Understanding How to Establish Your Business in Dominica

The process of establishing a business in Dominica is guided by the following laws of the Commonwealth of Dominica:

  • Companies Act (Act 21 of 1994)
  • The Companies Regulations (S.R.O 22 of 1997 and S.R.O 57 of 2002)
  • The International Business Act (Act 10 of 1996)
  • The Business Name Act

Steps required to establish a Business in Dominica:

  • Apply for Work Permit( If applicable)
  • Register/Incorporate the business
  • Register with Inland Revenue Division and apply for a Value Added Tax (VAT) registration number
  • Register with the Dominica Social Security
  • Obtain Alien Land Holding Licence (if applicable)
  • Obtain Physical Planning Division permission for construction of building (if applicable)
  • Seek permission from other Government Agencies (if applicable)

See also:

Taxation

Companies and individuals residing in Dominica are subject to taxes on their income. Persons who retire in Dominica are exempted from taxes on income earned from a source outside of Dominica. However, the person should not have been resident in Dominica prior to the retirement. Dominica has a tax treaty with Great...READ MORE

Registration With Dominica Social Security

Dominica Social Security

In Dominica, the Social Security program is designed to partially replace or supplement income lost by Insured Persons during periods of sickness, maternity, employment injury, and old age. When an Insured Person dies, provision is also made to pay a pension to the eligible spouse and children. In the absence...READ MORE

Registration With Inland Revenue Division

Inland Revenue Division

All individuals who own or operate a business (of any kind or size) are reminded of their obligation to register this business with the Inland Revenue Division, this is obligated by law. The Inland Revenue Division registration forms must be duly completed and signed by the business’s owner. All businesses must...READ MORE

Business Registration: Non Profit

non-profit registration

When registering a Non-profit organizations/business it must be remembered that; the company has no share capital, and it has members rather than shareholders. Incorporating gives the business/organization legal status. If an organization decides to incorporate or not depends upon its activities, nature, or type of organization. A sample of the incorporation...READ MORE

Business Registration: Incorporation

Business Documents

When setting up a business in Dominica, you must decide on the type of business entity you want to set up. If you have decided that you want to create a non-profit, a limited liability company, corporation, or a partnership, then you will have to register that business. Incorporation Requirements: A sample...READ MORE