Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Program Under Fire Amid Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Regulatory Failure
EU Reportedly Weighing Suspension of Visa-Free Access as the UK Has Already Taken Action
Dominica — New allegations of illegal financing, excessive agent commissions, and a lack of regulatory enforcement have once again placed Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program under international scrutiny. The controversy is drawing concern from investment migration experts and appears to have caught the attention of European policymakers.
At the center of the storm is Globe Visa, a major Chinese immigration agency previously blacklisted by the Dominican government for undercutting official pricing standards. Despite its prior expulsion, the firm has mysteriously resumed operations—this time offering rebates of up to $70,000 in China and as much as $100,000 in other regions on CBI-related donations. Industry insiders say such figures raise serious red flags about the legality and sustainability of these incentives.
Observers fear the rebates far exceed any plausible legal margin, prompting speculation about the possible use of illicit financial channels, the misuse of public funds, or fraudulent declarations. The absence of any meaningful government response has only deepened these concerns.
*The English text in the picture is translated by AI
“These practices simply don’t add up unless someone is bending the rules—or being allowed to bend them,” said one CBI industry expert who requested anonymity.
Equally alarming is the Dominican government’s apparent unwillingness to act. Despite Globe Visa’s prior violations, the company was quietly removed from the blacklist and has resumed aggressive marketing tactics without consequence. This pattern of regulatory leniency—if not outright complicity—has led some observers to accuse the government of neglecting its duty to uphold the integrity of the program.
International backlash is mounting. In Brussels, EU officials are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. Dominica is now being discussed as a potential candidate for suspension of its Schengen visa-waiver privileges if credible evidence of systemic abuse surfaces. This development comes amid broader EU efforts to clamp down on CBI programs that pose risks to European security and governance standards.
The controversy follows the United Kingdom’s 2023 decision to revoke visa-free access for Dominican citizens, citing concerns over identity verification gaps, weak due diligence, and the potential misuse of CBI passports. That move severely impacted the value proposition of Dominican citizenship and may signal further action by Western nations.
This is not the first time Dominica’s CBI program has faced international criticism. Both the EU and the OECD have previously called for greater transparency and oversight across such programs, warning of vulnerabilities to money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. While several Caribbean nations have made strides toward reform, Dominica appears to be backsliding—making it a likely first target in the next wave of international enforcement.
“This isn’t just a challenge for the industry—it’s a governance crisis,” said a regional analyst. “Dominica could soon find itself paying a steep diplomatic price.”
As pressure mounts, the Dominican government has yet to issue a formal response regarding Globe Visa or the broader concerns about program oversight. For now, the silence is not only deafening—it could prove dangerously costly for the nation’s international standing.