The Dominica CBI application process: 8 detailed steps and required documents

The Dominica CBI application process is an 8-step journey from initial consultation to receiving a passport, taking 4 to 9 months in total depending on the investment option and the complexity of the application. All applications must be submitted through an Authorised Agent licensed by the CBIU, without exception. As of 2026, about 30 authorised agents worldwide are permitted to submit Dominica CBI applications.

Understanding the Dominica CBI application process helps investors prepare complete documents and avoid common mistakes that lead to delays or refusals. See the articleDominicafor an overview of the country. The following article analyses in detail each step of the process, the documents required and important points to note.

Step 1: Initial consultation and assessment

The first step in the Dominica CBI application process is an initial consultation and assessment with an experienced Authorised Agent. The consultation is usually held by video call, lasts 1 to 2 hours and is free at most reputable agents. Its purpose is to assess whether the applicant can meet the programme’s requirements and to choose a suitable option.

During the initial consultation, the agent will discuss the client’s personal situation: current nationality, travel history, legal status, source of wealth and plans for using Dominican citizenship. Clients should prepare accurate information about their income, assets, criminal record, countries of previous residence and reasons for wanting Dominican citizenship. Withholding information can lead to refusal at a later stage.

The agent will make a preliminary assessment of the application’s chances of success and advise on a suitable investment option (EDFor real estate), the expected timeline and the estimated total cost. Some cases may be turned down by the agent at the initial consultation if the due diligence risk is high, for example Iranian nationals after the March 2026 suspension, people with problematic criminal records or those whose source of funds cannot be proven.

Step 2: Signing the contract and paying a deposit

After the initial consultation, if the client decides to proceed, the second step in the Dominica CBI application process is signing a service contract with the Authorised Agent. The contract sets out the scope of services, service fees, payment schedule, responsibilities of each party and cancellation terms. Clients should read the contract carefully before signing and ask for unreasonable terms to be amended.

Agent service fees are usually paid in stages: 30% on signing the contract, 30% on submitting the application to the CBIU and 40% on receiving Approval in Principle. Basic fees range from $20,000 USD to $50,000 USD depending on the services and family size. Some agents offer partial refunds if the application is refused at a certain stage.

For the real estate option, clients also need to pay a 10% deposit on the property value (usually $20,000 USD to $50,000 USD) to the developer to reserve a place in the project. This deposit may be non-refundable if the client withdraws voluntarily but is usually refunded if the CBIU refuses the application. The specific refund rules are set out in the Conditional Sale and Purchase Agreement signed with the developer.

Step 3: Gathering and preparing documents

The third step in the Dominica CBI application process is gathering and preparing all the documents. This is the longest and most complex stage, usually taking 4 to 12 weeks depending on complexity. The Authorised Agent will provide a detailed document list and specific guidance for each document.

Required documents for each applicant include: the CBI Application Form (Form 1), notarised copies of the passport (every page, including blank pages) and 6 biometric photos meeting the standard (5 cm × 5 cm, white background, face forward, no glasses, smart clothing). Also required are a police clearance certificate from the most recent country of residence issued within 6 months (with an Apostille or diplomatic authentication) and the Medical Declaration Form (Form 2) for anyone over 12 (completed by a certified doctor in the country of residence).

Documents proving the source of funds are the most important and complex part. The specific requirements depend on the source: if from business, 5 years of financial statements, major business contracts and tax returns are needed. If from salary, an employment contract, 3 years of bank statements and tax returns are needed. If from inheritance, an inheritance certificate and proof of the deceased’s source of wealth are needed. If from asset sales, transaction contracts and payment records are needed.

Step 4: The authorised agent submits the application to the CBIU

Once the documents are complete, the fourth step in the Dominica CBI application process is the Authorised Agent formally submitting the application to the CBIU. The agent acts as the official representative and is legally responsible for the accuracy of the information. Applications submitted directly by individuals without an agent are not accepted by the CBIU.

Applications are submitted electronically through the CBIU’s Electronic Application Management System (eAMS), together with the CBIU due diligence fees paid by bank transfer. The due diligence fee is $7,500 USD for the main applicant, $4,000 USD for each dependant over 16 and $0 for children under 16.

After receiving the application and fees, the CBIU issues an Acknowledgement of Receipt within 5 working days, confirming that the application has been officially received and assigning a reference number. This reference number is used to track the progress of the application through the following stages. The agent will give the client this reference number after receiving the acknowledgement.

Step 5: Due diligence and application review

The fifth step is the longest stage of the Dominica CBI application process — due diligence — which usually takes 3 to 6 months. The CBIU carries out 4 tiers of checks: completeness checks, basic checks against public databases, enhanced due diligence by international due diligence providers and final checks through government channels.

During this stage, the CBIU may issue a Request for Information (RFI) if the application lacks information or needs clarification. Each RFI usually has a 30-day response deadline. Late or incomplete responses can cause the application to be put on hold or refused. Clients should work closely with their agent to provide additional information promptly.

