Dominica Citizenship by Investment: Is it Right for You?
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Contents
- Why Dominica Citizenship by Investment
- The Disadvantages to Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program
- Eligibility and Requirements
- Adding on Family Members
- Dominica citizenship document requirements
- How to Apply
- #1: Choosing the investment route
- #2: Preparing documents and forms
- #3: Submitting the application
- #4: Receiving approval from the CIU
- #5: Making the contribution / Show proof of real estate investment
- #6: Becoming a Dominica citizen
- Costs and Fees
- Option #1: Economic Diversification Fund
- Option #2: Government approved real estate
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Need help?
Note: all costs in this article are expressed in US dollars.
If you’re looking for a second passport, Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program could be a good option. It’s one of the lowest costs programs — starting at $200,000 plus fees. It’s a program we have lots of experience with. Since 2007, we’ve helped more than 100 clients get citizenship in this beautiful country.
Below you’ll find an overview of the program — how to qualify, application requirements, benefits, and other key details. Let’s see if it’s right for you…
Why Dominica Citizenship by Investment
It’s a great Plan B insurance policy: A second passport from Dominica gives you the freedom to travel internationally if you lose access to your US passport for any reason.
You Become Part of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS): The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an economic union of 11 member states in the Eastern Caribbean. The full members are Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
In some ways, it’s like a mini-EU — citizens of a member country have the right to live and work in any other full member.
Thus, citizenship in Dominica opens the door to living, working, or retiring in any of the other OECS full members.
Low Price: The Dominican CBI program is priced at the lower end of the scale for citizenship by investment programs. In fact, for a single person applying on their own, it’s the cheapest — $200,000 plus about $30,000 in various fees.
The only CBI program that’s less expensive than that of Dominica, is Vanuatu, in the South Pacific. But Vanuatu’s CBI program suffers from a serious reputation problem, and our suggestion to clients is to avoid it.
- Good Visa-Free Access: Dominica offers visa-free access to more than 140 countries. Although not as “good” as the US passport (188 countries), it punches high above its weight in this category.
The Disadvantages to Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program
- Can’t be used to reduce tax for US Citizens
Dominica imposes no income tax on worldwide income unless you actually live in the country at least six months each year. And even then, your income is subject to a maximum 35% tax.
Better yet, there’s no inheritance tax, wealth tax or capital gains tax. Individuals who receive retirement income from outside Dominica are exempt too. This applies as long as they were not Dominica residents before retiring.
Except that this doesn’t work for US citizens. Even if you leave America permanently, you’ll still need to pay tax on your worldwide income as if you never left. Fortunately, in most cases, any income tax you pay Dominica can be credited against any US income tax obligations.
(The only way to get rid of that obligation is to expatriate.)
- For US citizens, the Real Estate option is… complicated
There are two paths to Dominican Citizenship under this program. You can donate to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or invest in government-approved real estate.
Most of our clients like the idea of real estate… at first glance. You can buy, qualify for the program and then resell in as little as 36 months.
But if you look into it, most of the government approved real estate programs are actually shares in real estate, not real estate itself. When it comes time to sell, that’s a problem for US citizens.
That’s because, if you want to sell to other US citizens, you’re now technically selling a security, not real estate. That means you need to follow securities laws. And that can become very expensive very quickly.
Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for the Dominica citizenship program, you need to be:
At least 18 years old.
Submit application forms and other paperwork, including a medical questionnaire signed by a medical professional. (Don’t worry, you don’t have to be in perfect or even good health to qualify).
Have a clean criminal record. (A misdemeanor conviction usually won’t disqualify you, though).
Pass a detailed background check.
“Have an outstanding character.”
Adding on Family Members
The following family members can apply on the same application to get a permanent Dominica citizenship:
- Your husband or wife (opposite-sex only).
- Your children under 18 years old.
- Your children between 18 and 30 if they’re currently going to school and are fully supported by you.
- An unmarried daughter under 25 living with and fully supported by you.
- Mentally or physically disabled children of any age who you are fully supporting.
- Your parents over 65 years old, if you are substantially supporting them.
Dominica citizenship document requirements
Applications for this citizenship by investment are handled by “Licensed Persons” on the island who act with the government’s Citizenship by Investment Unit to process applications.
