New Dominica CBI Due Diligence and Mandatory Interview in 2023

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Legal changes have transformed Dominica CBI. New statutory rules and orders means that there is an extra layer of due diligence for 2023. This article highlights the introduction of a mandatory interview for applicants and dependants.

February 23, 2023 saw Dominica Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre, Financial Secretary Ms. Denise Edwards and Head of CBI Unit Ambassador Emmanuel Nanthan attend a US-Caribbean Roundtable on Citizenship by Investment in Saint Kitts and Nevis with fellow Eastern Caribbean states, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and St Lucia. They brokered an agreement on six CBI principles. The second principle means the five Caribbean countries have to hold interviews with all CBI applicants.

Dominica CBI: Leading the Way

The first Eastern Caribbean country to put policy into action was Dominica. They made their Commonwealth Of Dominica Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Regulations, 2023 public. These regulations became law in July 2023.

Emmanual Nanthan and his CBI team have taken the lead. With Iranian applicants, they “mandate one or more professional firms to conduct enhanced due diligence background checks on the main applicant and all dependants aged twelve and over”. 

With applicants from Iran, they “mandate one or more professional firms to conduct enhanced due diligence background checks on the main applicant and all dependants aged twelve and over”.

There are increased due diligence fees if you are an Iranian applicant. They are as follows:

1. $25,000 for you, the main applicant
2. $15,000 for your spouse
3. $15,000 for any of your dependants aged 16 and above
4. $10,000 for any of your dependants aged between 12 and 15

There have been other new developments for applicants from any country. This means the CBI unit requires “the main applicant and all dependants who are sixteen years of age and over to attend an interview”. Applicants and dependants can visit Dominica for the interview. Or, they can schedule an online interview.

Dominica Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit appreciates the importance of transparency. He commits to a proactive approach. “We understand that this step will add another layer to our due diligence process and is a risk management framework to strengthen and safeguard the integrity of our CBI Programme,” Skerrit maintains.

Looking to obtain alternative citizenship through the Dominica CBI or any of our other citizenship-by-Investment programmes? If so, don’t delay and be sure to contact us today.