Dominica Introduces Mandatory Visits for New Citizens Under Its Citizenship by Investment Programme
Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme underwent several regulatory developments in 2026 as the government moved to strengthen applicant screening and foster closer ties between new citizens and the country. Developments began in March, followed by the announcement of mandatory in-person visits in June. On August 4, the government outlined a physical presence requirement of 30 days during the first five years after citizenship is granted.
These developments mark a shift in a programme that has historically allowed applicants to obtain citizenship without residing in Dominica. However, certain details concerning the implementation timeline and practical application of the new requirements still require official clarification.
March 2026: Tighter Screening of Iranian Applicants
On March 23, 2026, Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU) issued a memorandum suspending the processing of applications from Iranian nationals, with the suspension taking effect on March 24.
Under the memorandum, applications from Iranian nationals could be considered if applicants met three conditions simultaneously: they had not resided in Iran during the previous ten years, did not hold substantial assets in Iran, and had not conducted business or similar activities in or with the country.
The measure represented a change in eligibility screening and due diligence requirements, but it was not directly related to mandatory physical visits. Further details are available in the CBIU memorandum published by IMI Daily.
April and May 2026: Continued Publication of Programme Guidance
Throughout April and May, the CBIU continued publishing informational materials covering the programme, application requirements, supporting documents, and citizenship costs.
On April 30, the Unit published information about the programme for entrepreneurs. On May 14, it released further details concerning programme costs and fees, followed by materials on required documentation on May 21 and sustainability on May 28.
Based on the available information, these publications did not announce the implementation of a mandatory in-person visit requirement. This period should therefore be viewed as part of the programme’s broader informational and regulatory context, rather than as the start of a new physical presence policy.
June 2, 2026: Official Guidance Still Did Not Require Travel
On June 2, 2026, the CBIU published a frequently asked questions page addressing applications submitted from outside Dominica. The guidance stated that applicants did not need to travel to the country to complete the citizenship application process and were not required to reside there before or after obtaining citizenship.
This guidance provided a useful reference point shortly before the government announced a change in policy. Further details are available in the CBIU’s official FAQ on applying for Dominica citizenship from abroad.
June 10, 2026: Prime Minister Announces Mandatory Visits
On June 10, 2026, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced at a press conference that successful applicants under Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme would be required to visit the country in person.
Skerrit explained that new citizens would need to visit Dominica and spend time there, giving them an opportunity to become more familiar with its society, culture, and development priorities. He also stated that personal attendance would be required to collect renewed passports, according to the announcement.
The Prime Minister indicated that the government was considering additional measures to strengthen the relationship between citizens who obtained nationality through investment and the country itself, in response to evolving international standards and expectations.
At that stage, however, the announcement did not specify the required length of the visit or provide a complete implementation framework. Further details were expected to be presented during the upcoming national budget address.
June 12, 2026: Media Reports Confirm the Policy Shift
On June 12, 2026, Dominica News reported on the mandatory visit requirement, highlighting the government’s move away from a model that allowed citizenship procedures to be completed without visiting Dominica.
The report linked the proposed reforms to broader regional efforts to strengthen Citizenship by Investment Programmes and address regulatory risks. It also noted that programme revenues support areas such as housing, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and climate resilience initiatives.
At this point, the government had announced its intention to require visits, but had not yet specified a definitive period of physical presence.
July 10, 2026: Regional Coordination on Citizenship Programmes
On July 10, 2026, leaders of countries participating in Citizenship by Investment Programmes met in Roseau, Dominica, to discuss the programmes and engagement with the European Union.
The meeting took place amid international scrutiny of citizenship schemes, including concerns about applicant screening, due diligence, and the potential loss of visa-free travel privileges.
The official statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister of Dominica confirms that these issues formed part of a wider regional discussion rather than an isolated policy change by Dominica.
However, the meeting did not, in itself, establish that the 30-day physical presence requirement had entered into force.
July 23, 2026: Legal Development Involving the Regional Regulatory Authority
On July 23, 2026, an order was published in the Official Gazette concerning the commencement of legislation relating to the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority, known as ECCIRA, in Dominica.
The development formed part of broader efforts to establish a regional regulatory framework aimed at strengthening oversight and coordination among participating countries. Legal and industry analyses subsequently linked this framework to the new physical presence requirements.
Nevertheless, the commencement of the legislation did not necessarily mean that every operational requirement had become immediately enforceable. The practical implementation of the physical presence rule remained dependent on the relevant legal and administrative arrangements.
August 4, 2026: A 30-Day Physical Presence Requirement Is Outlined
On August 4, 2026, Finance Minister Irving McIntyre presented Dominica’s budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year to Parliament. The budget-related developments included a requirement for participants in the Citizenship by Investment Programme to spend at least 30 days physically present in Dominica during the first five years after obtaining citizenship.
This marked a shift from June’s general announcement about mandatory visits to a more specific physical presence requirement. Reporting related to the budget also referred to government plans for integration programmes intended to strengthen new citizens’ ties to Dominica, although the full details of these initiatives had not yet been published.
Further information is available through the official budget address for Dominica’s 2026–2027 fiscal year.
However, the available reporting did not establish a definitive commencement date for the 30-day requirement. It also did not conclusively clarify whether the rule would apply to individuals who had obtained citizenship before implementation. Practical questions about how the required days would be calculated also remained unresolved.
What the Changes Mean for Investors and Applicants
These developments make it increasingly important for prospective applicants to review Dominica’s regulatory requirements before making decisions about citizenship. Investors should not assume that the programme will remain entirely free of physical presence obligations over the long term.
It is also important to distinguish between a policy announcement, the specification of a requirement during the budget process, and the entry into force of the relevant implementing rules. These are separate stages, each with different implications for new applicants and existing citizens.
Confirming the commencement date, scope, and method of calculating the required period of physical presence will be essential before making investment decisions or developing international mobility plans based on Dominican citizenship.
Developments between March and August 2026 indicate that Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Programme is moving towards requirements that place greater emphasis on physical presence and engagement with the country, alongside stronger oversight and regional coordination.
Although the August budget outlined a requirement for 30 days of physical presence during the first five years after citizenship is granted, further implementation details remain essential to understanding the full impact on applicants. Investors should therefore monitor subsequent official announcements before assuming that the requirement applies uniformly to all categories of citizens.
At Brief Gates, we monitor regulatory developments affecting citizenship and residency by investment to help investors and families understand changing requirements and assess international mobility options in line with their objectives.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information published up to August 4, 2026. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice.
