Preliminary information on entry to Dominica
When planning a trip to Dominica, you must keep a few formalities in mind. First of all, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of return – you may not allow your passport to expire, as this may result in refusal of entry to Dominica. Every traveller must present a return or onward ticket and demonstrate sufficient funds to cover the declared length of stay. If you are planning to stay longer than the standard visa‑free period, you must complete the appropriate application for an extension of stay – the form is available on the official website of the Dominican authorities. Before departure, it is worth making sure that all documents are up to date and meet the requirements, in order to avoid problems on arrival.
Visa‑free travel and key requirements
Holders of Polish passports may enter Dominica without a visa for up to 180 days per year, provided the purpose is tourism, leisure, a short business meeting or transit. The length of stay may not exceed 180 days per year. All travellers must meet the requirements below. At border control, during passport control, the immigration officer will request:
a passport valid on entry and throughout the entire trip (at least 6 months from the date of first entry),
presentation of a return or onward ticket,
proof of financial means (as a guideline around USD 100 per day),
presentation of a tourist card, which is required for all travellers and must be presented during inspection.
From 18 October 2024, every traveller – regardless of nationality and age – must present an electronic ED‑Card entry form in the form of a QR code or printout. Without it, you may be sent back to the self‑service kiosk or denied boarding.
Documents required for entry
To enter Dominica, you must hold a valid passport – its validity should cover the entire period of stay. Travellers must also present a return ticket and documents proving possession of sufficient funds to cover the cost of the stay. When travelling with children, it is necessary to present documents confirming parental custody or legal guardianship. It is also advisable to have insurance covering medical treatment and medical evacuation in case of emergencies. Before travelling, it is worth checking that all required documents are complete so that the inspection proceeds smoothly.
Electronic ED‑Card step by step
The ED‑Card form must be completed before you start your journey to Dominica. The tourist card is a document required for entry to the country.
Complete the online form no earlier than 72 hours and no later than a few hours before departure – this applies to all travellers.
Once approved, the system sends a PDF with a QR code; save it on your phone and print it out.
At the airport in Dominica you must present the QR code together with your passport and tourist card at inspection – you will receive an entry stamp.
Failure to present the ED‑Card delays check‑in, and from 2025 may result in denial of boarding.
When a visa or permit is required
A visa or special permit is required if:
you plan to work, study or volunteer for more than six months,
you wish to settle permanently (Residence Permit),
you will be entering regularly for business (Business Multiple‑Entry Visa).
The application must be submitted online to the Immigration Department in Roseau. Be prepared to present all required passport‑based documents, such as an employment contract or university admission letter, medical examinations and proof of funding. An extension of stay is possible only within a specified period of stay, and the length of stay may not exceed the set limit – all formalities must be completed before departure.
Visa application process for Dominica
Holders of Polish passports do not need a visa if their stay in Dominica does not exceed 30 days for tourism. If you plan a longer stay, you must complete an application for an extension of stay – the form is available online on the website of the Dominican authorities. The process is simple and does not require many documents; however, you must remember to pay the visa fee, which is around USD 10. It is advisable to complete the formalities well in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises on arrival.
Travelling with children
Children under 13 may travel only under the care of their parents or legal guardians.
The child must have their own passport; an identity card is not sufficient. Children travelling with their parents must be registered at their place of stay.
If a child is travelling with only one parent, the other parent should issue a notarised consent in English (or with a translation).
Each child must complete a separate ED‑Card. There is also an obligation to register children at their place of stay.
Insurance, health and taxes
The safety and health of travellers are a priority when travelling to Dominica. Before departure, it is worth taking appropriate precautions, including health insurance and protection of personal belongings.
Dominica does not require an insurance policy, but Princess Margaret Hospital charges full rates to foreign nationals. I recommend insurance with a minimum treatment limit of USD 40,000 and medical evacuation, which increases travel safety in the event of accidents or the need for medical transport.
You only need to present a yellow fever certificate if, within six days prior to arrival, you have stayed in a high‑risk country (mainly regions of Africa and South America).
On departure, an airport tax of 86 XCD (approx. USD 33) is charged, payable in cash.
Practical tips before travelling
The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar; US dollar banknotes are widely accepted.
Hurricane season lasts from June to November – during this period there is a risk of hurricanes, so you should monitor weather conditions and be prepared for possible changes to your travel plans. Dominica is also located in an active seismic zone where earthquakes can occur, so it is worth familiarising yourself with safety procedures in case of emergencies.
For your own safety, avoid travelling alone, especially outside tourist areas, where petty crime such as theft or robbery is more common. Tourist areas and beaches are regularly patrolled by security agencies, which increases traveller safety. It is advisable to choose accommodation in hotels located in tourist centres, where the level of safety is higher thanks to the constant presence of services and monitoring of these areas.
Dominica bans the import of single‑use plastic bags; carriers caught violating the ban face high fines.
LTE internet works mainly in Roseau and Portsmouth; outside these areas you should expect limited coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is an identity card sufficient?
No. Dominica only accepts passports. During border control you must also present a return ticket and all required travel documents.
How many times can I re‑enter within the 180‑day limit?
You may leave and re‑enter as long as the total number of days in a year does not exceed 180. The length of stay in Dominica may not exceed 180 days in a calendar year, regardless of the number of entries.
Does leaving the island reset the length‑of‑stay counter?
No. What counts is the total duration of stay until the end of the first 180‑day period. On departure you must complete all exit formalities, including filling in the relevant forms and reporting your departure in the documentation.
What are the consequences of not having an ED‑Card?
Longer processing time or denial of boarding.
Summary – what to pack in your travel document folder
a passport valid for at least 6 months (be prepared to present it at border control),
a tourist card (if it is not included in the ticket price, you must purchase it and keep it with you for inspection; the tourist card is valid for a stay of up to 30 days),
a return or onward ticket,
ED‑Card QR code (on your phone and printed, required for all travellers),
proof of funds (card, cash),
medical insurance policy,
notarised consent for a child if you are travelling without the other parent,
confirmation of place of stay and the obligation to register with a hotel or guesthouse (required to register your stay and confirm the duration of your stay in Dominica).
Meeting these requirements will ensure that passport control on the “Nature Island” takes only a few minutes and travellers can immediately set off on the trails to Boiling Lake or Trafalgar Falls.