Visa to Dominica

Dominica is an island nation located in the eastern Caribbean. Its area is 751 sq. km. A trip to the Commonwealth of Dominica is, first of all, a unique opportunity to relax on the azure coast surrounded by palm trees and tropical forests.

Those who apply for a Dominica passport will in the future be exempted from the need to apply for a Schengen visa with the prospect of traveling to more than 140 countries of the world without unnecessary bureaucratic formalities.

But tourism is not the only purpose for which people can visit the exotic island. In particular, some categories of applicants come to the Commonwealth of Dominica to work or do business for a long period of time. And in this case, you can no longer stay on the Dominica island without a visa.

How long does it take to get a visa

A final decision on the candidate is made by representatives of the Commonwealth of Dominica Migration Agency (within 2 – 4 weeks from the date of the documents registration).  

Freelancer Visa

Those who are engaged in a remote format can come to Dominica under the "Work In Nature (WIN)" program. For the applicant, this is a chance to diversify working days with walks in the fresh air, sightseeing and gastronomic delights of national cuisine.

Freelancers who have reached the age of 18 and receive income from companies registered outside the island state can participate in the program.

Income requirements

Another prerequisite is the amount of received earnings. It should be at least $50,000 per year. Additionally, a police clearance certificate will be required.

Residence and work permits for freelancers in the Caribbean countries are issued for a period of 1.5 years. In the application, the applicant can include not only himself/ herself, but also close relatives (children and spouse).

The freelancer is exempt from income tax. Another undeniable advantage of participating in the "Work in Nature" program is duty-free discounts on goods from various suppliers. The exotic island has all the necessary infrastructure for remote work (coworking spaces, entertainment and social platforms).

The cost of applying for a freelancer visa for one person is $800, and in a situation where family members also apply for participation in the Work In Nature (WIN) program, the fee reaches $1,200. The standard term for consideration of the application does not exceed 7 days from the date of submission of documents.

How much does the visa cost?

The cost of services for obtaining a visa to Dominica depends on the type of document and its validity period. The table below shows the costs of paying the visa fee for different categories of applicants.

Detailed information on the cost of obtaining a visa can be found here.

The procedure for apostilling documents is additionally paid for. Simplified legalization of one document or certificate will cost a minimum of $110. The applicant will have to pay another $40 for notarized translation of documents.

Types of visas

For legal crossing of the Commonwealth of Dominica border, the following categories of visas are provided:

• Visitor's Visa; 
• Student Visa; 
• Work Visa;
• "Dominica Entrepreneur Visa";
• "Work In Nature (WIN)".

Visitor's Visa

This type of entry permit is mainly issued by applicants who plan to stay with friends or relatives who have settled in Dominica. A visitor visa can also be requested by those who intend to enter into an official marriage with a citizen of the Commonwealth of Dominica. When undergoing a long course of treatment in clinics of an island state, it is also necessary to apply for a visitor visa.

The document is issued provided that the applicant has received an official invitation from the host party (relatives, one of the spouses, the administration of the medical institution, business partners, etc.).

Student Visa

The document allows students to study at branches of prestigious universities of the UK. Applicants for a student visa must have an invitation from the university (a letter of enrollment/ enrollment to the course), as well as a document confirming financial guarantees in the host country.

Besides this, the applicant needs to provide:

• Passport;
• Medical certificate confirming his/her good health;
• Police clearance certificate; 
• Extract from the bank account of the applicant or the one who financially supports him/her;
• 1 standard photo.

Visa fee payment. In 2024, the British Embassy charges £300.00 for a study visa to Dominica.

Tourist Visa

If someone has planned his/her vacation in an exotic location of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, then he/she often does not need to apply for a tourist visa. He/She has the right to stay in Dominica for up to 3 months within six months without special entry permits.

In a situation where he/she needs to stay on the island for a longer period, he/she can request a visa within the country on alternative grounds.

Entrepreneur Visa ("Dominica Entrepreneur Visa")

The program was initiated by the authorities of Dominica in 2021. It allows people to acquire the citizenship of the country in an accelerated mode. The program participant is offered several options for investing capital:

• Registration of a startup on the island (the minimum investment is $100,000);
• Purchase of securities of a state or commercial enterprise accredited by the Government (minimum investment – $100,000);
• Investment in a business project approved by the authorities of the Commonwealth of Dominica (from $50,000).

Also, the applicant for the "Entrepreneur Visa" must meet the criterion of "residence", i.e. stay on the territory of the island state for at least 90 days a year.

"Dominica Entrepreneur Visa" is an analogue of a residence permit, which is issued for 2 years. After, the holder of the "Entrepreneur Visa" can apply for citizenship under the naturalization program.

Work Visa

This visa format is requested by applicants who come to the Commonwealth of Dominica for employment purposes.

Please note

After crossing the border, it is necessary to obtain an official document stating that the local authorities do not object to the work of the relocant.

In addition, the applicant should submit a letter from the employer indicating the type of employment and the frequency of payment of wages (daily, once a week or month). A work permit is initially issued for 1 year (with the right to subsequently extend the document to 5 years).

Necessary Documents

To obtain a permit to enter the Commonwealth of Dominica, the applicant must submit a package of documents.

List of documents:

• visa application form;
• foreign passport (the document must be valid for at least 6 months);
• 2 photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm);
• certificate of employment; 
• bank statement or sponsorship letter;
• payment receipt of the state duty.

Depending on the purpose of arrival in the island state, the list of documents may vary (for example, students attach an invitation from the university, senior citizens – a pension certificate, applicants for a position in the company – a letter from the employer).

Recent changes in the Dominican visa issuance

In 2023, the authorities of Dominica specified the validity of the passport when applying for a visa. It must be valid for at least 6 months prior to the planned date of departure from the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Also, the country's authorities annulled the rule that previously provided for a ban on entering data about a child into the parents' passport (when crossing the border of Dominica).

Please note

When leaving the territory of the island state by ferry or car, a foreign guest is obliged to pay a fee of $21.