Dominica Passport: Citizenship by Investment and Visa-Free Opportunities

Visa-Free Countries with a Dominica Passport

The Dominica passport provides access to more than 140 countries worldwide without the need for a prior visa, making it one of the most attractive among citizenship-by-investment programs. According to the latest Henley Passport Index and Arton Capital rankings, it is ranked among the top 40 strongest passports in the world. Holders of this passport can travel with a high degree of freedom around the globe.
Citizens of Dominica can visit the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, as well as key business destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, South Africa, Indonesia, and other Caribbean and Latin American countries without a visa.
Although Dominica is not part of the EU, it maintains a broad network of international visa waiver agreements, including agreements with major economically developed countries. This makes the Dominican passport not only an effective travel document but also an important element of strategic tax and business planning.
The table below organizes by region the countries that are accessible to Dominica citizens without a visa:

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania

North America

South America

How the Dominica Passport Works: Visa Regime Features

Citizens of Dominica have the right to enter the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days within each 180-day period. This provides the opportunity to travel freely across all EU countries within the Schengen zone, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and others.

The United Kingdom also grants visa-free access for up to 180 days per year for tourism, business visits, participation in conferences, and short-term studies. However, upon entry, UK Border Force officers may ask clarifying questions, especially during frequent visits.
The Dominica passport offers convenient access to several countries via e-Visa and visa on arrival:

1. e-Visa: India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Kenya, Bahrain, Azerbaijan;
2. Visa on arrival: Maldives, Laos, Iran, Jordan, Madagascar, Comoros Islands.

The e-Visa application process is usually conducted online and takes from a few hours up to 3 working days. Visa on arrival is issued directly at the airport, but it is important to verify the presence of the corresponding checkpoint at the border and the required documents (return ticket, booking confirmation, etc.).
For the USA, Canada, and Australia, Dominica citizens require visa processing. For the USA, it is possible to apply for non-immigrant visas B1/B2, F, L, O, and others without country risk restrictions. For Canada, visa processing is also available, including long-term multiple-entry visas. Australia allows online applications for Visitor Subclass 600 visas and other categories. Despite the visa regime, Dominica citizens are not listed as high-risk jurisdictions, which facilitates approval processes.

The Dominica passport is especially valued for its wide visa-free access in Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and others allow stays of up to 90 days without a visa.
In Asia, besides countries with e-Visa, visa-free access is open to Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia. The Middle East also offers opportunities, including visa-free entry to Israel, Jordan (on arrival), and Turkey (up to 90 days within six months without a visa).

Advantages of Dominica Citizenship for Investors

Citizenship of Dominica through investment is one of the most advantageous and proven tools for international mobility, tax optimization, and asset protection. The program has been in operation since 1993 and offers foreign investors a unique opportunity to obtain a second passport in exchange for investments in the country’s economy. Dominica offers some of the lowest investment requirements on the market:

• $100,000 — a non-refundable minimum contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund for a single applicant.
• $200,000 — investments in government-approved real estate with the option to resell after 3 years.

The citizenship acquisition procedure takes from 4 to 6 months, including due diligence background checks and document review. In urgent cases, expedited processing is possible, especially for applicants without complex legal or financial histories.
Participation in the program does not require physical presence on the island either before or after receiving the passport. This makes Dominica citizenship an ideal choice for investors who run active international businesses and do not wish to change their place of residence.
Dominica does not impose taxes on global income, capital gains, inheritance, or gifts. This makes it an attractive jurisdiction for tax planning, especially for holders of assets and businesses in multiple countries.
A single application can include a spouse, dependent children under 30 years old, parents of the applicant or spouse aged over 65, and siblings under 25 years old (subject to conditions). Thus, the entire family can obtain citizenship simultaneously, which is especially convenient for strategic planning and migration security.
The passport grants visa-free or simplified entry to more than 140 countries, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This makes the document a powerful tool for business mobility and personal freedom.

Why Choose Dominica: Differences from Other Citizenship Programs

The Dominica passport program is considered one of the most advantageous and stable in the citizenship-by-investment market. Unlike Malta, where participation costs can exceed €700,000 and processing times stretch to 12–18 months, Dominica requires a minimum contribution of only $100,000, and the passport can be obtained within 3–6 months.

