Dominica
Dominica Citizenship by Investment
Officially known as the commonwealth of Dominica, Dominica is a Caribbean Island that overtime has been attracting interest from investors. This is attributable in part to its parks and emerald-green mountains and also to its well-regarded second citizenship program.
The Dominica citizenship by investment program is one of the longest citizenship by investment programs having started in 1993. Dominica has been consistent over the years in improving its economic citizenship program and has been ensuring a swift and straightforward process to its investors. The program has a high return on investment and eminent due diligence standards.
The program offers two investment schemes. One can either make a one-time nonrefundable donation or contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund, or one can invest in a government-approved real estate property.
Passport rank: 34
Capital: Roseau
Language: English
Total Area: 750 km2
Population: 72,324
Government: Unitary Parliamentary Republic
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar
Dominica Passport:
Within four to six months of completing the investment criteria, you will acquire a Dominica passport. The Dominican Republic offers lifetime citizenship that can be inherited through descent. To get Dominica’s citizenship, you are not required to meet any language or residence criteria. Additionally, and most crucially, you won’t have to give up your present citizenship in order to obtain Dominica citizenship through investment.
Because of Dominica’s inclusion in the British Commonwealth, its citizens will benefit from associated advantages. Benefits of having a good passport include the ability to travel to more than 125 countries without a visa, including the UK and Schengen nations. Additionally, those with Dominica passports will be able to enroll in some of the world’s top medical and educational institutions.
With no taxes on inheritance, capital gains, or international income, Dominica offers an alluring tax environment for businessmen and individuals seeking more intelligent financial and tax planning choices. Additionally, investors may set up offshore businesses and bank accounts, giving them access to global markets.
Investment Options:
1) Economic Diversification Fund (EDF):
The Applicant makes a one-time contribution of $100,000 to the EDF
| Family Structure | EDF Contribution Amount | Processing Fees | Due Diligence Fees and Application and Registration fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Applicant (single person applicant) | $100,000 | $1,000 | -Due diligence: $7,500 -Application & Registration: $750 |
| Main Applicant & Spouse | $160,000 | $1,000 | -Due diligence Main Applicant: $7,500 -Application & Registration Main applicant: $750 -Due diligence Spouse: $4,000 -Application & Registration Spouse: $750 |
| Family of 4 members | $175,000 *additional $25,000 per qualifying dependent other than siblings |
$1,000 | -Due diligence Main Applicant: $7,500 -Application & Registration Main applicant: $750 -Due diligence Spouse: $4,000 -Application & Registration Spouse: $750 -Due diligence qualifying dependent above 16 years: $4,000 -Application & registration fees Qualifying dependent: $750 |
2) Real Estate Investment:
The applicant makes an investment in real estate approved by the government for an amount starting $200,000, that must be maintained for 3 years.
| Family Structure | Real Estate or Business Investment Amount | Government Fees | Due Diligence Fees and Application and Registration fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Applicant (single person applicant) | $200,000 | $25,000 | -Due diligence: $7,500 -Application & Registration: $750 |
| Main Applicant & Spouse | $200,000 | $35,000 | -Due diligence Main Applicant: $7,500 -Application & Registration Main applicant: $750 -Due diligence Spouse: $4,000 -Application & Registration Spouse: $750 |
| Family of 4 members | $200,000 | $35,000 *$50,000 for a family of 7 persons or more other than main applicant’s siblings |
-Due diligence Main Applicant: $7,500 -Application & Registration Main applicant: $750 -Due diligence Spouse: $4,000 -Application & Registration Spouse: $750 -Due diligence qualifying dependent above 16 years: $4,000 -Application & registration fees Qualifying dependent: $750 |
Dominica’s CBI Program as a Leader program for the 5th consecutive year:
“Dominica has consistently secured first place for five years in a row. The country achieved a perfect score in six of the nine pillars and promises an affordable minimum investment amount, a streamlined application process, and security for investors, among other things,” the report reads.
Due to the transparency and visibility of its CBI program, Dominica was the only country to receive full marks in the Product Safety column. “ Dominica’s CBI program has been in existence for 28 years and is managed responsibly. It is a leader in transparency in the use of CBI funds,” the researchers said. The study also noted that the country “has successfully used CBI revenue to mitigate the impact of national disasters.”
Ambassador Emmanuel Nanthan, Head of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) in Dominica, commented: “It is a great honor that Dominica has once again taken first place. Of course, it comes as no surprise to us as we are leaders in citizenship through investment and set an example of excellence in the industry. It’s nice that we’re now reaping the rewards.”
Regarding international mobility using the Dominican passport, the report found that “For the second year in a row, Dominica was the Caribbean country with the largest increase in visa-free and visa-on-arrival entry.” Applicants and their family members who pass all security checks and obtain Dominican citizenship can travel to over 75 percent of the countries in the world.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said: “Anyone who accepts Dominican citizenship is considered part of our family. By investing in our CBI program, they’re helping build our roads, hospitals, and schools.”
Benefits of the Dominica Citizenship:
- Citizenship in a British commonwealth country
- Dual citizenship is allowed; one does not have to renounce their citizenship in exchange for the Dominica passport.
- No residency in Dominica is required
- The investor will have the same rights as the native citizens
- Children up to the age of 30 can be included
- Siblings of the main applicant or their spouse up to the age of 25 can be included
- No education or work experience is required
- Dominica Passport allows visa free travel to more than 125 countries
- No taxes for non-residents and no taxes on capital gains or inheritance
Qualifications:
- Applicant must be over 18 years old
- Applicant and their family must hold no criminal records
- Applicant must have a basic knowledge of the English language
- Applicant and their family must be in good health
- Applicant must pay all application and government fees according to schedule
Legal Basis:
If one has been a continuous resident of Dominica for more than 5 years can apply for a naturalization and may be eligible for a citizenship.
Visa Free Travel:
| Continent | Country |
|---|---|
| Americas | Anguilla Antigua & Barbuda Aruba Bahamas Barbados Belize Bolivia British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Grenada Guyana Haiti Jamaica Leeward Islands Monteserrat Nicaragua Panama Peru St. Lucia St. Maarten St. Kitts & Nevis St. Vincent & The Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago Turks & Caicos Uruguay Venezuela |
| Europe | Austria Andorra Belarus* Belgium Bosnia & Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Montenegro Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania San Marino Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey* United Kingdom Ukraine Vatican City |
| Asia | Armenia Bangladesh Bhutan* Brunei Cambodia China Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Israel Jordan Kyrgyzstan Laos* Lesotho Malaysia Maldives Nepal Philippines Qatar Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka |
| Oceania | Cook Islands Fiji Marshall Islands* Micronesia Northern Mariana Islands* Palau Samoa Solomon Island Tonga Tuvalu Vanuatu |
| Africa | Benin Botswana Burundi* Cape Verde Comoros* East Timor* Egypt* The Gambia Guinea-Bissau Kenya Madagascar Malawi Mauritania* Mauritius Namibia Rwanda Sao Tome and Principe* Seychelles Somalia Swaziland Tanzania Togo* Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe* |
| E-Visa | Bahrain Gabon Georgia |
* Visa upon Arrival / ** E-visa