Residence permit of Dominica

The country of the Caribbean archipelago is a convenient location for travel, business, and work. Immigration to Dominica is suitable for those who are interested in a high standard of living and good education.

Benefit

The label of the "Safe Travel" sign makes the country attractive for foreigners looking for a quiet place to live, wishing to obtain a second citizenship without renouncing the first.

After 3 years of continuous extension of the residence permit, applicants apply for permanent residence, after naturalization they become full-fledged citizens. The country also has a program for acquiring status through investment. Wealthy people can buy temporary or permanent residency, opening up opportunities for public/social services.

Types of residence permit

To cosmopolitans, the authorities of the paradise island offer different categories of visas. There is no need for a permit to enter the country for 3 weeks. Those wishing to stay for a longer period of time, can apply for a tourist visa at the Department of Immigration and extend it up to 18 months. Having a Schengen, British, Canadian or American visa allows the stay for 6 months.

For long-term relocation, work/entrepreneurial activity, a permit of a certain category is required. It is issued at the invitation of private sponsors, an educational institution, to restore family ties, employment. Regardless of the type, it is necessary to collect a file and submit an application.

Residence permit upon purchase of real estate

The authoritative publication PWM (Financial Times) constantly publishes annual world rankings of economic citizenship programs. The leading positions are held by the Caribbean countries. Dominica surpassed Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Despite the devastating hurricanes in the Caribbean, wealthy families are eager to invest in government-listed properties on the island.

Over the 28 years of the existence of the Citizenship by Investment program, there have been no problems with obtaining it. The condition for participation is investment in houses, hotels, purchase of a share in a resort complex for $200,000 for 3 years with payment of a $75,000 state fee. For each dependent under the age of 18, the applicant needs to invest an additional $25,000. The ability to rent out the properties and then sell them makes it possible to partially retrieve the capital in the future.

List of documents

Families with children under 30, financially dependent parents of spouses have the right to participate in the program.

File:

• passports and metrics of participants;
• 8 photos;
• a receipt for payment of funds and fees;
• Due Diligence certificate;
• marriage certificate; 
• copies of the applicant's driver's license;
• police clearance certificate;
• statement of financial movement for the year.

Student residence permits

Young people from different countries come to study in Dominica. In the capital of Roseau and the provinces, 12 universities in England and the United States have been opened for the training of bachelors, masters, and researchers. Languages of instruction – Spanish and English at IELTS levels 6/ 6.5. For doctoral studies, a linguistic certificate at the IELTS 7 level will be required. Foreign citizens from developing countries and talented students receive grants from the Lickley Foundation ($15,000), the University of Glasgow (5,000 pounds), and a SFIAR scholarship ($5,000).

List of documents

Study Visas are issued on the basis of an academic invitation for the period of study.

To receive the visa 3 months before classes, one needs to submit:

• a completed unified form;
• University acceptance letter; 
• passport and 2 photos; 
• metrics with a copy;
• health certificate; 
• proof of solvency or sponsorship letter; 
• civil status document; 
• receipt of the visa fee payment.

Residence permit by marriage

Non-residents married to Dominicans can apply not only for a residence permit, but also for citizenship. The certificate of marriage reduces the period of naturalization from 7 to 3 years, and facilitates the obtaining of a work permit. A key condition for the residence is cohabitation. If you have a child, you can file a dossier after one year. A relationship without formal registration is not a reason to qualify for naturalization.

List of documents

The standard file is published on the official website.

It shall include:

• form G application signed by the spouses, witnessed by a justice of the peace/notary; 
• passports with certified copies;
• the police file is not older than 3 months;
• certificate of a resident from the place of work with indication of income;
• account statement; 
• photocopy of the residence card;
• application and postage fees;
• medical report on health.

Family reunification

The authorities of the island state have expanded the list of family members to participate in the immigration program. Unmarried relatives and adopted children, brothers and sisters, dependent parents can apply.

Age restrictions

The government recently raised the age limit for heirs to 30 and reduced it to 55 for parents. At the same time, financially dependent members of the 16 + family are required to prove that they are in parental care.

The temporary status is issued for 6 months and is extended according to the updated file.

List of documents

Relatives of residents of Dominica can apply directly on the basis of a document that confirms family ties.

In addition, the following is attached:

• 2 photos each;
• certified copies of the passports of the program participants;
• individual questionnaires for each person in the family;
• scan of the inviting party's residence permit;
• bank statement/ sponsorship letter of the resident;
• certificates from the place of residence of all family members;
• police clearance certificate for adult applicants.

Residence permit for work

Non-residents are required to obtain a permit from the Labour Department in Roseau for a period of 6 months or more. Holders automatically become temporary residents and are equalized with the islanders in rights. Permits are issued for a period of 1 year with the prospect of extension to 5. The procession term of the petition takes more than a month. The rules do not apply to citizens of the CARICOM community.

List of documents

The package of official papers for personal submission contains:

• a copy of the passport pages with personal data;
• form LI 12 and photo; 
• medical certificate; 
• a letter from the employer indicating the position and salary; 
• professional recommendations; 
• registration certificate; 
• bank statement; 
• paper from the police commissariat indicating the number of the file;
• scan of the receipt for the registration fee;
• confirmation of the security deposit to cover the cost of the ticket.

Residence permit for business and individual entrepreneurship

From 2021, the "Entrepreneur Visa Program" is available in the country. The purpose of the Entrepreneur Visa is to attract wealthy foreigners and obtain resident status. Immigrants can invest at least $50,000 in a local company through the Economic Diversification Fund, after 45 days they can legalize if they live permanently for 3 months. Dependents under the age of 21 are allowed to be included in the application. Another option is to open a business with an investment of $100,000 or buy securities for this amount. Entrepreneur Visa guarantees temporary residence for 2 years.

List of documents

To comply with the qualification entrepreneurial category, applicants are required to provide the following documents:

• copy of the passport; 
• agreement on the purchase of fund shares; 
• Recommendation Letter; 
• confirmation of activities; 
• certificate of income origin; 
• a letter to the Minister of Dominica;
• Proof of address.

Residence permit for financially independent foreigners

Dominica is the latest Caribbean country to launch a digital Work in Nature visa in the face of a decline in tourism due to coronavirus. At the beginning of 2024, it ranked 25th in the World Digital Nomad Index with a score of 2.88.

Privileges can be used by freelancers, digital nomads, hired employees who work remotely. The Long Stay Program allows the move to Dominica and work remotely for 18 months. Business relocation of the team is possible.

List of documents

The legal procedure takes place online. Applicants upload the file on the website of the Department of Immigration.

The file contains:

• the first pages of the passport; 
• passport-format photo; 
• certificate of self-employment or a contract with a foreign employer;
• proof of annual income of $50,000; 
• bank letter; 
• a medical policy with coverage for basic services;
• when moving with a family – children's metrics;
• fee payment receipt.

Extension of residence permit

Obtaining a residence implies an annual extension of the term within 5 years. The rule does not apply to holders of a work visa, where the time of stay is dated by the terms of the contract. Renewal is also not required when changing the type of permit.

Documents:

• completed form; 
• 2 photos; 
• questionnaire with answers to questions; 
• health certificate; 
• letter explaining the purpose of the residence permit request.
• payment of state duty. 

Cost of extending a residence permit

The cost depends on the type of visa and the period of time. The application fee is $82. The price of a WIN visa per person is $800, a family visa is $1,200. The duty for a work permit costs $295, for studies from $1,150. Fees are accepted in the accounting department of the Ministry of Justice and Immigration.