The real estate route in Dominica's programme appeals to people who like to hold an asset in return for their investment. But this route has conditions that should be clear before buying. The information below comes from the official pages of the Citizenship by Investment Unit of Dominica (CBIU), checked on 24 October 2026.
The official conditions
- The property must be in a project the Government of Dominica has approved for the programme. The list of these projects is published on the CBIU website.
- Minimum property value: US$200,000.
- Separate government fees: from US$75,000 for a single applicant.
- Holding period: at least three years.
Selling after three years
On its FAQ page the CBIU answers: if you have held the property for the required period after obtaining citizenship, selling it does not prevent passport renewal. That is, citizenship and the passport do not depend on the property after the holding period.
On the pages we checked, the CBIU has written no separate rule on selling the property to another applicant of the programme. If you plan such a sale, ask the Authorised Agent and the project itself for the current rule.
The order of things
- The property is reserved with a Sale and Purchase Agreement before submission, and this agreement is part of the application's documents.
- Full payment is made after the CBIU's approval in principle and as the official letter instructs.
- On proof of payment, the CBIU issues the Certificate of Naturalisation.
Questions to ask before buying
- Is the project on the official list of approved projects? Check this yourself on the CBIU website.
- What exactly is your share: a specific unit, or a share of a development?
- What are the annual maintenance, management and insurance costs, and who pays them?
- Do you receive any income during the holding period, for example from hotel letting? Is this promise written in the contract?
- After three years, what is the way to sell and who finds a buyer? Is the sale price guaranteed or not?
- If the project is not yet built, does the contract cover the building timetable and the consequences of delay?
Compared with the fund
If you do not intend to hold an asset, the Economic Diversification Fund route is simpler: one payment with no later obligation. A separate article compares the two routes.
This article is general information and not financial, property or legal advice.
Sources
- CBIU Dominica, investment options — https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/dominica-citizenship/investment-options/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- CBIU Dominica, how to apply and fees — https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/dominica-citizenship/how-to-apply/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- CBIU Dominica, FAQ (selling the property and renewing the passport) — https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/faqs/ (checked on 24 October 2026)