New European Commission report declares ‘CBI schemes” run by visa-exempt countries to be security risk
The European Commission is escalating its pressure on Caribbean citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programmes, warning that their operation alone could now justify suspending Schengen visa-free access for participating states. This shift places Antigua and Barbuda squarely in the spotlight.
In its 8th annual Visa Suspension Mechanism report, the Commission abandons its long-held demand for “genuine links” and instead declares CBI schemes run by visa-exempt countries to be an inherent security risk.
“The operation of such programmes constitutes, in itself, a ground for suspending the visa-free status of third countries,” the report states.
This marks a significant hardening of EU policy and suggests that countries—even those making major reforms, could face punitive action.
Antigua and Barbuda Named Among High-Risk Jurisdictions
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia are again singled out for operating “large-scale” programmes, which are viewed as a “significant and ongoing challenge” to EU border security.
Across these five nations, over 100,000 citizenships have been granted through investment channels, with strong market demand continuing:
• 13,113 applications processed in 2023
• 10,573 in 2024
Antigua and Barbuda’s programme has one of the lowest rejection rates — just 1.7% — a point the EU highlights as evidence that screening remains insufficiently stringent despite enhancements made in recent years.
Reforms Recognised — But “Not Enough”
Regional governments — including Antigua and Barbuda — have worked to strengthen compliance, agreeing to:
• A harmonised minimum investment threshold of US $200,000
• Stronger due diligence through international firms
• Shared intelligence and cross-border security cooperation
Yet Brussels says these improvements do not remove the perceived threat. Instead, it now insists heightened due diligence must continue “pending the discontinuation” of CBI schemes altogether, signalling that total shutdown, not regulation, is the long-term objective.
Visa-Free Suspension Now a Real Possibility
Under strengthened rules, the EU can launch a graduated process leading to suspension if expectations are not met “without delay.”
The Commission cites Georgia as an example of phased sanctions — with diplomatic visa-free access already being removed there by year-end — warning that a similar step-by-step model could soon apply to the Caribbean.
Wider Ramifications for Antigua and Barbuda
CBI revenues remain a critical economic pillar for Antigua and Barbuda, supporting:
• Housing and public infrastructure
• Debt management
• Post-COVID fiscal recovery
• Climate resilience projects
Any move to suspend Schengen visa-free entry — a major selling point of the programme — could sharply impact investor demand and public finances.
Europe Signals a Final Destination: End of CBI Altogether
The report also reaffirms that EU membership or deeper integration are not possible for countries that maintain investor citizenship models. That position was cemented earlier this year when the European Court of Justice ruled Malta’s investment-citizenship scheme unlawful under EU principles of nationality.
What Comes Next?
While no deadlines have been set, the Commission makes clear that pressure will intensify. Caribbean governments, including Antigua and Barbuda, may soon face a defining policy choice:
Continue CBI programmes and risk losing Europe’s visa-free privilege, or dismantle the schemes and absorb the economic fallout.
For now, regional leaders are expected to push back, arguing that their programmes provide world-class due diligence and vital development funds.
But with Brussels signalling the end of the road for citizenship-for-investment, a decisive geopolitical showdown may be looming for Antigua and Barbuda and its OECS neighbours.
What happens to the recent social security investment into Jolly Beach if this program ends?
I hope the governments are working on tightening the requirements for CIP approval
@Apex Jones
Tightening the requirements will still not satisfy the white colossal monsters who currently rule the world, each trying to outdo the other to become THE movers and shakers for the rest of the World. Mineral-rich non-,white spaces on earth – Africa, South A.erica, come readily to mind -are being grabbed, irrespective of the death, pain and suffering inflicted to those enjoying the privilege of owning them. Other territories, for example the Caribbean countries, strategically placed to frustrate or condone blindly the evil aggressive efforts of those seeking to re_write the World Map are proving worrisome to these “neo colonizers who do nothing but fashion hateful foreign policies, moving the goal posts according to their whims and fashion in order to frustrate and destroy those standing in their way. Time to SERIOUSLY consider a new Africa/Latin America/Caribbean socio-economic bloc!
That consideration should have been in place ages ago. The Caribbean have become too complacent, and it is still ongoing. We refuse to work together to depend less and less on the colonizing countries. Though we say slavery has been abolished, maybe for many parts of the world. (By the way if i can remember correctly, I think it may have have been Georgia, only in this year did they officially band slavery) This so caleed abolishing is only on paper. Slavery is still thriving like an uncared sore on a diabetic foot.
Did anybody in government actually anticipate this? Looks like we were sleeping.
According to my grandma…Well look is now we finish
Europe wants the benefits of our tourism and trade but none of the responsibility. This feels like bullying of small Caribbean nations.
Feels like, or that’s what it actually is?
Two (2)members of the Seven
Headed Beast now raise ugly
heads against the Caribbean
and CARICOM lookout for the
other five (5)one by one I say
no more.
This 🙏🏾👏🏿
Visa-free travel is a privilege, not a right. If the programme poses risks, reforms must continue aggressively.
Got it — here’s a more forceful, assertive version:
Over the past decade, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has recklessly lowered the standards for national identity, making it far too easy for foreign nationals to claim the title of “Antiguan.” This practice undermines the meaning of citizenship and must end. The government should immediately repeal the existing nationality law. Any individual born in Antigua who cannot prove that at least one biological parent is Antiguan should be denied Antiguan nationality.
Furthermore, the Citizenship by Investment Program must be scrapped entirely, or, at the very least, its beneficiaries should be required to apply for visas using passports issued by their country of origin.
If you want it even sharper, more political, or more concise, say the word.
I love to travel to different countries around the world. However, if some of these countries believe that our CIP is a threat to their security borders, then all we need to do is revamp our program or stay in our small hole called Antigua and Barbuda. I remember Lennox Weston and others picketing and said that our passport is not for sale.
Low rejection rates are a red flag. We must ensure only credible, vetted applicants receive our passports.
If Antigua loses visa-free access to Europe, our economy will take a huge hit. Government must take this seriously and defend our interests.
Surely a middle ground exists, e.g., to require the countries in question to clearly mark all CBI passports as such, and for Europe to differentiate the visa requirements based on that?