Dominica citizenship by investment

Dominica citizenship by investment is the Caribbean CBI programme with the lowest entry investment in the region, with a minimum threshold of USD 200,000. It is also one of the world’s oldest CBI programmes, running continuously since 1993 under the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

A processing time of 4-6 months, no residence requirement before or after citizenship is granted, and a generous family policy are the factors that make Dominica a popular choice with international investors. However, in 2025-2026 the programme faces several important policy changes that Vietnamese investors need to understand clearly before deciding.

An overview of the Commonwealth of Dominica

A detailed article onthe country of Dominica.

Dominica, officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Eastern Caribbean, between Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south. It should not be confused with the Dominican Republic, an entirely different country in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.

Dominica covers around 750 km² with a population of approximately 72,000. The country is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). English is the official language and the legal system is inherited from England.

Dominica is known as the “Nature Isle of the Caribbean” for its rich ecosystem, active volcanoes, hot springs and primary rainforest. Its economy rests mainly on agriculture, eco-tourism and the CBI programme.

How the Dominica citizenship by investment programme works

The Dominica citizenship by investment programme was established in 1993 under the Dominica Citizenship Act, making Dominica one of the pioneering countries offering a CBI programme. More than 30 years of continuous operation is evidence of the programme’s stability.

The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU)is the government body responsible for receiving and processing applications. According to information fromthe Dominica Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU), foreign nationals cannot file directly with the CBIU themselves but must go through a government-licensed agent.

In June 2024, the minimum contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund was raised from USD 100,000 to USD 200,000. This adjustment forms part of the joint agreement among the Caribbean CBI countries to harmonise the price floor, maintain relations with the European Union and keep Schengen visa-free rights.

Two investment routes to Dominica citizenship

A detailed article onthe cost of Dominica citizenship by investment.

UnlikeGrenada citizenship by investmentor Antigua and Barbuda with their 3-4 options, Dominica offers only 2 investment routes. This streamlined approach makes the process simpler and clearer for investors.

Route 1: contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF)

This is the most popular route, chosen by the majority of investors because of its low cost and simple procedure. The contribution is non-refundable and goes to Dominica’s economic and social development projects, including infrastructure, education, health and housing.

The contribution levels by family size:

• Single main applicant: USD 200,000
• Main applicant with spouse: USD 250,000
• Family of 4 (applicant, spouse and 2 dependants): USD 250,000
• Each additional dependant from the 5th: USD 25,000 to USD 50,000 depending on age

Route 2: government-approved property investment

Investors buy property or shares in projects approved by the CBIU. The eligible property portfolio consists mainly of 5-star hotels, eco-resorts and tourism infrastructure projects.

Minimum investment: USD 200,000. The property must be held for at least 3 years before resale to someone outside the CBI programme, or 5 years where the sale is to another CBI investor. The 3-year holding period is the shortest of the Caribbean CBI programmes.

Investors may choose to own an entire apartment or villa outright, or buy shares in a larger project. Rental income is estimated at 2-5% a year, with the operation handled by a professional management company.

Additional costs beyond the main investment

The true total cost of taking part in the programme is higher than the main investment because of the government fees and service charges. Specifically for the EDF route:

• Government fee: USD 1,000 for the main applicant, USD 500 for each dependant
• Due diligence fee: USD 7,500 for the main applicant, USD 4,000 for the spouse, USD 4,000 for each dependant aged 16 and over
• Application processing fee: USD 1,000 for each applicant and dependant aged 16 and over
• Certificate of naturalisation fee: USD 250 per person
• Passport issue fee: USD 1,200 per person
• Lawyer and licensed agent fees: by agreement

The all-in total cost for 1 single applicant through the EDF is around USD 210,750, and for a family of 4 around USD 276,500. The property route costs more because of the additional government fee of USD 75,000 – 100,000.

The dependants who may be included in an application

The Dominica CBI programme has a relatively generous family policy. The main applicant may include the following dependants in an application:

• A lawful spouse (aged 18 and over)
• Dependent children under 18
• Dependent children aged 18 to 30, unmarried and financially dependent on the applicant
• Parents or grandparents aged 65 and over, financially dependent on the applicant
• Unmarried siblings (under certain specific conditions)

Dependants may be included in the application from the outset, or added after the main applicant has received citizenship. Children born after the applicant receives citizenship are also granted Dominica citizenship automatically by descent.

The benefits of the Dominica passport

The Dominica passport brings many benefits in global mobility, tax and residence rights. These are the main factors attracting international investors.

Visa-free travel rights

Theo Henley Passport Index, the Dominica passport allows visa-free entry or visa on arrival to around 140-145 countries and territories, comprising:

• The European Schengen area: stays of up to 90 days in every 180
• The United Kingdom: stays of up to 180 days (Commonwealth member)
• Singapore, Hong Kong, China
• The Caribbean countries within CARICOM and the OECS, with freedom of movement using an identity card

From the end of 2026, Dominica citizens will have to register with the ETIAS system before entering the Schengen area, as citizens of other visa-free countries must.

Tax advantages

Dominica applies a favourable tax system to non-resident residents:

• No worldwide personal income tax
• No inheritance tax
• No wealth tax
• No capital gains tax

However, the actual tax advantage depends on the investor’s country of tax residence. Vietnamese citizens must still meet their tax obligations in Vietnam where they remain a Vietnamese tax resident.

An important change: the United States has suspended visas for Dominica citizens

This is the biggest development affecting the value of the Dominica passport in 2026. Since 01/01/2026, the United States has suspended the issue of non-immigrant visas of classes B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J to Dominica citizens.

