DominicaCitizenship by investment

Real estate investment in Dominica

A citizenship-by-investment programme that grants full citizenship of Dominica through the purchase of real estate approved by the government. The investor becomes a citizen as soon as the application is approved and can pass the status to future generations. The programme permits dual citizenship and does not require residence in the country before or after the documents are issued.

Visa term

The property must be held for at least 3 years

Processing time

As a rule 3–4 months to approval

Residence

Residence in Dominica is not required

Source: Citizenship by Investment Unit of Dominica — Investment Options

Who the programme suits

Real estate investment appeals to a range of investors, from entrepreneurs seeking a second citizenship to families looking to widen their mobility.

Entrepreneurs and investors

Diversification of an asset portfolio into Caribbean markets
Dual citizenship without giving up the current status
Access to global financial and trading networks

Families and pensioners

A spouse, children and elderly parents included in a single process
Guaranteed citizenship for future generations
No obligation to live in the country after approval

Digital nomads

A simplified residence status with no physical presence required
Minimal tax obligations in Dominica
Freedom to work and study anywhere in the world

When the programme will not suit you

You do not have enough money for the investment

The Economic Diversification Fund (EDF), with the same minimum amount but simpler verification mechanics

You need citizenship urgently, within a few weeks

Consider other jurisdictions with faster procedures; Dominica takes 3–4 months

The lawful origin of the money cannot be evidenced

Filing is not advisable; due diligence is strict and refusal is likely

What it costs

Minimum value of the approved propertyThe property must come from the list of projects approved by the government of Dominica	200 000 USD
Government fee for the main applicantThe main fee on a single application	75 000 USD
Government fee for the main applicant plus up to 3 dependantsWhere a spouse or children under 18 are included	100 000 USD
Additional fee for each dependant under 18Beyond the first three dependants covered by the USD 100,000 fee	+25 000 USD
Additional fee for each eligible dependant aged 18 and overFor students aged 18–30, adults with disabilities, or parents and grandparents aged 65 and over	+40 000 USD
Due diligence for the main applicantChecks on background, credit and sources of income	7 500 USD
Due diligence for each dependant aged 16 and overAn additional check for family members over 16	+4 000 USD
Application processing feeThe administrative fee to open the procedure	1 000 USD
Fee for the certificate of naturalisationPayable for each person included in the application	+500 USD
Fee for the mandatory interviewFor every participant aged 16 and over, usually held virtually	+1 000 USD
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Additional fee for each dependant under 18” adds 25 000 USD; “Additional fee for each eligible dependant aged 18 and over” adds 40 000 USD; “Due diligence for each dependant aged 16 and over” adds 4 000 USD; “Fee for the certificate of naturalisation” adds 500 USD; “Fee for the mandatory interview” adds 1 000 USD; the “Government fee for the main applicant plus up to 3 dependants” branch replaces the “Government fee for the main applicant” line — 308 500 USD. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	283,500–354 000 USD

Paid separately

The services of an authorised agent — Not part of the government fees; paid separately to the agent (the amount varies)
Document translation and apostilles — Where documents are in a foreign language, translation and apostilles are paid for separately
Obtaining certificates and register extracts — Fees for extracts from residence or criminal registers in various countries are not part of the programme

Documents to gather

All documents must be prepared in English or with a certified translation and an apostille. Only an authorised agent from the CBIU list may file the application — documents are not accepted directly.

Passport (valid for at least 6 months from the date of filing)
Birth certificate (certified copy with an apostille)
Police certificate (from the country of residence and of citizenship)
Medical certificate (confirming good health)
Documents on the origin of the funds (bank statements, tax returns, documents on the money)
The real estate investment document (a contract or preliminary agreement with the project)
Passport-sized photographs (meeting CBIU requirements)
An employment certificate or source of income (to evidence that the money is lawful)

How the process runs

The application process runs through several stages, from choosing an agent to receiving a Dominican passport. On average the whole process takes 3–4 months.

