How to obtain Dominica citizenship: masterguide for investors

7 benefits of Dominica citizenship by investment

Dominica citizenship by investment offers a practical route to a second passport for investors seeking greater global mobility, family security, and financial flexibility. The programme is known for its clear requirements, relatively fast processing, and the opportunity to obtain citizenship without relocating to the country.

1. A straightforward path to citizenship 

Investors can obtain a second passport in as little as six months without sitting language or history tests. There is no need to visit Dominica, as the citizenship application can be submitted remotely.

2. Citizenship for the whole family

Investors can include their spouse, children up to 30 years inclusive, parents and grandparents over 65 in the citizenship application, making the programme attractive for those who want to secure a better future for several generations at once. 

3. Freedom of travel

With a Dominica passport, holders can travel to many destinations without applying for a visa in advance, which makes international trips easier for both business and leisure. They can stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days ^[41] Source: EU and Dominica — Short-stay visa waiver agreement , and in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China for up to 30 days. 

4. Tax optimisation

Dominica does not levy taxes on wealth, gifts, inheritance, or capital gains, which can make it an appealing option for investors looking to structure their assets efficiently ^[42] Source: Dominica Inland Revenue — Tax residence and rates . Residents do not pay tax on dividends or royalties received from abroad. 

5. Investment returns

If an investor purchases property, they can let it out and earn an annual return of 5—6%, combining the benefits of second citizenship with the potential for regular income. After 3 years, the property may be sold and the investment recovered. This makes the real estate option attractive for those who want not only a passport, but also an asset with resale potential.

6. Dual citizenship

Dominica allows dual citizenship, so there is no need to renounce a first passport unless required by the laws of another country. For example, Armenian citizens can obtain a Dominica passport and keep their Armenian one, while citizens of Kazakhstan must renounce their original citizenship.

7. Preferential education in the UK

Children who obtain Dominica citizenship may be eligible to apply for Commonwealth scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK ^[43] Source: Scholarship eligibility, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission . For example, Dominica is listed among the eligible countries for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships. 

Participating universities include the University of Birmingham, which offers the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme for selected Master’s programmes ^[44] Source: Scholarship example, University of Birmingham .

What are Dominica citizenship investment requirements?

Dominica has granted citizenship by investment since 1993 ^[45] Source: Dominica Citizenship by Investment — Regulations 2024 . The government does not disclose how many applications are approved each year. However, according to the European Commission, more than 34,000 investors have obtained a “golden passport” during this period.

Applicants for a passport invest $200,000 or more: they either make a contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or purchase property ^[46] Source: Commonwealth of Dominica — Investment Options .

Fund contribution

The Economic Diversification Fund is a government programme that supports socio-economic initiatives. Using investors’ funds, the government of Dominica renovates hospitals, builds schools and sports stadiums, and implements green energy projects.

The minimum investment amount is $200,000. It depends on the number of people included in the application. For example, costs for a family of four start from $250,000. The contribution cannot be refunded, and it does not generate investment income.

In addition, the investor pays for due diligence, as well as duties and fees.

Cost of obtaining Dominica citizenship by investment through a government fund

Expenses	Investor	Investor and spouse	Family with children aged 15 and 19
Investment	$200,000	$250,000	$250,000
Due Diligence	$7,500	$7,500 for the investor +$4,000 for the spouse	$7,500 for the investor +$4,000 for the spouse +$4,000 for a child over 16
Interview	$1,000	$2,000	$4,000
Other fees and duties	$2,131+	$2,131+	$3,853+
Total	$210,631	$265,631+	$273,353+

Real estate purchase

When purchasing property in Dominica, the investor chooses a property only from a government-approved list, which includes hotels and villa complexes. The applicant does not have to buy an entire property — a share in it is also acceptable. The main requirement is that the investment amount must be at least $200,000.

The investor can live in the purchased property or rent it out through a management company. The tourist season in the Caribbean lasts all year round, so there is always demand for accommodation. Rental income usually reaches up to 5% per annum.

The property can be sold three years after the passport is issued. Or after five years, if the buyer also wants to obtain citizenship by investment.

