Caribbean · Citizenship by investment
Dominica
Government minimum from $200,000, with a typical timeline of 4 to 6+ months. Citizenship and residence programmes are subject to government due diligence and approval. We do not guarantee approval.
Overview
Dominica's CBI programme has run continuously since 1993 and remains one of the most affordable routes to a strong Caribbean passport. Visa-free access to around 145 countries including the EU Schengen area and Singapore. The UK has required visas for Dominican citizens since July 2023.
Dominica's Citizenship by Investment programme offers a route to citizenship of a stable Caribbean nation, long regarded as one of the more affordable and well-run options in the region. Established in 1993, it provides a second passport through a qualifying contribution or approved real estate investment, with no requirement to reside on the island or to speak any particular language.
The programme grants full citizenship that can be extended to eligible family members and passed to future generations. Dominica, known as the Nature Island for its unspoilt landscapes, has built a reputation for relatively rigorous due diligence and competitive pricing, which has made it a consistent choice for families seeking mobility and optionality.
As with all Caribbean citizenship routes, we present this conservatively. International scrutiny of the sector has increased, and Dominica has reformed and repriced its programme in response. We regard strong vetting as essential to the value of the citizenship itself.
Who it suits
This route suits individuals and families seeking a credible second citizenship without relocation, who can clearly evidence the lawful source of their funds.
It is particularly relevant for:
- internationally mobile professionals and entrepreneurs
- families wanting to include a spouse, children and certain dependants
- those planning for long-term mobility and succession
It is less suitable for those whose primary motive is to change their tax residence by passport alone, or who cannot satisfy the due diligence that underpins the programme's standing.
Cost and what is really involved
Citizenship is obtained through an approved option, principally a non-refundable contribution to a government fund or an approved real estate investment, together with government, due diligence and professional fees.
Typical components include:
- a qualifying government contribution or an approved property investment
- due diligence and processing fees per applicant
- legal, professional and document costs
The amounts vary with family size and the option chosen, and minimum thresholds have been revised across the region in recent years. As at 2026 we verify current figures before any commitment and avoid quoting fixed costs without checking the prevailing rules.
The process and timeline
Applications proceed through an authorised agent: preliminary due diligence, document preparation, submission, government vetting, approval in principle, the qualifying payment or investment, and issuance of citizenship and passport.
Timelines depend on the file's completeness and the depth of vetting. As at 2026 we plan for a process measured in months and prioritise a clean, complete submission over speed.
Tax and lifestyle
Dominica imposes no tax on worldwide income for non-residents, and citizenship carries no residence obligation. Even so, your tax position depends on where you are genuinely resident; a second passport does not, on its own, alter your home-country tax exposure.
We make this clear at the outset. The citizenship is a mobility and planning instrument, and where tax outcomes matter we coordinate with appropriate advisers rather than overstating what a passport can achieve.
Pitfalls and how we avoid them
The recurring pitfalls are:
- Source-of-funds weakness. Poorly evidenced funds are the most common reason for refusal. We prepare this thoroughly before filing.
- Underestimated total cost. Headline contributions exclude fees and family loadings. We present a complete, current cost picture.
- Shifting requirements. Programme rules and external expectations evolve. We track changes and advise accordingly.
Where a source of funds cannot be properly evidenced, we will decline to proceed, because integrity protects the value of the citizenship.
How HPT helps
We work through authorised channels, give a candid initial assessment, and build a meticulous application with particular attention to source-of-funds documentation. We confirm current costs and rules before commitment and manage the matter through vetting to passport issuance.
We keep every claim accurate and conservative, set realistic timelines, and integrate the citizenship with your broader residence, tax and succession planning so that it serves a genuine long-term purpose.
As Dominica has repriced and tightened its programme in step with the wider region, we keep clients informed of how those changes bear on a planned application and time the submission accordingly. The result we aim for is a credible citizenship, obtained cleanly, that withstands scrutiny and supports your family's mobility for the long term.
Key facts
- Government minimum
- From $200,000
- HPT professional fee
- From £26,300
- Typical timeline
- 4 to 6+ months
- Visa-free (approx.)
- 145 destinations
- Established
- 1993
- Region
- Caribbean
Government minimums exclude government, due diligence and professional fees, and change from time to time. We confirm the current position before you commit.
The programme
What the citizenship provides
- Visa-free to 145 countries
- From USD 200,000, one of the most affordable established CBI routes
- No worldwide income tax, no inheritance tax
- Citizenship for life, transferable
Investment routes
Routes into the programme
Government minimums shown. Our fees are separate and agreed in writing.
| Route | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Diversification Fund | USD 200,000 | Non-refundable contribution. Increases with family. |
| Approved Real Estate | USD 200,000 | Held for minimum 3 years (5 years for resale to new CBI applicant). |
Process
From engagement to decision
Typical timeline 4 to 6+ months. The decision at each government stage rests with the authorities, not with us.
- 01
Engagement
Engagement letter, retainer, file open.
- 02
DD preparation
Documents assembled, source-of-funds memo drafted.
- 03
Submission
Application filed via authorised agent.
- 04
Approval
Approval in principle; investment funds processed.
- 05
Passport
Oath and passport delivery.
Eligibility
Who may apply
We confirm the current requirements for the main applicant and each dependant before an application is prepared.
- Aged 18 or over
- Clean criminal record
- Documented source of funds
- Pass programme due diligence
- No residency requirement
Questions
Dominica: practical questions
Is the property a real investment?
Is approval guaranteed?
Compare
Other Caribbean programmes
- St. Kitts & NevisGovernment minimum from $250,000 · 3 to 6+ months
- GrenadaGovernment minimum from $235,000 · 4 to 6+ months
- Antigua & BarbudaGovernment minimum from $230,000 · 3 to 6+ months
We do not give legal or tax advice in jurisdictions where we are not qualified to do so; where needed, we coordinate local counsel and tax advisers.
Citizenship and residence programmes are subject to government due diligence and approval. We do not guarantee approval.
Fees agreed in writing before work begins. Where a bank or provider pays us for an introduction, we tell you before the introduction is made.
See also what we will not do and prohibited and restricted matters.
Next step
Is Dominica the right programme for you?
Tell us about your family, your current citizenship and what you need a second citizenship to do. A senior adviser will review it and reply in writing.