LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Citizenship by descent in Dominica

Dear Editor,

It is very disheartening and disappointing (even bordering on unfair) to hear that direct descendants of Dominican born grandparents and a mother who is registered as a Dominican are disqualified from obtaining citizenship by descent.

Section 101 of the Dominica Constitution and Section 8 and Amendment 20(1) of the Citizenship Act define the investor program in law, legally granting eligible persons instant citizenship in the country by a Certificate of Naturalization. 

Upon approval by the Prime Minister of Dominica, the client will be promptly issued a Certificate of Naturalization and will receive a Dominica passport within seven days. 

Foreign ownership of real estate in Dominica has increased rapidly over the past few years and Americans are retiring to the country in record numbers (with full citizenship)

If the applicant maintains ownership for five years, they are eligible to re-sell the property under the citizenship by investment program but still retain the full citizenship! 

It is mind boggling to see that total strangers with absolutely no ties to Dominica can put down money and qualify for “economic citizenship” and in a short period of time obtain irrevocable citizenship with full rights and privileges as well as a passport.

Also in addition to that, they require no physical residency or mandatory interview (Dominica does not require foreign nationals applying for citizenship to attend an interview) , whereas I am required to after working (with a valid work permit) and living in Dominica for 7 years or more.

A citizenship by investment Dominica passport is valid for ten years at a time, and can be renewed for life since citizenship in the country is never revocable under any circumstances.

They will be granted full and legal citizenship for themselves and their families, issued a Certificate of Naturalization and will receive a passport within a week…and what REALLY hurts and adds insult to injury is that they can pass their bought nationality on to future generations by descent (by purchase!)

The Dominica citizenship [by] investment program offers successful participants virtually all the same rights as people who were born on the island, including the right to vote in political elections.

Yes, I will reiterate how very disheartening and disappointing this is to me and the others who are considering applying as well.

I truly hope that this email can be shared with the powers that exist within the Government to somehow counteract this and give consideration to my and any other aspiring offspring of Dominican grandparents the same “rights and privileges” of bought citizenship.

As I proof-read my letter, it deeply saddens me even more to see that I can’t partake or enjoy the birthplace of my ancestors while others with absolutely no ancestral ties can.

 

Thank you for your time and space.

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15 Comments

  1. Disappointed
    August 22, 2023

    How long will it be before people can get citizenship in Dominica by descent from Grandparents.
    This is already the case in Antigua and St Kitts.

  2. Waiting For Airport
    March 19, 2021

    Chinese? Welcome… International criminal? welcome… Randomn person unconnected to the culture? Welcome

    Actual Dominican descendants? – you are not welcomed here!

    Skerrit, your message is loud and clear, you see no value in Dominicans, only foreigners

  3. In disbelief
    March 16, 2021

    This article describes my situation also. I was born in the UK, of a born Dominican mother and born Dominican father. I came to Dominica as an infant, was raised and schooled in Dominica until I was a young adult. I have a Dominican passport by descent, however, my children who were not born in Dominica, but have born Dominican grandparents cannot get a Dominican passport. I own property in Dominica, that I have bought and also inherited. My children are my next of kin, my property has to be passed on to them.
    I have to find out what process they would have to go through for that to happen.
    Like the writer, I am trying to understand how complete strangers can purchase passports for all their family, so many generations and extended family, and people who have ancestral ties to Dominica, cannot get a passport. I am hoping that this can be looked at and reviewed, so that this unjust situation can be corrected for descendants of born Dominicans, who have contributed to nation…

  4. Viewsexpressed
    March 16, 2021

    Well said and dumfounded useless Skerrit and his failed deceitful Labour Party Government.
    We need to develop our people and our Prolific Nature Isle 🏝️ Dominica’. Skerrit is sending our Dominica and it’s people to the abyss of no return. How low and disgusting can this Prime “Odd” Minister and his failed questionable.
    incompetent Labour party Government go.This is disgusting and improper and a slap to our people in the face. This current Labour Immature visionless Labour government has failed us. For what this Labour Party Government done to all the people of Dominica. It’s Skerrit Red Clinic Bobolistic operations and fake news. Our villages, Cities, Roseau City is just not accommodating. Don’t even question the state of our Roseau City and our Portsmouth Town. Skerrit therefore has been and will never be this person to lead our people and country ahesfy. We are static. A failure. Skerrit must go.
    We welcome UWP Hon. Linton. We need that change.
    People wake up. It’s our…

