Dominica citizens do not need permission to work and live in their own country. But sometimes a family member is not a citizen, or someone wants to work or stay in Dominica for a while before any decision. This article explains the official rules for work permits, residence permits and permanent residence, based on the "Work and Residency Permit" page of Invest Dominica Authority and the "Permanent Residence" page of the Government of Dominica's website. The pages were checked on 24 October 2026.
Overview
| Permit | Office | Form | Validity | Non-CARICOM fee | CARICOM fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work permit | Labour Division | L.I. 12 | one year, renewable | EC$800 (US$295) | EC$250 (US$93) |
| Work permit renewal | Labour Division | L.I. 01 and 07 | one year | the same amount | the same amount |
| Residence permit | Ministry of National Security and Home Affairs | L.I. 01 and 07, in duplicate | one year, renewed yearly up to five years | EC$800 (US$295) | EC$250 (US$93) |
| Permanent residence | at the Minister's discretion | form from the Labour Division | permanent | EC$800 | EC$400 |
Fees are paid at the Treasury, and a copy of the Treasury receipt is one of the documents. CARICOM is the Caribbean Community; its nationals pay lower fees.
The work permit
According to Invest Dominica Authority, a non-citizen who wants to work in Dominica must first obtain a permit from the Labour Division. An employer hiring a non-citizen also needs this permit. If the employment lasts more than six months, the work permit also gives residency status automatically.
The documents, with two completed copies of form L.I. 12:
- a medical certificate of good health and no communicable disease in the past three years;
- an employer's letter stating the type of work, the daily, weekly or monthly pay, acceptance of responsibility and a one-year job offer;
- a police record from the Commissioner of Police of the applicant's country;
- a return ticket or a deposit covering its cost;
- two passport-size photos;
- the fee and a copy of the Treasury receipt;
- a marriage certificate, if married;
- two testimonials, one from the last employer;
- three newspaper clippings of the advertised vacancy;
- a passport valid for at least six months and a copy of its bio-data page;
- an extension of stay until the permit is issued;
- for the self-employed: a bank statement and a certificate of registration.
The newspaper clippings show that the job was first advertised locally.
Renewing the work permit
For a renewal, every non-citizen over 18 completes form L.I. 01 and 07. The documents: an employer's letter accepting responsibility and stating the duration and type of employment, a police record, the fee and Treasury receipt, a copy of the last work permit, one photo, a copy of the passport's bio-data page and, for the self-employed, a bank statement and certificate of registration. The renewal fee is the same as the first permit's.
The residence permit
The residence permit is issued by the Ministry of National Security and Home Affairs. Every non-citizen over 18 completes form L.I. 01 and 07 in duplicate. The documents:
- a medical certificate, as for the work permit;
- two testimonials;
- a statement of financial position from a reputable banker;
- a police record from the applicant's country;
- a return ticket or deposit;
- two photos, or a passport valid for six months;
- the Treasury receipt;
- a letter from a friend or relative accepting responsibility for you in Dominica;
- a marriage certificate;
- a cover letter requesting the permit;
- an extension of stay from the Immigration Police Department while the application is processed.
Invest Dominica Authority stresses that residence does not exempt the holder from the "Alien Landholding Act", which restricts land purchases by non-citizens.
Permanent residence
The Government of Dominica's page sets out the conditions:
| Topic | What the Government's page says |
|---|---|
| Main condition | five years of residence or employment on the island |
| Decision | at the discretion of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Labour |
| Fee | CARICOM EC$400 and non-CARICOM EC$800, at the Treasury |
| Address | Ministry of National Security, Labour and Immigration, 2nd Floor, Government Headquarters, Kennedy Avenue, Roseau |
| Telephone | +1 767 266 3553 |
The documents include a medical certificate, two testimonials from people who have known you since you arrived in Dominica, a bank statement or an employer's letter, a recent police record, the Treasury receipt, a cover letter, a marriage certificate and copies of all work or residence permits since arrival. Invest Dominica Authority also writes that a residence permit is renewed yearly for up to five years, after which permanent residence can be granted.
Example: a non-citizen spouse, five years of residence
Suppose the spouse of a Dominica citizen, who is not a national of any CARICOM country, wants to live in Dominica and does not work:
| Year | Step | Published fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | residence permit | EC$800 |
| 2 | renewal | 800 |
| 3 | renewal | 800 |
| 4 | renewal | 800 |
| 5 | renewal | 800 |
| After five years | permanent residence application | 800 |
| Total | EC$4,800, about US$1,780 at the 2.7 peg |
This total covers only the published government fees, without medical certificates, translation and legalisation of documents. Permanent residence is also at the Minister's discretion and not guaranteed. If the spouse was included in the citizenship application from the start, none of these permits is needed.
Practical points
- Police records and medical certificates have dates; obtain them close to the application.
- Foreign documents, such as a marriage certificate, usually need translation and legalisation or an apostille.
- Extend your permission to stay until the permit is issued.
- Living in Dominica may have tax consequences; see the article "Taxes in Dominica".
This article is general information and not legal or immigration advice. Decisions on every permit rest with the Dominica authorities.
Sources
- Invest Dominica Authority, Work and Residency Permit — https://investdominica.com/talent/work-residency-permit/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
- Government of Dominica, How do I apply for permanent residence — https://www.dominica.gov.dm/services/residency/how-do-i-apply-for-permanent-residence (checked on 24 October 2026)
- Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Currency — https://www.eccb-centralbank.org/currency (checked on 24 October 2026)