Entrepreneurs and intelligent investors frequently seek second citizenships. A second passport can help you protect your assets and income, and to travel with greater freedom throughout the world. If it's wrong to discriminate against people based on their race, ethnic group or gender, why is it OK to discriminate against people based on their citizenship or the passport they carry? One day this will change. But for the moment, discrimination based on citizenship is alive and well. If you are stuck with a citizenship that restricts your movement, taxes you too much or makes you the subject of hate or terrorism, Dominica's economic citizenship program could be your way out.

 

 

Commonwealth of Dominica Economic Citizenship Program Costs

Dominica offers a lower cost alternative to St Kitts and Nevis , the only comparable program. In actual fact, the cost of citizenship through the programme is less than that of the St. Kitts and Nevis programme.

 

In Dominica, the basic fees charged by the government are as follows:

Family US$100,000

Single applicant US$75,000

Due Diligence and Professional Fees

Although the fees above are what you have to pay directly the government's escrow account at the national bank, expect to find a lot of extra fees tagged on to the bill before you are done. There are extra government processing fees, 'due diligence' fees which can exceed $10,000 per person, and then the professional fees you will need to pay, since carrying out the process without professional help is almost impossible. So it is by no means a low cost process.

Dominica is a member of the British Commonwealth, the United Nations, the OAS, and CARICOM. The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, realizing that an Economic Citizenship Programme could generate much needed revenue for the country, competitively structured their Programmes to cost substantially less than that of the competing program from St. Kitts and Nevis. The legislation which provides for full citizenship is authorized by an amendment to the Dominica Citizenship Act.


Advantages of Citizenship in Dominica

• Citizenship for Life for applicant and eligible family members.
• Dual Citizenship permitted and there is no residence requirement.
• Passports - 10 year validity for adults; 5 year validity for children under 16 years of age. All passport holders have the right to renew as "Citizens"
• Visa-Free Travel - to approximately 80 countries including Switzerland, Canada, and most British Commonwealth member countries. Where a visa is required, they are relatively easy to obtain.
• Tax Free Status - on Foreign Income, Capital Gains, Gift, Wealth and Inheritance Tax

       

Application Procedure for Dominican Second Citizenship Program

Upon receipt of the deposit and completed due diligence forms, a copy must be submitted to an investigattaive/due diligence agency fapproved by the Dominican government for a quotation. One such agency is Kroll in Miami . The client will be notified and instructed to send the amount of the due diligence fee and the Government of Dominica non-refundable application fee of US$1,250 per person. (Balance of fees and the investment requirements will be due upon approval of application.)

Applicants will be required to attend an interview with the Prime Minister of Dominica or a Special Commissioner announced by the Prime Minister. This interview will be conducted in English so applicants should at least be able to communicate in English.

The interview may optionally be conducted in the applicants home country/town but a US$3,000 fee will apply plus travel expenses for the account of the applicant - please ask your chosen agent about this.

Your lawyers will help you prepare for this interview and get you familiar with the basic facts of the background and history of the country. The interview cannot be waived and is held once a month on the last Friday of each month, subject to the Prime Minister's schedule. This date however, is subject to change due to the travel plans of the Prime Minister, but once confirmed and subject to urgent changes the date may be depended on.

Typically, the interview is about one hour long and there will be questions about yourself (all the details on your application form will be confirmed) and the basic knowledge of Dominica's history will be tested; please note that you will not be allowed to take an interpreter in to the interview with you.



Application Documents Required for Dominica Economic Citizenship Program

1. Two (2) completed Form 12 Commonwealth of Dominica applications (per applicant) - both must be originals and notarized.
2. Two (2) personal references and a bank reference.
3. Educational background for applicant and spouse.
4. Legible Copy of Passport or Official Travel documents. Preferably in color and enlarged.
5. Eight (8) passport size photographs for each eligible family member.
6. Medical Certificates of good health including HIV Negative.
7. Police Certificates.
8. Birth Certificates for all eligible family members.
9. Marriage Certificate or Divorce Decree (if applicable).
10. On receipt of completed Form 12, the passport forms will be forwarded to you for completion. These are processed on approval of Form 12.

a. The Oath of Allegiance must be dated AFTER approval of naturalization.

b. Due Diligence investigation will be conducted on all adult applicants. These fees are non-refundable.

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