Unlike Antigua and Barbuda, which imposes a residency requirement (at least 5 days within 5 years), Dominica does not require any physical presence to acquire or maintain citizenship. Compared to Vanuatu, whose program is often criticized for simplified due diligence, Dominica applies a strict due diligence system approved by international financial organizations.

One of the key advantages is that citizenship is inheritable, providing long-term benefits for the entire family. Dominica also offers a clear and transparent application process, without hidden fees or political risks common to some newer programs. Having operated since 1993, it is one of the oldest and most respected programs worldwide. This sets Dominica apart from younger Caribbean programs that may frequently change their requirements and rules.

Additionally, the Dominica passport grants visa-free or simplified access to more than 140 countries, including the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong. All these factors make Dominica citizenship the optimal choice for entrepreneurs, investors, and those seeking flexible solutions for asset protection, tax optimization, and global mobility.

How to Obtain Dominica Citizenship: Step-by-Step Guide

The Government of Dominica offers two legal investment options for obtaining citizenship:

1. Contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF).
   A non-refundable contribution of $100,000 for a single applicant, $150,000 for a married couple, and $175,000 or more for a family of four. This option involves a straightforward procedure.
2. Investment in Real Estate.
   A minimum investment of $200,000 in government-approved properties. Ownership must be maintained for at least 3 years, or 5 years if resold to another applicant. Additional government fees apply, starting from $25,000 depending on family size.

Citizenship can only be obtained through a licensed agent accredited by the Government of Dominica (we work directly with such agents). At this stage:

1. A preliminary background check on the applicant is conducted;
2. Main documents are collected: passports, birth and marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, proof of income sources, etc.;
3. The D1 Application Form for Citizenship is completed.

The agent submits the application dossier to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU), the government body responsible for processing applications. The application is accompanied by payment of:

• Due diligence fees: $7,500 for the main applicant, $4,000 for each adult family member;
• Administrative fees: $1,000 per dossier.

The standard processing time is 60 to 90 days, with some cases taking up to 120 days. After completion of the due diligence, the CBIU issues a preliminary decision. If approved, the applicant has 30 days to fulfill the investment obligations — either transferring funds to the EDF or completing the real estate purchase.

Once the investment obligation is confirmed, a Certificate of Naturalisation is issued. Within 2–3 weeks, the Dominica passport is processed and dispatched by courier to any country worldwide (no personal presence or visit to Dominica is required).

Opportunities After Obtaining Dominica Citizenship

Dominica citizenship unlocks a wide range of opportunities for both individuals and entrepreneurs seeking freedom of movement, financial flexibility, and global asset protection. Holders of this Caribbean passport enjoy visa-free access to more than 140 countries. This is particularly convenient for business trips, leisure travel, medical treatment abroad, or accompanying children for education.

Moreover, the Dominica passport facilitates opening foreign bank accounts and registering companies in jurisdictions where the stability and political neutrality of the client’s country of origin are important. Thanks to a flexible visa policy, Dominica citizens can apply for long-term visas to the USA (including B1/B2), Canada, and the United Kingdom without facing citizenship-based discrimination common to some developing countries.

Dominica does not participate in automatic tax information exchange with most countries, making it an attractive platform for structuring personal and corporate assets. Citizenship also simplifies migration processes by allowing the use of the passport as an alternative to more complex pathways for changing tax residency or domicile. As a result, investors gain legally recognized status, high mobility, and the ability to legitimize capital through a neutral country — a critical advantage amid increasing international scrutiny of financial flows.

Anatoly Yarovyi

Senior Partner, Attorney-at-law, admitted to the Bar (Certificate to practice Law #701 as of 28.12.2009)

With 20 years of legal experience, Anatolii Yarovyi specializes in advising private clients on second citizenship and residence-by-investment programs. His expertise in international law and cross-border mobility makes him a trusted advisor for individuals seeking secure and strategic global citizenship solutions.

Phone:

+357 25 059 684

Email:

[email protected]

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