30-Day Residency, Annual Caps, and Regional Oversight Proposed
In a move set to reshape the landscape of Caribbean citizenship by investment (CBI), five countries—Dominica, Antigua & Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia—have proposed sweeping regulatory reforms through a draft agreement known as the “Agreement Establishing the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (EC CIRA)”, dated July 1, 2025.
30-Day Mandatory Residency – No More “Passport-Only” Citizenship
The most groundbreaking part of the proposal requires CBI recipients to physically reside in the country of citizenship for a minimum of 30 days within the first five years after citizenship is granted.
Additionally, applicants must complete a mandatory integration program, which includes civic education about the country’s laws, history, and constitutional framework, as well as cultural orientation.
Failure to comply may result in administrative fines (up to 10% of the investment) and even revocation of citizenship and passport.
Annual Quotas for Citizenship Approvals
The proposal introduces an annual cap on the number of applicants each country can approve, based on factors such as global demand, economic impact, national capacity, and reputational risks.
This marks a shift from the current competitive, market-driven model and aims to preserve the long-term value of Caribbean passports by preventing oversaturation and over-commercialization.
Regional Regulatory Authority with Centralized Oversight
The EC CIRA would be the most powerful regulatory body in the region’s CBI history. It would set and enforce uniform standards, investigate misconduct, and even suspend licenses or programs that fail to comply.
Each participating country would have representatives on the Board of Directors and Council of Ministers, along with appointed experts from regional institutions.
Enhanced Due Diligence and Mandatory Interviews
Applicants must now undergo more rigorous security screening, including identity checks against national and international watchlists and criminal background reports from all countries lived in during the past 10 years.
Mandatory personal interviews will become a standard part of the process—for both main applicants and dependents over 18 (and even minors over 12, if flagged during due diligence).
Five-Year Passports with Compliance-Based Renewal
Passports will initially be issued with a 5-year validity, renewable for a full 10 years only after the applicant demonstrates full compliance with the program’s requirements—including the 30-day residency and integration.
This change would affect Dominica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia, which currently issue 10-year passports from the outset. Antigua & Barbuda already follows a 5+5 model, and Grenada’s system would be enhanced with optional 10-year renewals.
This compliance-linked renewal mechanism turns citizenship into a long-term relationship, not a one-time transaction.
Escrow Account Requirements for Investment Funds
All qualifying investments must now be deposited into designated escrow accounts, managed in accordance with rules issued by the new authority.
This measure is intended to protect investor funds and prevent premature fund release before background checks are completed.
No Second Chances: Shared Blacklist Across Caribbean States
Perhaps most significantly, countries will be prohibited from accepting any CBI application from an individual whose application has been rejected by another participating country, unless explicitly approved under exceptional circumstances.
A centralized database, managed by CARICOM IMPACS, will store biometric data and applicant histories, creating unprecedented regional cooperation on CBI oversight.
Licensing and Pre-Qualification for Industry Participants
Agents, promoters, developers, and due diligence firms will need to hold a pre-qualification certificate issued by EC CIRA in order to operate legally.
Certificates may be suspended or revoked for misleading practices or failing the “fit and proper” test, ensuring only qualified professionals remain in the industry.
Sanctions for Non-Compliant Countries
Countries that fail to meet the new standards may face financial penalties, reduced application quotas, or be subject to binding arbitration if they continue to breach the rules.
Path to Implementation
The agreement must be ratified by at least five Caribbean parliaments to become legally binding. While countries can provisionally implement operational elements (such as fee collection or board setup), full enforcement requires legislative approval.
Conclusion: A New Era for Caribbean CBI Is On the Horizon
If adopted, these reforms will mark the most comprehensive overhaul of Caribbean CBI programs to date—introducing greater transparency, due diligence, accountability, and uniformity across the region.
For those considering Dominica citizenship or other Caribbean CBI options, now is the time to stay informed and act wisely. Choosing a trusted, government-authorized agent and complying with legal requirements will be more important than ever.
