The Government of Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment Regulations has announced strict promotional guidelines for agent, and tightened of eligibility criteria for Authorised Agents and increases in application and renewal fees for Authorised Agents and Licenced Promoters.
The consolidated CBI regulations 2024 provide a clearer legislative framework for all stakeholders to follow. The previous iterations of regulations were combined into this January 2024 set to ensure that applicants and agents, alike, are fully apprised of the rules when applying for citizenship.
“The CBIU upholds its commitment to ensuring that its Authorised Agents and Licenced Promoters promote and market the CBI Programme to the highest standards and have enshrined the Promotional Guidelines in the 2024 Regulations to reinforce the importance of protecting the Programme’s reputation and increasing the fine for breaches”, said in a statement in the CBIU website.
Authorized Agents
Authorised Agent is a person or entity must
- be a citizen of Dominica;
- reside in Dominica or have its main office registered in Dominica with a minimum of three staff;
- must undergo due diligence background checks by independent due diligence firms and the JRCC
Every Authorised Agent shall first register with the Citizenship by Investment Unit and pay a fee of $20,000 United States dollars before he may file applications with the Unit; and pay an annual renewal fee of $15,500 United States dollars to maintain
their licence
Licensed Promoters
Licensed promoters must have entered into a contractual agreement in writing with an Authorised Agent must submit their application in person to the Unit and – pay a fee of
$20,000 United States dollars before they are allowed to market the Citizenship by
Investment Programme to potential clients; and pay an annual renewal fee of $15,000 United States dollars to maintain their licence
Promotional Guidelines
The publication, dissemination and advertisement of information and promotions of the Citizenship by Investment Programme shall be subject to the following Promotional Guidelines:
(1) It is prohibited to reference or any publication or content used, visa-free travel to specific countries, territories, and regions with which a Dominican passport holder may travel to without needing to first apply for a visa.
(2) It is prohibited to claim that an applicant may receive citizenship through the Programme at investment costs that are lower than the minimum amount precribed in Schedule 1 of these Regulations
(3) It is prohibited to display or publish images of the passport of Dominica or Certificate of Naturalisation.
(4) It is prohibited to use “sale of passports” or similar terminology (including “citizenship sale”, “buying passport”, “purchasing passports”, “paying for passports”).
(5) It is prohibited to promote or advertise the Programme by using mass texts, text blasts, push messages, and other similar alerts via cell phone, telephone, and social media
with text of messaging services.
(6) It is prohibited to falsely claim that the grant of a Dominican passport is part of the process of the Programme.
(7) It is prohibited to use images of Government officials or the Unit Head to promote the Programme without the written approval of the Government.
(8) It is prohibited to suggest in any manner whatsoever that you may affect the decision- making process of the Government with respect to applications, including processing times.
(9) It is prohibited to state the number of applicants who were granted citizenship through the Programme and the country of origin of those applicants, unless this information is formally published by the Government.
(10) It is prohibited to promote the Programme by falsely associating “Special Offers” or “Special Discounts” to the Programme.
(11) It is prohibited to compare the Programme with similar programmes through information that extends beyond precise fact and deliberately misrepresents details of the
Programme that are not in line with those mandated by law, Government guidance or the information on the website of the Unit.