This means that for investors considering the Dominica CBI programme with the aim of using a Dominica passport to obtain a 10-year tourist visa to the United States (once an important advantage), this is no longer feasible. The United States decision is understood to be a response to concerns about the Caribbean CBI screening process.

Investors may still use their existing passport (Vietnamese) to apply for a United States visa through the normal process, or consider other programmes with an E-2 treaty with the United States such as Grenada or St Kitts and Nevis.

Eligibility and application documents

To be eligible to apply for Dominica citizenship by investment, the main applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Aged 18 or over
• In good health, with no serious infectious disease
• No criminal record and no previous visa or citizenship refusal
• Lawful financial means, with the origin of the investment capital capable of proof
• Passing a comprehensive security screening

Citizens of countries on the CBIU’s restricted list (including Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Yemen, Sudan and certain other countries) are subject to additional screening or may be refused. Vietnamese citizens are not on the restricted list.

The basic document list

The documents to be prepared usually comprise:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (where applicable)
• Police certificates from every country of residence for more than 6 months since the age of 16
• Medical certificate
• Proof of the source of capital and finances
• Bank and professional reference letters
• Professional CV
• Passport photographs

All foreign documents must be legalised byApostilleor consular certification. The application also includes a mandatory online interview requirement (in force since 2023) to increase transparency.

The application process and timescale

The Dominica citizenship by investment process usually lasts 4-6 months, divided into the following stages:

1. Advice and signing the service agreement: the licensed agent carries out a preliminary assessment of the case and advises on the appropriate route.
2. Preparing the documents: gathering, translating and notarising all the documents. This stage usually lasts 1-2 months depending on how quickly the client prepares the papers.
3. Filing through a licensed agent: the licensed agent files the application with the CBIU together with the due diligence and processing fees.
4. Mandatory online interview: the main applicant and family members aged 16 and over attend an online interview with the CBIU.
5. Security screening (Due Diligence): the CBIU carries out background and source-of-wealth screening through independent international due diligence firms. This stage lasts 3-4 months.
6. Approval in principle: having passed the screening, the applicant receives the Approval-in-Principle letter.
7. Making the investment: transferring the EDF contribution or completing the property transaction.
8. Receiving the certificate and passport: the applicant receives the Certificate of Naturalisation and applies for the Dominica passport.

Over 2025-2026, processing times may be longer because of increased checks by the CBIU and the international due diligence firms.

A comparison with the other Caribbean CBI programmes

Dominica has several distinctive features when compared with the remaining Caribbean CBI programmes:

Criterion	Dominica	Antigua and Barbuda	St Kitts and Nevis	Grenada	Saint Lucia
Minimum fund contribution	$200,000 USD	$230,000 USD	$250,000 USD	$235,000 USD	$240,000 USD
Minimum property investment	$200,000 USD	$300,000 USD	$325,000 USD	$270,000 USD	$300,000 USD
Property holding period	3 years	5 years	7 years	5 years	5 years
Processing time	4-6 months	3-6 months	4-6 months	4-6 months	4-5 months
Visa-free	140+ countries	150+ countries	155+ countries	140+ countries	145+ countries
United States visa (after 2026)	Suspended	Yes	Yes (E-2)	Yes (E-2)	Yes
Established	1993	2013	1984	2013	2015

Dominica’s strengths are the lowest cost in the region, the shortest property holding period (3 years) and the longest operating history of the 5 Caribbean programmes now running. Its main weakness at present is the United States suspension of visas for Dominica citizens from the beginning of 2026.

For further reference on citizenship by investment or residence by investment programmes, investors may consult theMap of residence and citizenship by investment.

Risks and points to consider

Before deciding on Dominica citizenship by investment, investors need to weigh several risks:

Risk in relations with the United States

As analysed above, the United States suspension of visas for Dominica citizens is a major change. Investors who plan to travel to the United States regularly should consider other programmes. This situation may change in future where Dominica meets the additional screening requirements of the United States.

EU policy risk

The Caribbean CBI programmes are under pressure from the European Union over screening standards. Schengen visa-free rights may be suspended or reviewed where a programme fails to meet the requirements.

Property investment risk

The Dominica property market is small and illiquid. Resale values after 3-5 years may not meet expectations, particularly since Hurricane Maria in 2017 caused serious damage to the tourism and property sectors.

Natural disaster risk

Dominica lies in the Atlantic hurricane belt. The island was devastated by the category 5 Hurricane Maria in 2017 and took many years to recover. Property in Dominica carries a higher natural disaster risk than in the other Caribbean countries.

Conclusion

Dominica citizenship by investment remains a sensible option for Vietnamese investors wanting a second passport at the lowest cost in the Caribbean. The minimum investment of USD 200,000 through the EDF, a family policy generous enough to include grandparents aged 65 and over, a property holding period of only 3 years and an operating history of 30+ years are its standout features.

However, the United States suspension of visas for Dominica citizens from the beginning of 2026 is an important change that considerably reduces the value of this passport for investors who need to travel to the United States regularly. Investors need to weigh carefully what they will use the passport for before deciding.

To assess whether Dominica or another Caribbean CBI programme better suits an individual situation, investors should consult a specialist adviser. PLI provides full advisory services on the Dominica CBI programme as well as all the other Caribbean residence-and-citizenship-by-investment programmes, supporting Vietnamese investors from the preliminary assessment stage through to receiving the passport.