The Heads of Government of the CIP’s of the Eastern Caribbean States today announced the signing of an agreement to further strengthen the integrity, credibility, transparency, and sustainability of the Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIP) offered by the five Member States in the Eastern Caribbean. The overhaul means that Caribbean CIP’s enter a New Era with Sweeping Rule Changes.
OECS Sets Standards For Citizenship By Investment Programmes (CBI/CIP) to Safeguard Their Integrity and Sustainability. The CIP nations have engaged in intensive dialogue with global partners and have agreed to the adoption of uniform region-wide principles.
“Dismantling CIP programmes would devastate the economies of small island developing states, which depend on these revenues for fiscal stability, resilience against climate shocks, and post-pandemic recovery.”
Enhanced Reforms
Below are the important changes made to Caribbean citizenship by investment programs run in the OECS countries.
1. ECCIRA Regulator
The OECS Member States will enact the enabling legislation to establish the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA)by October 2025. This body will oversee all CBI/CIP activities, ensuring uniform standards, rigorous oversight, and compliance across participating States.
2. Enhanced Security and Due Diligence
- Mandatory biometric data collection from all new applicants at the time of interview.
- Biometric data collection for previously approved applicants at the time of passport renewal.
- Stronger residency and genuine link requirements for approved applicants.
- Comprehensive vetting supported by the CARICOM IMPACS Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC), with expanded personnel and technology capacity funded by CBI/CIP revenues.
3. Transparency and Accountability
- Binding standards for all national CBI/CIP Units and licensed agents.
- Annual public reports on compliance and enforcement actions.
- Regional registers of applicants, licensees, and developers to prevent abuse of the system.
4. Compliance and Enforcement
- Administrative Fines and Penalties on CBI/CIP Units and licensees
- Revocation for non-compliance and non-performance of contractual obligations
5. Economic Sustainability and Resilience
A region-wide minimum investment threshold of US$200,000 has been adopted, ensuring the programmes remain credible while continuing to fund critical infrastructure, climate resilience, and social development initiatives.
The governments are united in ensuring that their Citizenship by Investment Programmes meet the highest standards of international transparency and accountability.
-OECS