In some cases, the process will be quite simple. In others, they may come back multiple times with requests for more information. (Feel free to book in a consultation with one of our Associates to see whether your application is likely to be a simple one or more complex.) Dominica Application Documents will include…
- Government forms: An Application Form, a Medical Form, an Investment Agreement (EDF option), a Sales and Purchase Agreement (Real Estate option), etc.
- Security and police documentation: A police record check from your home country (the FBI does this in the US), fingerprint and photograph verification form, etc.
- Documentation about you: Various ID information, photos, proof of residential address, birth certificates, copy of university / college diplomas (as relevant), marriage certificate (as relevant), etc.
- Medical documentation: HIV test for applicants over 12, routine blood and urine tests, medical questionnaire and certificate, etc.
I worked with The Nestmann Group on getting a second citizenship. Brandon and Mark, and the whole organization, did a great job for me. They were expert and prompt. I especially appreciated the fact that they so clearly put my interests first. I would highly recommend The Nestmann Group.
T. Bohmann*, Houston, Texas
*Name changed to protect client’s privacy.
I have been a client of the Nestmann Group for many years. They helped me obtain a Dominica passport. Their service was professional, competent, and trustworthy.
John*, Michigan
*Name changed to protect client’s privacy.
I felt having a second passport from Dominica would give me additional freedom in an uncertain world. I wanted to be sure there was always an option for me to live free of government abuse.
I chose to work with The Nestmann Group because I have been following them for years and had developed a comfort level that made me able to trust them with this important transaction.
In particular, I appreciated the quick turnaround time. I rarely had to wait long for an answer. When you’re making this kind of an investment, you want someone who is attentive to your needs and they were.
Thomas M, Florida
How to Apply
Our clients tend to take 8-9 months from start to finish. Here’s a summary of the different steps to consider and how long each stage is.
#1: Choosing the investment route
There are two options…
The Economic Diversification Fund (EDF). You support Dominica’s development by making a non-refundable contribution of at least $200,000 to the fund. The minimum donation (and extra costs) will depend on how many family members apply with you. The donation is payable only after your application has been approved.
Preapproved real estate. You invest at least $200,000 in a government approved real estate project. Most properties are high-end tourist accommodations comparable in price to what you would find in many places within the US.The properties can be resold in as little as three years. However, keep in mind that if you plan to sell to other Americans, you will probably have to prepare a private offering under US securities laws. That does not come cheap. So be sure you understand the details before you invest.
It’s worth mentioning that almost all of our clients choose the Economic Diversification Fund.
#2: Preparing documents and forms
Now that you know which qualifying option you want, we start to prepare the paperwork the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit needs to process your application. The Nestmann Group will guide you through the collection of all documentation needed and vet all of your paperwork beforehand. Doing it this way makes sure your application is done properly and is less likely to run into any delays.
#3: Submitting the application
The next step is to submit your application to a Licensed Agent, such as The Nestmann Group. That’s because Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Unit — the CIU — does not allow applications directly from applicants; they work with Licensed Agents who are approved to manage forms and submit the applications to the CIU on behalf of clients. Applicants over the age of 15 must also submit to a personal interview. These are usually done virtually using a service like Zoom.
#4: Receiving approval from the CIU
After about three months, you’ll get a confirmation letter to say you’ve been accepted in principle.
#5: Making the contribution / Show proof of real estate investment
With the confirmation letter, you can now make the contribution and/or show proof that you have made the required real estate investment. This usually takes a few weeks.
#6: Becoming a Dominica citizen
As a Dominican citizen, you and everyone on your application, have a right to a passport. We can formally apply for one on your behalf. After two or three months (on average), the government will send them to the address of your choice. You can also pay for expedited passport processing if you want your application processed in a few days .
