Colourful houses on a green hillside overlooking the sea in Dominica

Commonwealth of Dominica

Citizenship
and business
in Dominica.

Explore your options for citizenship and setting up a company in Dominica. We explain the requirements, guide you through the process and help you understand the costs.

Citizenship by investment Company registration

The Caribbean · Commonwealth of Dominica

Citizenship by investmentRequirements, investment options and preparation Company registrationCompany structures, business sectors and support

Citizenship of Dominica

Citizenship
by investment

Choose between a contribution to the government fund and an investment in approved real estate. The right route depends on your family and budget.

A white veranda overlooking the sea and Dominica’s green mountains — Commonwealth of DominicaDominicaSea views and green hillsides

Government fund contribution

The EDF route

From $200,000 USD

A non-refundable contribution to the government’s Economic Diversification Fund. This minimum applies to a single applicant.

For a main applicant and up to three qualifying family members, the minimum is $250,000. Additional contributions apply for further family members.

EDF requirements on the CBIU website

Investment in an approved project

Real estate

From $200,000 USD

Purchase property or a share in a development approved by the CBIU. A government fee also applies, starting at $75,000 for a single applicant.

The property must be held for at least 3 years after citizenship is granted, or at least 5 years before resale to another citizenship programme applicant.

Real estate requirements on the CBIU website

These figures are the minimum investment amounts. The total cost also includes due diligence, application processing, interviews, document preparation and professional fees. Your full budget will depend on the family members included in your application.

Discuss citizenship options

You and your family

The main applicant must be at least 18. A spouse, children, parents and other dependants may be included if they meet the programme’s requirements.

Due diligence and interviews

Applicants undergo due diligence and source-of-funds checks. Everyone aged 16 or over must attend a mandatory interview.

Applying through an agent

Only an authorised agent can submit an application to the CBIU. You can check an agent’s status in the official register.

Torinio helps you understand the programme and coordinate document preparation. An authorised CBIU agent submits the application, and Dominica’s government authorities decide whether to grant citizenship. How to apply.

Life on the island

Discover
Dominica

Green mountains, coastal villages and the Caribbean Sea. Get a feel for the island as you consider your next step.

A seaside pool with a palm tree and a ship in the distance — By the water

A quiet bay with a beach, a green headland and a ship — Along the coast

A boat’s wake with Dominica’s mountains in the background — Out at sea

A green house with a red roof on a hillside above the sea — Homes by the sea

Green mountains and the ocean seen from a mountain road — Views from the mountain road

An aircraft and passengers at Dominica’s airport, with mountains behind — Arriving in Dominica

Colourful sculptural letters and a yellow pavilion on the waterfront — On the waterfront

An evening street with wooden balconies and a ship in the distance — An evening in town

An illuminated cruise ship in the harbour at night, with lights reflected on the water — Harbour lights

Dominica
in motion

Palms beneath the mountains, turquoise water and a boat close to shore. A few moments on the island, from sunshine to sunset.

18 seconds · no sound

Mountains, sea and evening lightOpen video

A mural in warm golden tones showing two figures with a torch among tropical plants — Colours of the island

A wooden jetty and boat overlooking the sea and a green mountain headland — At the jetty

A white cruise ship with colourful artwork on its hull beside the waterfront — Cruise ships in port

Palms and forested mountains beneath a blue sky, captured from video — Green hillsides A still from the film

The photographs show island scenery and places to relax. They do not represent property offers under the citizenship programme.

Company registration

Choose your
company structure

Companies are registered with CIPO, the Companies and Intellectual Property Office. Some business activities also require licences and permits.

Private Limited Liability Company

Private company

A commercial company with limited liability. Its ownership structure should reflect the business activities, shareholders and countries in which it will operate.

Public Limited Liability Company

Public company

A public limited company. Securities offerings are subject to additional capital market requirements.

Non-profit Company

Non-profit company

For charitable, educational, scientific and other public benefit purposes. Prior ministerial approval is required, and profits cannot be distributed to members.

External Company

Overseas company

An existing overseas company can register to do business in Dominica. This registers the foreign legal entity rather than incorporating a new local company.

Company structures: CIPO — Companies. Securities regulation: ECSRC.

We’ll discuss what your business will do, who will own it and where it will operate to help you choose a suitable company structure.

Discuss company registration

Business sectors

Doing business
in Dominica

Explore some of the sectors below. Before registration, we review the requirements and permissions your business will need.

IT and business services

Software development, digital services, contact centres and business process outsourcing. Invest Dominica identifies technology and back-office services as an investment sector.

Projects involving payments or client assets also need a review of applicable financial regulation.

Invest Dominica

Trade and distribution

Import, export, wholesale, retail and e-commerce. A company can enter into contracts with suppliers and customers.

Trade licences, customs procedures and permits for specific goods need to be reviewed.

Dominica Customs

Tourism and hospitality

Hotels, ecotourism, accommodation and related visitor services. Tourism is one of Invest Dominica’s priority sectors.

Land rights, construction and operating requirements, and permits for the services offered must be checked separately.

