Programme overview
Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme has been continuously running since 1993 — making it the second-oldest CBI in the world after St. Kitts & Nevis — and it has long held the value-leader position in the Caribbean. The Commonwealth of Dominica is a parliamentary democracy and Commonwealth realm; its passport is widely respected and its CBI revenue funds a national climate-resilience programme that has rebuilt schools, hospitals, and the geothermal grid since Hurricane Maria.
Under the CARICOM Memorandum of Agreement that took effect 1 July 2024, all five Caribbean CIPs adopted a USD 200,000 minimum, harmonised due diligence, and a coordinated agent-licensing regime. Dominica priced its EDF contribution at exactly the floor, preserving its competitive positioning — but the trade-off is a slimmer dependant scaling and stricter post-2024 vetting.
The Dominican passport now requires a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (added in 2025), but Schengen access remains open and the programme is one of the fastest in the world: clean files routinely close in four to six months without the applicant ever setting foot on the island.
Investment routes
Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) — USD 200,000. Non-refundable contribution to the government’s diversification fund. Single applicant USD 200K; main applicant + spouse USD 250K; family of four USD 250K. Each additional dependant under 18 adds USD 25K; each additional dependant 18+ adds USD 40K. Due diligence runs USD 7,500 for the principal and USD 4,000 per dependant aged 16+. This is the dominant route — over 90% of Dominica files use it.
Approved Real Estate — USD 200,000. Purchase of a unit in a CBIU-approved development (typically branded resort residences such as Cabrits, Tranquility Beach, Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort). The unit must be held for three years if resold on the open market, or five years if transferred to another CBI investor. On top of the property price, government fees apply: USD 25,000 (single), USD 35,000 (main + spouse), USD 50,000 (family of four), plus USD 25,000 for each additional dependent over 18 and USD 10,000 for each under 18.
Due diligence & process
Dominica was the first Caribbean CIP to adopt mandatory in-person or video interviews for principal applicants 16+, an important reform completed in 2024. Background checks are run by independent international firms (typically S-RM, BDO Caribbean, or Thomson Reuters) plus the local Financial Intelligence Unit and Interpol. Applications must be filed through an Authorised Agent licensed by the CBIU; the agent acts as the gatekeeper for the Source of Funds dossier, biometric capture, and government interaction. End-to-end timelines have lengthened slightly post-2024 reforms, but a clean EDF file still closes in 4-6 months.
What it gets you
Lifetime, hereditary, dual-citizenship-allowed Dominican passport. Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to roughly 145 destinations including the Schengen Area, the UK (with ETA), Singapore, Hong Kong, China (30 days), and Russia. Zero tax on worldwide income for non-residents, no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax. The right to live, work, and study in Dominica without further permits. Spouses, children up to 30, parents/grandparents 65+ can be added now or post-citizenship. (Siblings are not eligible — a key difference vs St. Kitts and Antigua.)
Our role on a Dominica file
- Eligibility & route selection — assess family composition and goals; for most clients EDF beats real estate on speed and total cost, but property routes can suit clients wanting an asset.
- Authorised Agent appointment — engage a CBIU-licensed local agent (mandatory) and lock the fee schedule.
- Source-of-funds dossier — assemble bank statements, tax filings, sale-of-business or investment-exit documentation; pre-empt DD queries with a clear narrative.
- Application submission & DD — file Form M1 plus annexes; coordinate the mandatory interview and any biometric capture.
- Investment release & approval — instruct the EDF wire (or developer escrow) on Letter of Approval; oversee oath of allegiance arrangements.
- Passport collection & post-citizenship — coordinate naturalisation certificate, passport issuance, UK ETA enrolment, and onboarding to banking and tax-planning partners.