Yuri K., a 32-year-old Muscovite and owner of a small IT company, reached out to us in September 2018 with the goal of obtaining second citizenship in Dominica.

The country’s program appealed to him due to its straightforward requirements and affordability (starting from $100,000). Additionally, he planned to take advantage of the tax benefits available to investors in Dominica. Yuri had long considered registering his business outside of Russia. Furthermore, he had personal motivations as well:

  • He had recently met someone special, a girlfriend living in Edinburgh. Visiting her required a UK tourist visa, which took time and money each time. With a Dominican passport, Yuri would be able to travel to the UK freely and stay there for up to six months. He also had plans to expand his business in the UK.
  • The Dominican passport would not only open doors to the “foggy Albion,” but also grant him visa-free access to the Schengen area and facilitate obtaining multiple-entry visas for the United States and Canada.

Processing Citizenship for Yuri K.

The case began in September 2018 with the signing of a cooperation agreement.

Before this, Yuri personally visited the company’s office in Moscow and brought his passports (domestic and international). This visit was the client’s own initiative and was not required.

Document collection took one month. Remaining in close contact with the lawyer, the client promptly gathered everything needed: birth certificate, income statements, HIV test, police clearance certificates, and other documents. He sent digital copies of these documents, without notarization, via email to the company. Later, a notary in Dominica handled all necessary notarizations.

The client paid the due diligence fee, and the completed document package was sent for review by officials in Dominica.

Meanwhile, the lawyers identified several suitable shares in reputable development projects for Yuri to consider.

The client chose an investment package at the Cabrits Resort Kempinski. Yuri was drawn to the fact that the construction was backed by a reputable brand, which ensured a high likelihood of successful project completion and minimized risks for investors. The investment share here exceeded the minimum amount specified by the government program—$220,000. Private developers have the right to set the investment above the stated minimum.

After selecting the investment project, Yuri signed a share reservation agreement and deposited 10% of the full investment amount into the developer’s escrow account.

The client successfully passed the government background check in Dominica, which enabled him to pay the remaining 90% of the investment package cost and cover the required fees.

Another step was taking the Oath of Allegiance, which Yuri completed online. Two weeks later, he received his naturalization certificate and Dominican passport via courier.

The partnership with the client did not end there. In January 2019, Yuri was assisted with replacing his driver’s license.

Future Plans:

  • Free remote assistance for the client in selling his share in the development project.
  • Passport renewal in five years (a mandatory procedure under Dominica’s citizenship program requirements).

Case Outcome

Yuri obtained Dominican citizenship within three months of his initial request.