Dominica Immigration
About Dominica
Dominica, officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" for its seemingly unspoiled natural beauty. Dominica is a fully independent with republican status within the British Commonwealth.
The name Dominica comes from the Italian word for Sunday ("Dominica"), which was the day on which it was spotted by Christopher Columbus. Its pre-Colonial name was "Wai'tu kubuli", which means "Tall is her body".
The Commonwealth of Dominica has an estimated population of 72,500. The capital is Roseau. The island features lush mountainous rainforests, home of many very rare plant, animal, and bird species. Dominica's economy is heavily dependent on both tourism and agriculture.
In the next hundred years after Columbus' landing, Dominica remained isolated, and even more Caribs settled there after being driven from surrounding islands as European powers entered the region. France formally ceded possession of Dominica to the United Kingdom in 1763. The United Kingdom then set up a government and made the island a colony in 1805. The emancipation of African slaves occurred throughout the British Empire in 1834, and, in 1838, Dominica became the first British Caribbean colony to have a legislature controlled by blacks. In 1896, the United Kingdom reassumed governmental control of Dominica, turning it into a crown colony. Half a century later, from 1958 to 1962, Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation. In 1978, Dominica became an independent nation.
Location
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago. There are two primary population centers: Roseau and Portsmouth.
Economy
Dominica's currency is the East Caribbean Dollar (of which there are 2.7169 to the US$). Bananas and other agriculture dominate Dominica's economy, and nearly one-third of the labor force works in agriculture.
Dominica is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative that grants duty-free entry into the United States for many goods. Dominica also belongs to the predominantly English-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Dominica offers tax-free status to companies locating from abroad. It is not known how many companies benefit from the tax-free status because of the strict confidentiality the government enforces, although it is known many Internet businesses utilize Dominica for this reason.
Dominica has three major newspapers, The Sun, The Times, and The Chronicle. There are two national television stations and a few radio stations, including Q95 FM the Dominica Broadcasting Corporation, and Kairi FM.[21] Before 2004, there was one telecommunication company called Cable and Wireless. In 2005, Digicel and a UK-based company called Orange started to offer service to the island. There are a number of mobile networks operating on the island.
Dominica citizenship benefits
Applicants who apply for Dominica citizenship benefit greatly if they want to avoid one of the following problems;
- If your present passport has to be renewed or extended more frequently than every ten years.
- If your present passport could be renounced or cancelled by your government at any time.
- If your present nationality limits your investment and entrepreneur abilities.
- If your present Government levies taxation on your income, assets and capital worldwide.
- If your current nationality allows your present Government to control, limit and register your traveling.
- If your current nationality shows that you are a citizen of a very unpopular state that causes a preconceived or negative attitude towards you.
- If your current nationality forces you and your children to serve in the army.
- If your current nationality limits your freedom of traveling.
- If your country is politically unstable.
- If you want to change the address of your permanent residency.
- If you want to insure your family against unforeseeable misfortunes.
Other benefits include
Second Passport and Dominica Citizenship
Dominica offers second passport and Citizenship for the main applicant, applicant's spouse and dependent children (if any).
Dual citizenship
Dual Citizenship is permitted and there is no residence requirement. It is necessary to visit Dominica once to attend the interview with the Prime Minister in order to get your second passport. But if you want you can live in Dominica for the rest of your life.
Granting of Citizenship
If you submitted all documents (i.e. application forms, declarations of Guarantor, all supporting documents, etc.), passed all necessary procedures (like due - diligence) and the interview with the Prime Minister was successful, you can expect to receive your Certificate of Naturalization and Passport within next 30 days as a rule. But it can vary, depending upon the country of your current citizenship. The Minister of Legal Affairs will personally sign the Certificate of Naturalization authenticating you as a citizen of Dominica.
Second Passport validity
The validity of passports in Dominica is ten (10) years (easily renewable). A passport which expired or which has no further space for visas must be replaced with a new one at the nominal cost of USD 45.
Tax free status
Second passport and Dominica citizenship is the key to preserve your wealth. There are no capital gains, gift, wealth and inheritance taxes.
Security
Protection of bank accounts, real estate and businesses, both abroad and within your own country.
Confidentiality
The Government of Dominica does not inform the country of your current citizenship or residency about your second or third citizenship.
Residential permit
Such permit is easier to obtain by Dominican citizens wishing to reside in Monaco, Switzerland, Andorra, United Kingdom, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Bahamas and other Caribbean countries.
Visa-Free Travel
Travel visa-free to more than one hundred (100) countries including: Great Britain, Hong Kong, Liechtenstein, Ireland, South Korea and Switzerland. Where a visa is required (Schengen States), it is relatively easy to obtain it within a day.