Dominica Citizenship by Investment: published requirements

Dominica's citizenship by investment programme rests on a legal authority and offers investment routes with published amounts, family categories and an application process.

Locator map showing the position of Commonwealth of Dominica — Locator map of Commonwealth of Dominica. Original drawing from Natural Earth public-domain boundary data.

Legal basis and authority

Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Unit administers the programme and its regulations. The regulations establish the Unit and identify the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act as the governing Act. They permit an adult who has made an investment and meets other applicable requirements to apply as a main applicant under section 8 of the Act.^[2]

The Unit receives applications through an Authorised Agent. Applications use prescribed forms, supporting documents and government fees. Forms and documents must be in English, or accompanied by an authenticated translation when the original is in another language.^[2]

Investment routes and amounts

The regulations describe a direct monetary investment to the government and investment in an Approved Project as routes to citizenship. An Approved Project is a real estate development or other project Cabinet has approved for the programme. The Unit's programme also offers investment through the Economic Diversification Fund and an approved real estate option.^[1]^[2]

For a direct monetary investment, the schedule sets a contribution of US$200,000 for a main applicant, or US$250,000 for a main applicant and up to three qualifying dependants. Each additional dependant under 18 has a US$25,000 contribution amount; each additional dependant aged 18 or older has a US$40,000 amount. For an Approved Project, the minimum investment is US$200,000 for each main applicant.^[2]

For real estate, the minimum investment is US$200,000 in an Approved Project. The property must be held for three years, or five years if sold to another citizenship by investment applicant. The regulations also allow two or more applicants to apply together through an Approved Project, with each main applicant contributing at least US$200,000.^[1]^[2]

Government fees

The published schedule lists application-related government fees in addition to the investment amount. For direct monetary investments, it lists due diligence checks, interviews, processing and certificate issuance. For Approved Project applications, the schedule specifies the government contribution amounts on approval in principle and separate due diligence, interview, processing and certificate fees.^[2]

Direct monetary investment contribution: US$200,000 for the main applicant; US$250,000 for the main applicant and up to three qualifying dependants; US$25,000 for each additional dependant under 18; US$40,000 for each additional dependant aged 18 or older.^[2]
Direct monetary application fees: minimum US$7,500 for due diligence on the main applicant; US$4,000 per dependant for due diligence; US$1,000 per interview; US$1,000 per application for processing; and US$500 for each certificate of naturalisation.^[2]
Approved Project contribution on approval in principle: US$75,000 for the main applicant or US$100,000 for a main applicant and up to three dependants; US$25,000 for each additional dependant under 18; US$40,000 for each additional qualified dependant aged 18 or older.^[2]
Approved Project application fees: US$7,500 for due diligence on the main applicant; US$4,000 for each dependant aged 16 or older; US$1,000 per interview; US$1,000 per application for processing; and US$500 for each certificate of naturalisation.^[2]

Family members and later additions

The regulations define dependants to include a spouse and children under 18. They also include certain older children who attend a recognised higher learning institution and receive full support, unmarried daughters under 25 living with and fully supported by the applicant, and adult children with a physical or mental challenge who are fully supported. Parents or grandparents over 65 may qualify when substantially supported.^[2]

A naturalised main applicant may apply to register a child under 18 who is born to or adopted by the applicant within five years after citizenship is obtained. The schedule also provides a process for later spouse and dependant applications, subject to its stated conditions and fees.^[2]

Application review and residence

The regulations require submission through an Authorised Agent, and the Unit must notify the agent within three months whether the application is approved in principle, delayed for cause or denied. Before citizenship is granted, the applicant must provide evidence that the relevant investment has been completed and prescribed government fees paid. A review committee may interview an applicant, and interviews normally take place in Dominica; another location may be arranged in specified circumstances at the applicant's expense.^[2]

The regulations refer to a waiver of residence requirements form in the application provisions. They also state that an applicant who receives a certificate of naturalisation must certify that, for five years after its issue, they will not change or seek to change their name except by marriage.^[2]

The programme has no separate residence permit stage before citizenship.^[2]

Questions and answers

Who administers Dominica's citizenship by investment programme?

The Citizenship by Investment Unit administers the programme and its regulations. Applications are submitted to the Unit through an Authorised Agent.^[2]

What investment routes are available?

The regulations provide for a direct monetary investment to the government or investment in an Approved Project. The programme presents these as the Economic Diversification Fund and approved real estate options.^[1]^[2]

What is the minimum Approved Project investment?

The schedule sets the minimum at US$200,000 for each main applicant. Applicants may apply together if each contributes that minimum.^[2]

Which family members may be dependants?

The defined categories include a spouse and children, subject to age, education, support or disability conditions for some older children. Supported parents or grandparents over 65 are also included in the definition.^[2]

Does the programme set a required stay in Dominica?

The regulations refer to a waiver of residence requirements form and state that interviews normally occur in Dominica.^[2]

Can a citizen add a child after naturalisation?

A main applicant who obtained citizenship may apply to register a child under 18 born to or adopted by that applicant within five years of obtaining citizenship. The schedule sets fees for this later registration.^[2]

Related glossary terms

Golden visa: Golden visa is a common label for residence permits connected to investment, though official programs use different names and conditions for each route.
Residence by investment: Residence by investment links an investment to residence status or a permit. Each country sets its own investment rules, as well as income and family rules.