Costs and Fees
Option #1: Economic Diversification Fund
A non-refundable minimum contribution to this fund is one way to qualify for citizenship by investment. What that minimum is depends on how many people are on the application. There are additional fees on top, as outlined in the table below.
| Economic Diversification Fund | Single Applicant | Applicant + Spouse | Family of Up to Four | Additional Dependent Under 18 | Additional Dependent Over 18 |
| Minimum Donation | $200,000 | $250,000 | $250,000 | $25,000 each | $25,000 each |
| Due Diligence Fee | $7,500 | $4,000 for each family member aged 16 or over | |||
| Application Fee | $1,000 per application | ||||
| Certificate of naturalization fee | $500 per applicant | ||||
| Passport Fee | $300 per applicant | ||||
| Interview Fee | $1,000 (for each applicant 16 years old and above) | ||||
Option #2: Government approved real estate
You can also invest at least $200,000 in government-approved real estate projects. Although this investment can be resold in as little as three years, US citizens wanting to sell are often going to run into issues with securities laws in the US. For that reason, we generally recommend the investment route only if you plan to buy and hold for a long time. This option also comes with additional fees as outlined below.
| Approved Real Estate Investment | Single Applicant | Family (Up to 4) | Family (Up to 6) | Additional Dependent |
| Minimum Investment | $200,000 | |||
| Government Registration Fee (after approval) | $75,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 | +$25,000 per dependent under 18; $50,000 per dependent 18 or older |
| Due Diligence Fee | $7,500 | $4,000 for each family member aged 16 or over | ||
| Application Fee | $1,000 per application | |||
| Certificate of naturalization fee | $500 per applicant | |||
| Passport Fee | $300 per applicant | |||
| Interview Fee | $1,000 (for each applicant 16 years old and above) | |||
For both options, professional fees can add $15,000 or more to total costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get Dominica Citizenship by Investment?
You can either contribute to a government development fund or invest in approved real estate projects worth at least $200,000. To qualify, you must be at least 18, have a clean criminal record, and be in good health. After a detailed background check and personal interview (in person or online), you and your family can receive a Dominica citizenship and passport. The entire process usually takes eight or nine months for a typical client.
Is a Dominica Passport “good”?
The value of a passport is the visa-free and visa-on-arrival access it gives. In Dominica’s case, its passport allows visa-free travel to over 140 countries, including the European Schengen zone, Hong Kong and Singapore. This puts it well into the top third of passports worldwide.
How much does a Dominica Golden Visa cost?
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment program is sometimes called the Dominica Golden Visa or even the Dominica Golden Passport. The cost starts at $200,000 for a single applicant making a non-refundable donation to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund. The real estate investment option has a minimum investment of $200,000. These minimums also have different additional fees on top — including professional, application, due diligence, and passport fees.
Does Dominica allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Dominica recognizes dual citizenship. You can keep your existing citizenship if your home country allows it.
Can I also give Dominica citizenship to my family?
Yes, you can include family members in your application. Your spouse and children under 18 are automatically eligible. Dependent children between 18-30 attending post-secondary education, unmarried daughters under 25 you fully support, as well as disabled children of any age you fully support are also eligible. Finally, parents over 65 can apply with you if they are substantially dependent on you for support.
Can you live in Europe on a Dominica passport?
If I choose the real estate investment track, can I sell my investment in Dominica?
If you choose the Dominica CBI real estate investment option, you can sell after three years. However, many government approved developments are actually share purchases, not traditional real estate. As such, US clients may need to organize a private securities offering at the time of sale. Doing so can greatly increase the costs associated with that sale.
Interested in learning more about citizenship by investment programs?
Here you’ll find the cheapest citizenship by investment programs. We’ve ranked the most cost-effective programs for singles, couples, and families.
How long does it take to get Dominica citizenship from start to finish?
You will see many websites promise Dominica Economic Citizenship in as little as three months. In theory, that’s true because it only considers the processing time from the time you submit your application to the time it takes to get a provisional acceptance letter. In practice, we tell our clients to expect 9 months from the time they decide to start to the time they get their passport. This includes:
Two months to put together the application.
Three months for processing.
Two months to send confirmation of donation/investments, and receive formal approval back.
One to two months to apply for and receive your passports. Note that with optional expedited processing, this waiting period can be reduced to a few days.
Need help?
Schedule a consultation with a Nestmann Associate to get your questions answered and find out if Dominica Citizenship by Investment is the right choice for you.
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Need Help?
We have 40+ years experience helping Americans move, live and invest internationally…
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We have 40+ years experience helping Americans move, live and invest internationally…
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