Dominica Citizenship by Investment

What Is Dominica Citizenship by Investment?

Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Programme, launched in 1993, is administered by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) under section 8 of the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act and the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2024, as amended in 2025.

Eligible main applicants and their dependants obtain Dominica citizenship — and a passport — by making a non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or purchasing an approved real estate unit, through a CBIU-authorised agent. Applications cannot be submitted directly to the CBIU.

Two Ways to Qualify

Figures are the CBIU's published minimum contributions or purchase prices. They do not include processing, due diligence, interview or certificate fees, or — for the real estate route — the additional government fees payable on approval.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify as a main applicant, you generally need to:

• Be at least 18 years old, have a clean criminal record, and agree to make the required minimum contribution or investment.
• Certify that you will not change your name (other than by marriage) within five years of receiving your certificate of naturalisation.
• Pass the CBIU's due diligence review; applicants with a criminal record other than for a minor offence, an undisclosed criminal investigation, a citizenship denial in another country, an EU or UK visa refusal, a refusal of a visa to a country with which Dominica has visa-free travel without having since obtained one, or involvement in activity likely to bring Dominica into disrepute do not qualify.
• Nationals of Belarus, Russia and Northern Iraq are banned from applying. Applications from Yemeni nationals are suspended under a CBIU circular dated 15 January 2024. Nationals of Iran, North Korea and Sudan will be refused unless they have not lived in that country for at least ten years, hold no substantial assets there, and have not done business there or with it; enhanced due diligence may still apply.

Who Can Be Included as a Dependant?

A main applicant may include the following family members in the same application:

• Their spouse.
• A child (biological or legally adopted) under 18 years of age.
• A child aged 18 to 30 who is in full-time attendance at a recognised institution of higher learning and fully supported by the main applicant or their spouse.
• An unmarried daughter under 25 who lives with and is fully supported by the main applicant or their spouse.
• A child aged 18 or older who is physically or mentally challenged and fully supported by the main applicant or their spouse.
• A parent or grandparent of the main applicant or their spouse, above the age of 65, who is substantially supported by them.

Processing, Due Diligence and Other Fees

Beyond the investment itself, every applicant pays processing and due diligence fees:

• Processing fee: USD 1,000 per application.
• Due diligence fees: USD 7,500 for the main applicant, USD 4,000 for each dependant aged 16 or over; enhanced due diligence fees may apply in some cases.
• Certificate of naturalisation fee: USD 500 per person. Mandatory interview fee: USD 1,000 for each applicant aged 16 or over, usually conducted virtually.
• The real estate route also carries government fees on approval — USD 75,000 for the main applicant, USD 100,000 for a family of up to four — plus USD 25,000 or USD 40,000 per additional dependant.

Application Process

1. Choose an Authorised Agent or promoter from the CBIU's published list — applications cannot be submitted directly to the CBIU.
2. Pay the due diligence fees; your agent submits the application for a multi-tiered due diligence review, and applicants aged 16 or over attend a mandatory interview.
3. Receive your letter of approval in principle — the CBIU's own guidance says this typically takes three to four months from submission.
4. Make your investment (the EDF contribution or the real estate purchase) and pay any remaining fees in full.
5. Receive your certificate of naturalisation and apply for your Dominica passport.

Processing times are the CBIU's own estimates and are not guaranteed. The how-to-apply guide says approval in principle typically takes three to four months from submission; a separate CBIU guide to the overall application timeline puts the full process at approximately three to six months, and a CBIU FAQ page more cautiously says applicants should generally expect to wait at least three months.

Why Choose Dominica?

Official source: Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU), Dominica

This page follows the CBIU's published investment options, how-to-apply guide and FAQs (cbiu.gov.dm). Amounts, fees and requirements are set by the Dominica authorities and can change; always confirm current terms with an authorised agent before applying.