The Caribbean passport attracts foreigners who prefer the freedom of travelling and favorable taxation for minimal investment. This citizenship helps the investor to be welcomed almost worldwide: visa-free or simplified entry to 140 countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK and the Schengen area; the ability to issue long-term visas in the US and Canada (up to 10 years); the ability to transfer your business offshore with minimal taxation. Visiting the islands is not required, and membership in the British Commonwealth and CARICOM promises Caribbean citizens the freedom to travelling in Latin America and territories ruled by the Queen of the United Kingdom.
The official website of the program
The program exists for more than 20 years, since 1993. Early on, the conditions were not so attractive. For instance, the investor had to live on the island for at least 5 years and the list of relatives was much shorter.
Today the Commonwealth of Dominica is one of the cheapest and fastest programs in the world: the entry threshold is $100,000 and the registration period can take only 2-3 months, while the newly-made citizen has the right to return the investment in 3 years.
The citizenship via investment program offers two options to choose from, which are donations to the The Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) or a returnable investment in real estate in Dominica. In the first case, the entry threshold is at $100,000 (if there is only one applicant), in the second case it is $200,000. Investments in real estate can be returned in 3 years. Under similar Caribbean programs, the term of return of capital starts from five years).
Both children and the wife/husband of the main applicant, as well as parents and young childless siblings on both sides, apply for a passport. Each additional applicant significantly increases the cost of the procedure. But for large families, the program is profitable, because, for example, when investing in real estate (can be a hotel or a private villa), families of 7 or more people pay a fixed state fee, and not an additional fee for each relative, as other Caribbean programs offer.
The Dominica passport gives you the right to transfer your tax residence to an offshore zone and not pay taxes on wealth, dividends, world income, gifts, inheritance. You can live and work in this tax regime not only in Dominica, but also in one of the CARICOM member states.
Citizenship is valid for life and can be inherited. The registration procedure can only be completed through government authorized agents of Dominica.
Non-refundable fee
A donation to the The Economic Diversification Fund (EDF).
This investment is non-refundable.
State fees are paid for including family members:
Real estate investments
Invest to the approved list of projects.
The investment is refundable: it can be resold 3 years after receiving the passport, or 5 years later, if the buyer also participates in the economic citizenship program.
State fees are paid for including family members:
The government of Dominica offers an expanded immigration program. The investor has the right to include in the application not only the spouse and children, but also parents and siblings.
A spouse
With official marriage certificate.
Children
Financially dependant, under 30 years of age. No restrictions for children with meical disabilities.
Parents
Financially dependant, over 55 years of age.
Siblings
Under 25 years of age, unmarried, without children. Can be siblings of the investor or their spouse.
There are no requirements for knowledge of the language, history or culture of the country. The most important thing is to successfully pass a security check and confirm the legal origin of the capital.
Requirements for the main applicant
The application can declined, if you:
– violated the visa regime of the EU, the US, the UK and Canada;
– are under investigation or has committed criminal offences;
– cannot confirm the legal source of funds;
– pose a threat to the reputation and national security of Dominica.
Requirements for other applicants
All documents must be translated into English by a licensed professional, notarized and have an apostille stamp.
Personal documents
Financial documents
Verification of trustworthiness
- The main applicant – $7,500
- Their spouse – $4,000
- Dependants 16+ years – $4,000
Administrative fee
- Application processing – $1,000
- Issuance of a certificate of naturalization – $250 per person
- Fee for accelerated passport issuance procedure - $1,200 per person
Lawyer's fee
The fee of an accredited agent for supporting the procedure of obtaining citizenship is $15,000-50,000, depending on the family composition and the prices of a particular company.
Foreigners with investment citizenship have the same rights as any other resident of Dominica.