US and EU pressure pushes OECS citizenship programmes to tighten rules
Washington's visa restrictions and Brussels' suspension warnings are forcing Eastern Caribbean states to harden due diligence or rethink passport-for-investment models.
Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes are entering a defining year as the United States restricts travel for some nationals and the European Union signals that running such schemes could itself trigger visa suspension. Dominica awaits a June U.S. review of entry restrictions, St Kitts and Antigua are strengthening oversight, and St Vincent is preparing a residency-based programme designed around stricter standards. With CBI revenue underpinning budgets across the region, governments are betting that tighter compliance can preserve both the income and their citizens’ mobility.
Source: IMI Daily; Dominica News Online; Antigua News (2026).