A glossary of citizenship by investment

This glossary is for people who are new to citizenship by investment. The explanations rest on the official sources given in our other articles, checked on 24 October 2026.

Bodies

CBIU: the Citizenship by Investment Unit of Dominica; the government body that runs Dominica's programme and reviews applications.
Vanuatu FIU: the Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit; in Vanuatu's process, its approval is one of the main steps.
ICP: the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.
GDRFA: the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai.
HCCH: the Hague Conference on Private International Law; the body that administers the Apostille Convention.

The process

Authorised Agent: someone licensed by the Government of Dominica to submit applications to the CBIU. The CBIU does not accept applications directly from applicants.
Main applicant: the person in whose name the application is made.
Dependant: the spouse, children and other eligible family members included in the main applicant's application.
Due diligence: checking the applicants' identity, financial and criminal background, usually by an independent firm.
Enhanced due diligence: a wider check for some nationalities, including Iranian applicants in Dominica.
Approval in principle: the letter saying the application has been accepted and that the investment is now to be paid.
Oath of Allegiance: the undertaking a new citizen signs before a notary, a justice of the peace or a commissioner of oaths.
Certificate of Naturalisation: the official document of citizenship; the passport is applied for with it.

Investment

Economic Diversification Fund (EDF): Dominica's government fund; a contribution to it is one of the two investment routes and is not returned.
Approved real estate: property in a project the government has approved for the programme; in Dominica it is held for at least three years.
Source of funds: documents showing where and how the investment money was obtained.

Documents

Notarisation: a notary's confirmation that a copy matches the original or that a signature is genuine.
Legalisation: confirmation of a document's signature and seal by a government official, so it is accepted in another country.
Apostille: a single-step certificate of legalisation between the countries of the Apostille Convention.
Police clearance certificate: a document issued by the police about a person's criminal record.
Affidavit: a written statement sworn and signed before an authorised official; for example, a sworn statement of source of funds or an affidavit of support.

Travel

Visa-free travel: entry to a destination without obtaining a visa in advance, for a short stay.
The 90 in 180 days rule: the limit on short stays in the Schengen area.
EES: the EU's Entry/Exit System, operating at all external Schengen borders since 10 April 2026.
ETIAS: the EU's pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals, which has not started yet.
OECS: the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States; citizens of the member states, including Dominica, have the right of movement in the member states.

Residence and citizenship

Citizenship by investment: nationality and a passport in return for a lawful investment.
Residency by investment: the right to live in a country, without its nationality.
Dual citizenship: being a citizen of two countries at once; both countries' laws must allow it.
CRS: the OECD's Common Reporting Standard for the automatic exchange of financial account information between countries.

This glossary is general information and not legal advice.

Sources

CBIU Dominica, how to apply — https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/dominica-citizenship/how-to-apply/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
CBIU Dominica, FAQ — https://www.cbiu.gov.dm/faqs/ (checked on 24 October 2026)
HCCH, Apostille Section — https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apostille (checked on 24 October 2026)
European Commission, main differences between the EES and ETIAS — https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/main-differences-between-ees-and-etias-what-travellers-need-know-2026-04-28_en (checked on 24 October 2026)
OECD, international standards on tax transparency — https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/international-standards-on-tax-transparency.html (via the search index; the OECD site refused direct access; checked on 24 October 2026)