Moving to Dominica: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

74,243

Population Growth Rate

0.22%

Urban Population

67.100000

Population in Major Urban Areas

ROSEAU (capital) 14,000

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Age Structure

21.840000

Median Age

31.700000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

16

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

7.97

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.06

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-5.4

Ethnic Groups

Black, mixed black and European, European, Syrian, Carib Amerindian

Nationality Noun

Dominican(s)

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Literacy - total population

94%

Literacy - male

94%

Literacy - female

94%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over has ever attended school

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP

3.5%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

0.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

76.390000

Infant Mortality Rate

11.990000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

11.990000

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

1.59

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

3.8

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

5.9%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

24.9%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

95.700000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

79.600000

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Economic Overview

The Dominican economy was dependent on agriculture - primarily bananas - in years past, but increasingly has been driven by tourism, as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination.

However, Hurricane Maria, which passed through the island in September 2017, destroyed much of the country’s agricultural sector and caused damage to all of the country’s transportation and physical infrastructure.

Before Hurricane Maria, the government had attempted to foster an offshore financial industry and planned to sign agreements with the private sector to develop geothermal energy resources.

At a time when government finances are fragile, the government’s focus has been to get the country back in shape to service cruise ships.

The economy contracted in 2015 and recovered to positive growth in 2016 due to a recovery of agriculture and tourism.

Dominica suffers from high debt levels, which increased from 67% of GDP in 2010 to 77% in 2016.

Dominica is one of five countries in the East Caribbean that have citizenship by investment programs whereby foreigners can obtain passports for a fee and revenue from this contribute to government budgets.

Industries

Soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$710,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$11,400.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

1.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$524,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 70.5% Government
• consumption: 18.8% Investment in fixed
• capital: 10.8% Investment in
• inventories: 0% Exports of goods and
• services: 28.6% Imports of goods and
• services: -28.7%

GDP by Sector- agriculture

14.7%

GDP by Sector- Industry

15.5%

GDP by Sector- services

69.8%

Industrial Growth Rate

1.6%

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Inflation Rate

1.4%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

2.7

Currency Name and Code

East Caribbean dollars (XCD)

Fiscal Year

1 July - 30 June

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

8.6%

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Labor Force

25,000

Unemployment Rate

23%

Major Industries

Soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes

Agriculture Products

Bananas, citrus, mangos, root crops, coconuts, cocoa Note: forest and fishery potential not exploited

Population Below Poverty Line

29%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

40%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

32%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

28%

Annual Budget

$148,100,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

70%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

28.3%

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Full Country Name

Commonwealth of Dominica

Country Name

Dominica

Etymology- history of name

The island was named by explorer Christopher COLUMBUS for the day of the week on which he spotted it, Sunday ("Domingo" in Latin), 3 November 1493

Independence

3 November 1978 (from the UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 3 November (1978)

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Government Type

Parliamentary Republic

Constitution

• History: previous 1967 (preindependence); latest presented 25 July 1978, entered into force 3 November 1978
• Amendments: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as fundamental rights and freedoms, the government structure, and constitutional amendment procedures requires approval by three fourths of the Assembly membership in the final reading of the amendment bill, approval by simple majority in a referendum, and assent of the president; amended several times, last in 2015

Legal System:

Common law based on the English model

Executive Branch:

• Chief of state: President Sylvanie BURTON (since 2 October 2023)
• Head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004)
• Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
• Elections/appointments: president nominated by the prime minister and leader of the opposition party and elected by the House of Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 September 2023 (next to be held in October 2028); prime minister appointed by the president
• Election results: 2023: parliament elects Sylvanie BURTON (DLP) with 20 votes for and five against

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral House of Assembly (32 seats; 21 representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 9 senators appointed by the president - 5 on the advice of the prime minister, and 4 on the advice of the leader of the opposition party, plus 2 ex-officio members - the house speaker and the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 6 December 2022 (next to be held in 2027);
• Note: tradition dictates that the election is held within 5 years of the last election, but technically it is 5 years from the first seating of parliament plus a 90-day grace period
• Election Results: percent of vote by party - DLP 82.3%, independent 16.9%; (elected) seats by party - DLP 19, independent 2; (Assembly)
• Composition: men 20, women 12, percent of women 37.5%

Judicial Branch:

• office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
• Subordinate courts: Court of Summary Jurisdiction; magistrates' courts

Regions or States:

10 parishes; Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Luke, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick, Saint Paul, Saint Peter

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Dominica Freedom Party or DFP [Bernard HURTAULT]
• Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT]
• Dominica United Workers Party or UWP [Lennox LINTON]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: yes Citizenship by descent
• only: yes Dual citizenship
• recognized: yes Residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

Capital Name

Roseau

Capital - geographic coordinate

15 18 N, 61 24 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AOSIS
• Caricom
• CD
• CDB
• CELAC
• Commonwealth of Nations
• ECCU
• FAO
• G-77
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICCt
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC
• ISO (correspondent)
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• MIGA
• NAM
• OAS
• OECS
• OIF
• OPANAL
• OPCW
• Petrocaribe
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• UPU
• WFTU
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Steve FERROL (since 15 September 2023)
• Chancery: 3216 New Mexico Ave NW Washington, DC 20016
• Telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781
• FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791
• Email: Embdomdc@gmail.com
• Consulate(s) General: New York

