Dominica Citizenship by investment

The Citizenship Investment Program in Dominica is offered by the Commonwealth of the Nation, which is an island country in the Caribbean Sea. Dominica is known as the ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean’ owing to its unspoiled natural beauty. It is covered in rainforest & mountainous peaks and has three hundred rivers, countless waterfalls, and 148 km or (91 miles) of coastline. Dominica also holds the world’s second-largest thermally active lake. After a long history of French & British rule, the island gained independence from Great Britain in 1978.

Dominica is a parliamentary democracy with a President as the Head of State. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations (UN), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Organisation of American States (OAS), & the International Organisation of La Francophonie.

With its easy and safe lifestyle as well as a friendly community, the island of Dominica has been named as one of the world’s happiest places to live. In addition, this tropical paradise has a vibrant culture, with European and African traditions.

Dominica Citizenship Investment Program

The Dominica Citizenship Investment program has been operating since the year 1993. It is a highly reputable program and one of the oldest in the Caribbean. The program offers investors and their family’s full citizenship in exchange for an economic contribution to the country. Successful applicants will be able to travel visa-free to around 120 countries including the European Union, the UK, Brazil, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

What does make Dominica unique?  

Dominica has a unique and unspoiled land, free of pollution, overdevelopment and full of natural beauty. Many of the islands in the vast Eastern Caribbean archipelago display a sense of modernized atmosphere. They are driven by new ways and are somewhat spoiled by the need for convenience. However, one island stands alone and is spectacular in its natural and unhampered form. The lush & fertile island of Dominica is exactly this: a true paradise for all to enjoy. But what makes this island so different than all the others in the Caribbean? It’s the location, safety, and cost of living. Dominica is located between the Caribbean Sea & the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. The island is full of plants, trees, and animals making it nature’s lap.

The island can be reached from the United States and Europe through short stopovers in Antigua, Barbados, St Maarten, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and Martinique. 

The benefits of possessing Dominican citizenship for South Africans

• They receive full citizenship status
• There is no requirement to visit Dominica before, during, or after application
• There is no interview requirement
• There is no English language requirement
• The processing fees are low
• Fast processing time
• All nationalities are eligible for it
• Dual citizenship is allowed in the island-country
• Social and political security
• Visa-free travel about 120 countries (including the UK, the EU, as well as Brazil)
• No foreign income, capital gains, gift, & inheritance tax
• Life in a small and peaceful country is wholesome

Dominica Vs South Africa

HEALTH

• LIVE 13.4 YEARS LONGER
  In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 64 while in Dominica, that number is 77 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women).

ECONOMY

• BE 16.7% LESS LIKELY TO BE UNEMPLOYED
  In South Africa, 27.6% of adults are unemployed while in Dominica, that number is 23.0%.

LIFE

• BE 65.8% LESS LIKELY TO DIE DURING INFANCY
  In South Africa, nearly 31.0 children die before they reach one and in Dominica, 10.6 children do.

BASIC NEEDS

• BE 24.1% MORE LIKELY TO HAVE INTERNET ACCESS
  In South Africa, 54.0% of the population has internet access while in Dominica, about 67.0% do.

EXPENDITURES

• SPEND 42.4% LESS ON EDUCATION
  South Africa spends 5.9% of its total GDP on education while 3.4% of total GDP on education is spent in Dominica.
• SPEND 37.5% LESS ON HEALTHCARE
  South Africa spends 8.8% of its total GDP on healthcare while in Dominica, that number is 5.5% of GDP.

The Prerequisites for a Dominican Citizenship application

Applicants for the Dominica Citizenship Investment Program must fulfill the following conditions:

1. Be at least 18 years of age
2. Be of good character
3. Have no criminal record
4. Pass a detailed background check
5. Be able to provide proof of the source of funds
6. Be healthy
7. Investors may apply with their spouse and dependent children, and, in some cases, dependent elderly parents or grandparents.

The required steps for a successful application process

Choose from the investment options 

The provisions for Citizenship by Investment are contained in regulations published compliant with the relevant sections of the Constitution of Dominica and the Citizenship Act. To apply for Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program, individuals are required to invest in a Government approved Real Estate project or contribute to the Government’s Economic Diversification Fund. The Single Applicants can choose the Donation Option and Family Applicants can go for Real Estate Investment Option into Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa.

Pay professional or legal fees if you choose the donation option

Applicants who apply through Donation Option should pay professional, legal and agent fees of US$5,000. The applicants who choose the option of Real Estate Investment in Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort & Spa, the professional, legal and agent’s fees are covered by the Developer.

Pay 5% deposit if you are choosing the real estate option

Investors in the Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort & Spa will enter in Preferred Share Purchase as well as Sale Agreement. And transfer 5% that is US$10,000 of the total investment amount US$200,000 in 7 working days as a deposit for a Preferred Share.

Gather your documents 

Each document has specific Dominica citizenship application requirements. If some of the documents are difficult or impossible to obtain then there are other options available. But how quickly these documents are obtained will affect the overall time of your Dominica passport by investment application.

Pay due diligence and processing fees

An applicant must transfer processing & due diligence fees to the Government. Government processing fee might be required to be wired to our account as Government recently introduced an online payment system that enables registered agents to pay processing fees on behalf of applicants

The fees is as follows :

Processing Fees

Per application – USD 1,000

Due Diligence Fees*

Main applicant – USD 7,500

Spouse – USD 4,000

For dependant 16 years or above – USD 4,000

*Enhanced due diligence checks & fees might sometimes be required, depending on applicant’s current citizenship status, and other personal circumstances.

