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Economic citizenship programs give you the opportunity to legally acquire a new nationality quickly and simply, without major disruptions to your life.  While there are many “instant citizenship” schemes promoted on the Internet and elsewhere, currently only five countries offer legal and clearly defined citizenship for investment programs on a statutory basis, commonly known as economic citizenship programs. These countries are Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Christopher and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In Austria it is also possible to legally acquire citizenship without prior residence, but costs are very high.

Dominica - Nature Island of the Caribbean 

This article focuses on Dominica which has recently experienced a change of government amidst controversy surrounding its economic citizenship program. The media has erroneously reported that Dominica’s economic citizenship program was completely suspended. However, this suspension only affects certain options under the program. Other options, which are linked to specific development projects in Dominica, have continued. 

Dominica is an independent English speaking country situated in the Eastern Caribbean, between the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. A former self-governing state in free association with Great Britain, Dominica gained its independence in 1978 and is a member of the British Commonwealth, the United Nations and many other international organizations. It has no ties with the Spanish speaking Dominican Republic. 

Covering an area of almost 800 square kilometers, Dominica supports a population of more than 65,000, including about 3,000 of the last surviving native Carib people in the Caribbean. There are state-of-the-art telecommunications, reliable electricity supplies and clean piped water coming directly from natural springs in the mountains. Many travelers regard Dominicans as the friendliest people in the Caribbean. There is a strong currency and almost no crime. 

Dominica is one of the most beautiful countries in the Caribbean. Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” Dominica boasts many unique natural attractions, including unspoiled rain forests, an abundance of spectacular waterfalls, 365 rivers, the second largest volcanic boiling lake in the world, and hiking in many nature reserves. 

Due to the mountainous terrain, only about a quarter of the island is cultivated, but the rich soil produces substantial domestic and export crops. Organic agriculture is encouraged and has great potential on this pristine island. 

Economic Citizenship in Dominica

On February 1, 2000 the Labour Party narrowly won parliamentary elections in Dominica and formed a coalition with the Freedom Party. Almost 10 years ago, the Freedom Party had introduced the first economic citizenship program. The new government is committed to continue it while reviewing and improving certain options. 

Dominica has the most successful economic citizenship program still in operation. Since 1991, more than 600 families have received Dominica citizenship. The program has been reviewed several times since its inception. Although there have been some irregularities in the past, the program is well established because of its long and largely unproblematic operation.
 

Dominica’s economic citizenship program is based on a solid legal foundation. It is clearly defined in the laws and in the constitution of Dominica. Citizenship and passports of the Commonwealth of Dominica have never been offered or issued illegally. Dominica also allows dual citizenship and will not report your new citizenship to any foreign government. While there have been isolated problems, immigration officers and the business community generally view Dominica passports with respect.  In exchange for an economic contribution, the applicant and his or her family are granted citizenship for life. The economic contribution usually takes the form of a non-refundable payment made to the government. Previously, economic citizenship funds were considered as general revenue for the government. The new government criticized this practice. All payments are now exclusively channeled to particular projects, mostly tourism-related, the encouragement of which is a priority of the Dominica government. Henley & Partner, Inc., which participated in the discussions about the economic citizenship program before and after the last election, has proposed that these payments be used predominantly to support projects of broad social interest such as the upgrading of schools and hospitals.

Procedures and Benefits

The application process is straightforward and clearly defined. An application results in citizenship for one family unit (i.e. the main applicant, spouse and unmarried dependent children up to 25 years of age). 

Under the most popular option, the government contribution is US$50,000 for an applicant, spouse and up to two children under 18 years. For more than two dependent children or if the children are between 18 and 25, an additional government contribution of US$10,000 applies. Professional and application fees of US$15,000 per application plus US$700 per person, also apply.
 

The following documents are required: Birth certificate (certified copy)  Marriage or divorce certificate (certified copy)  Medical certificate including HIV-test (originals)  Certificate of no criminal record (original)  Two (2) personal references (originals)  Bank reference (original)  Copy of passport or ID document (certified copy)  Twelve (12) color passport photographs

A special unit of the Ministry of Finance processes applications. All applicants must be interviewed and take an oath of allegiance before a senior government official. This can be done in Dominica or at the New York or London consular offices of Dominica. Applicants are not required to travel to Dominica, although such a trip is recommended to get acquainted with the country. You become a citizen after taking the oath of allegiance, and a Certificate of Citizenship as well as a passport will be issued. The procedure usually takes between 6 and 10 weeks.

Citizenship is not revocable. Economic citizens enjoy all legal rights of other Dominica citizens, including the right to take up residence in Dominica at any time. Further, Dominica residents are not liable for taxation on any income earned outside Dominica. However, you do not acquire the right to vote in elections or to hold public office unless you have resided continuously in Dominica for five years. 

Once citizenship is awarded, you will receive a Dominica passport, which is valid for five years and can be renewed for a small fee at the immigration and passport office in Dominica or at any Dominica consulate. This document permits visa-free travel to more than 100 countries, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, Hong Kong and many others. Dominica is the only economic citizenship jurisdiction whose passport holders have visa-free access to Hong Kong. 

Obtaining a residence permit in a suitable country can extend this visa-free access. If you require visa-free access throughout Europe, this residence permit should ideally be issued by one of the Schengen states. If you need visa-free access to the United States, legal residence in Canada or Bermuda may be an option. 

As a Commonwealth citizen, you receive certain preferential treatment in the United Kingdom. For example, your children may enter the United Kingdom to study without applying for student visas. After studying, they may work in the United Kingdom for two years without needing a work permit. 

Another benefit is that as Dominica is a common law jurisdiction, according to common law practice, you are able to legally change your surname. 

There is no doubt that Dominica has unmatched expertise and experience in handling one of the world’s most successful citizenship programs. It is well administered, based on clear and established procedures, and all applicants are thoroughly screened and interviewed. With the new government committed to high standards, Dominica definitely continues to be one of the best choices for economic citizenship.