Cost of obtaining Dominica citizenship by investment by property purchase

Expenses	Investor	Investor and spouse	Family with children aged 15 and 19
Investment	$200,000+	$200,000+	$200,000+
Due Diligence	$7,500	$7,500 for the investor +$4,000 for the spouse	$7,500 for the investor +$4,000 for the spouse +$4,000 for a child over 16
Interview	$1,000	$2,000	$4,000
Government fee	$75,000 for the investor	$100,000 for a family of up to 4	$100,000 for a family of up to 4
Other fees and duties	$2,131+	$2,131+	$3,853+
Total	$285,631+	$315,631+	$323,353+

The route to second citizenship takes six or more months. First, the investor receives a certificate of naturalisation confirming their citizenship status. The document is valid indefinitely. Then, based on this certificate, the passport is issued. This stage usually takes 4—6 weeks, but the procedure can be expedited to two days. The service costs $1,200.

The entire process is completed remotely, so there is no need to travel to Dominica. A mandatory interview with the investor and family members over the age of 16 is conducted online.

When obtaining citizenship, the applicant takes an oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth of Dominica. The document containing the text of the oath is signed before a notary, magistrate, or commissioner for oaths.

Key facts about buying property in Dominica

Dominica allows foreigners to buy any property on the island. However, to obtain citizenship by investment, applicants must purchase only government-approved properties: villa and hotel complexes in tourist areas.

Investors do not pay tax when buying property. Other foreigners must obtain a special landholding licence, which costs 10% of the plot price.

The government of Dominica does not publish property price statistics. According to expert estimates, residential property in the country costs from $500 to $5,000 per square metre. The most expensive property is located in the capital, Roseau, as well as in Portsmouth, Salisbury, Canefield, resort areas, and along the coast of Dominica.

A share in a six-star hotel complex can be purchased for $216,000, while a villa with an area of at least 126 m² in full ownership costs from $1,000,000.

Examples of property eligible for Dominica citizenship by investment

Requirements for applicants for a Dominica passport

Dominica citizenship is available to investors over the age of 18 who have a lawful source of income, no criminal record, and no serious illnesses.

Relatives can be included in the application: 

• spouse; 
• children under 30;
• parents and grandparents over the age of 65. 

All additional applicants must be financially dependent on the investor or their spouse.

There are no time limits for family members to be added to a citizenship application. However, if more than one year has passed since the investor’s initial due diligence check was completed, the applicant must pay for a repeat check.

Dominica citizenship is hereditary and is automatically granted to children born to a citizen of the country.

Documents required to obtain Dominica citizenship by investment

All documents submitted under the programme must be apostilled, translated into English, and certified by a notary. If the applicant’s country is not a party to the Apostille Convention, the document must be legalised in accordance with national legislation.

The list of documents required to participate in the programme includes:

• all valid passports;
• copy of the national identity card;
• copy of the birth certificate;
• copy of the marriage or divorce certificate;
• copy of the name change certificate;
• copy of the driving licence;
• police clearance certificate;
• military ID;
• 8 photographs measuring 35 × 45 mm;
• bank statement for the previous 12 months;
• documents confirming the source of funds;
• bank reference letter;
• 2 personal and professional reference letters;
• medical certificate, including HIV test results, blood test results, and urinalysis;
• CV;
• higher education diploma or proof of academic degree;
• an investment agreement or sale and purchase agreement;
• proof of residential address, such as a utility bill, tenancy agreement, or title deed;
• police certificate stating the applicant’s place of birth, country of citizenship, and the countries where they have lived for more than six months during the past 10 years.

To pass due diligence, the applicant must confirm that they have sufficient funds for the investment and a lawful source of income.

Other ways to obtain Dominica citizenship

A Dominica passport can also be obtained by birth and descent, through marriage, or by naturalisation.

By birth

Citizenship by birth is granted to children born in the country, as well as on an aircraft or ship belonging to Dominica. The origin and status of the parents do not matter. The exception is children of employees of foreign consulates and embassies: citizenship by birthright is not available to them.

By descent

Citizenship by descent is granted automatically to children if one or both parents are citizens of Dominica. The place of birth does not matter. If a citizen adopts a minor child from another country, that child also receives a Dominica passport.

By marriage

A foreign national married to a citizen of Dominica may apply for citizenship after three years of residence in Dominica immediately preceding the application. The applicant must demonstrate good character, sufficient knowledge of English and the responsibilities of citizenship, and an intention to continue living in Dominica after registration. 

By naturalisation

Citizenship by naturalisation is granted after seven years of lawful residence in the country. Before submitting the application, the foreign national must not leave the country for one year. For applicants from countries that are part of the Commonwealth, the waiting period is reduced to five years.

Digital citizenship of Dominica

The government of Dominica, together with the crypto exchange Huobi, launched the world’s first national cryptocurrency, Dominica Coin, DMC ^[48] Source: DDID programme overview, HTX Square . After registering on the crypto exchange and completing verification, foreign nationals will receive digital citizenship of Dominica.

