Dominica

Dominica visa guide: visits, work, residence and citizenship by investment

5 visa types
checked 25 October 2026

How visas for Dominica work

Entry to the Commonwealth of Dominica is handled by the Passport and Immigration Department at Police Headquarters in Roseau, while visas and permits fall under the Ministry of National Security, Labour and Immigration. Every visitor needs a valid passport, a valid return ticket, sufficient funds for the intended stay and a local address.

Nationals of Commonwealth and CARICOM countries, the United States and several EU states may stay up to six months without a visa, and nationals of another group of countries, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom, up to three months. Nationals not on either list still have a short visa-free option: any bona fide tourist or in-transit passenger who holds a return ticket and satisfies the immigration officer that they will not stay longer than 21 days does not need a visa, and passengers on tourist vessels are also exempt.

Travellers who need a visa apply for a visitor's visa with an invitation letter, a sponsor's bank statement and notarised documents, paying EC$200 at the Treasury. Stays can be extended at the Immigration Department. The Labour Division issues work permits and residence permits (EC$800 each for non-CARICOM nationals, through the eServices portal) and, after five years of residence or employment, permanent residence. Separately, the Citizenship by Investment Unit grants citizenship for a US$200,000 contribution or approved real estate investment.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday of up to 21 days with a return ticket: no visa needed.

Longer visit or visiting a host for more than 21 days: visitor's visa (EC$200) or an extension of stay.

Taking a job or self-employment: work permit (EC$800 for non-CARICOM nationals).

Living in Dominica: residence permit (EC$800 for non-CARICOM nationals).

Five years of residence or employment: permanent residence.

Citizenship through investment: US$200,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund or approved real estate, via an authorised agent.

Visa types for Dominica

Visits and short stays

Tourist visa Visa-free tourist entry (21 days) and visitor's visa
Any bona fide tourist can enter Dominica without a visa with a return ticket, provided the immigration officer is satisfied that the stay will not exceed 21 days; nationals on the government's exemption lists may stay three or six months.
Maximum stay: Up to 21 days visa-free for any bona fide tourist (three or six months for nationals on the exemption lists); extensions up to three months

Business and self-employment

Investor visa Citizenship by Investment Programme (Economic Diversification Fund or approved real estate)
Dominica grants citizenship to investors who contribute at least US$200,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund or buy a unit worth at least US$200,000 in an approved real estate project.
Validity: Citizenship; passports generally valid up to ten years (five years for children under 16)

Work

Work visa Work permit
Non-nationals need a work permit, approved by the minister responsible for labour, to work in Dominica, whether employed or self-employed.

Residence

Residence permit
Foreigners who want to live in Dominica apply to the Labour Division of the Ministry of National Security, Labour and Immigration for a residence permit, either online through the government eServices portal or at Government Headquarters in Roseau.
Permanent residence
Permanent residence in Dominica can be granted, at the discretion of the minister responsible for immigration and labour, to people who have been resident or employed on the island for five years.
Maximum stay: Permanent

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Dominica?

Not for a tourist stay of up to 21 days with a return ticket. Nationals on the government's exemption lists may stay three or six months without a visa; everyone else needs a visitor's visa or an extension of stay for a longer visit.

What are the general entry requirements?

A valid passport, a valid return ticket, sufficient funds for the stay and a local address.

How much is an extension of stay?

For non-CARICOM nationals EC$50 for less than a month and EC$100 for one to three months.

Where are fees paid?

At the Treasury Department, which issues the receipt you attach to the application.

Does Dominica offer citizenship by investment?

Yes. The Citizenship by Investment Unit accepts applications through authorised agents for a US$200,000 Economic Diversification Fund contribution or an approved real estate purchase of at least US$200,000.

Who issues work permits in Dominica?

The Labour Division, with the approval of the minister responsible for labour; applications go through the government eServices portal.