Dominica Citizenship by Investment

Dominica is nicknamed the "Nature Island of the Caribbean" and has an extensive national park system, including the Morne Trois Pitons rainforest, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is home to several rare plants, animals, and bird species, the most famous being the Sisserou Parrot (also known as the Imperial Amazon), which is found only in Dominica, serves as the national emblem, and appears on the flag. The mountainous, volcanically active island appeals to trekkers exploring its hiking trails and hot spots, including the Boiling Lake, the world's second-largest hot spring and also a World Heritage site.

The country has limited international flights, which many consider a benefit because it keeps the island pristine. Travelers often transit through Barbados, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, or Martinique.

The primary applicant must be over 21, of good character, without a criminal record, and must make an investment or contribution in one of the qualifying options. Nationals of Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Russia, and Belarus are restricted. Nationals of the restricted countries other than Russia and Belarus may still be eligible if they have not lived in any restricted country for the last 10 years, hold no substantial assets in any restricted country, and are not and have not been engaged in any business or similar activity, in whole or in part, with or within any restricted country.

Eligible dependents include the spouse of the main applicant; children of the main applicant or spouse under 18; children aged 18 to 30 who are studying and substantially supported by the applicant or spouse; dependent children over 18 who are physically or mentally challenged; unmarried daughters under 25 living with and fully supported by the applicant or spouse; and dependent parents or grandparents of the applicant or spouse over 65 who are substantially supported by the applicant or spouse.

Yes, starting from June 2026 Dominica will require new citizens to travel one time to the island before they receive their passports.

Dominica has an emerging eco-tourism sector that has drawn international acclaim, with its real estate options noted by publications such as Travel + Leisure, the Caribbean Travel Awards, and Conde Nast Traveller. The citizenship program has helped fund globally recognised brands such as Hilton and Kempinski, along with boutique resorts like the 6-star Secret Bay. Investing in The Residences at Secret Bay is a qualifying investment under the program, with a single share of the resort set at USD 216,000, and detached villas also available for investors seeking full ownership.

Many Caribbean CIP real estate developments are seen as overpriced and are sometimes never completed, but Secret Bay is presented as an exception. It is an existing, operating resort with proven financial performance, positive returns, and solid resale value backed by demand from lifestyle buyers; economic citizens can resell to other Dominica CIP buyers only after five years from the grant of citizenship, while resale outside the citizenship market is allowed after three years. The island's remoteness and the friendliness of its inhabitants make it a logical setting for a sustainable resort, and Secret Bay offers the chance to own a residential-style villa managed and marketed by one of the world's most acclaimed luxury boutique resorts. It is also positioned as cost-friendly, since Dominica's government fees are competitive relative to the average total outlay.

The most obvious benefit is Dominica citizenship and a passport. The investment in The Residences at Secret Bay also entitles the investor to dividends paid quarterly in US dollars, with no yearly maintenance, service, or hidden fees, and quarterly returns based on the performance of the hotel and its facilities. Investors are also entitled to 7 complimentary nights per year at the resort, which can instead be deposited in an independent exchange program for stays at other luxury resorts in more than 80 countries.

The total varies with family composition and includes the investment along with due diligence, application, government, bank, and legal fees. As a tentative overview, a single applicant can expect a total outlay of around USD 337,000, while a family of four would be around USD 380,000, with a detailed breakdown provided based on each family's composition.

Yes. The investor must hold the investment for at least 5 years before selling it to another CIP investor, but it can be sold to a non-Dominica CIP buyer after 3 years.

If the client decides to proceed with a real estate investment, they are required to make an initial deposit once HLG has identified that the client is likely to be eligible for the program.

It typically takes 1 to 2 months to prepare and submit the application, and applications are usually processed in 3 to 4 months from submission. Some applications take longer, up to 8 months, due to the complexity of the application or delays in providing further documents. Once an application is approved, the citizenship certificate and passport are generally issued within a month of payment of the government donation and any other fees and costs due.

The investment is paid in two stages. An initial deposit is paid on submission of the citizenship application, and the balance becomes payable once the application is approved.

Yes. Applicants must show that they have enough funds to make the investment, and the documents required vary depending on the source of the funds.

Yes. Gifted money from a friend or family member can be used. In most cases, additional documents are required from the sponsor regarding their source of funds, and the documents required vary depending on the source.

A tailored, detailed checklist is provided to each client based on their situation, but a general overview of the key personal documentation includes all pages of the current passport, an ID card, birth and marriage certificates, passport-style photos, police clearances, a diploma of highest education, proof of address, a medical report, and affidavits of support for accompanying dependents. Key professional documentation includes reference letters from a bank and a professional, bank statements, and source of funds documents.

No. Citizenship applications are complex and must be handled by designated professionals authorized to submit them. Harvey Law Group is licensed and registered by the Government of Dominica to advise and represent investors, and applicants can ask any firm for its license, since that information should be publicly accessible.