How to Get Citizenship in Dominica: Investment, Descent, Marriage

There are four ways to get citizenship in Dominica: making a qualifying investment, naturalizing after living in the country for several years, claiming citizenship through a Dominican parent, or acquiring it through marriage to a Dominican citizen. The investment route is the fastest, with approval possible in about three months from a minimum $200,000 contribution. The other three routes cost far less but require real ties to the country. Which one fits depends on whether you plan to live in Dominica, whom you’re related to, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Citizenship by Investment

The Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is the route most foreign nationals use. You do not need to live in Dominica before, during, or after applying. You must be at least 18, have no criminal record, be in good health, and prove your funds come from legitimate sources.¹

Applications cannot be filed directly with the government. You have to work through an authorized agent licensed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU).²

The Two Investment Options

You can either make a non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or purchase government-approved real estate.

EDF contribution amounts scale with family size:³

Single applicant: $200,000
Applicant with up to three dependents: $250,000
Each additional dependent under 18: $25,000
Each additional dependent 18 or older: $40,000

The money goes to the government and is not recoverable.

The real estate option requires buying property from an approved development for at least $200,000, held for a minimum of three years, or five years if you plan to resell it to another CBI applicant.² Separate government fees apply on top of the purchase price: $75,000 for a single applicant and $100,000 for an applicant with up to three dependents.⁴ Real estate tends to cost more overall once fees, legal work, and maintenance are included, but you keep an asset that may appreciate or produce rental income.

Who You Can Include as a Dependent

You can add family members to a single application rather than filing separately. Eligible dependents are:

Children under 18
Children aged 18 to 30 who are financially dependent on you and enrolled in higher education
Unmarried daughters under 25 who live with and are fully supported by you
Children with disabilities who are fully dependent on you, regardless of age
Parents or grandparents aged 55 or older who are financially dependent on you or your spouse

Fees on Top of the Investment

Several government fees apply to every CBI application:⁴

Processing fee: $1,000 per application
Due diligence fee: $7,500 for the main applicant; $4,000 for a spouse and each dependent aged 16 or older
Mandatory interview fee: $1,000 per person aged 16 and older
Certificate of Naturalization: $500 per person

Applicants from Iran, North Korea, and Sudan who qualify under the eligibility exceptions pay higher enhanced due diligence fees: $15,000 for a spouse or dependent aged 16 and older, and $10,000 for dependents aged 12 to 15.⁵ Agent and legal fees run separately, realistically another $10,000 to $25,000 depending on family size and complexity. All government fees can change, so confirm current amounts with your agent before applying.

Documents and Timeline

Core documents include certified passport copies, birth certificates for the main applicant and every dependent, police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived more than six months in the past ten years (for applicants 16 and older), 12 months of bank statements with a bank reference and proof of funds, and medical certificates covering HIV testing for applicants 12 and older along with routine blood and urine tests.⁶ Foreign-language documents need certified English translations, and documents issued outside Dominica generally require notarization or an apostille.

After your agent submits the file, the CBIU runs enhanced due diligence, and all applicants aged 16 and older attend a mandatory virtual interview.⁵ The CBIU then issues approval in principle, requests more information, or denies the application. From submission to approval in principle generally takes at least three months.⁷ Once you make the investment, the government issues a Certificate of Naturalization, and you can apply for a Dominican passport.

Nationalities That Cannot Apply

Nationals of Belarus, Russia, Northern Iraq, and Yemen face outright bans with no exceptions. Iranian, North Korean, and Sudanese nationals are restricted but may still apply if they have not lived in their home country for at least ten years, hold no substantial assets there, and have not conducted business there. The list can change with little notice.

Naturalization Through Residency

If you plan to actually live in Dominica, you can naturalize under the Dominica Citizenship Act. You must have lived in Dominica for the entire 12 months immediately before applying, and during the seven years before that 12-month period, you must have accumulated at least four years of residency.⁸ In practice, that works out to about five years within an eight-year window, with the final year continuous.

You also need to show good character, adequate knowledge of English, and an intention to keep residing in Dominica or to work for the Dominican government or an international organization. The Minister responsible for citizenship has discretion to adjust these requirements in special cases, including counting residency in other Commonwealth countries toward the total.⁸ These applications go directly to the government rather than through an authorized agent.

Citizenship by Descent

If you were born outside Dominica to at least one Dominican parent, you can claim citizenship by descent. You will need your birth certificate along with proof of your parent’s Dominican nationality, and the application goes directly to the government.⁹

Citizenship Through Marriage

Marriage to a Dominican citizen is a recognized pathway to citizenship.⁹ You will need a marriage certificate and proof of your spouse’s Dominican citizenship, along with evidence that the marriage is genuine, and you are expected to reside in Dominica. Specific duration requirements are set by the relevant authorities, so contact the Ministry of National Security directly for current criteria.

Dual Citizenship and What the Passport Gets You

Dominica fully allows dual citizenship, so you do not have to give up your existing nationality to become Dominican.¹⁰ Check whether your home country agrees; some require you to renounce your original citizenship if you voluntarily acquire another.

Dominica imposes no wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, or tax on foreign income. If you live in Dominica, local earnings are subject to personal income tax, but CBI citizens who live elsewhere generally have no Dominican tax obligations, and remain subject to the tax rules of wherever they actually reside.

A Dominican passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 130 destinations, including the European Union and Schengen Area for stays up to 90 days, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, Brazil, and most Caribbean nations. The United States and Canada are not on that list and require a visa.

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Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit. Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme
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Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit. How to Get Dominican Citizenship
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Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit. Economic Diversification Fund
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Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit. Dominica Citizenship Cost and Fees
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Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit. Enhanced Due Diligence
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Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU). Dominica Citizenship by Investment List of Required Documents
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Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit. FAQ
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ILO NATLEX Database. Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act
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Government of Dominica. How Do I Apply for Citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica
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Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit. Is Dual Citizenship Allowed in Dominica? Everything You Need to Know