Work Permits

Non-nationals taking up employment in the Countries of the OECS require a Work Permit. Work Permits are issued to non-nationals in the event that the expertise required in a specific field is not readily available in the Member State concerned. The Work Permit is issued to the prospective employee, in accordance with the prescribed application process, in the OECS by the relevant Ministry of Labour. The High Commission does not issue Work Permits.

New Machine Readable Passports

Member States of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States have introduced their new machine-readable passports; St. Lucia is expected to launch its new passport by the end of 2006. The new travel documents offer added security features and allows Member States of the OECS to display some of their national symbols within its pages. The new passports also bear the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) logo.

The introduction of the new machine-readable passports has caused some changes. Until further notice, the Consular Section of the High Commission continues to receive passport applications on behalf of the Governments of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Saint Christopher (Kitts) and Nevis and Saint Lucia. Since the applications are now processed in the respective countries, applicants are asked to allow 4-6 weeks for the delivery of their new passports.

Applicants for a Commonwealth of Dominica passport desirous of submitting their application through the High Commission are required to pay, in addition to the passport fee, the cost of international courier service. Alternatively, applicants are advised to make their own arrangements for submitting their applications to:

Passport and Immigration Department
Police Headquarters
Bath Road, Roseau
Commonwealth of Dominica

Tel: 767 448 2222 Ext. 5159/5180
Fax: 767 448 8204

Completed application forms must be accompanied by:

• The most recent passport issued to you
• All necessary documents in original form (certified copies are accepted)
• A certified cheque or money order made payable to the Eastern Caribbean
  High Commission or OECS.  
• PERSONAL CHEQUES  will not be accepted
  • Commonwealth of Dominica - $70.00 + international courier fee
  • St. Kitts - $105.00 (U.S. dollars)
  • St. Lucia - $110.00

Cash should not be sent in the mail.

• Three passport photographs (automatic machine photos are not accepted)
• Registration of passports and accompanying documents is strongly advised.
• Please comply strictly with the instructions entitled “Signing the form and photographs.”
• The recommender does not necessarily have to be a citizen of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Saint Christopher (Kitts) or Saint Lucia   
• Your specimen signature is essential.
• A telephone number where you can be reached during working hours
• Monday to Friday is required in the section entitled “Supplementary Information.”

Passport applications may be requested by phone or e-mail and may be downloaded from this website.

Amendment To Passports

The new machine-readable passports do not allow for any amendment to be made to them. Accordingly, persons wishing to have their names changed must apply for a new passport. Similarly, child(ren) can no longer be added to their mother’s passport.

Replacement Of Lost, Damaged, Or Stolen Passports

The following are the procedures for replacing a lost, damaged or stolen passport:

• A report must be made as soon as possible to the Police. A copy of the report, which should state the particulars of the passport holder and the circumstances of the loss or theft, must be recorded. This report must be submitted with the application for a replacement passport.

• Applications to replace a lost or stolen passport are processed six (6) months after receipt of the application.

In all cases, the Commonwealth of Dominica imposes a penalty fee of $EC 500.00. This fee may be waived by the Government of Dominica in cases of stolen passports, where the theft was reported to the Police, or of a house fire, where the Fire Department was involved. In these cases a Police or Fire Report, as the case may be, is required.

The Commonwealth of Dominica also requires a Statutory Declaration in cases of lost or stolen passports which are valid. A Statutory Declaration is also required if the passport is damaged but still valid, if anything could give rise to suspicion that the damage may have been caused deliberately. The form is the statutory declaration that is required for reporting a stolen Commonwealth of Dominica passport:- Download Form

Application For Citizenship

Children born in Canada to parent(s) who is/are national(s) of the countries of the OECS must apply for, and be granted, citizenship by descent before they may apply for a passport. All applications for citizenship are processed in the respective OECS countries. The following are helpful contacts for further information:-

Commonwealth Of Dominica

Persons born of Dominican parents outside of Dominica after 1979 must first obtain Dominican citizenship before they can apply for a Dominican passport. The application fee is EC$ 150.00 and the registration fee is EC$ 1000.00. The processing time is at least six (6) weeks. All applications must be made to

The Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Legal Affairs and Immigration
Government Headquarters
Roseau, Dominica

For further information contact the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Immigration at Tel: (767) 448 2401 (ex. 3293).

SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS

Persons born of Saint Kitts and Nevis parents outside of Saint Kitts and Nevis must first obtain Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship before they can apply for a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport. For further information, please contact:

Ms. Jacky Stevens
Ministry of National Security
Pelican Mall, P.O. Box 186
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
Telephone (869) 465 2521 Ext. 1031
E-mail: natsec@caribsurf.com

ST. LUCIA

Persons born of Saint Lucian parents outside of Saint Lucia must first obtain Saint Lucian citizenship before they can apply for a Saint Lucian passport. For further information, please contact:

Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security
Citizenship Section
Erdistron’s Place, Manoel Street
Castries  Saint Lucia, West Indies
Tel: (758) 468 3604 or (758) 459 0657
E: mail: minhagr@candw.lc

* Fees include the cost of international courier service

# Passport application form costs $2.00, payable before the form is mailed to applicant.