Dependants
The following dependants may now be added to an application:
- A spouse of the main applicant
- A child of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant who is below the age of 18 years
- A child of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant who is 18 to 30 years and substantially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant
- A child of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant who is 18 years or over and physically or mentally challenged and who is substantially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant
- A parent or grandparent of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant who is substantially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant
- The spouse of a person who qualifies as a dependent parent or grandparent who is substantially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant
- A biological or legally adopted sibling of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant who is 25 years or under, single, childless, substantially supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant, and if under 18 years, in receipt of consent to make an application under the Programme from all individuals with parental responsibility for that sibling
In essence, for adult dependants (other than a spouse), Dominica now requires a showing of “substantial support” by the main applicant or by the spouse of the main applicant. Before, adult dependants also had to show attendance at an institution of higher learning or that they lived with the main applicant, and that they were fully supported by the main applicant only (not the spouse). The minimum age for parents and grandparents was also removed and eligible siblings may now be included in an application.
What does this update mean for me?
The changes significantly expand the categories of eligible dependants under Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme. If you are considering applying under the Programme and wish to include your family members, it is now more likely that you will be able to do so.
Investment Costs
Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) Option
The following contributions are now payable to the EDF:
| Applicant/Application Type | Amount |
| Main applicant | US$100,000 |
| Spouse of the main applicant | US$50,000 |
| Sibling of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant aged 18 – 25 | US$50,000 |
| Any dependant other than the spouse of the main applicant or a sibling of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant aged 18 – 25 | US$25,000 each |
| Family of four including the main applicant, the spouse of the main applicant, and two other dependants other than a dependant sibling | US$175,000 |
Real Estate Option
The minimum threshold for real estate investment remains US$200,000. However, the following Government Fees now apply:
| Applicant/Application Type | Amount |
| Main applicant | US$25,000 |
| Family of up to four persons, including the main applicant and up to three dependants other than a dependant sibling | US$35,000 |
| Family of up to six persons, including the main applicant and up to five dependants other than a dependant sibling | US$50,000 |
| Family of seven persons or more, including the main applicant and at least six dependants other than a dependant sibling | US$70,000 |
| Sibling of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant aged 18 – 25 | US$50,000 |
| Sibling of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant below the age of 18 | US$25,000 |
What does this update mean for me?
The changes specify costs for siblings across both arms of the Programme and implement reduced costs under the EDF for spouses and families of up to four including the main applicant, the spouse of the main applicant, and two other dependants other than a dependant sibling. If you are considering applying under the Programme and wish to include your family members, it may now be cheaper for you to do so, particularly under the EDF option.
Post-Citizenship Additions
Under Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme, the following post-citizenship additions are now permitted:
| Family Member | Applicable Costs and Fees |
| Children born or adopted after citizenship was obtained | Processing Fees: US$500 |
| Spouses married after the original application was made | US$75,000; |
| Processing Fees: US$1,000; | |
| Due Diligence Fees for the original applicant (if submitted more than 1 year after the date of submission of the original application): US$7,500; and | |
| Due Diligence Fees for the spouse: US$4,000. | |
| Any dependant who would have qualified as a dependant at the time the original application was made | If the application is submitted within 1 year of either (1) the granting of citizenship or (2) the date the Regulations were gazetted: • Spouse: US$50,000; • Sibling of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant aged 18 – 25: US$50,000; • Any other dependant: US$25,000; |
| If the application is submitted more than 1 year after either (1) the granting of citizenship or (2) the date the Regulations were gazetted: • Spouse: US$75,000; • Sibling of the main applicant or of the spouse of the main applicant aged 18 – 25: US$75,000; • Any other dependant: US$50,000; | |
| The following fees also apply in either scenario: • Processing Fees: US$1,000; • Due Diligence Fees fot the original applicant (if submitted more than 1 year after the date of submission of the original application): US$7,500; and • Due Diligence Fees for each dependant aged 16 or over: US$4,000. |
What does this update mean for me?
The changes significantly expand the scope of post-citizenship additions under Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme. Post-citizenship additions only apply to family members of applicants who have received citizenship.
If you received citizenship of Dominica through the Programme as a main applicant, as per the above, you are now eligible to make a post-citizenship application in respect to:
- children born or adopted after citizenship was obtained;
- a spouse married after the original application was made; and
- any dependant who would have qualified as a dependant at the time the original application was made (‘pre-existing dependants’).
Please note, however, if you received citizenship of Dominica through the Programme as a dependant, you are not eligible to make a post-citizenship application in respect to a dependant who would have qualified as a dependant at the time the original application was made.
Further note that for post-citizenship additions of pre-existing dependants, a one-year ‘grace period’ applies in which pre-existing dependants may be added at the same cost as the original application under the direct contribution route. The ‘grace period’ has been defined in the 2020 Regulations as the later of:
- the date citizenship was obtained; or
- the date the Regulations were gazetted, i.e. 29 July 2020
This means that even if you have been a citizen of Dominica for a long time, you can still take advantage of this lower cost for one year from 29 July 2020.
How can I find out more?
If you want to learn more about the recent changes to the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Programme, please contact CS Global Partners.
