The cost of Dominica citizenship by investment: detailed fee table for the EDF and real estate options

The cost of Dominica citizenship by investment includes many fees in addition to the main investment, including CBIU due diligence fees, the citizenship processing fee, passport fees, legal service fees and some other ancillary fees. The actual total cost for a single applicant starts at $209,450 USD (EDF option) or $214,700 USD (real estate option). For a family of 4, the total cost ranges from $290,000 USD to $320,000 USD depending on the option.

Understanding the cost structure of Dominica citizenship by investment helps investors plan their finances accurately and avoid being caught off guard by additional fees. See the articleDominicafor an overall view of the country. This article analyses in detail each fee applicable to both investment options of the CBI programme.

The cost structure of Dominica citizenship by investment

The cost of Dominica citizenship by investment falls into 4 main groups: the investment itself (EDF contribution or property purchase), government fees (CBIU and related agencies), professional service fees (authorised agents, lawyers) and ancillary costs (medical, translation, notarisation).

The investment is the largest item, accounting for 80% to 90% of the total cost. For the EDF option, this is a minimum contribution of $200,000 USD for a single applicant or $250,000 USD for a family of 4. For thereal estate option, it is a minimum property value of $200,000 USD per application, applied uniformly to individuals and families.

Government fees account for 5% to 8% of the total cost. Professional service fees (authorised agents) account for 3% to 5%. Ancillary costs make up about 1%. These proportions can vary depending on family size and the specific investment level.

Government and CBIU fees

Government fees are an important component of the cost of Dominica citizenship by investment. The CBIU due diligence fee applies to each family member according to age: $7,500 USD for the main applicant, $4,000 USD for a spouse, $4,000 USD for each dependant over 16 and $0 for children under 16. These fees are non-refundable, even if the application is refused.

The citizenship processing fee (Government Fee) is a one-off fee for granting citizenship, regardless of the number of applicants. The fee is $1,000 USD for the main applicant. It is a pure government charge, separate from due diligence costs.

The passport fee covers the issue of a biometric passport for each approved family member. The fee is $1,200 USD per passport, covering printing, the electronic chip and processing. The Certificate of Naturalisation fee is $250 USD per person. Total government fees are $9,950 USD for a single applicant and about $14,700 USD for a family of 4 (a couple and 2 children under 16).

Costs of the EDF option

Detailed article onDominica EDF.

For the EDF option, the cost of Dominica citizenship by investment has a relatively simple structure. The minimum EDF contribution is $200,000 USD for a single applicant and $250,000 USD for a family of 4 (a couple and 2 children). Each additional dependant costs $25,000 USD if under 18 and $50,000 USD if 18 or over.

Total cost for a single applicant choosing the EDF: EDF contribution $200,000 + CBIU due diligence fee $7,500 + processing fee $1,000 + passport fee $1,200 + naturalisation fee $250 + medical fee about $100 + agent service fee about $30,000 USD = $239,450 USD to $250,000 USD.

Total cost for a family of 4 choosing the EDF: EDF contribution $250,000 + CBIU due diligence fees $7,500 + 4,000 + 0 + 0 = $11,500 + processing fee $1,000 + passport fees 4 × $1,200 = $4,800 + naturalisation fees 4 × $250 = $1,000 + medical fees about $300 + agent service fee about $40,000 USD = $308,600 USD to $320,000 USD.

Costs of the real estate option

For the real estate option, the cost of Dominica citizenship by investment has a more complex structure because of transaction and property management fees. The minimum investment is $200,000 USD for both single applicants and families. However, property-related ancillary fees push the total cost significantly higher.

Total cost for a single applicant choosing real estate: property $200,000 + stamp duty 5% × $200,000 = $10,000 + registration fee 0.5% = $1,000 + CBIU real estate due diligence fee $35,000 + CBIU due diligence fee $7,500 + processing fee $1,000 + passport fee $1,200 + naturalisation fee $250 + medical fee $100 + legal fees 1.5% = $3,000 + agent service fee $30,000 USD = $289,050 USD.

Detailed article onDominica’s tax regime.

The total cost for a family of 4 choosing real estate is similar, with an extra $11,500 USD in CBIU due diligence fees and an extra $3,600 USD in passport fees. The total is about $310,000 USD to $325,000 USD. After 3 years, investors can resell the property to recover part of their capital (usually about 70-90% of the original value depending on the market), bringing the actual total cost down to a level comparable with the EDF.

Authorised agent service fees

Authorised agent service fees are an important part of the cost of Dominica citizenship by investment, but they are usually paid separately and are not government fees. The Authorised Agent is the only channel for submitting CBI applications to the CBIU, ensuring application quality and legal compliance.

Agent service fees range from $20,000 USD to $50,000 USD per family depending on the complexity of the application and the level of service. A basic fee of about $20,000 USD to $25,000 USD covers legal advice, application preparation, translation, notarisation of documents and liaison with the CBIU. A premium fee of $40,000 USD to $50,000 USD also covers pre-assessment, special support for complex applications and after-sales service once citizenship has been granted.

