Dominica: all programs

Dominica at a glance

Dominica is a mountainous volcanic island in the eastern Caribbean between Guadeloupe and Martinique, with about 72,000 residents. The capital is Roseau, the official language is English and local Creole is spoken day to day. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, pegged to the US dollar at 2.70.

Dominica is called the nature island: two thirds of it is rainforest, with hundreds of rivers, waterfalls, hot springs and the Boiling Lake, and sperm whales live off the coast all year. The economy rests on agriculture, eco-tourism and the citizenship by investment programme, which provides a large share of budget revenue. Since Hurricane Maria in 2017 the country has been rebuilding homes and networks to withstand strong hurricanes.

Who it suits

• investors who need a second passport with visa-free entry to 144 countries, without relocating or exams;
• families who want citizenship for spouses, children and parents at once;
• nature lovers ready to live far from big cities;
• buyers of units and villas in approved resort projects.

Few people choose Dominica for permanent living: the island is small, flights involve connections, and schools and healthcare are limited.

Rules for specific nationalities

Citizens of most countries, including the European Union, the UK, the US, Canada and Russia, need no visa for a short trip. However, the citizenship by investment programme does not accept citizens of Russia and Belarus, nor Yemen and Northern Iraq: this is a direct ban in the list of the government citizenship by investment unit, and a second citizenship does not lift it. For citizens of the excluded countries we suggest programmes without such a ban, for example Vanuatu. Citizens of Iran, North Korea and Sudan can apply only if they have not lived in their country for the past 10 years and do no business there.

Citizenship by investment

A single applicant using the fund pays about $210,000 including fees. Processing takes from 3 months, the interview is held online and there is no need to visit the island. The contribution is paid only after approval in principle. More on the Dominica citizenship page.

The costs are itemised on the page how much Dominica citizenship costs, and the 144 destinations open without a visa arranged in advance are listed on where a Dominica passport lets you travel visa-free.

Living on the island: the remote work visa, the first 30 days and a budget

You can live in Dominica without citizenship. Remote workers have a visa for up to 18 months: it requires an income of at least $50,000 a year or other means to support yourself and your family. The application is filed online for a $100 fee, the visa itself costs $800 for one person or $1,200 for a family, a reply comes within a week and you get three months to relocate.

In the first month you rent a home, buy a local SIM card, get a temporary driving permit and find out from the bank which documents an account requires. A single person's budget for three months starts at $5,100: living costs with rent of about $1,300 a month, a rental deposit and the visa costs. A couple allows one and a half times as much. Groceries are imported and cost more than the rent level suggests.

Taxes

The passport does not by itself create tax obligations: living in the country makes you a tax resident. Residents pay income tax on a scale: income up to about $12,000 a year is untaxed, then 15%, 25% and 35% on income above about $30,000. Corporate tax is 25%, VAT is 15%, and 10% for hotels. There are no capital gains, inheritance or wealth taxes.

Cost of living

Rent is cheap by local standards, while groceries and household goods are mostly imported and cost more than the rent level suggests. Villas and units in resort projects cost as much as on neighbouring islands.

Banks and money

The currency is pegged to the US dollar; cash and card payments are in Eastern Caribbean dollars, and US dollars are also taken in tourist spots. Local and regional banks operate in Roseau, but opening an account is not easy for a foreigner: the bank asks for a passport, proof of address, a reference letter from your bank, source of funds documents and an explanation of why you need the account. Banks report non-residents' accounts to the tax authority of their country.

Citizens by investment find it easier if they attach the programme documents. We prepare the file for the bank and support the opening of a personal and a business account.

Property for foreigners

A foreigner needs an alien landholding licence to buy land or a house, obtained before the deal is registered. The exception is property in approved citizenship projects: a purchase from $200,000 is held for at least 3 years, or 5 years if sold to another programme applicant. We find the property and check that it qualifies for the programme.

Getting there and island life

There are no direct flights from Europe: people fly via Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe or Martinique. The climate is tropical at 26-32°C with heavy rain in the mountains, and hurricane season runs from June to November. The main hospital is in Roseau, and complex cases go to Martinique, Guadeloupe or Barbados. Banks check the source of funds, and we help with a personal and business account and company registration.