PROGRAM SUMMARY
Citizenship-by-Investment Program
The Commonwealth of Dominica, formerly a British colony, is an island state of 750 sq. km in the Windward Islands. Dominica is an island of remarkably unspoilt beauty, where lush, green forests roll across hills that stretch from shore to shore. English is the nation’s official language, but French is also spoken widely.
Dominica has been offering a Citizenship-by-Investment Progam since 1993, enabling HNWIs and their families to enjoy all the benefits of being Dominican, in exchange for a contribution to the government. Dominica boasts pristine beaches, acres of unspoiled tropical rain forests and offers some of the best diving and hiking in the Caribbean. From the UNESCO
World Heritage Site of Morne Trois Pitons National Park, to the development of a geothermal plant, Dominica’s philosophy is to protect and preserve its untainted and unparalleled beauty.
Requirements/Investment Options
The Dominica Citizenship-by-Investment Program requires an applicant to make a significant financial investment into the country in return for citizenship for the applicant and his/her family. To qualify for citizenship, the main applicant must be: over 18 years of age, meet the due diligence requirements and select one of the following two options:
- A non-refundable donation to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) starting from USD 100,000
- Purchase of qualifying real-estate of at least USD 200,000 in a government-approved project
| Dominica | Single Applicant | Family of Four |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Price | 200,000 | 200,000 |
| Government Processing Fee | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Government Contribution | 25,000 | 35,000 |
| Due Diligence Fees | 7,500 | 11,500 |
| Cert of Naturalisation | 250 | 1,000 |
| Passport(s) | 60 | 240 |
| Sub Total | USD 233,810 | USD 248,740 |
Donation
The EDF was established as one component of a national mobilisation portfolio, with the goal of national development for Dominica. Generated funds are utilised for public and private
sector projects, where a need is identified, such as the building of schools and hospital renovations.
The primary applicant may include his or her spouse, dependent children under 31 years of age and parents or grandparents who are substantially supported by the primary applicant or the
spouse.
Below is a table summarising two cost scenarios:
| Dominica | Single Applicant | Family of Four |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution To EDF | 100,000 | 175,000 |
| Government Processing Fee | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Due Diligence Fees | 7,500 | 11,500 |
| Cert of Naturalisation | 250 | 1,000 |
| Passport(s) | 60 | 240 |
| Sub Total | USD 108,810 | USD 188,740 |
Real Estate
Applicants could also choose to purchase real estate with a minimum value of USD 200,000 from a government-approved real estate project. Under this option, the following government processing fees and due diligence fees would apply for the same two scenarios outlined above.
Other Requirements
In addition to fulfilling one of the two investment options above, the main applicant and their dependants must have clean personal backgrounds, with no criminal record.
The Citizenship-by-Investment Unit (CIU) is the government authority responsible for processing and examining all applications and will perform strict due diligence checks. An applicant will be denied citizenship if he/she has been denied a visa to a country that has a visa-free travel arrangement with Dominica, is identified as a potential national security risk, a reputational risk or is subject to a criminal investigation.
Dual Citizenship
There are no restrictions on dual citizenship in Dominica.
Taxation
- Resident individuals, which are those who reside in Dominica for at least 183 days a year, are not taxed on their worldwide income
- The individual income tax rates are progressive. 15% on the first XCD 20,000, 25% on the next XCD 30,000 and 35% on the excess
- There are no capital gains, net worth or inheritance taxes in Dominica
- Stamp duty is imposed on the transfer of real estate at a rate of 2.5% and is paid by the seller. The buyer pays stamp duty at a rate of 4%
Summary of Key Advantages
- Visa-free travel to 141 countries including the EU, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong
- Full citizenship with passport granted to main applicant, spouse, children, and parents
- Siblings of the main applicant or spouse, who are between 18 and 25, single and childless can qualify under the application as a dependant
- Applicants will also receive additional identification documents with biometrics, including a National ID, Tax ID and a Driver’s License
- Lowest priced program in the Caribbean for a single applicant
- No physical presence requirement
- No minimum age for parents or grandparents to qualify as dependants as long as they are substantially supported by the main applicant or spouse
- Offer citizenship by marriage and descent
Application Process
Month 1
Initial due diligence. Sign client agreement, complete government forms and provide supporting documentation.
Months 2-3
Application submitted. Government process and complete due diligence.
Month 4
On approval, government contribution is made or real estate completed. Following approval in principle, passports are issued within two to four weeks.
