Caribbean Nation leaders at CIS 25 conference
Antigua and Barbuda, along with four other Caribbean nations—Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia—are spearheading a proposal for enhanced oversight of their citizenship by investment (CBI) programs.
A draft agreement dated July 1, 2025, aims to establish the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (EC CIRA), which would enforce mandatory residency requirements, annual application limits, and standardized administrative processes for applicants.
One of the key changes proposed is a requirement for new citizens to spend a minimum of 30 days within the territory of their chosen state within the first five years after obtaining citizenship.
This initiative is designed to foster greater integration and civic involvement, with applicants also expected to complete a mandatory integration program covering civic education and cultural orientation.
To curb over-commercialization and maintain the value of citizenship, a quota system will limit the number of citizenship approvals each year for each state, diverging from the current competitive approach among nations.
The EC CIRA would have the authority to monitor compliance, enforce rules, and conduct investigations into the CBI programs, thereby centralizing regulatory powers that were previously managed independently by each state.
Enhanced due diligence measures will also be introduced, requiring thorough background checks and mandatory interviews for applicants, including dependents.
This is exactly the kind of regulation we need to protect the integrity of our citizenship and ensure it isn’t treated like a commodity.
Isn’t this going to make the programs less competitive? Other countries are already attracting investors without so many restrictions.
Better work to ensure we ain’t get blacklisted. The US is the only place we can go to do alittle cheap shopping
30 days in five years is an absolute nonsense!! Perhaps 30 days per year would be more aceptable, but 30s in 5 years does not assist, nor show any kind of of loyalty to the chosen Island.
Regulating is one thing. Now we have to make sure the US finds satisfaction in the additional measures implemented
No matter what mechanisms are in place, the US already made it clear. PURGE from caribbean aliens
Mandatory interviews and background checks? Long overdue. Our security depends on who we let in and how well we know them