Citizenship of DominicaOverview
Dominica operates one of the longest-standing citizenship by investment programmes in the world, administered by the Citizenship by Investment Unit under the Prime Minister's portfolio. Applications are accepted only through authorised agents. Following the OECS harmonisation of 2024, both of Dominica's routes sit at the agreed regional minimum of US$200,000, making Dominica the lowest-priced programme among the five Eastern Caribbean states for a single applicant.
Due diligence is conducted by the CBIU with external providers and, increasingly, regional intelligence support. A mandatory interview, usually by video, applies to every applicant aged 16 and over. Dominica was the first of the five states to pass the legislation establishing the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) on 14 October 2025, and an order bringing it into force was gazetted in July 2026. The government's 2026/27 budget, presented on 4 August 2026, announced a 30-day physical presence requirement within the first five years of citizenship; implementation details and the commencement date had not been published at the time of review.
Travel access has shifted. The United Kingdom has required visas for Dominican nationals since July 2023. A US presidential proclamation of 16 December 2025 imposed partial entry restrictions on Dominica from 1 January 2026, affecting visitor, student and exchange visas, and US visitor visa validity for Dominican passports has been reduced substantially. In June 2026 the European Commission wrote to all five Eastern Caribbean programme states asking them to phase out citizenship by investment by 1 June 2028, relying on the revised EU visa suspension mechanism in force since 30 December 2025. Visa-free Schengen access continues for now, but it is under formal review.
Dominica permits dual citizenship and, from 1 January 2027, will move to a flat 10% income tax on Dominica-source income only, ending taxation of worldwide income. For families seeking a cost-efficient Commonwealth nationality and a contingency option, the programme remains relevant, provided the travel limitations are understood at the outset.
Key benefits
- Lowest single-applicant entry point among the Eastern Caribbean programmes at US$200,000
- Choice between a non-refundable contribution and a real estate investment with a defined exit after three years
- Inclusion of spouse, adult children up to 30 in qualifying circumstances and older parents or grandparents
- No current requirement to live in Dominica before or after the grant
- Dual citizenship permitted; citizenship passes to descendants
- Territorial income tax from 2027, with no tax on foreign income
- Passports generally issued with ten-year validity for adults
Requirements
- Main applicant aged 18 or over of good character with no criminal record
- Documented lawful source of funds and source of wealth
- Satisfactory due diligence, with enhanced checks for certain nationalities
- Mandatory interview for every applicant aged 16 and over (US$1,000 per interview)
- Application lodged through a CBIU-authorised agent
- Medical certificate, including HIV test, for each applicant
- Police certificates for applicants aged 16 and over
- Nationals of Belarus, Iran, Northern Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Sudan and Yemen face bans, limitations or enhanced due diligence
Investment options
Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)
US$200,000
Non-refundable contribution for a single applicant; US$250,000 for the main applicant with up to three dependants; US$25,000 per additional dependant under 18 and US$40,000 per additional dependant aged 18 or over. Processing, due diligence, interview and certificate fees are added.
Approved real estate
US$200,000
Purchase of a unit in a government-approved project. The property must be held for three years from the grant, or five years if sold to another CBI applicant. Government fees: US$75,000 for the main applicant, US$100,000 with up to three dependants, then US$25,000 per extra dependant under 18 and US$40,000 per dependant 18+.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Eligibility review
We confirm nationality eligibility, US and UK travel considerations, family composition and the documentary evidence available for source of wealth.
- 2
File preparation
Documents are gathered, certified, apostilled and translated, and the application forms are completed for each family member.
- 3
Submission via authorised agent
The application is lodged with the CBIU together with processing and due diligence fees.
- 4
Due diligence and interview
Background checks are carried out and applicants aged 16 and over attend a mandatory interview, typically held virtually.
- 5
Approval in principle and investment
After approval in principle, the contribution or real estate purchase and the government fees are completed.
- 6
Certificate and passport
The certificate of naturalisation is issued (US$500 per person) and passports follow.
Typical documents
- Application forms for the main applicant and each dependant
- Certified passport copies and national identity documents
- Birth, marriage and, where relevant, divorce or custody documents
- Police certificates from countries of citizenship and residence
- Medical certificates and HIV test results
- Bank reference letters and evidence of source of funds and wealth
- Proof of address and passport photographs
- Real estate purchase agreement for the property route
- Evidence of full-time study or financial dependency for adult dependants
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth helps families decide whether Dominica's cost advantage outweighs its narrower travel profile, considering the 2026 US restrictions, the UK visa requirement and the EU review. We build a coherent source-of-wealth file for enhanced vetting, coordinate the authorised agent and any approved developer, verify project status before funds move, and handle personal data discreetly. Where the new citizenship forms part of a wider plan, we integrate it with banking, residence and succession arrangements.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
What does a family of four pay in government charges under the EDF?
The contribution is US$250,000. Added to that are a US$1,000 processing fee, due diligence of US$7,500 for the main applicant and US$4,000 for each dependant aged 16 or over, US$1,000 per interview for applicants 16 and over, and US$500 per person for certificates of naturalisation.
Is there a residence requirement?
Current rules do not require residence. The 2026/27 budget announced a 30-day presence requirement within the first five years, aligned with the regional ECCIRA framework. Its commencement date and whether it applies to existing citizens had not been published at the time of review.
How has US access changed for Dominican citizens?
Dominica is subject to partial US entry restrictions under a proclamation effective 1 January 2026, covering visitor, student and exchange categories, and visitor visa validity has been cut substantially. Clients who need regular US travel should plan around this.
Can I travel to the UK without a visa?
No. The UK introduced a visa requirement for Dominican nationals in July 2023, citing concerns including the citizenship by investment programme.
When can I sell a real estate investment?
After three years from the grant of citizenship, or after five years if the buyer intends to use the property for their own citizenship application.
Which dependants can be included?
A spouse, children under 18, children 18 to 30 in higher education and fully supported, unmarried daughters under 25 living with the family, disabled adult children, and parents or grandparents over 65 who are substantially supported.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