1
Choosing an authorised agent
1–2 weeks
The applicant chooses one of the agents on the CBIU list. The agent becomes the representative and advises on documents, rights and requirements. A services agreement is signed.
2
Preparing and gathering the documents
2–4 weeks
The agent helps the applicant to gather every required document: passport, police certificate, medical certificate, bank statements, investment contract. All documents are translated into English and apostilled where necessary.
3
Filing the application for due diligence
1 week
The authorised agent submits the complete file to the CBIU. Checks begin on credit history, background, criminal records and tax returns, along with verification of the sources of income. The checks run both internally and through international databases.
4
The mandatory interview
1–2 weeks after due diligence
Every participant aged 16 and over attends an interview (usually virtual) with a CBIU representative. The interview tests the accuracy of the information, the ability to invest and the applicant's understanding of the programme.
5
Approval in principle
1–2 weeks after the interview
The CBIU issues a letter of Approval in Principle where all checks have been passed. The letter confirms that the applicant may complete the investment.
6
Completing the real estate investment
2–8 weeks
The applicant transfers the funds to buy the chosen property. The agent and lawyers oversee the title paperwork. The property must be registered in the applicant's ownership.
7
Receiving citizenship and the passport
2–4 weeks after the investment
The CBIU issues a certificate of naturalisation for each approved person. On the strength of the certificate the Immigration Service issues a Dominican passport. The applicant and the family members become full citizens with the right to work, study and vote.

Timelines and rights

Work

A citizen of Dominica lives, works and studies in the country on equal terms with all other citizens.

Who you can bring with you

The programme allows family members to be included in the application; they receive citizenship of Dominica at the same time as the main applicant. Age limits and financial conditions differ by category.

Spouse

Included in the application. Where the main applicant has a spouse, the government fee is at least USD 100,000 rather than USD 75,000.

Children under 18

Biological or adopted children are included in the application with no further requirements. Each additional child (beyond the first three already covered by the basic fee) costs USD 25,000.

Children aged 18–30 in full-time education

Included in the application if they study at an accredited institution and are fully funded by the main applicant. Each such child costs USD 40,000 (the 18+ dependant category).

Unmarried daughters under 25

Included in the application if they live with the main applicant and depend entirely on their funding. Each costs USD 40,000.

Children with disabilities (any age)

Included in the application if they have a physical or mental impairment and depend entirely on the main applicant. Each costs USD 40,000.

Parents or grandparents aged 65 and over

Included in the application if they are substantially supported financially by the main applicant. Each costs USD 40,000. Exceptions are possible for people with disabilities or dependants.

Renewal and the grace period

Citizenship of Dominica obtained through the investment programme is for life and needs no renewal. The passport is issued for a fixed term (usually 10 years) and can be renewed in the ordinary way, as for any citizen of Dominica. The property must be held for 3 years from the grant of citizenship; after that the owner may sell it without losing citizenship.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Real estate investment	Naturalisation through residence	Citizenship by descent
Visa term	The property must be held for at least 3 years	A Dominican passport is valid for 10 years, and for 5 years for children under 16	A Dominican passport is valid for 10 years, and for 5 years for children under 16
Grounds	The purchase of a property from the list of projects approved by the government	Registration of citizenship of Dominica on the basis of residence in the country	Citizenship of Dominica by birth in the country or by descent from a citizen of Dominica
Residence	Residence in Dominica is not required	The citizenship form is filed after 7 years of residence in Dominica	On this ground the Labour Division asks for documents on birth and parents, not on the length of residence

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The programme has no permanent residence stage: citizenship is granted straight away. There is no requirement to live in Dominica before or after approval.

Route to citizenship

On approval a certificate of naturalisation is issued, followed by a passport. Dominica permits dual citizenship: you need not renounce your existing one.

Frequently asked questions about Real estate investment

Must I live in Dominica to obtain or keep citizenship?

No. Residence in Dominica is required neither before citizenship is granted nor afterwards. You may apply from any country, and the citizenship remains valid wherever you live.

If I obtain citizenship of Dominica, must I renounce my current citizenship?

No. Dominica permits dual citizenship. You may keep your current citizenship or citizenships and hold citizenship of Dominica at the same time.

How long does citizenship through a real estate investment usually take?

From filing to approval in principle usually takes 3 to 4 months. Approval is followed by completion of the investment (a further 2–8 weeks) and the issue of the passport (2–4 weeks). The whole process can run to six months.

Can I pass the citizenship I obtain to my children and grandchildren?

Yes. The certificate of naturalisation can be passed to future generations as part of your estate. Children and grandchildren born once you are a citizen of Dominica also receive citizenship automatically.

Can I file the citizenship application myself, or do I need an agent?

You must work through an authorised agent on the CBIU list. Direct applications without an agent are not accepted. The agent helps to gather the documents, file the application and represent you before the authorities.

What is the minimum value of a property under the programme?

The minimum value of an approved property is USD 200,000. The property must be part of the list of projects approved by the government of Dominica, such as resort complexes or hotels.

Other ways to move to Dominica

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Dominica.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.