The status of a virtual citizen of Dominica will allow holders to open bank accounts, register as providers of digital services, and trade on the crypto exchange without restrictions. It is предполагается that foreign nationals with a digital passport will be able to obtain real citizenship of Dominica.

Why does citizenship may be refused or revoked after it is granted?

The main reason for deprivation of citizenship is obtaining documents by illegal means. A passport may be revoked for committing particularly serious crimes, treason, participation in extremist activity, and incitement to rebellion.

Additional requirements apply to participants in the citizenship by investment programme. An investor will be deprived of citizenship if they:

• conceal important information when submitting the application, such as additional sources of income, visa refusals from other countries, or a criminal record;
• breach the terms of the programme by selling the property earlier than three years after receiving the passport.

If a court in another country sentences a citizen of Dominica to imprisonment for more than 12 months during the first five years after receiving the passport, the citizenship will be revoked.

Rights and obligations of a citizen

All citizens of Dominica have equal rights and obligations: they must respect the rights and freedoms of other citizens and know and comply with the laws of the country.

A Dominica passport is valid for five years for persons under 16 and for 10 years for everyone else. After it expires, citizens are required to obtain a new document. Using an expired passport is illegal and may lead to imprisonment.

An application for renewal must be submitted no later than two months before the passport expires. This can be done at Dominica’s Passport and Immigration Department, through any consulate of the country, or remotely with the help of Passportivity.

The passport replacement period is up to four weeks. The state fee is $361.

Taxes for Dominica citizens

Tax residents of Dominica pay tax on income received in Dominica and other countries. Non-residents pay tax only on income received in Dominica, for example, if they rent out property. An investor does not automatically become a tax resident: to do so, they must live in the country for more than 183 days a year.

Individuals pay income tax on all income: salaries, dividends from shares and bonds, and income from self-employment.

The tax rate is calculated on a progressive scale and is:

• 15% on income up to $7,400;
• 25% on income up to $18,500;
• 35% on income above $18,500.

Companies pay corporate tax at 25%, as well as 7% of employees’ salaries into social funds. The payment must be made within three months after the end of the calendar year — by 30 June. It can be paid in three instalments.

There is no tax on the sale or purchase of property in Dominica, but the buyer pays a contribution to the Insurance Fund and mandatory fees — about 10.5% of the transaction amount. The seller of the property pays a fee of 2.5% of the transaction amount.

If the owner rents out property, they pay a state duty for concluding the tenancy agreement — 1% of the annual rent.

Double taxation. If a tax resident of Dominica receives income in another country, or a tax resident of another country earns income in Dominica, they pay taxes in both countries.

Dominica has concluded double taxation agreements with the countries of the Caribbean Community.

Life in Dominica

Life in Dominica appeals to those who value nature, a slower pace of living, and a close-knit island community. Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean”, Dominica offers a lifestyle shaped by mountains, rainforests, and the sea rather than large-scale urban development.

Geography

Dominica is a volcanic island in the Lesser Antilles with a rugged landscape of steep mountains, deep valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and black-sand beaches. One of its best-known natural landmarks is Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site ^[49] Source: World Heritage listing, UNESCO World Heritage Centre . It protects part of the island’s central highlands and showcases its volcanic scenery.

Economy 

Dominica has a small island economy supported by tourism, agriculture, and public and infrastructure investment. According to the World Bank, growth has been supported by tourism and agriculture, while geothermal energy is expected to play an increasingly important role in the country’s development and resilience.

Language 

English is the official language of Dominica and is used in government, education, and business. At the same time, a large part of the population also speaks Kwéyòl, a French-based creole language, while some northern villages use Kokoy, a distinctive English-based dialect.

Culture 

Dominica’s culture reflects African, French, British, and Indigenous influences. The island is home to the Kalinago people, the Caribbean’s only remaining Indigenous community with a distinct territory. Dominica is also known for its strong creole identity, which is reflected in local traditions, cuisine, and events such as the World Creole Music Festival.

Key facts about Dominica citizenship

1. Foreigners can obtain a Dominica passport if they invest at least $200,000 in the country. Under the terms of the programme, they must make a contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or buy property.
2. The procedure for obtaining citizenship by investment is completed remotely and takes from six months.
3. Together with the main applicant, a second spouse, children, parents, grandparents can also apply for a passport. If a child is born to the investor after citizenship is granted, they will also receive citizenship.
4. Investors do not need to travel to Dominica even to renew their passport.