Application review and submission 

As the documents are collected for the Dominica passport by investment application, and email scanned copies. The review and feedback process on the scans received starts. Once all the documents are in order, the originals are requested and upon receipt, they are immediately submitted with your application to Government for processing.

Government review

As formal acknowledgment, a Review Letter is issued by the CBIU; a copy of which you will receive. The letter makes necessary comments regarding the application. Any matter that needs clarification will also be noted. Avoiding requests for clarification is possible, simply by aiming for a perfect application which we help to achieve. Together, the matters raised are clarified. Where this can be dealt with internally, then we will deal with it ourselves. In the event that any additional document requested, our support is available for you. All matters that have been rectified based on the Review Letter will be submitted so that the file can be updated.

Background check

A due diligence agency is instructed to begin the background check. The citizenship by investment program works with specific agencies, all of which are selected by the Dominican Government. This is kept confidential from your country of current citizenship. This phase might take 2 to 6 weeks.

Due diligence report

The report findings are kept confidential from the applicant as well as from the agent. Officials are responsible for reviewing reports make their recommendations to the government based on the findings. They’ve received from due diligence agencies. In many cases where the applicant provides truthful facts & the due diligence does not find any discrepancies, a positive recommendation to grant citizenship will be made.

Real estate option – payment of investment & government fees

After the approval of the application, the Government provides the applicant with a letter to confirm this. Upon receiving the letter an investor must wire the money to the Developer’s escrow account & corresponding Government fees directly to the Government’s account. Typically, it’s expected to be done within 1 month of approval.

Donation option payment

After the application is approved by the Government, the applicant is notified with a letter to confirm this. Upon receiving the letter investors should wire donation amounts and fees for Certificate(s) of Naturalization directly to the Government’s account. Typically, this is to be done within a month of approval.

Naturalization Process

After your investment or donation transfer is cleared, the next step is signing the Oath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth of Dominica. Then you will be provided with the draft(s) of Certificates of Naturalization for you to confirm that everything is in order. Once confirmation from you is received, your Certificate(s) of Naturalization is issued.

Certificates of Naturalization are issued to the Dominica Citizenship Act. They are issued to every person in the application. Scans of each Certificate of Naturalization are forwarded to the applicant by email.

Receiving Dominica Passport(S)

You will need to provide all the below-listed documents in advance, to avoid delays with your passport application. For each passport application submitted the following documents to the Government Immigration Department:

• Two certified passport photos
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Passport application form
• Payment receipt for passport application
• We will help you to avoid all possible hiccups and receive passports in the quickest time possible.
• The passport generally issued within 2 weeks on the immigration department receiving above mentioned documents. However, there is an option to receive it the next working day for an additional US$1,100. If you are really in a rush this might be a great option for you!

Delivering your Documents

On receipt of your Dominica passport, the scans will be sent to you to confirm the absence of misspelling or other mistakes. We will ship your passport(s) & Certificate(s) of Naturalization to the address you specify using FedEx or DHL. In case the application was processed through real estate option then the Preferred Share Certificate is enclosed. Upon shipment, the tracking is mentioned. 

1) What’s the official language of Dominica?

The official language of Dominica is English.

2) Does Dominica allow me to keep my original citizenship?

Yes, Dominica allows keeping one’s original citizenship as there is a provision for dual citizenship.

3) Will my citizenship expire?

No, the citizenship acquired under the Citizenship Investment Program in Dominica does not expire.

4) Do I have to pay tax in Dominica?

The country does not impose taxes on income generated outside Dominica, and there is no requirement to report income earned overseas. However, personal income and corporate taxes are payable but Dominica has no capital gains or inheritance tax.

5) What currency do they use in Dominica?

The currency used in Dominica is Eastern Caribbean dollar.

6) What is the restricted country list?

Nationals of the following countries and territories are treated on a “case-by-case basis” in Dominica:

• Afghanistan
• Chechnya
• Iraq
• Pakistan
• Sao Tome Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen

While nationals of the following countries

• Iran
• North Korea
• Sudan; will only be considered if such persons

have not lived in these countries for the last 10 years,

have no substantial assets there, and

are not performing and have not performed any business or similar activity, in whole or in part, in or with these countries.

 7. How long will my citizenship be valid?

The citizenship is valid for a lifetime.

8. Can I Visit Schengen countries with a Dominican Passport?

Yes, you can visit Schengen countries with a Dominican Passport. 

9. Can my family be included in my application?

Yes, the main applicant’s family can be included in the application.

The spouse of the main applicant for Dominica citizenship

Children under 31 years old

Parents or grandparents of the main applicant or his or her spouse above the age of 55 years. 

10. Is the main applicant required to stay in Dominica for a minimum period once the passport has been issued?

As such there is no residency requirement to obtain Dominica citizenship through investment, and applicants are not even required to visit the country a single time

11. Is taking Oath required?

Yes, taking the Oath of Allegiance is required.

 12. Which Personal Documents are required?

• The personal documents that are required are as follows-
• Certified copy of current passports
• Certified copy of Birth Certificate (all applicants)
• Police certificate from country of birth and country of residence
• One professional reference
• Two personal references
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Bank reference letter
• Letter of employment (if applicable)
• Audited financial statements for business (if applicable)
• College or University Diploma (notarized)
• Affidavit or declaration of source of funds
• Recent tax return
• Resume
• Detailed business background report
• Eight passport size photos for each applicant