Buying a House in Dominica for Citizenship: US$200,000, 3 Years

Reviewed by Jane Katkova, Founder & Licensed CICC Consultant· Last updated: September 2026

Buying a house in Dominica through the citizenship programme means from US$200,000 in a CBIU-approved project, held three years, plus a government fee the fund route does not charge. It is the shortest real estate hold in the Caribbean and the only Dominica route that can return part of the capital. Figures verified 27 September 2026.

Dominica CBI real estate route: key facts and fees

• Minimum Purchase of US$200,000. in a project approved by the Citizenship by Investment Unit
• 3-Year Holding Period. 5 years if resold to another CBI applicant; the shortest of the five islands
• Government Fee Set by Family Size. charged only on this route; not refundable
• Government Fees on Top of the Investment. US$1,000 processing; US$7,500 / US$4,000 due diligence; US$1,000 interview; US$500 certificate; identical to the fund route
• Escrow Mandatory. under ECCIRA; funds released on approval
• Spouse, Children Under 31, Parents and Grandparents 65+ Eligible. same definition as the fund
• No Residency to Buy and None Today to Hold. 30 days in five years expected
• Investment Recovery Possible After the Hold. depends on a buyer; not guaranteed

Buying property in Dominica: approved resort shares and titled units

Approved projects are mostly hotel and resort developments: a share in a branded resort, or a titled unit, villa or plot within the development.

Share in an approved resort: From US$200,000

• Covers: A fractional interest the developer operates; a small yield is possible
• Holding: 3 years (5 if sold to a CBI buyer)
• Best for: Applicants who want a straightforward exit through the developer's resale programme

Not a home; resale usually goes to the next CBI applicant, which triggers the five-year hold

Titled unit, villa or plot: From US$200,000, usually more

• Covers: Freehold title in an approved development
• Holding: 3 years (5 if sold to a CBI buyer)
• Best for: Buyers who will spend time on the island, meet the expected 30-day rule, or rent the property out

A house outside an approved project does not qualify

Government fee, due diligence and interview fees are on top of the purchase, which closes only after approval in principle.

Buying a house in Dominica compared with other Caribbean CBI real estate

The three-year hold is Dominica's advantage over every other Caribbean programme.

Selling before the hold ends cancels the citizenship basis. After it, resale to a non-CBI buyer is unrestricted; resale to a CBI buyer requires five years from your purchase.

Dominica real estate versus the EDF contribution: benefits and risks

Advantages

• Shortest hold in the region. Three years against five in Grenada, Antigua and St Lucia and seven in St Kitts.
• Same US$200,000 headline as the fund. No other island prices real estate at its fund minimum.
• A resalable asset. A resort share or unit can be resold after the hold; some developers offer buy-back.
• A base for the 30-day rule. A titled unit gives you somewhere to stay for the expected presence requirement.

Limitations and risks

• Higher upfront cost. Government fee, closing costs and any developer premium sit on top of the US$200,000; the fund charges none.
• Resale is not assured. The realistic buyer is the next CBI applicant, which triggers the five-year hold. Dominica has 70,000 residents; the open market is thin.
• Developer risk. Approved projects have stalled before. We recommend only developments with completed phases and operating history; escrow is mandatory.
• The same passport limitations. No UK since July 2023, US Proclamation 10998, Canada visa required, EU phase-out letter for June 2028.
• Reporting for US owners. Rental income and a local bank account mean FBAR and FATCA reporting; Dominica has a Model 1 IGA.

Dominica real estate or EDF: our advice by applicant profile

For US and Canadian citizens

We usually recommend the fund. You want a second nationality, not a resort share in a hurricane-exposed market, and the government fee and closing costs rarely pay back after three years. The exception is a client who plans to winter in Dominica and wants a titled unit for the expected 30-day rule. Rental income is taxable at home either way.

For US and Canada residents on another passport

Real estate can make sense if family will use the property or you expect to relocate part-time. Otherwise the EDF at US$250,000 for a family of four costs less and is simpler to manage. Either way the passport still needs a visa for the UK, the US and Canada, and your nationality must be clear of the restricted list.

Request the CBIU-approved project list and a cost comparison

We send you the current CBIU-approved list, the government fee for your family size, and a fund-versus-property comparison for your household. Book a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy any house in Dominica and get citizenship?

No. Only property in a project approved by the Citizenship by Investment Unit qualifies, at US$200,000 or more, closing through escrow after approval in principle. An ordinary house bought on the open market does not count, however much it costs; you can still buy one, but it will not lead to citizenship.

How long must I hold Dominica CBI real estate?

Three years from the grant of citizenship, the shortest hold in the Caribbean; five years if you sell to another citizenship-by-investment applicant. Selling early cancels the basis for your citizenship. After the hold you may sell to anyone, but the practical market is other CBI applicants and developer buy-backs.

Does buying property in Dominica cost less than the EDF contribution?

No. The headline is the same US$200,000, but real estate adds a government fee set by family size, closing costs and the same due diligence and interview fees. The fund has no government fee. Real estate can end up cheaper only if you resell for close to what you paid after the hold, which depends on finding a buyer.

Do I have to live in the property?

No. There is no residence requirement to buy or to keep the citizenship today. ECCIRA's 30-day presence rule within the first five years is expected, and a titled unit gives you somewhere to spend those days. Resort shares cannot be lived in.

This guide is part of our Dominica citizenship by investment overview.

Official sources and references

1. Dominica CBIU, approved real estate projects
2. Dominica CBIU, cost and fees