Dominica Citizenship — Donation

Summary

The Commonwealth of Dominica — a small island nation in the eastern Caribbean, not to be confused with the Dominican Republic — runs one of the world's oldest citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs. Launched in 1993 under the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act, it's the second-oldest CBI program globally (after St. Kitts) and has long been considered one of the most affordable.

The Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) is the donation track: a one-time, non-refundable contribution to the Government of Dominica that funds public and private projects in healthcare, education, tourism, sport, and infrastructure. In August 2024, the Eastern Caribbean states harmonized their CBI pricing, raising the single-applicant minimum from $100,000 to $200,000.

Eligibility

You qualify for Dominican (Commonwealth of Dominica) citizenship through the EDF track if all of the following are true:

• You are at least 18 years old.
• You have a clean criminal record — no convictions anywhere in the world.
• You can show a legitimate source of funds for the contribution.
• You pass Dominica's due diligence check (strict, conducted by an external firm).
• You are not a national of a country Dominica has sanctioned or restricted (this list changes; your agent will confirm).

Contribution amounts

• Single applicant: $200,000.
• Main applicant + spouse: $250,000.
• Family of four (main, spouse, and two qualifying dependents): $250,000.
• Each additional dependent: $25,000 for a child under 18, or $40,000 for a dependent aged 18 or older.

Qualifying dependents include children under 30 (if financially dependent), parents or grandparents aged 55+ (if financially dependent), and unmarried siblings under certain conditions.

Government and diligence fees

On top of the contribution:

• Due diligence: $7,500 for the main applicant, and $4,000 for each spouse or dependent aged 16+.
• Processing: $1,000 per applicant.
• Certificate of naturalization: $500 per person.
• Passport issuance: $500 per person.
• Mandatory interview: $1,000 for each applicant aged 16 or older.

Residency and travel obligations

None. The Commonwealth of Dominica is unique among Caribbean CBIs in that it has no residency requirement and no mandatory visit — neither during the application nor after citizenship is granted. Dominica permits dual citizenship, so U.S. citizens keep their U.S. passport.

Rights you receive

• Full Dominican citizenship, passed to future children.
• A Dominican passport with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to roughly 145 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. (Note: the Commonwealth of Dominica passport does not grant visa-free access to the United States.)
• Full rights as a Commonwealth citizen.

What This Route Allows

If approved, this route can lead to citizenship in Dominica. Citizenship is the national status itself, not a residence permit: you can document the citizenship, apply for citizen identity or passport documents, and live in Dominica without a separate immigration permit.

What This Route Is Not

This is not automatic citizenship. Naturalization, registration, and restoration routes usually require an application, supporting documents, and a decision by the relevant authority.

Next Steps

1. Retain an authorized agent. Dominica's CBI can only be applied for through a government-licensed authorized agent. Filing direct is not permitted.
2. Gather documentation. Passports, birth certificates, police certificates from every country you've lived in for 6+ months over the past 10 years, a 10-year employment and residence history, bank statements, and proof of source of funds.
3. Submit the application. Your agent files with the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) in Roseau. Due diligence and government fees are paid upfront; the EDF contribution is paid after approval-in-principle.
4. Complete due diligence and interview. An external firm runs background checks, and applicants aged 16 or older complete the required interview.
5. Pay the contribution and receive citizenship. Once approved-in-principle, you wire the EDF contribution. The certificate of naturalization and passport are issued shortly after.

Sources

• Citizenship by Investment Unit — Economic Diversification Fund — official EDF track details.
• Citizenship by Investment Unit — Investment Options — overview of all CBI tracks.
• Government of Dominica — official portal.
• Citizenship by Investment Unit — FAQs — fees, due diligence, and process detail.