Caribbean nations propose CBI reforms

Five Eastern Caribbean countries—Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia—have unveiled a draft agreement, dated July 1, 2025, proposing major reforms to their Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs.

Key features include:

• 30 day residency over five years: New citizens must spend at least 30 days physically present in the issuing country during the first five calendar years after citizenship is granted (non-consecutive days allowed).

• Mandatory integration programs: Applicants must participate in civic education, cultural orientation, and community engagement, including either in-person or virtual interviews .

• Annual application caps: A regional authority would set fixed limits per country each year, based on capacity, global demand, reputational risk, and economic impact.

The proposals envision a new regulatory body—the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (EC CIRA)—tasked with overseeing adherence to these standards and fostering program integrity across the region. 

The draft will require parliamentary ratification from the member states before coming into force.

Why It Matters

• These reforms mark a major shift from the region’s historic “no-residency” model, adding binding obligations and cultural engagement requirements.

• The integration of annual caps signals a move away from volume-based strategies in favor of sustainable, reputation-conscious management.

• The proposal responds to mounting international pressure from the EU, US, and OECD to ensure citizenship programs demonstrate “genuine links” to issuing states.

Once ratified, these changes will reshape investor expectations and operational models—rebalancing convenience with compliance in Caribbean CBI offerings.