Invest Dominica sectors

Agribusiness and aquaculture

Crop production, agricultural processing and aquaculture projects. These activities are among the country’s investment priorities.

Planning must account for land and water use, health standards, environmental rules and sector-specific requirements.

Invest Dominica sectors

Manufacturing

Production facilities, food processing and finished goods. Invest Dominica recognises manufacturing as a distinct investment sector.

Requirements for premises, equipment, products and environmental impact need to be reviewed.

Manufacturing investment

Renewable energy

Renewable energy projects, including the geothermal and hydropower opportunities identified by Invest Dominica.

Each project needs a separate assessment of permits, resource rights and grid connection requirements.

Invest Dominica sectors

These are examples, not an exhaustive list of business activities. Company registration alone does not authorise every type of business. Inland Revenue Division guidance on starting a business.

Activities that need separate approval

We first establish which licences are required and whether they are available for your proposed business. We then agree on the steps for registration and launch.

Payments and money services

Money transfers, currency exchange and other money services businesses require an FSU licence. The assessment covers the services offered, capital, management and anti-money laundering procedures. FSU requirements.

Crypto and virtual assets

Activities covered by the Virtual Asset Business Act require separate registration with the regulator. Capital, custody of client assets, risk management and reporting rules apply. Company incorporation does not replace this approval. Virtual Asset Business Regulations · PDF.

Banking and insurance

Banking and insurance are subject to specific licensing regimes. The licence, regulator and conditions depend on the business model; the FSU supervises offshore banks and insurance companies, among other entities. FSU responsibilities.

Brokerage and investment services

Securities transactions, investment advice and collective investment schemes are subject to ECSRC requirements. Forex and CFD businesses need a separate legal assessment of the instruments offered and their clients’ jurisdictions. A certificate of incorporation is not a brokerage licence. ECSRC licensing.

Gambling and online gaming

Gaming companies fall within the FSU’s supervisory remit. Before launch, the required permissions and the laws in players’ jurisdictions must be established. Incorporation alone does not authorise betting or online casino operations. FSU supervision.

Our approach

How we work with you

Citizenship applications and company registration follow different procedures. We prepare a separate plan and document checklist for each.

01
Understand your plans
For citizenship, we discuss your family and programme eligibility. For a company, we review its activities, ownership and the countries in which it will operate.
02
Agree on a plan
We help you choose an investment route or company structure, then agree on costs, required documents and the specialists who need to be involved.
03
Prepare the documents
We coordinate document preparation. An authorised agent submits citizenship applications, while CIPO handles company registration.
04
Support the next steps
We help you navigate the remaining stages and understand your company’s obligations after registration.

Timelines and outcomes depend on the checks and decisions of the relevant authorities.

Discuss your plans

Before your first consultation

What we’ll
need to know

A brief outline of your situation is enough for the first conversation. Personal and financial documents may be needed later; we’ll agree on a secure way to share them separately.

Citizenship

All nationalities held, country of residence, family members to be included and your planned investment budget.

Company

Your products or services, proposed owners, customers’ countries and any licensing needs.

Priorities

Your goals, preferred timeline and the support you need during preparation and after registration.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions, answered.

Citizenship, companies
and doing business in Dominica.

Which Dominica is this?

The Commonwealth of Dominica is an island nation in the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic is a different country with its own laws and procedures.

Does registering a company give me citizenship?

Company registration does not grant citizenship. The citizenship by investment programme requires a separate application, due diligence and a qualifying contribution to the EDF or investment in approved real estate. CBIU guidance.

Can I include my family in a citizenship application?

Yes, provided each family member meets the programme’s criteria. The dependant category, age and financial dependency affect eligibility and cost. An authorised agent reviews who can be included before document preparation begins.

How much does it cost, and how long does it take?

Both the EDF contribution and real estate investment start at $200,000, with fees and professional services charged separately. The real estate route also requires a government fee of $75,000 for a single applicant. The total budget depends on your family, chosen route and due diligence requirements. Neither a fixed timeline nor citizenship approval is guaranteed.

Can I register a new offshore IBC?

New IBCs are no longer registered in Dominica. New businesses must consider the structures available under the Companies Act; information about the former offshore regime does not describe the conditions for a new registration. FSU notice.

Is company registration enough for a financial or gaming business?

The permissions required for your services and clients’ jurisdictions must be assessed separately. Incorporation, a business licence and bank approval are distinct steps. For a regulated business, we first establish whether it can lawfully operate.

Does registration include a bank account or tax exemptions?

Each bank decides whether to open an account after reviewing the business and its owners. Company registration does not automatically provide tax exemptions. Accounting, tax and corporate reporting obligations must be assessed for your particular structure.

Torinio Limited

Let’s discuss your plans
in Dominica

Tell us what you have in mind. We’ll explain the requirements, outline the likely costs and discuss the next steps.

Request a consultation

Your next step

Get in touch

Choose a service and tell us a little about your situation so we can prepare for our conversation.

A brief outline is all we need.
Please leave out passport details
and financial documents.

Citizenship
and business
in Dominica.