Caribbean countries review citizenship-by-investment policies

Several nations in the Caribbean region have recently undertaken significant revisions to their citizenship-by-investment (CBI) initiatives. These modifications encompass heightened investment prerequisites, obligatory interview processes, and more rigorous protocols for due diligence.

Dominica

Dominica emerged as the pioneer among these nations to unveil alterations to its CBI scheme, subsequent to a collaborative US-Caribbean CBI conference held in July 2023. The updated stipulations encompass:

Compulsory interviews for all candidates aged 16 and above.
Augmented due diligence procedures, encompassing an evaluation of financial archives and travel chronicles.
A mandate to sojourn in Dominica for a minimum of five days subsequent to gaining citizenship.

St. Kitts and Nevis

Similarly, St. Kitts and Nevis divulged revisions to its CBI program in July 2023. The revised criteria incorporate:

• A twofold increase in the investment threshold for the donation avenue, elevating it from $125,000 to $250,000.
• Escalation of the minimal investment for the real estate alternative from $200,000 to $400,000.
• Mandatory interviews for all aspirants.
• A prerequisite to retain the investment for a minimum of five years.

Grenada

In August 2023, Grenada adhered to the trend by announcing the implementation of obligatory interviews for all candidates aged 17 and above.

These adjustments can likely be attributed to a multitude of factors, including mounting pressure from the United States and other nations to clamp down on financial transgressions, alongside apprehensions pertaining to the integrity of Citizenship by Investment schemes.

What Lies Ahead?

It stands probable that other Caribbean nations will similarly unveil revisions to their CBI programs in the impending months. Potential applicants are advised to remain abreast of the most recent developments to facilitate judicious decisions concerning their investments.