Your first 90 days in Dominica: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Hurricane exposure is the planning fact nobody puts in a checklist: Maria in 2017 destroyed a large share of the island's housing stock and infrastructure. Check the building standard of anything you rent or buy, and confirm your insurance actually covers named-storm damage before the season starts.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply to the Immigration Division for an extension of stay or a residence permit, or activate the Work In Nature (WIN) extended-stay visa
Before your entry stamp expires — visitors are commonly admitted for 21 days to 6 months at the officer's discretion
The initial stamp on arrival is often much shorter than people expect and is set by the officer, not by your ticket. The WIN visa is granted for 18 months for remote workers and is applied for online before you travel.
Get your TIN (taxpayer identification number) from the Inland Revenue Division
Local employment, property transactions and business activity require it; foreign-source income of WIN visa holders is not taxed in Dominica.
Registered at the Inland Revenue Division with your permit and passport; Social Security registration through Dominica Social Security is separate and applies to local employment.
Open a bank account
The National Bank of Dominica and CIBC Caribbean are the main options, and account opening requires references, source of funds and a local address. Dominica's citizenship-by-investment programme has drawn heavy international scrutiny, which has made correspondent banking cautious — expect slower wires than the EC-dollar peg would suggest.
Enrol in healthcare
Dominica Memorial Hospital in Roseau provides public care with modest fees, and the island's medical school gives it more clinical capacity than its size suggests. Serious cases are referred to Martinique, Guadeloupe or Barbados, so evacuation cover is the load-bearing part of any policy.
Sort your driver's license
A visitor's driving permit is issued on presentation of a valid foreign licence and a fee, valid for a set period; longer-term residents convert to a Dominican licence. Driving is on the left, and the mountain roads are the real skill requirement.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
Moving to Dominica?
Add your email for new Dominica guides and a heads-up when the arrival rules or figures change. We never file anything ourselves.
Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Dominica: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Dominica?
Apply to the Immigration Division for an extension of stay or a residence permit, or activate the Work In Nature (WIN) extended-stay visa — Before your entry stamp expires — visitors are commonly admitted for 21 days to 6 months at the officer's discretion. The initial stamp on arrival is often much shorter than people expect and is set by the officer, not by your ticket. The WIN visa is granted for 18 months for remote workers and is applied for online before you travel. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TIN and do I need one?
TIN (taxpayer identification number) from the Inland Revenue Division is Dominica's personal tax/ID number. Local employment, property transactions and business activity require it; foreign-source income of WIN visa holders is not taxed in Dominica. Registered at the Inland Revenue Division with your permit and passport; Social Security registration through Dominica Social Security is separate and applies to local employment.
Can I drive in Dominica on a US license?
A visitor's driving permit is issued on presentation of a valid foreign licence and a fee, valid for a set period; longer-term residents convert to a Dominican licence. Driving is on the left, and the mountain roads are the real skill requirement. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Dominica?
Dominica Memorial Hospital in Roseau provides public care with modest fees, and the island's medical school gives it more clinical capacity than its size suggests. Serious cases are referred to Martinique, Guadeloupe or Barbados, so evacuation cover is the load-bearing part of any policy. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Dominica's system treats foreign residents.