The Caribbean nation ranks the world's best for investment and citizenship The Caribbean nation ranks the world's best for investment and citizenship
Published: Thu 27 Sep 2018, 11:16 AM
Updated: Thu 27 Sep 2018, 1:22 PM
Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme was recently declared the world's best in a special report by the Financial Times subsidiary Professional Wealth Management. The independent study, titled the 2018 CBI Index, is the only comprehensive ranking system of citizenship by investment jurisdictions, critically analysing the 13 countries currently operating government-legislated programmes around the world. Since its first issue, no other country has managed to beat Dominica's number one position.
The Best
Experts at FT's PWM awarded the Commonwealth of Dominica perfect results in five of the seven areas measured, which are considered most important from an investor's perspective, according to independent researcher James McKay. The island-nation scored top marks for its security and vetting procedures (referred to in the report as due diligence), affordability (minimum investment outlay), speed (citizenship timeline), efficiency (ease of processing) and undemanding travel or residence requirements.
As the country with the world's best CBI programme, Dominica spearheads the investor immigration industry's evolution with a balanced offering for both its new and current citizens. While it presents one of the oldest programmes, established in 1993, Dominica now occupies the leading position in a growing economic citizenship sector, fuelled by investors seeking new, international opportunities.
The fastest
One of the reasons why so many see Dominica as the best CBI offering in the industry is partly due to the speed at which it is capable to process applications, with citizenship typically approved in less than two months. Even when the demand is very high, there is a government regulation in place whereby the Citizenship by Investment Unit will notify the authorised person on behalf of the main applicant as to whether their application has been approved in principle or not, provided all the documentation and procedures had been complied with fully. This is perceived as a particular advantage that Dominica has to offer to investors, without compromising on the quality of the programme or the security and stability that the Dominican citizenship proudly presents.
Most affordable
Secondly, Dominica's CBI investment thresholds start from US$100,000 for a main applicant, which is the most affordable option on the market. It is available in the form of a contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund (EDF) and offers the opportunity for investors to obtain second citizenship more conveniently and improve the lives of Dominicans in the process. The second pathway to Dominican citizenship is an investment in designated real estate with a value of at least US$200,000, which can be sold after five years of receiving citizenship. Nonetheless, with top hotel brands like Marriott, Hilton or Kempinski, along with other luxury resorts developing world-class accommodation for the growing eco-tourism trade, Dominica continues attracts investors who are able to combine entrepreneurship with practicality.
Future-proof
Dominica's CBI Programme encourages high net-worth individuals and international businesspersons, as well as their families, to invest in Dominica and obtain second citizenship for many reasons. In return for their contribution, applicants benefit from greater international mobility, new business opportunities, security and stability for their families and the chance to belong to a coveted Global Community. Dominican passport holders can travel easily to over 120 countries and territories, including business hubs like London, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Schengen Zone. Moreover, Dominica's new economic citizens can be certain of the integrity of their second nationality, thanks to the programme's strong due diligence framework and exemplar reputation. As Dominican citizenship is for life and can be passed down to future generations, investors can be sure that their family legacy is protected.
GLOBAL COMMUNITY
After pledging to become "the world's first climate-resilient nation", Dominica proves its economy is hurricane-proof thanks to its leading Citizenship by Investment Programme. Dominica's Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit recently stated that the results noted by experts at FT/PWM "are, in many ways, even more meaningful in the wake of last year's Hurricane Maria. We showed unfathomable resilience, and a consistent and diligent approach to service, resuming application processing for our citizenship programme within less than a week of the event. I can safely assure investors that our Citizenship by Investment Programme is indeed hurricane-proof."
Furthermore, this small Caribbean nation is devoted to innovative engineering research that could help other nations minimise the consequences of destructive adverse weather, as recently experienced by the east coast of the US following hurricane Florence landfall. This philosophy is ingrained in Dominica's Global Community concept, which believes in caring not only for native or economic citizens, but the world. Holders of the Dominican economic citizenship can therefore be proud that their investment goes beyond their own benefit and eventually contributes to making the world a better place.
Those looking to obtain Dominica's sought-after citizenship are encouraged to visit the Government's official website - cbiu.gov.dm