Every way into Dominica.

Nationals of countries that are not visa-exempt (for example Haiti and the Dominican Republic) must obtain a visitor visa before travelling to the Commonwealth of Dominica, applying through a Dominica consulate or high commission. The High Commission in London charges GBP 25 and issues visas within about 10 days, though it notes that applications themselves are not processed at that mission. Applicants submit an application form, passport with two photos, a letter of invitation, a recent police record, bank statements, an employment or self-employment letter and a medical report including an HIV/AIDS test. The visa is for tourism and visits only and does not authorise work or lead to residence.

Government fee

£25

Processing time

10 days

A foreign national who is not treated as a bona-fide tourist, or who wishes to remain in Dominica beyond the 21 days or other period granted at entry, must apply in person for an Extension of Stay at the Passport and Immigration Department in Roseau before the entry permission expires. Fees are paid at the Treasury and depend on nationality and length: CARICOM nationals pay EC$25 (under one month) or EC$50 (one to three months), and non-CARICOM nationals pay EC$50 (under one month) or EC$100 (one to three months). Applicants attend an interview with the Inspector-in-Charge of Immigration and show a valid passport, a return ticket, proof of sufficient funds, a local address and the Treasury receipt. The extension prolongs visitor status only and does not grant work rights.

Government fee

EC$1

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

Most visitors to the Commonwealth of Dominica do not need a visa. Commonwealth, CARICOM and United States citizens may enter visa-free for up to six months, while citizens of countries such as the UK, France, Germany and Japan are admitted for up to three months, and any bona-fide tourist or in-transit passenger holding a return ticket may enter for up to 21 days. A valid passport, a return ticket, proof of sufficient funds and a local address are required, and since 18 October 2024 all arriving travellers must complete the free online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) card at edcard.dominica.gov.dm within three days of travel and present the resulting QR code at the port of entry. The visa-free entry does not authorise employment and to stay beyond the granted period the visitor must apply for an Extension of Stay.

Government fee

$0

Max stay

180 days

Foreign nationals admitted to a recognised educational institution in Dominica (for example Ross University-affiliated programmes or other approved schools) may study on a student basis, presenting a letter of acceptance for a full-time course and proof that course costs are paid in full. Applicants must show sufficient funds to support themselves for the duration of study and provide an English birth certificate, academic mark sheets and certificates, and TOEFL or IELTS scores where the institution requires them. The permission allows the holder to live in Dominica for as long as needed to complete the course and to undertake limited work to help support themselves. Visa-required nationals must also obtain entry clearance through a Dominica consulate; official published fees and processing times are not specified.

• Work: Limited work permitted to help support the student during studies.
• Study: Full-time enrolment at the admitting institution.

The Work In Nature (WIN) Extended Stay Visa, launched in 2021 and administered by the Invest Dominica Authority, lets remote workers and their families live in Dominica for up to 18 months while working for employers or clients not registered in Dominica. Applicants must be at least 18, be of good character, work remotely, and either expect income of at least US$50,000 over the next 12 months or otherwise show the means to support themselves and accompanying family. The application is filed online with a non-refundable US$100 application fee; the visa fee is US$800 for a single applicant, US$1,200 for a family application, or US$800 plus US$500 per additional employee for a business with four or more employees. The visa is issued on arrival and valid for up to 18 months from that date. It does not by itself create a path to permanent residence.

• Work: Remote work only for employers or clients not registered in Dominica; no local employment.
• Family: Spouse or partner, children/stepchildren under 18, and wholly dependent relatives may be included in one application.

Government fee

$800

Max stay

547 days

Validity

547 days

Min. income / month

$4,167

Non-nationals wishing to work in Dominica must obtain a work permit from the Labour Division before taking up employment. Permits target roles that cannot reasonably be filled locally, and the employer must show the position was advertised locally first, provide the job offer and accept responsibility for the worker. The fee paid at the Treasury is EC$250 for CARICOM nationals or EC$800 for non-CARICOM nationals; the application requires two completed copies of the form plus supporting documents, and processing typically takes two to six weeks. Permits are valid for one year and are renewable. A work permit held for employment exceeding six months automatically grants residency, and five years on work permits can lead to permanent-residence eligibility.

• Work: Authorises work for the sponsoring employer and role for which the permit is granted.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

EC$800

Processing time

28 days

Validity

365 days

As a member of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), Dominica allows qualifying nationals of other CARICOM member states to live and work without a work permit once they hold a CARICOM Skills Certificate. The certificate covers approved skill categories such as university graduates, media workers, artists, musicians, sportspersons, nurses, teachers, holders of associate degrees and certain artisans and household workers. The certificate is verified by Dominica's authorities on entry, after which the skilled national has free-movement work rights; it does not apply to non-CARICOM nationals. The published fee schedule for verification in Dominica is not specified.

• Work: Free-movement work rights for CARICOM skilled nationals without a separate work permit.
• Study: Lawful presence permits study.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: CSME free movement extends to the skilled national's spouse and dependent children.