  5. Viewsexpressed
    March 16, 2021

    Well said and dumfounded useless Skerrit and his failed questionable incompetent Bobol deceitful Labour Party Government.
    We need to develop our people and our Prolific Nature Isle 🏝️ Dominica’. Skerrit is sending our Dominica and it’s people to the abyss of no return. How low and disgusting can this Prime “Odd” Minister and his failed questionable incompetent Labour party Government go.This is disgusting and improper and a slap to our people in the face. This current Labour Immature visionless Labour government has failed us. For what this Labour Party Government done to all the people of Dominica. It’s Skerrit Red Clinic Bobolistic operations and fake news. Our villages, Cities, Roseau City is just not accommodating. Don’t even question the state of our Roseau City and our Portsmouth Town. Skerrit therefore has been and will never be this person to lead our people and country ahesfy. We are static. A failure. Skerrit must go.
    We welcome UWP Hon. Lennox Linton. We need that…

  6. Viewsexpressed
    March 16, 2021

    Well said and dumfounded useless Skerrit and his failed questionable incompetent Bobol deceitful Labour Party questionable Government Government.
    We need to develop our people and our Prolific Nature Isle 🏝️ Dominica’. Skerrit this failure is sending our Dominica and it’s people to the abyss of no return. How low and disgusting can this Prime “Odd” Minister and his failed questionable incompetent Labour party Government can go. This is disgusting and improper and a slap to our people in the face.
    This current Labour Immature visionless Incompetent Labour government has failed to us. For what the Labour Party Government then done for all the people of Dominica. No Skerrit Red Clinic Bobolistic operations and fake news. Our villages, Cities, Roseau City is just not accommodating. Don’t even question the state of our Roseau City and our Portsmouth Town. Skerrit therefore is Not has been and has will never be this person to lead our people and country. A failure.
    Welcome Hon…

  7. derp
    March 16, 2021

    um once your mother or father is Dominican you can be naturalized they did not pass a law saying you can’t… You want them to make a law stating that once your direct descendant was a Dominican you can automatically get Dominican citizenship too hmmm if that’s the case then why stop there what about my ancestors in Africa best I apply for citizenship there too…

    • Waiting For Airport
      March 19, 2021

      derp… you should at least do a google search before you make these types of comments. Ghana and some other African countries have had that in place for years. If you are an African diaspora/descendant, you can apply for citezenship.

    • AWJ
      April 8, 2021

      So you are comfortable with total strangers with NO ties or loyalty to Dominica determining the fate of the country because of a “bought” legal right to vote in an election?
      Your condescending remark of applying to Africa clearly speaks of your mentality.
      By the way, if you DID take the time and effort to research, Africa DOES recognize and grant citizenship if you are of the diaspora!

  8. ShampooInYourEye
    March 16, 2021

    If it’s your parents that are Dominicans no problem. But for grandparents? Awa. Pay your money or come and live here for some years first.

  9. Bringback the kidnapped parrots
    March 16, 2021

    Only people born on Dominica should be able to own land. Dominica is too small an island to allow foreigners to buy up all the land. Soon people born on the island will have no place to live. It is also too easy to get citizenship if you are a foreigner. If you want citizenship you should have lived on the Island for 10 years minimum continuously not coming and going. Some foreigners have never lived on Dominica but buy land as an investment and set up cameras so that they can monitor the property on their computer or phone from overseas with no intention of living on the island and contributing to the society financially. Getting a Dominican passport is also too easy.

  10. Bringback the kidnapped parrots
    March 16, 2021

    Only people born on Dominica should be able to own land. Dominica is too small an island to allow foreigners to buy up all the land. Soon people born on the island will have no place to live. It is also too easy to get citizenship if you are a foreigner. If you want citizenship you should have lived on the Island for 10 years minimum continuously not comming and going. Some foreigners have never lived on Dominica but buy land as an investment and set up cameras so that they can monitor the property on their computer or phone from overseas with no intention of living on the island and contributing to the society financially. Getting a Dominican passport is also too easy.

    • zandoli
      March 16, 2021

      You want to turn Dominica into a prison which hold prospective citizens hostage fir 10 continuous year? Even criminals gat more lenient sentences.

      • Bringback the kidnapped parrots
        March 17, 2021

        You looking for citizenship? You do not sound like a citizen. Were you born on Dominica?

    • Viewsexpressed
      March 16, 2021

      Well said and dumfounded useless Skerrit and his failed questionable incompetent Bobol deceitful Labour Party questionable Government Government.
      We need to develop our people and our Prolific Nature Isle 🏝️ Dominica’. Skerrit this failure is sending our Dominica and it’s people to the abyss of no return. How low and disgusting can this Prime “Odd” Minister and his failed questionable incompetent Labour party Government can go. This is disgusting and improper and a slap to our people in the face.
      This current Labour Immature visionless Incompetent Labour government has failed to us. For what the Labour Party Government then done for all the people of Dominica. No Skerrit Red Clinic Bobolistic operations and fake news. Our villages, Cities, Roseau City is just not accommodating. Don’t even question the state of our Roseau City and our Portsmouth Town. Skerrit therefore is Not has been and has will never be this person to lead our people and country. A failure.
      Welcome Hon…

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