Dominica residence permit

A first-time applicant must show a passport valid for at least six months before being given the forms; a passport with less validity must be renewed first. Until the status changes to a work or residence permit, the applicant remains a visitor and must hold an extension of stay from the Immigration Department recorded in the passport. Without it the person is on the island illegally and no form will be issued until the visitor status is regularised, and the extension must be kept up while the application is processed.

Every non-national over 18 completes the application form in duplicate. The file contains a medical certificate on the government form, completed by a doctor with HIV and chest X-ray results, stating good health and no communicable disease in the past three years; two testimonials, one from the last employer; a banker's statement of financial position for the applicant or the person accepting responsibility; a police record from the Commissioner of Police of the home country dated within three months; proof of a return ticket or a deposit covering it; a passport photo and the passport; a letter from a friend or relative accepting responsibility; a marriage or birth certificate where applicable; and a cover letter requesting the permit.

The application fee, paid at the Treasury Department, is EC$800 for non-CARICOM nationals and EC$250 for CARICOM nationals. Attach a photocopy of the Treasury receipt. All documents must be handed in together; an incomplete file is not accepted.

The Ministry of Labour lists the first-time residence permit, its renewal and permanent residence among the forms available on the government eServices portal, and the Labour Division processes and issues the permits once requirements are met. Paper files go to Government Headquarters, Kennedy Avenue, Roseau. Neither the government page nor eServices states a processing time or the length of the permit.

To renew, applicants over 18 complete the renewal form in duplicate, available at the Immigration Department, and submit a banker's statement of financial position, a recent police record, the Treasury receipt, a letter from the sponsor accepting responsibility and a cover letter requesting renewal. The renewal fee is the same: EC$800 for non-CARICOM nationals and EC$250 for CARICOM nationals.

Ministry of National Security, Labour and Immigration, Labour Division, 2nd Floor, Government Headquarters, Kennedy Avenue, Roseau, telephone (767) 266 3553. Five years of residence or employment can later lead to permanent residence.