Dominica to establish new initiatives to grow population

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – The Dominica government says it will establish a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme as part of its policy towards increasing the island’s population to 100,000 by 2040.

Finance Minister Dr Irving McIntyre said schools, health services, businesses, housing and communities all require a sufficient resident population and access to the skills needed to support national growth.

“The Dominican family extends far beyond our shores. It includes citizens who migrated, their children and grandchildren, and others who retain a connection to Dominica through family and culture. They have acquired valuable skills, professional experience, business networks and capital.”

McIntyre, who presented the government’s EC$1.15 billion fiscal package on Tuesday, said as the economy is transformed by the international airport, geothermal energy, the marina, expanded tourism, modern infrastructure and new investment opportunities, “we want them to know that this is an ideal time to return home.

“Our vision also extends to investors, retirees, CBI citizens, remote workers, entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, many of whom are looking for safe, stable and welcoming places to live, invest and spend more of their time.”

McIntyre said that the government will therefore establish a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme to address three related needs, namely, rebuilding the resident population, reducing the skills gap and creating practical ways for the wider Dominican family to return, invest, serve and settle here.

He said that this year the government will begin to implement the Citizenship through a Dominican Grandparent programme and that the necessary legislation will be taken to Parliament to allow a person with at least one grandparent born in Dominica to apply to become a citizen, subject to proof of ancestry, identity and good character, beginning January 1, 2027.

“Many descendants are now two or three generations removed from the island but still retain a strong family connection. Citizenship can encourage them to participate more fully in national life—visit more often, restore family property, establish businesses, and invest. It can also widen the pool of people eligible to represent Dominica in sport and other fields.”

McIntyre said that the government is also establishing a Global Dominican Talent Register that will identify athletes, medical professionals, scientists, teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists and other skilled people of Dominican ancestry.

“Registrants will be able to state their expertise, availability and the ways in which they are willing to contribute. This will allow government and national institutions to match people with specific opportunities to represent Dominica, mentor young people, provide short-term specialist assistance, invest, support disaster recovery or build international partnerships.”

He said, in addition, eligible remote workers, retirees and financially independent individuals and families will be able to obtain a free two-year “Live in Dominica” residence visa while earning their income abroad.

“These residents can bring immediate spending into rental housing, property improvement, food, transportation, recreation and domestic services. Applicants must be able to support themselves, maintain appropriate health coverage and satisfy immigration and security requirements.”

The Government is also providing a Returning Dominican One-Stop Service, creating a dedicated single point of contact to assist returning Dominicans with housing, business registration, school placement, licences, utilities and other essential services, making the process of returning home as simple and seamless as possible.

McIntyre said also that a fast-track Essential Skills and Entrepreneur Residence Permit will be offered to nurses, engineers, skilled tradespeople and other qualified professionals who fill a verified national skills shortage, as well as genuine entrepreneurs who establish a viable business or employ Dominicans.

“The permit will be used only where there is a genuine national need or clear economic benefit. Its purpose is to fill critical gaps, create jobs, expand training and transfer skills rather than displace Dominican workers.”

He said that to support these initiatives, the Roosevelt Skerrit government will introduce a broader package of policies designed to make relocation, investment and long-term residency more attractive.

McIntyre said that these will include identifying lands for residential and investment development, providing incentives for second-home ownership, retirement living and business establishment, streamlining investment facilitation, and preparing development plans for designated growth areas capable of accommodating new residential and commercial communities.

“These measures provide practical routes through which Dominicans at home and abroad, returning families, skilled residents and responsible long-stay visitors can help rebuild communities and strengthen the country’s economic base,” he added.

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