Dominica is one of the latest Caribbean islands to offer a digital nomad visa. Since April 2021, Dominica has implemented its own remote work visa program, called Work in Nature (WIN). The Work in Nature program was created as a means of fighting the drop in tourism because Dominica’s income mostly comes from tourism.
Anyone who is at least 18 years old and wants to work remotely can apply for the Dominica digital visa. Besides, employees or business owners are welcome and can bring their families too.
Benefits of Working as a Digital Nomad in Dominica
Working as a digital nomad in Dominica has the following benefits:
- Ease of obtaining a digital nomad visa. Dominica’s government has enabled remote workers to obtain their digital nomad visa within seven working days. Moreover, applying is done online, and it takes only a few minutes to complete.
- Tax exclusion. You will not be subject to income tax, capital gains tax, or dividend tax as a digital nomad in Dominica.
- Low cost of living. The prices in Dominica are relatively low compared to those in the rest of the Caribbean, America, and the United Kingdom. Approximately $800 is the estimated monthly cost of living for a single person without rent, while $3,000 is expected for a family of four.
- Flavorful and delicious food. The Dominican cuisine is primarily Creole, but British and French elements have also influenced it. Restaurants on the island use domestic and imported ingredients to prepare flavorful dishes using fresh fish and locally cultivated fruits and vegetables. Some of the best dishes you can enjoy are mountain chicken, manicou, agouti, sancocho, codfish sandwich, and many more.
- Leisure activities. All around the island, there are a variety of land, water activities, and tours to enjoy. In addition, Dominica offers a wide range of hiking opportunities for beginners and experienced hikers. Finally, visitors can take boat, diving, and snorkeling tours. You can also enjoy cricket because it is the most popular sport there.
In addition: Among the four English-speaking Windward Islands, Dominica is the most northern. With an area of 751km², it is located between Martinique and Guadeloupe in the Caribbean Sea. It is known as “Nature Island” because the country has many natural wonders. It has around 200 beaches; some are explored, and some are not. Furthermore, Dominica is quite famous because of the film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The movie was filmed there and introduced this wonderful place to the entire world.
Requirements for Dominica Digital Nomad Visa
The documents you need to apply for a Dominica digital nomad visa are:
- Biodata page of your valid passport. The validity of your passport needs to be at least six months.
- Photos passport-sized. The dimensions of the photos must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
- Evidence of your relationship to dependents. To prove your relationship, you need to have a marriage certificate (if you are married), birth certificate, or adoption certificate (if you have children).
- Police records. You can get your and your dependents’ police records from your local police department, proving that you are clear of criminal records.
- Letter of employment or self-employment. If you are employed, you need to have a letter from your employer. If you are self-employed, you can have your recent bank statement and certificate of good standing.
- Proof of income. The income requirements are $50,000 per year.
- A reference letter from your bank.
- Health insurance. You need health insurance designed for digital nomads and remote workers living abroad. Your insurance has to have coverage in Dominica.
- Visa. This applies to those countries where visas are required to enter Dominica.
Note: All your documents should be in English; if you do not have them, you can use translated and certified copies.
How to Apply for a Dominica Digital Nomad Visa?
To apply for a Dominica digital nomad visa, you need to complete the following steps:
- Collect the documents. Make sure to have them in English and digitized. You can find the necessary documents in the section “Requirements for Dominica Digital Nomad Visa”.
- Apply for the visa. The application is done online on the e-platform developed by the government of Dominica. You have to fill in all the personal information and upload the required documents. Make sure to double-check everything.
- Pay the application fee. After filling out the application, you must pay the application fee. It is $100 and is non-refundable.
- Submit the application and wait for approval. Now you only have to click submit and wait. You must wait seven working days to get an answer about whether your application was approved.
- Pay the visa fee. When your application is approved, you must pay the visa fee. The visa fees for individuals are $800 and $1200 for a family.
- Travel to Dominica. After completing the previous steps, you only have to get ready and travel to Dominica. First, however, make sure to be in Dominica within 90 days after your visa is approved.
Additionally, except for the mentioned steps, some countries need a visa to enter Dominica.
How Much Does the Dominica Digital Nomad Visa Cost?
For a Dominica digital nomad visa, you must initially pay an application fee, which is $100 and is non-refundable. After your application is approved, you have 30 days to pay the following fees:
- Individual visa fee – $800
- Family visa fee – $1200
- One business with multiple applicants – $800, plus $500 for each additional employee for a business applying for four or more employees.
Processing Time For A Digital Nomad Visa in Dominica
You will know whether your application was approved or denied within seven working days after applying online and paying the application fee. If it is approved, you have 30 days to pay the visa fee.
How Long Can I Work in Dominica as a Digital Nomad?
The validity of the Dominica digital nomad visa is 18 months, and it is issued upon your arrival.
Paying Taxes as a Digital Nomad in Dominica
The taxation of individuals depends on whether they are residents or non-residents. Non-residents have to pay taxes when their income comes from Dominica. In comparison, residents pay income taxes on all the income received from Dominica and abroad. The income tax rate in Dominica is 15% to 35%. Residents pay 15% on the first $7,400 of income, 25% on the next $11,100 of income, and 35% on the rest of the income.
As a digital nomad in Dominica, you will not have to pay income taxes, capital gains, or dividend taxes. However, for citizens of certain countries, such as the US and the UK, filing an annual tax return is still required.