CaribbeanPolicy Updates

Dominica CIP’s New Real Estate Fees and Dependents Definitions to Take Effect Next Week

Christian Henrik Nesheim ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 
Editor
Christian Henrik Nesheim

Following the gazetting of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Regulations 2022, the popular Caribbean CIP will see a slew of changes to the definitions of dependents, as well as to the government fee structure for applications filed under both the investment and contribution options.

A message from our partners
Middle East Road Show Ad

The changes – which, among other effects, will remove the possibility of including siblings as dependents, impose age restrictions on parent and grandparent dependents, and require that adult child dependents be engaged in higher studies (unless they are unmarried daughters) – will take effect on September 15th.

Salient changes to the definition of “dependent”

  • To be considered dependents, adult children (18-30 years old) of the main applicant must now, in addition to being “substantially” financially supported by the main applicant or main applicant’s spouse, be enrolled in a recognized institution of higher learning.
  • An exemption to the above requirement applies specifically for unmarried daughters (not for sons), who may now also qualify as dependents even without attending an institute of higher learning, provided they are under 25 years old and are living with and fully supported by the main applicant or the spouse of the main applicant.
  • Parents or grandparents of the main applicant or main applicant’s spouse may now only qualify as dependents if they, in addition to being substantially supported by the main applicant or main applicant’s spouse, are older than 65 years. Previously, no age minimum applied to parent or grandparent dependents.
  • The new regulations also repeal the provision that has until now allowed siblings of the main applicant or main applicant’s spouse to qualify as dependents, thus terminating any possibility of including siblings in the application, an option first introduced in June 2020.

Salient changes to government fees for applications filed under the program’s real estate option

  • Since siblings are no longer eligible to be included as dependents under any circumstances, the fees relating to sibling dependents are removed in their entirety.
  • The set fee for families of seven members has been removed, and set fees now apply only to families of up to six members. Additional dependents beyond the 6th family member will henceforth require a flat US$25,000 fee per additional dependent.

Minor changes to government fees for applications filed under the EDF contribution option

  • Just as with the real estate option fees, since siblings are no longer eligible to be included as dependents under any circumstances, the fees relating to sibling dependents are removed in their entirety.
  • Fees for eligible dependents when the family has more than four members are now distinguished based on the dependent’s age: The fee for additional dependents under the age of 18 is now US$25,000, while the fee is US$50,000 for those over 18.