People of substance and means often seek alternative citizenships, as a means to enable them to protect their assets and income, and to travel more freely throughout the world. If it's wrong to discriminate against people based on their race, ethnic group or gender, why is it OK to discriminate against people based on their citizenship or the passport they carry? That is a question we frequently pose to governments, but for some reason they never give straightforward answers!

If your freedom to work, invest, or purchase property where you choose is restricted by your current citizenship, then you should be thinking about acquiring a second citizenship. There are various ways to obtain a second passport: see our primary article on the subject at this link.

This article focuses on the only two countries left in the world where you can legally "purchase" a second passport. These two jurisdictions - St Kitts & Nevis, and Dominica - do still offer so-called "economic citizenship" programmes. Prices, needless to say, have increased substantially.


St Kitts and Nevis Economic Citizenship Programme

The St Kitts programme was launched by act of parliament in 1984, and has always maintained high standards, thereby avoiding the scandals which have embroiled some of the other, now defunct, citizenship programmes.

St Kitts requires an "investment" which may be satisfied in any of the following ways:

(i) A substantial investment of at least $350,000.00 US dollars or its equivalent in East Caribbean currency in an "approved investment project" - read certain real estate developments approved by the government.

Or

(ii) A one-off non-refundable contribution into the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation of:

Single applicant: US$ 200,000
Applicant with up to three dependants (i.e. one spouse and two children below the age of 18): US$ 250,000
Applicant with up to five dependants (i.e. one spouse and four children): US$300,000
Applicant with six or more dependants: US$ 400,000
 

Commonwealth of Dominica Economic Citizenship Programme

Dominica offers a somewhat lower cost alternative, with the basic fees to the government being as follows:

Family US$100,000
Single applicant US$75,000


Due Diligence and Professional Fees

Whichever of the two programmes you choose, expect to find a lot of extra fees tagged on to the bill before you are finished. There are extra government processing fees, 'due diligence' fees which can exceed $10,000 per person, and then the professional fees you will need to pay, since carrying out the process without professional help is almost impossible. So it is by no means a low cost process.

Dominica is a member of the British Commonwealth, the United Nations, the OAS, and CARICOM.

The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, realizing that an Economic Citizenship Programme could generate much needed revenue for the country, competitively structured their Programmes to cost substantially less than that of the competing program from St. Kitts and Nevis. The legislation which provides for full citizenship is authorized by an amendment to the Dominica Citizenship Act. The cost of citizenship through the programme is less than that of the St. Kitts and Nevis programme.



About Dominica

Dominica (pronounced "Dom-in-eek-a") is an island of volcanic origins located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, at approximately 15 degrees North latitude and 61 degrees West longitude.

Dominica is famous for its tropical rainforest, and the many rivers and waterfalls which result from the high rainfall in the interior. In addition, its volcanic origins manifest themselves most noticeably in the Boiling Lake (one of the largest of its kind in the world) and many other smaller fumaroles around the island (including at least one underwater).

Moreover, it is widely acknowledged to be both one of the best dive sites and a prime whale watching location in the region (if not world).It has several peaks of over 3,000', the tallest of which are Morne Diablotin (4,747') and Morne Trois Pitons (4,600').

English is the official language but a French-based Creole (kwéyòl) is widely spoken, especially in outlying villages. This reflects an often turbulent history in which the island would be assigned to Britain by a treaty with the French, who would promptly break it and try to regain control of Dominica. Throughout and to the present day the original inhabitants, the Caribs, tried to coexist.
In 1903 they were assigned a 3,700 acre Territory in the north-east where around 3,000 live today.

The original Carib name for Dominica is Waitikubuli, meaning 'tall is her body' and many of the villages still retain (or at least are still known by) their Carib name.

The currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (of which there are 2.7169 to the US$). Office/Shop hours are 8am to 4pm; Banking hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm (Friday till 5pm).




Advantages of Citizenship in Dominica

• Citizenship for Life for applicant and eligible family members.

• Dual Citizenship permitted and there is no residence requirement.

• Passports - 10 year validity for adults; 5 year validity for children under 16 years of age. All passport holders have the right to renew as "Citizens".

• Visa-Free Travel - to approximately 80 countries including Switzerland, Canada, and most British Commonwealth member countries. Where a visa is required, they are relatively easy to obtain.

• Tax Free Status - on Foreign Income, Capital Gains, Gift, Wealth and Inheritance Tax
   

Application Procedure for Dominican Second Citizenship

Upon receipt of the deposit and completed due diligence forms, a copy will be submitted to the approved agency for a quotation. The client will be notified and instructed to send the amount of the due diligence fee and the Gov't application fee of US$1,250 per person. (Balance of fees and the investment requirements will be due upon approval of application.)

Applicants will have to attend an interview with the Prime Minister of Dominica or a Special Commissioner announced by the Prime Minister. This interview will be conducted in English so applicants should at least be able to communicate in English.

The interview MAY also be conducted in the applicants home country/town but a US$3,000 fee will apply plus travel expenses for the account of the applicant - please ask your chosen agent about this.

Your lawyers will help you prepare for this interview and get you familiar with the basic facts of the background and history of the country. The interview cannot be waived and is held once a month on the last Friday of each month.

This date however, is subject to change due to the travel plans of the Prime Minister, but once confirmed and subject to urgent changes the date may be depended on.

Typically, the interview is about one hour long and there will be questions about yourself (all the details on your application form will be confirmed) and the basic knowledge of Dominica's history will be tested; please note that you will not be allowed to take an interpreter in to the interview with you.

We can assist with the preparation of the interview and ensure that applicants are fully up to date with the background and historical information.



Application Documents Required for Dominica Economic Citizenship Program

1. Two (2) completed Form 12 Commonwealth of Dominica applications (per applicant) - both must be originals and notarized.

2. Two (2) personal references and a bank reference.

3.  Educational background for applicant and spouse.

4. Legible Copy of Passport or Official Travel documents. Preferably in color and enlarged.

5.  Eight (8) passport size photographs for each eligible family member.

6. Medical Certificates of good health including HIV Negative.

7. Police Certificates.

8. Birth Certificates for all eligible family members.

9. Marriage Certificate or Divorce Decree (if applicable).

10.  On receipt of completed Form 12, the passport forms will be forwarded to you for completion. These are processed on approval of Form 12.

    a. The Oath of Allegiance must be dated AFTER approval of naturalization.
    b. Due Diligence investigation will be conducted on all adult applicants. These fees are non-refundable.

RESOURCES:

Q Wealth Limited are able to make referrals to recommended lawyers who are duly licensed by the respective governments of the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. This topic is frequently covered in The Q Wealth Report. Subscribe today to obtain the instant benefit of our member services, and you can be sure that you are dealing with a recommended outfit on whom we have already conducted due diligence. If you are not yet sure about signing up for the full service, why not try a FREE subscription to the Q-Bytes e-zine?

Also please note our blog has a category on second citizenships. You can visit the archives here.