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Geographic Location

The Caribbean

Geographic Coordinates

15 25 N, 61 20 W

Total Area

290 Square Miles 751 Square Kilometers

Land Area

290 Square Miles 751 Square Kilometers

Coastline

92 Miles 148 Kilometers

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Terrain

Rugged mountains of volcanic origin

Highest Point

1,447 Meters

Highest Point Location

Morne Diablatins 1,447 m

Lowest Point Location

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

Timber, hydropower, arable land

Time Zone

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall

Terrain

Rugged mountains of volcanic origin

Location

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago

Total Area

290 Square Miles 751 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

NA

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Exports

$38,300,000 (USD)

Imports

$186,500,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Bananas, soap, bay oil, vegetables, grapefruit, oranges

Major Imports

Manufactured goods, machinery, and equipment, food, chemicals

Top Export Partners

Japan 38.1%, Jamaica 19%, Antigua and Barbuda 10.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.2%, St. Lucia 4.8%, St. Kitts and Nevis 4.2%

Top Import Partners

Japan 42%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, US 11.9%, China 6%

Export Partners

Japan 38.1%, Jamaica 19%, Antigua and Barbuda 10.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 6.2%, St. Lucia 4.8%, St. Kitts and Nevis 4.2%

Import Partners

Japan 42%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, US 11.9%, China 6%

Country Description

Dominica is an English-speaking developing Caribbean island nation.

The tourism industry is in the early stages of development; first-class tourist facilities are limited, but medium-range facilities are widely available.

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Crime

Street crime, including armed robbery, occurs in Dominica.

Valuables left unattended, especially on beaches, are vulnerable to theft.

If renting a private property on Dominica, be certain to request proof of insurance from the property owner.

Rented villas are sometimes robbed, especially those in the Calibishie area, and if the owner has no insurance for theft you will be unable to recoup your losses.

Take some time before travel to learn how to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Dominica, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Dominica, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating Dominica’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Dominicaare severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

IF ARRESTED: If you are arrested in Dominica, authorities of Dominica are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.

If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.

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Medical Facilities

Medical care is limited.

The major hospital is Princess Margaret Hospital (telephone (767) 448-2231/5720).

In addition, there is one other hospital in Dominica and several clinics.

There is an operational hyperbaric chamber at the main hospital.

The private hospital and clinics will take emergency cases.

There is limited ambulance service on most of the island, and a sea rescue service is available at the North end of the island.

Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions While in Dominica, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Vehicles are driven on the left in Dominica.

Seatbelt laws are not strictly enforced.

Roads are narrow with steep inclines throughout the island.

There are few guardrails in areas that have precipitous drop-offs from the road.

Be especially careful on the two hour trip from the airport to the capital, Roseau, that winds through the mountainous interior.

Serious accidents involving tourist vehicles occur periodically.

Road signs are limited outside of the major towns.

Drivers should be alert for minibus (taxi) drivers, who often make sudden stops or pull out into traffic without warning or signaling.

A local temporary driver’s license is required.

These can be purchased at all car rental offices and from the Traffic Department in Roseau.

Traffic Safety

While in Dominica, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

Vehicles are driven on the left in Dominica.

Seatbelt laws are not strictly enforced.

Roads are narrow with steep inclines throughout the island.

There are few guardrails in areas that have precipitous drop-offs from the road.

Be especially careful on the two hour trip from the airport to the capital, Roseau, that winds through the mountainous interior.

Serious accidents involving tourist vehicles occur periodically.

Road signs are limited outside of the major towns.

Drivers should be alert for minibus (taxi) drivers, who often make sudden stops or pull out into traffic without warning or signaling.

A local temporary driver’s license is required.

These can be purchased at all car rental offices and from the Traffic Department in Roseau.

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Airports - total

2

Airports with Paved Runways

2

Roadways- total

940 Miles 1,512 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

473 Miles 762 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Portsmouth, Roseau

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Telephones

17,500

Cell Phones

41,800

Internet Users

26,500

Internet Country Code

.dm

Internet Hosts

718

Broadcast Media

• No terrestrial TV service available
• subscription cable TV provider offers some locally produced programming plus channels from the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean
• state-operated radio broadcasts on 6 stations
• privately owned radio broadcasts on about 15 stations

Telephone System

• Assessment: Fully automatic network
• Domestic: Fixed-line connections continued to decline slowly with the two active operators providing about 20 fixed-line connections per 100 persons; subscribership among the three mobile-cellular providers continued to increase with teledensity reaching 150 per 100 persons
• International: Country code - 1-767; landing points for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) and the Global Caribbean Network (GCN) submarine cables providing connectivity to other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay and SHF radiotelephone links to Martinique and Guadeloupe; VHF and UHF radiotelephone links to Saint Lucia

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

79,050,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

85,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

918

Anthem Lyrics English

Isle of beauty, isle of splendour, Isle to all so sweet and fair, All must surely gaze in wonder At thy gifts so rich and rare.

Rivers, valleys, hills and mountains, All these gifts we do extol.

Healthy land, so like all fountains, Giving cheer that warms the soul.

Dominica, God hath blest thee With a clime benign and bright, Pastures green and flowers of beauty Filling all with pure delight, And a people strong and healthy, Full of godly, rev'rent fear.

May we ever seek to praise Thee For these gifts so rich and rare.

Come ye forward, sons and daughters Of this gem beyond compare.

Strive for honor, sons and daughters, Do the right, be firm, be fair.

Toil with hearts and hands and voices.

We must prosper!

Sound the call, In which ev'ry one rejoices, "All for Each and Each for All."