For some complex or suspicious applications, the CBIU may require a personal interview. Interviews are usually held by video conference with a CBIU due diligence officer and last 1 to 3 hours. They focus on clarifying the source of wealth, business history, reasons for seeking citizenship and how the citizenship will be used once granted. See the articleDominica citizenship by investmentto learn more about the programme.

Step 6: Approval in principle and payment

After due diligence is complete, the sixth step in the Dominica CBI application process is Approval in Principle or refusal. Approval in Principle allows the investor to pay the full investment amount. It is the most important milestone in the entire process.

After receiving Approval in Principle, the investor has 60 days to complete full payment. For the EDF option, the money is transferred to the EDF’s designated account at a partner bank (National Bank of Dominica, Royal Bank of Canada or CIBC FirstCaribbean). For the real estate option, the money is transferred to the developer’s CBIU-approved escrow account.

All payments must comply with anti-money laundering (AML) rules and a final verification of the source of funds. Money must be transferred directly from the applicant’s own account, not through third parties. Transfer statements and confirmation of receipt must be submitted to the CBIU as evidence. If refused at this stage, the investor can appeal within 60 days.

Step 7: Official grant of citizenship

Once the CBIU confirms receipt of the full investment, the seventh step in the Dominica CBI application process is the issue of the official grant of citizenship. This is the legal document confirming that the applicant and family members have become citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The grant of citizenship is issued within 5 to 10 working days of receiving the full payment. The document is sent to the client through the Authorised Agent. Together with the grant of citizenship, the CBIU requires the applicant to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution of Dominica.

The oath ceremony can be held in Dominica (for those able to travel) or by video conference for those abroad (especially common since 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic). The ceremony is usually presided over by the Attorney General or an official representative of the government of Dominica. After the oath, a Certificate of Naturalisation is issued to each family member.

Step 8: Passport issuance

The final step in the Dominica CBI application process is the issue of biometric passports. After the Certificate of Naturalisation is received, passports are issued at the Attorney General’s Office in Roseau and forwarded through the Authorised Agent or a Dominican diplomatic mission for delivery.

The Dominica passport is valid for 10 years and can be renewed an unlimited number of times. It is a biometric passport meeting ICAO Document 9303, with an electronic chip storing facial and fingerprint biometric data. Passports issued through the CBI programme are identical in appearance and information to those of native-born Dominican citizens, with no distinguishing marks.

Steps 7 to 8 usually take 4 to 6 weeks. In total, the time from initial consultation to receiving a passport is usually 4 to 9 months depending on the option and the complexity of the application. The EDF option is usually faster (4 to 6 months) than real estate (6 to 9 months) because the file is simpler and there is no property project to check.

Dependants in the Dominica CBI application process

The Dominica CBI application process allows family members to be included. Eligible dependants are: a legal spouse (including same-sex partners married in countries where this is permitted); biological and legally adopted children under 30 who are financially dependent; parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse who are financially dependent; and unmarried siblings under 30 (newly added under the 2024 regulations).

For each dependant, additional documents include: a notarised copy of the birth certificate, a notarised copy of the marriage certificate (for a spouse), a separate police clearance certificate for anyone over 16, the Medical Declaration Form for anyone over 12, 6 biometric photos meeting the standard, and a notarised copy of the current passport. Each dependant’s file usually runs to 30 to 50 pages.

CBIU due diligence fees apply to each family member by age: $4,000 USD for those over 16 and $0 for children under 16. The EDF contribution rises with family size: $250,000 USD for a family of 4, plus $25,000 USD for each additional person under 18 and $50,000 USD for each person 18 or over. For the real estate option, a single $200,000 USD investment covers the whole family with no increase.

Points to note and common mistakes in the Dominica CBI application process

In the Dominica CBI application process, some common mistakes can lead to delays or refusals. The first is insufficient proof of the source of wealth. The CBIU requires detailed evidence of the source of funds over 5 years and does not accept general explanations. Preparing these documents usually takes 2 to 4 weeks and is the most decisive factor.

The second mistake is making false declarations in the application. Any discrepancy between the information in the application and the facts (even if unintentional) can lead to automatic refusal. Concealing negative information from the past (for example a minor court ruling more than 5 years ago) is the cause of many refusals. It is best to declare everything honestly and let the agent decide how to present it.

The third mistake is choosing a disreputable agent. Some agents have no real experience with the CBIU or knowingly take on applications with a high chance of refusal to collect fees. Choosing a reputable agent with a track record of success with the CBIU, official accreditation and transparent fees is important. Check the agent’s details on the CBIU’s official website and seek reviews from former clients.

Summary of the Dominica CBI application process

The Dominica CBI application process, with its 8 clear steps and 4 to 9 months of processing, represents one of the longest-running and most transparent citizenship by investment programmes in the world. The requirement to apply through an Authorised Agent and the 4-tier due diligence system ensure application quality and protect the programme’s credibility.

For investors with transparent profiles, clear sources of funds and good cooperation with a reputable agent, the process is not a significant barrier. Careful preparation of the application from the outset, especially proof of the source of wealth, is the key to success. With the 2024 to 2026 due diligence reforms, the Dominica CBI application process has become stricter, but the result is a Dominica passport with more lasting value in the long term.

Find more information on the government website athere.