Dominica Citizenship by Investment Cost 2026: Every Fee Explained
Dominica is where many families start when they compare Caribbean programs, and the first number they see is $200,000. That figure is real, but it is the price for one person. Add a spouse or children and the contribution changes, and a set of government fees comes on top. This guide breaks down every cost for 2026, works through examples for different families, and explains what the new regional rules mean for you.
A single applicant contributes $200,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund and pays about $210,000 once government fees are added. A family of up to four contributes $250,000, which comes to roughly $266,500 for a couple with two children under 16, before professional fees.
The two ways to qualify
Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) donation
The EDF route is a one-time, non-refundable contribution to a government fund that supports projects in areas such as education, healthcare, sport and tourism. The contribution is $200,000 for a single applicant and $250,000 for a main applicant with up to three dependants. Each additional dependant adds $25,000 if under 18 or $40,000 if aged 18 or over. Dependants include spouses, children, parents and grandparents who rely on the main applicant as their primary source of income. It is the simplest route, with no property to buy or sell.
Approved real estate
You can instead invest in property within a government-approved project. The minimum investment is $200,000 and the property must be held for at least three years before you sell. Unlike the donation route, real estate also carries a government fee: $75,000 for a single applicant, or $100,000 for a main applicant with up to three dependants, plus $25,000 or $40,000 for each additional dependant. That fee is the main reason the real estate route costs more upfront.
Fees on top of the contribution
Every application also carries fees for due diligence, processing and interviews. Due diligence is $7,500 for the main applicant and $4,000 for each dependant aged 16 or over. The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) also charges $1,000 per application, $500 for each person's certificate of naturalisation, and $1,000 for each mandatory interview for applicants aged 16 or over. Enhanced due diligence can add to the bill depending on your nationality or background, and the figures below do not include passport issuance or courier costs.
| Fee | Who pays | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EDF contribution | Single applicant | $200,000 |
| EDF contribution | Main applicant + up to 3 dependants | $250,000 |
| Additional dependant under 18 | Each person beyond the fourth | $25,000 |
| Additional dependant aged 18+ | Each person beyond the fourth | $40,000 |
| Due diligence | Main applicant | $7,500 |
| Due diligence | Each dependant aged 16+ | $4,000 |
| Application processing | Per application | $1,000 |
| Certificate of naturalisation | Each person | $500 |
| Interview | Each applicant aged 16+ | $1,000 |
Worked examples: what families actually pay
The table below uses the EDF route and government fees only. Your final figure will also include professional fees, which vary by firm.
| Family | Estimated total |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | ~$210,000 |
| Married couple | ~$265,500 |
| Couple + 2 children under 16 | ~$266,500 |
| Couple + 1 child under 16 + 1 child aged 16–17 | ~$271,500 |
| Couple + 2 children aged 16–17 | ~$276,500 |
| Couple + 3 children under 16 (family of five) | ~$292,000 |
Notice that a couple pays the same $250,000 contribution as a family of four, so adding two young children costs only about $1,000 more in fees. Children aged 16 and over cost more because each one adds $4,000 in due diligence and $1,000 for an interview. The real jump comes at the fifth person, who adds $25,000 or $40,000 to the contribution before fees. If you have a larger family, it is worth comparing Dominica with Grenada and Antigua, which price families differently.
The real estate route: what it costs
On the real estate route, a single applicant pays $200,000 for the property plus a $75,000 government fee, about $285,000 with due diligence and other fees. A couple with two children under 16 pays $200,000 for the property plus a $100,000 government fee, about $316,500 in total, before any purchase costs on the property itself. That is roughly $50,000 more than the donation route for the same family, in exchange for an asset you can sell after three years.
How long does it take?
The CBIU says approval typically takes three to four months. Document preparation, the mandatory interview and passport issuance all add time around that figure, so ask for a realistic end-to-end timeline for your family before you commit.
What changed in 2026
Dominica is one of five Caribbean programs now overseen by ECCIRA, the regional regulator created to standardise the rules. A harmonised minimum investment of $200,000 applies across all five programs, which matches Dominica's price for a single applicant. The new framework also brings mandatory interviews and enhanced due diligence, and the five governments have agreed in principle to require new citizens to spend 30 days in their country during the first five years. Start dates and transition rules differ between programs, so confirm what applies on the day you apply.
Is Dominica good value in 2026?
Dominica is the cheapest Caribbean program for a single applicant and sits in the middle for a family of four: about $266,500 for a couple with two young children, against roughly $263,500 for Grenada and $271,100 for St Kitts. What you give up is US treaty access, because Dominica has no E-2 treaty with the United States and Grenada is the only Caribbean program that offers it. What you get is a program that has operated since 1993, visa-free access to the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom, and a wide definition of family that includes parents and grandparents.
Want an exact figure for your family? Compare Grenada and St Kitts with our citizenship cost calculator, or ask the Imperial Citizenship team for a free, itemised quote for Dominica.
Request a free quoteFrequently asked questions
How much does Dominica citizenship cost in 2026?
The minimum is $200,000 for a single applicant through the Economic Diversification Fund, or about $210,000 including government fees. A family of up to four contributes $250,000.
What is the total cost of Dominica citizenship for a family of four?
With two children under 16, government costs come to roughly $266,500 on the EDF route. Each child aged 16 or over adds about $5,000 for due diligence and the interview.
Is the Dominica EDF contribution refundable?
No. The EDF contribution is a non-refundable donation to a government fund. Only the real estate route lets you recover capital, by selling the property after the minimum three-year holding period.
Do I need to live in Dominica?
Dominica has not required applicants to live in the country in order to apply. Under the new regional framework the five Caribbean governments have agreed in principle to a 30-day physical presence requirement during the first five years of citizenship, so confirm the rule that applies on your application date.
Can Dominican citizens get the US E-2 visa?
No. Dominica has no E-2 treaty with the United States. Grenada is the only Caribbean citizenship by investment country whose citizens can apply for the E-2, and only after three continuous years of domicile there.
About Imperial Citizenship
Imperial Citizenship helps investors and families obtain second citizenship through government-approved citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean and beyond. Led by CEO Zaid Al Hindi, the team works closely with program units, attends official CIU and IMA events, and has hosted industry events in Dubai and Lagos in partnership with Grenada's IMA and the Consulate of Grenada in Dubai.
Disclaimer: Figures are indicative as of September 2026 and can change without notice. Government fees are estimates based on the official fee schedule published by Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Unit, and exclude agent, legal, translation, passport and courier costs. Confirm current fees with the official government unit or with Imperial Citizenship before applying. This article is not legal or financial advice.