Dominica launched its citizenship by investment programme in 1993 to attract foreign direct investment. The programme is regulated by the Constitution and the Citizenship Act and lays down the requirements of granting citizenship to persons who qualify following an investment in the country.

The Dominica Citizenship Programme offers a number of benefits. The processing time for the Dominican citizenship is that of 4 to 6 months, following which, applicants would be granted in-principle approval and subsequently be issued with a certificate of naturalisation. Applicants are given the right to live, work and study in Dominica, although the law does not impose any minimal physical stay requirements. 

The process for attaining Dominican citizenship by investment is also an expedient one and applicants can retain their primary citizenship as the government allows dual citizenship. Another benefit also includes 137 visa-free travel destinations which include the EU’s Schengen Area and Hong Kong. 

In order to be eligible to obtain a Dominican citizenship the applicant must be at least 18 years of age and undergo a ‘Fit and Proper’ test, which means that one must demonstrate a clean criminal record. 

Eligible dependants for the Dominica Citizenship Programme may include the spouse of the main applicant; children up to the age of 30 and parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse over the age of 65.

Applicants and their qualifying family members over the age of 16 are required to undertake compulsory online interviews and take an Oath of Allegiance. 

Applicants from Russia, Belarus, North Iraq, Kurdistan, Yemen & Sudan are not eligible to submit an application. 

There are two investment options that an applicant may choose to apply for the Dominica Citizenship Programme; a contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or an investment in real estate.

Investing in the EDF is considered to be the fastest route to obtain citizenship under this programme. The aim of this EDF fund is to develop and strengthen the country through the diversification of its economy. The contribution varies according to the number of applicants added onto the application. A single applicant is required to make a non-refundable contribution of US$100,000. The main applicant and a spouse are required to make a non-refundable investment of US$150,000. An additional US$ 25,000 is needed for any other dependent in the family.

The main applicant may also choose to invest in real estate, whereby the minimum investment must be that of US$ 200,000 and held for at least 3 years.