dominica Citizenship by Investment – Best Option?

If you’re simply looking for a quick, relatively simple and cheaper option, the donation option works for a solo applicant. 

The donation will set you back US$200,000, whereas the real estate investment will cost at least US$200,000 plus US$75,000 in government fees. 

By investing in Dominican real estate, you could eventually make a profit on it and geta sought-after second passport out of the deal. 

But, this only makes sense if you don’t need that money in the meantime.

For anyone whose every dollar has a potential opportunity cost – crypto investors, Amazon Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) sellers, business people with quick turnover, and so on – the US$75,000 difference between the two options could go toward much more profitable investments.

In that case, the US$200,000 donation is the best option, even though you are essentially giving that money away.

If you have cash sitting around, you can consider the real estate option, but keep in mind that Caribbean government-approved real estate developments are notorious for never getting finished – even though Dominica has the best track record t in the region. 

Dominica Citizenship by Investment Real Estate Options

At one point, there was a single real estate developer option in Dominica, but today, there are over half a dozen choices. 

However, one of the concerns that people have with Dominica’s citizenship by investment real estate, in general, is that the properties aren’t always very enticing. 

For one, it can be expensive to get the necessary building materials there, which means that what you end up with can be underwhelming compared to what you’d expect for the same price elsewhere.

You are restricted to only purchasing government-approved real estate and won’t have as many opportunities as you would on the open market.

Nonetheless, you’re still buying something of value that you can resell a few years down the road. 

Some of these investments will allow full ownership, but others are timeshares or undivided shares, which can greatly impact the resale value and use of the property. 

Finally, while US$200,000 is the minimum, some of the developers will have options well above that price. 

Keep this in mind as we review some of the real estate options available in Dominica:

Anichi Resort & Spa

Anichi Resort & Spa is a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. 

The resort is located on 12 acres of one of the few beaches on the island – the picturesque Picard Beach in Portsmouth – with a total of 128 rooms with private dip pools, pool lounges, swim-up bars, specialty restaurants, a ballroom and a spa.

There are two purchase options available:

• Redeemable preferred shares: For US$220,000, you will receive a certificate of ownership.
• Freehold suites: You can purchase a Calypso Suite for US$300,000 or a Swim-up Suite for US$320,000. 

The resort will manage your property in a rotation system.

While you won’t be available to use your property for residential living, you will have the right to stay at the resort for two weeks each year.

Bois Cotlette

Bois Cotlette is one of the oldest surviving estates in Dominica, dating back to the early French settlements of the 1720s. 

These days, it offers three distinct investment options:

Liquidity: A guaranteed full return on your investment in the event of death or if you have owned the property for more than five years.

Preppers: This option allows you to use your property to wait out short- to medium-duration life disturbances. In the case of a natural disaster, you can stay in your property for up to three months. 

Safe haven: This option allows you to spend up to nine months at Bois Cotlette if a defined event, such as economic or political turmoil or a prolonged natural disaster, occurs in your region of the world.

Intercontinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa

While the initial investment offerings are fully subscribed, the resort remains listed on the government’s citizenship by investment website. This implies that you can still buy from a previous investor looking to sell and qualify for citizenship. 

Built by Range Developments, Cabrits Resort Kempinski graces the white sand beaches of Douglas Bay, at the northwest end of Dominica.

The hideaway resort is surrounded by the Cabrits National Park and builds on Dominica’s renowned eco-tourism initiative. 

​​Managed by Kempinski, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group, the resort offers investors automatic enrollment in the highest tier of its renowned loyalty program, which provides exclusive benefits and privileges worldwide. 

A minimum investment of US$220,000 into the project grants you Dominica citizenship along with exclusive perks.

Jungle Bay Resort and EcoVillas

​​Buying real estate at Jungle Bay Resort and EcoVillas gives you a unique opportunity to own a piece of paradise while obtaining Dominican citizenship.

Luxury Sea View Villas start at US$255,000, a price that includes all closing costs, transfer taxes, deed registration‌ and legal fees. 

Once your application is approved, you will receive an individually deeded title to a 400 sq ft villa and 1200 sq ft of land. 

Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa 

This program offers an investment option set at the US$200,000 minimum required by the government. 

By purchasing one preferred share in the Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa, you will earn Dominican citizenship along with annual dividends once the resort is operational. 

You and a family member will be allowed to stay at the resort for up to seven days during the high season and 14 days during the low season each year.

As with the other investment options, you can resell your preferred share to another investor after five years and retain your Dominican citizenship. 

Secret Bay Residences

Secret Bay is an eco-friendly resort that was recently voted the World’s Best Boutique Hotel and has received numerous awards over the years. 

The sustainable, luxury villas are available for whole ownership and are eligible as part of the Dominican citizenship by investment program for a limited time. 

Options start at US$208,000 per share and total ownership starts at US$1.49 million. 

Ownership gives you a sustainable luxury vacation home accompanied by 5-star service, including security, housekeeping, cooking services and vehicle use.

Tranquility Beach Dominica 

Tranquility Beach Resort is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. It offers fully-serviced one- and two-bedroom condominium suites, studio suites and villas. 

Amenities and services include a spa, wellness centre, gym, restaurant, swimming pool, gift shop‌ and more. The only investment option available at Tranquility Beach is to purchase undivided shares within the overall project. 

While this will give you an unrestricted claim to the entire property, you will not have an exclusive claim to any single part of the resort.

Dominica Citizenship-by-Investment Application Process: FAQs

Ready to Apply for Dominica Citizenship by Investment?

It’s impossible to guarantee that the price of Dominican CBI won’t increase, but for now, it’s still very good value, even including the fees. 

With each election, world crisis and hurricane season, the Dominica citizenship by investment program won’t stay still for long.

Now is the time to obtain a Dominican passport by investment, but it will take planning and must be in line with your overall objectives. 

That’s where we come in. 

We’ll work with you to create a holistic strategy tailored to your specific needs, helping you take advantage of the best second residence and citizenship options available. Contact the Nomad Capitalist team today.