Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment
Dominica's citizenship by investment program is consistently ranked among the most affordable and efficient in the Caribbean. A non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) of $100,000 is required for a single applicant. An approved real estate route is also available from $200,000. No residency or visit requirement applies. The Dominican passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 144 destinations including the UK and Schengen area. Dominica has received high ratings for transparency and due diligence from IMF assessments and OECD peer reviews.
Program Details
- Individual Cost
- $100,000
- Family of 4 Cost
- $175,000
- Processing Time
- 5 months
- Residency Required
- None; no physical presence required
- Due Diligence
- Enhanced
- Visa-Free Destinations
- 144
- Dual Citizenship
- Accepted
- Renunciation Required
- No
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Amount (USD) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Government contribution — individual | $100,000 | Non-refundable; family of 4 is $175,000 |
| Due diligence fees — main applicant | $7,500 | |
| Due diligence fees — spouse | $4,000 | |
| Processing fees | $1,000 | Per applicant |
| Legal/agent fees (estimate) | $10,000 |
Nationality Restrictions
This program does not accept applications from nationals of: Nationals of sanctioned countries subject to enhanced review or rejection
Investment Routes
| Route | Amount (USD) | Lock-up (years) | Exit-Value Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Fund Donation | $100,000 | — | Non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF). Single applicant: USD 100,000. Family of 4: USD 175,000. Fastest route — typical approval 2–4 months. Source: cbiu.gov.dm |
| Real Estate | $200,000 | 5 | Purchase of CBI-approved real estate development. Minimum USD 200,000. 5-year mandatory hold before resale (to another CBI buyer). Dominica real estate market is small; liquidity risk is moderate to high. Not all developers are government-approved; verify before proceeding. |
Realistic Total Timeline
2–4 months
End-to-end from application submission to passport issuance, based on recent reported timelines. Times assume a complete file; source- of-funds gaps or refusals can extend significantly.
Due Diligence
- Provider
- Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) + licensed external due-diligence firms
- Depth Level
- enhanced
Common Disqualifiers
- ⚠Criminal record (any conviction regardless of jurisdiction)
- ⚠Nationality of sanctioned states (OFAC, UN, EU)
- ⚠Source-of-funds not clearly documented
- ⚠Prior CBI application denial in any Caribbean jurisdiction
- ⚠Health conditions posing public risk (medical screening required)
- ⚠Misrepresentation or omission on application
Approved Agents
Applications must be submitted through a licensed agent approved by the programme authority.
Official approved-agents directory →Family Inclusion
- Siblings
- Not included
- Parents Min Age
- 65+
- Max Child Age
- 25
- Grandparents
- Not included
Spouse and dependent children under 18 included. Dependent children up to age 25 in full-time education eligible. Financially dependent parents aged 65+ may be included for additional fees. Dominica does not include siblings as dependants.
Travel Benefits
- Visa-Free Destinations
- 144
- Schengen
- ✓
- UK
- ✓
- US E-2 Treaty
- —
- Canada eTA
- —
Post-Citizenship Tax Implications
Dominica has no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax. Personal income tax applies only to income sourced in or remitted to Dominica. Holding Dominican citizenship while residing elsewhere creates no Dominica tax obligation. Dominica operates a territorial and remittance-based system. Non-resident citizens owe no income tax. Note: citizens of countries with citizenship-based taxation (e.g., the US) remain subject to their home country tax regardless of holding a second passport.
Recent Changes
Dominica joined the CARICOM Enhanced Due Diligence framework, adding standardised background check requirements shared across Caribbean CBI programs.
source →IMF Article IV consultation confirmed Dominica's CBI revenues account for a significant share of government receipts; IMF noted improvements in AML/CFT compliance and due diligence standards.
source →
Programme FAQs
Why is Dominica considered the fastest CBI program?
Sources: cbiu.gov.dm
Can I visit the UK visa-free on a Dominican passport?
Sources: cbiu.gov.dm
Is the real estate investment genuinely recoverable after 5 years?
Sources: cbiu.gov.dm
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