Dominica - Country Information

Film Commissions

Dominica Film Office
Tel: 448 2045, 276 7584 (mobile) Fax: 448 5840
E-mail: filmdominica@dominica.dm
Website: www.discoverdominica.com/film
Film Commissioner: Anita Bully

Permits/visas
Once consideration is being given to filming in Dominica a completed Film Permit Application Form should be sent to the Film Commissioner along with a letter of intent to film, the outline of the project, the estimated time period of the production and requesting permission to film. All non-nationals are required to get work permits. However, the Dominica Film Office provides assistance in obtaining waivers for such permits.

Tax breaks/incentives
Incentives include: waiver of work permits; waiver of temporary importation bond; waiver of import duties and taxes on equipment and supplies being used in the production; other favourable concessions which may be negotiated.

Recent productions
The Orchid House (1991, BBC Channel 4), Wide Sargasso Sea (The University of the West Indies), The Prenupt Challenge (2005, Stonehenge Media), Pirates of the Caribbean - Dead Man’s Chest (2005), Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End (2005), Pirate Master (2007, Mark Burnett Productions).

General Information

Location: Caribbean
Local Time: GMT -4
Capital City: Roseau
Population: 72,000
Area: 465 square km, 289 square miles.
Language(s): English, local French Patois & Creole
Dialling Code: 1 767
Emergency: Police, Fire & Ambulance: 999
Directory Enquiries:
TV Standard:
Driving: Driving is on the left. International Driving Permit recommended, temporary Visitors Permit available on presentation of National licence (fee USD 12) valid for 1 month. Drivers must be 18 years or older and have at least 2 years driving experience
Electricity: 220/240V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD 1 = 100 Cents)
Notes: XCD: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100
Coins: XCD: 1. Cents: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100

Opening Hours
Bank: 0800-1400 Mon-Thur, 0800-1600 Fri, First Caribbean International Bank 0800-1500 Mon-Thur, 0800-1700 Fri
Office: 0800-1300 & 1400-1700 Mon, 0800-1300 & 1400-1600 Tue-Fri (Government offices)
Shops: 0800-1300 & 1400-1600 Mon-Fri, 0800-2000 Sat, 0900-1600 Sun

Public Holidays
2008
Jan 1-2 New Year, Feb 4-5 Carnival, Mar 21 Good Friday, Mar 24 Easter Monday, May 5 Bank Holiday, May 12 Whit Monday, Aug 4 August Monday, Nov 3 Independence Day, Nov 4 Community Service Day, Dec 25 Christmas Day, Dec 26 Boxing Day.

Business/Social Hints: Business is conducted in English, not many executives speak a second language. In business an informal attitude prevails. On social occasions dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years. It is advisable to ask for permission before taking photographs of local persons

Tipping: Service charges are usually included in the bill, if so tips are not necessary, however where there is no service charge, tips are around 10%. Taxis do not expect tips

Health

Compulsory vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate if arriving from infected areas. Exempt infants under 1 year.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, TB*, tetanus, typhoid
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required, but NOT by the following:
1) Citizens of Canada & United States holding proof of citizenship bearing a photograph & onward/return tickets
2) For a stay up to 2 weeks by holders of National Identity Cards or `Carte Identite' issued to nationals of France

Passport Validity: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months

Passport Notes:

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:
1) Nationals of Dominica
2) For stays up to 6 months by:
a) Citizens of Commonwealth countries
b) Citizens of United States
3) For tourist visits up to 21 days by holders of return tickets

4) For stays of up to 3 months by:
Citizens of Argentina, Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland Rep, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Taiwan & Venezuela

Air Transit

Required by all except:
1) Persons continuing their journey to another country by the same aircraft
2) Bona fide tourists possessing a return ticket and not intending to remain in Dominica

Climate

Typical Caribbean climate warm, sunny & dry. Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year with a wetter period between Jul-Oct. The driest season is Jan-Apr

Clothing

Lightweight cottons with light sweater for cooler evenings or nights in the mountains. Rainwear recommended for trips to rainforest. Swimsuits should only be worn at beach and river areas

Charts for Roseau

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 29 28 30 31 31 32 32 32 32 32 31 30 Min Temp (C) 23 20 19 21 21 22 22 23 23 22 22 21 Humidity am (%) 76 73 70 66 67 69 75 76 74 75 77 77 Humidity pm (%) 65 62 59 61 61 65 69 69 67 70 69 67 Rainfall (mm) 132 73 73 60 96 195 274 263 227 198 220 162

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Dominica Tourist Office
c/o Saltmarsh Partnership
The Copperfield
25d Copprfield Street
London, SE1 0EN
tel: +44 20 7928 1600
fax: +44 20 7928 1700
website: www.dominica.dm

Embassy
High Commission of Dominica
1 Collingham Gardens
London, SW5 0HW
tel: +44 20 7370 5194
fax: +44 20 7373 8743
e-mail: dominicahighcom@btconnect.com
website: www.dominica.co.uk
hours: 0930-1300 & 1400-1730 (Mon-Fri)