The real-estate route of the Citizenship by Investment Programme grants Dominican citizenship in exchange for buying a government-approved property worth at least US$200,000, the lowest real-estate threshold in the Caribbean. The property must be held for three years (or five years if sold to another CBI applicant), with more than 50 approved developments such as eco-resorts and boutique hotels. On top of the purchase, government fees are US$75,000 for a single applicant or US$100,000 for the main applicant plus up to three dependants, with US$25,000 per additional dependant under 18 and US$40,000 per additional dependant aged 18 or older. There is no residence requirement, all applicants 16+ attend a mandatory virtual interview (US$1,000 per application), and enhanced due diligence fees (US$7,500 main applicant, US$4,000 per spouse/dependant 16+) apply; approval in principle generally takes at least three months.

• Work: Citizens have unrestricted rights to live and work in Dominica.
• Study: Citizens may study without restriction.
• Residency: Grants full citizenship directly; property held 3 years (5 if resold to another CBI applicant).
• Family: Spouse, children under 18, children 18-30 in higher education, unmarried daughters under 25, dependent disabled children and parents/grandparents over 65 can be included.

Processing time

105 days

Min. investment

$200,000

Under the Citizenship by Investment Programme (operating since 1993 under Section 101 of the Constitution and the consolidated Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2024), an applicant can acquire Dominican citizenship by a non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF). Since the OECS-aligned reform that took effect on 8 June 2024, the minimum contribution is US$200,000 for a single applicant, US$250,000 for a main applicant and spouse, and US$275,000 for a family of up to four, with US$25,000 per additional dependant under 18 and US$40,000 per additional dependant aged 18 or older. There is no residence or visit requirement before or after citizenship. All applicants aged 16+ must attend a mandatory virtual interview (US$1,000 per application), and applications go through enhanced due diligence (US$7,500 main applicant, US$4,000 per spouse or dependant 16+). Approval in principle generally takes at least three months.

• Work: Citizens have unrestricted rights to live and work in Dominica.
• Study: Citizens may study without restriction.
• Residency: Grants full citizenship directly; no residence period required before or after.
• Family: Spouse, children under 18, children 18-30 in higher education, unmarried daughters under 25, dependent disabled children and parents/grandparents over 65 can be included.

Processing time

105 days

Min. investment

$200,000

Foreign entrepreneurs who set up or invest in a business in Dominica establish themselves through the standard residence-permit framework rather than a dedicated investor visa; long-term passive investor migration runs through the separate Citizenship by Investment Programme. A business owner secures a residence permit (Treasury fee EC$250 for CARICOM nationals or EC$800 for non-CARICOM nationals, renewable yearly), and any non-national staff including the owner working in the company also need work permits from the Labour Division. Five years of continuous lawful residence can lead to permanent-residence eligibility. There is no published minimum capital threshold for the residence route itself.

• Work: Business activity allowed; a work permit is required to perform work in the company.
• Study: Lawful residence permits study.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

EC$800

Validity

365 days

Dominica has no dedicated retirement or pensioner visa; retirees settle using the standard non-working residence permit, supported by a Dominican sponsor accepting responsibility and proof of independent funds such as pension or savings. The Treasury fee is EC$250 for CARICOM nationals or EC$800 for non-CARICOM nationals, and a medical examination by a local doctor (including HIV and chest X-ray results recorded on the medical form) is required. The permit is valid one year and must be renewed annually; after five consecutive years of renewed temporary residence the retiree may apply for permanent residence. Many retirees who want a faster, residence-free route instead obtain citizenship through the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

• Study: Lawful residence permits study.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

EC$800

Validity

365 days

A non-Dominican who marries a Dominican citizen may apply to be naturalised as a citizen after at least three years of continuous lawful residence in Dominica while remaining married. Throughout the qualifying period the applicant must hold valid residence and (where employed) work permits and demonstrate good character with a clean criminal record. The application requires a marriage certificate and proof of the spouse's Dominican citizenship, together with the usual residence and police-clearance documentation. The route confers full citizenship rather than mere residence; the official fee schedule is not published.

• Work: On naturalisation the spouse has full citizen work rights.
• Study: Full citizen study rights on naturalisation.
• Residency after 3 years
• Family: Route is based on marriage to a Dominican citizen; children qualify on their own basis.

The residence permit is for non-nationals who wish to live in Dominica without taking up local employment, for example to settle, live off independent means or join family. A Dominican sponsor (a friend or family member) must accept responsibility for the applicant. The Treasury fee is EC$250 for CARICOM nationals or EC$800 for non-CARICOM nationals, administered by the Ministry responsible for immigration. Permits are valid for one year and renewable; the permit must be renewed each year for five consecutive years before the holder becomes eligible to apply for permanent residence. Applicants provide a valid passport, a medical certificate, a police record, proof of a return ticket or deposit, photographs and financial documentation.

• Study: Lawful residence permits study; institutions may have their own requirements.
• Residency after 5 years

Government fee

EC$800

Validity

365 days

Permanent residence in Dominica is available to foreign nationals who have lawfully resided on the island for an extended period, generally by renewing a one-year temporary residence permit each year for five consecutive years, or by holding a valid work permit for five years. The application is submitted to the Ministry responsible for immigration and labour and requires a local medical examination including HIV and chest X-ray results recorded on the medical form, alongside evidence of continuous lawful residence and good character. Permanent residents may live in Dominica indefinitely; the official fee schedule is not published. Permanent residence is also a step toward naturalisation as a Dominican citizen.

• Work: Permanent residents may live and work in Dominica.
• Study: Permanent residents may study without restriction.
• Residency: This is permanent residence; it is a step toward naturalisation as a citizen.