Five Eastern
Caribbean nations are facing growing uncertainty over the future of their
Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, following a request from the European
Union to phase out these schemes by June 2028.
The countries
concerned are Dominica, Grenada, Saint
Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda.
While
negotiations continue, no collective agreement to terminate all five programs
has been finalized as of November 1, 2026.
EU Pressure and the
Proposed 2028 Deadline
The European
Union has introduced a revised visa suspension mechanism under Regulation (EU)
2025/2441, which allows the operation of investor citizenship schemes to serve
as grounds for suspending visa-free travel.
European
authorities have raised concerns about citizenship granted through investment
without sufficient links between applicants and the issuing countries.
The EU has
consequently requested a gradual phase-out of the five Caribbean CBI programs
by June 2028, placing considerable pressure on regional governments seeking to
preserve Schengen visa-free access.
Antigua and Barbuda
Proposes a Longer Transition
On October 30,
2026, Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, proposed a
conditional closure of the country's CBI program by the end of 2030.
The proposal
requests additional transition time and financial and technical assistance from
the European Union to manage the economic consequences of ending the program.
However, the
European Commission has not publicly accepted the proposal.
Meanwhile,
Dominica confirmed on October 28 that discussions with the EU remain ongoing
and that it intends to communicate further with European authorities by
November 12, 2026.
Three Possible Outcomes
for Caribbean CBI Programs
The current
developments present three potential scenarios:
A negotiated phase-out: Caribbean
governments could agree to discontinue their programs within an extended
transition period.
Continued operations with visa-related risks: Countries
could maintain their CBI programs while facing the possibility of restrictions
on Schengen visa-free travel.
Further negotiations and regulatory reforms: Governments
could pursue stronger regional oversight and seek an alternative agreement with
the EU.
These are
possible outcomes rather than confirmed decisions.
Implications for
Investors and Existing Citizens
The case of
Vanuatu demonstrates that the EU can withdraw visa-free privileges over
concerns relating to investor citizenship programs.
However, losing visa-free access is not the same as
losing citizenship. Any future measures affecting Caribbean countries would
depend on separate legal decisions.
For
prospective applicants, regulatory changes could influence future program
availability, application requirements and travel benefits.
Existing
citizens should also distinguish the validity of their nationality and
passports from the visa policies of destination countries.
The Next Stage of
Negotiations
November 12,
2026, is an important date for further communication between Caribbean
governments and the European Union, although it is not a confirmed closure
date.
Sharif Group
continues to monitor these developments closely.
If you are considering second citizenship through
investment, contact Sharif Group to review currently available programs,
eligibility requirements and potential regulatory risks before making a
decision.