Choosing a reputable agent experienced with the CBIU is the key to success. Agents with high approval rates usually charge more but reduce the risk of refusal. Some agents use a “no win no fee” model, with a lower initial fee that rises significantly if the application is approved. See the articleDominica citizenship by investmentto learn more about the process.

Ancillary and additional costs

The cost of Dominica citizenship by investment includes several ancillary items to note. The Medical Declaration Form (Form 2) fee is $100 USD per person over 12, covering a medical examination and certification by a doctor in the country of residence. Biometric (fingerprint) checks cost $50 USD to $100 USD per person depending on where they are done.

Translation and notarisation fees depend on the number of pages and the language. Documents in English do not need translation but must be notarised. Documents in other languages must be translated into English, with both the original and the translation notarised. Total translation and notarisation fees for a standard application are about $500 USD to $2,000 USD per family depending on the country.

Police clearance certificates from the country of residence cost from $20 USD (United States, UK) to $200 USD (some countries). Apostille or document authentication for international use costs about $20 USD to $100 USD per document. Total ancillary fees for a typical family are about $1,500 USD to $4,000 USD.

Comparing the cost of Dominica citizenship by investment with other programmes

The cost of Dominica citizenship by investment remains competitive among the 5 Caribbean countries with CBI programmes. Antigua and Barbuda requires a minimum contribution of $230,000 USD for a family of 4 (NDF), with fees and ancillary costs similar to Dominica. Saint Kitts and Nevis requires $250,000 USD for a family of 4 (SISC) or $400,000 USD in real estate. Saint Lucia requires $240,000 USD for a family of 4 (NEF). Grenada requires $235,000 USD for a family of 4 (NTF) or $270,000 USD in real estate.

Compared with programmes outside the Caribbean, the cost of Dominica citizenship by investment is significantly lower. Malta requires €1,450,000 EUR (about $1,580,000 USD) for the MEIN route. Cyprus closed its CBI programme in 2020 but previously required at least €2,000,000 EUR. Turkey requires $400,000 USD in real estate or $500,000 USD in bank deposits. Vanuatu requires $130,000 USD but offers far more limited freedom of travel.

Dominica’s cost-benefit ratio remains favourable, with a passport offering visa-free access to the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. However, US and EU pressure in 2026 may reduce this value relatively, prompting investors to consider alternative programmes such as Grenada (which has an E-2 treaty with the United States) or Malta (EU citizenship).

Special tax refunds and exemptions

Dominica’s CBI programme has some special tax incentives that reduce the cost of citizenship by investment. Stamp duty and property registration fees for CBI purchases are sometimes waived or reduced depending on the specific project rules. Some approved real estate projects have special agreements with the government exempting CBI buyers from stamp duty.

Property buyers through CBI are usually exempt from the Alien Land Holding Licence fee, normally 10% of the property value. This saves $20,000 USD on each $200,000 USD transaction, a significant incentive that reduces the actual cost of the real estate option.

For the EDF option, the contribution is treated as a non-commercial payment that is not taxable in Dominica. The contribution may also be tax-deductible in some countries as a charitable donation (although this depends on each country’s tax law and requires advice from a tax specialist). Medical fees and some other ancillary costs may be tax-deductible with clear invoices.

Overall financial planning

Careful financial planning is key to managing the cost of Dominica citizenship by investment effectively. The basic principle is to prepare funds of at least 110% of the initial estimate to cover unforeseen additional fees. A contingency of 10-15% is usually recommended.

Funds must be clearly documented and legitimate. The CBIU requires proof of the source of wealth over the past 5 years, so large financial transactions need complete records. Funds from business require financial statements and invoices, funds from inheritance require an inheritance certificate, and funds from asset sales require contracts and bank statements.

The optimal transaction structure is usually: transfer money through official banking channels from the applicant’s main account, without third-party intermediaries; split payments into clearly labelled smaller amounts (EDF contribution, due diligence fees, service fees) rather than one lump sum; and keep all receipts, contracts and transaction confirmations for at least 7 years after receiving citizenship to deal with any post-approval audit requests.

Summary of the cost of Dominica citizenship by investment

The cost of Dominica citizenship by investment, with totals from $239,450 USD for a single applicant (EDF) or $290,000 USD (real estate) up to $320,000 USD for a family of 4, remains one of the most competitive CBI programmes in the world. Although the minimum was raised to $200,000 USD from July 2024 under the CARICOM agreement, the overall cost is still significantly lower than EU programmes such as Malta.

The choice between the EDF and real estate should be based on personal circumstances and goals: the EDF suits those who prioritise speed and simplicity, while real estate suits those who want to recover their capital after 3 years. In both cases, careful financial planning and choosing a reputable agent determine the effectiveness of the investment.

Find details about Dominica citizenship by investment on the government website athere.