New Regulations Complicate How to Apply for Dominica Citizenship

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On December 19, 2023, the Government of Dominica published the Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2023. The 2023 Regulations introduce some revised elements to the application process. In this article, we will show how the changes made impact how to apply for Dominica Citizenship by Investment.

New Interpretations Regarding Dependants

Under the 2023 Regulations, certain dependants must depend more on you, the investor, as in “fully” rather than “substantially”.  They also have to be students. The relevant clauses are Clause 2 (d) and Clause 4 (15).

Clause 2 (d)

Here, ““a dependant” means” “a child of the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant between eighteen and thirty years who is in attendance at a recognised institution of higher learning and fully supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant”.

Clause 4 (15)

Under “Qualifications, general requirements and procedures”, “an applicant who is applying as a dependant of a main applicant between the age of eighteen and thirty years and who is currently in a recognised institution of higher learning, shall submit official transcripts from that recognised institution of higher learning or a letter signed and stamped by the competent authority confirming that applicant’s existing enrolment at that institution of higher learning.”

Denial of Citizenship

The 2023 Regulations incorporate new stipulations that affect how to apply for Dominica Citizenship by Investment. You will now be denied citizenship because of two new clauses. These are Clause 5 (1) (d) and Clause 5 (1) (e).

Clause 5 (1) (d)

Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Unit will refuse an applicant who “has been denied a visa to the European Union, United Kingdom, United States of America or Canada and has not subsequently obtained a visa to, or residence permit for that country”.

Clause 5 (1) (e)

The Citizenship by Investment Unit in Dominica will not approve an application from an investor who “has been denied a visa to a country with which Dominica has visa-free travel and has not subsequently obtained a visa to, or residence permit for that country”.

Confirmation of Mandatory Interview Fee

Earlier in 2023, Dominica introduced a mandatory interview for all applicants and dependants aged 16 and older. These latest regulations enshrine the $1,000 charge for each interview in law. The relevant clause is Clause 3 (C) (III).

Clause 3 (C) III

Under regulations regarding “FEES AND CONTRIBUTIONS”, this clause establishes the “one thousand United States dollars interview fee per interview”.

Taking Citizenship Away

In an effort to make the programme more exclusive, Dominica is also stripping citizenship from offending investors. The relevant clauses are Clause 5 (4) and Clause 5 (5).

Clause 5 (4)

“A person who within five years of having been issued a certificate of naturalisation changes or seeks to change her/his name otherwise than by marriage may be deprived of Citizenship of Dominica pursuant to section 10(2) or (3) of the Act.”

Clause 5 (5)

“A person who has after becoming naturalised been sentenced in any country to imprisonment for a term of not less than 12 months shall be deprived of citizenship of Dominica.”

Simplifying How to Apply for Dominica Citizenship by Investment

There are various hurdles to claiming Citizenship by Investment in Dominica. As Caribbean investment migration specialists, we can help you clear them. So, don’t delay and contact RIF Trust today.