Dominica Citizenship by Investment Real Estate Guide

What Is the Real Estate Option in Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Programme?

Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme allows foreign investors to obtain Dominican citizenship and a passport by investing in government-approved real estate. This is one of two official routes, the other being a donation to the Economic Diversification Fund.

Key Rules for Real Estate Investment

Minimum Investment Requirements: Property must be from a government-approved real estate project. Minimum qualifying investment is US$200,000, plus government fees and due diligence costs.
Holding Period: Property must be owned for a minimum period (typically 3 years). Selling to another CBI applicant requires a 5-year hold.
Application Route: Applications must be submitted through an Authorised Agent listed by the CBIU.
Government & Other Fees: Includes application processing, due diligence, naturalisation, and interview charges. Fees vary based on family members and current regulations.

Why Dominica Is Popular for CBI Real Estate

Dominica is attractive for CBI real estate investment due to:

Proximity to approved resort projects, including luxury beach resorts and eco-friendly developments.
Tourism and lifestyle appeal, with beaches, rainforest scenery, and potential for vacation rental income.

Typical Types of Eligible Real Estate Projects

Resort & Spa Developments

Tranquility Beach Dominica - Luxury residential resort with villas and suites that qualify for CBI investment.
InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa - Branded resort in Dominica.

Eco-Luxury & Boutique Properties

Jungle Bay Eco Villas - Eco-friendly luxury villas.
Secret Bay Residences - High-end villas and residences eligible for CBI.

Other Projects

Other authorised developments include combined hotel/residential shares or investment villas. Always confirm that a project is CBI-approved before purchase.

Step-by-Step Real Estate Citizenship Process

Choose an Authorised Agent: Select a licensed agent from the official CBIU list.
Pick an Approved Property: Select a property from the government-approved list.
Submit Application & Due Diligence: Agent submits application with required documents.
Make the Investment: Purchase the property and pay all required fees once approval in principle is granted.
Receive Citizenship & Passport: Citizenship granted after compliance and fee payment, typically within a few months.

Investment Considerations

Tax & Lifestyle: Dominica has minimal taxation with no wealth, inheritance, foreign income, or capital gains tax.
Family Inclusion: Spouse, children, and sometimes parents can be included in the application.
Rental Income & Resale: Some developments offer rental management options; resale is typically allowed after 3-5 years depending on buyer.

Important Warnings

Work only with Authorised Agents listed by the CBIU.
Avoid unofficial deals or offers below official thresholds to prevent denial or revocation of citizenship.