Dominica is a small, mountainous country in the Caribbean Sea that has run a "citizenship by investment" programme since 1993. In this programme the applicant, after passing security and background checks, obtains Dominica citizenship for themselves and their eligible family members through an approved investment. The reviewing body is the Citizenship by Investment Unit of Dominica (CBIU), and the final decision rests only with the Government of Dominica.
This guide summarises information the CBIU publishes on its official pages, which we checked on 24 October 2026. Rules and amounts may change; before any decision, see the latest version of the official source.
Dominica at a glance
- Capital: Roseau
- Population: about 73,000 (according to the CBIU)
- Official language: English
- Political system: a parliamentary republic and member of the Commonwealth
- Currency: the Eastern Caribbean dollar, pegged to the US dollar
Two investment routes
The CBIU accepts two investment options:
- A contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF): from US$200,000 for a single applicant. The amount rises as family members are added.
- Buying property in pre-approved projects: a minimum property value of US$200,000, plus government fees starting at US$75,000 per applicant. The property must be held for at least three years.
The investment is paid after "approval in principle", not before.
Other official fees
On its "How to apply" page the CBIU states these fees as approximate and dependent on the type of investment and the applicant:
- Processing fee: US$1,000 per application
- Due diligence: US$7,500 for the main applicant and US$4,000 for each member aged 16 or over
- Mandatory interview: US$1,000. The steps page says "per application" and the FAQ page "per interview".
- Certificate of Naturalisation: US$500 per person
The total for an application depends on the number and ages of family members. Royal Golden's contract price for Dominica covers all these costs from the start of the services to the issue of the citizenship documents. Its table is on the site's Dominica page.
Who can apply
According to the CBIU's FAQ page, the main applicant must:
- be at least 18 years old;
- have no criminal record;
- undertake in writing not to change their name for five years after obtaining citizenship (except a change through marriage);
- accept the minimum investment.
Applications from these people are not approved, and citizenship already granted may be revoked: people with a criminal record that is not minor, undisclosed criminal investigations or a refused citizenship application; people refused a visa by the European Union or the United Kingdom; people regarded as a security risk; and people who gave false information.
Banned and restricted nationalities
The CBIU has announced bans, restrictions or enhanced due diligence for nationals of Belarus, Iran, northern Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Yemen and Sudan. For Iran, North Korea and Sudan, an application is refused unless the applicant meets all three conditions:
- has not lived in that country for at least ten years;
- has no significant assets there;
- has no business activity in or with that country.
If this concerns you, speak to us before taking any step. We give the details in the article "Banned and restricted nationalities in Dominica's programme".
Which family members can join
- The main applicant's spouse
- A child under 18 of the applicant or spouse
- A child aged 18 to 30 studying at a recognised higher education institution and fully supported by the applicant (until turning 31)
- An unmarried daughter under 25 living with the applicant or spouse and fully supported by them
- An adult child with a physical or mental disability fully supported by the applicant
- Parents or grandparents over 65 mainly supported by the applicant
A biological or legally adopted child is accepted. After citizenship, a minor child can also be added to the application with no time limit.
The steps
- Choosing an Authorised Agent: the CBIU does not accept applications directly from applicants, and the forms are available only through an Authorised Agent.
- Preparing the application: the forms, supporting documents and the medical examination. All documents must be in English, notarised and legalised.
- Submission: the agent submits the application to the CBIU and answers its questions.
- Due diligence and interview: every applicant aged 16 and over attends the mandatory interview, usually online.
- The outcome: the CBIU recommends the decision to the government and a letter is issued with one of three outcomes: approval in principle, deferral with a stated reason, or refusal.
- Investment and Certificate of Naturalisation: after approval in principle the investment is paid. On proof of payment, the Certificate of Naturalisation is issued.
- Passport: with the Certificate of Naturalisation, the Dominica passport is applied for.
Timing
The CBIU says it usually takes three to four months from submission to approval in principle. This time is not guaranteed and depends on how complete the application is and on the authorities' checks.
A few important points
- Dominica allows dual citizenship and you do not need to give up your current citizenship. But check your current country's law on dual citizenship separately.
- You do not need to travel to or live in Dominica to apply, neither before citizenship nor after it.
- Documents and forms must be in English; documents in other languages are translated, notarised and legalised.
- The medical examination includes blood, urine and HIV tests, and the results must not be dated more than three months before submission.
- An adult's passport is valid for up to ten years and a child's under 16 for five years. Renewal is also possible through consulates.
- The CBIU says Dominica has no wealth, gift, inheritance, foreign income or capital gains tax, and personal tax applies only to residents of Dominica. This is general information, not tax advice; your tax position is decided in your country of residence.
Your application in the Royal Golden portal
In the Royal Golden customer portal, each family member's document list is shown separately, and you follow the application's status, messages and payments from there. The decision on citizenship rests only with the authorities of Dominica.
This article is general information and not legal, tax or immigration advice.
Sources
- Citizenship by Investment Unit of Dominica, FAQ — https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/faqs/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- CBIU, how to apply — https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/dominica-citizenship/how-to-apply/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- CBIU, investment options — https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/dominica-citizenship/investment-options/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- CBIU, required documents — https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/dominica-citizenship/required-documents/ (checked on 24 October 2026)