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Asset
Haven Analysis:
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| Dominica
Remains an Excellent Choice for Economic Citizenship |
by Christian H. Kalin
Article published in
The Sovereign Individual, July 2000, page 7 |
| Christian
H. Kalin is a director and partner of Henley & Partner, Inc. in Zurich,
Switzerland, and a member of the Board of Advisors of The Sovereign Society.
Henley & Partner, Inc. is appointed by the Government of the Commonwealth
of Dominica as well as several other countries and is officially authorized
to handle applications under their Economic Citizenship Programs. The International,
a publication of the Financial Times, London, recently named Mr. Kalin
as its expert on international residence and citizenship issues, international
property transactions and related tax planning. |
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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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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:
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Birth certificate
(certified copy)
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Marriage or divorce
certificate (certified copy)
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Medical certificate
including HIV-test (originals)
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Certificate of
no criminal record (original)
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Two (2) personal
references (originals)
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Bank reference
(original)
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Copy of passport
or ID document (certified copy)
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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. |
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Article
Index ~ Dominica
Index ~ |
