Caribbean Investment Citizenship:4th US-Caribbean Roundtable

The Fourth Roundtable brought together high-level representatives from the five Eastern Caribbean countries that operate Caribbean investment citizenship programs, along with an official US delegation and representatives from influential international partners. The sessions were co-chaired by Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Central Bank of the Eastern Caribbean, and Warren Ryan, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury, underscoring the strategic importance of this topic.

The presence of entities such as the United Kingdom, the European Commission, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security reflects a growing international consensus that regulating citizenship by investment programs is preferable to restricting them or questioning their legitimacy.

Implementing the Six Principles for Risk Management

A key topic of discussion was the assessment of progress in implementing the Six Principles risk management framework, initially agreed upon in February 2023. International partners, led by the United States, commended the progress made by countries in the region, particularly as the Caribbean citizenship by investment program enters a more disciplined phase with regard to due diligence procedures.

These principles go beyond security considerations to include enhanced transparency, improved information sharing between countries, coordinated due diligence processes, handling rejections, and revoking citizenship when necessary. This progress reflects a shift in how these programs are managed: from short-term financial instruments to long-term policies.

Caribbean Investment Citizenship: Towards Unified Regulatory

The fourth round of negotiations followed the signing of a landmark agreement in September 2025 to establish the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship via Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA). The five member states ratified the agreement and incorporated it into their national legislation, giving it unprecedented legal force in the sector.

ECCIRA is expected to become fully operational in 2026 as an independent regional regulatory body responsible for coordinating procedures, monitoring compliance, and issuing periodic reports on the performance of Caribbean investment citizenship programs. ECCIRA is widely considered a pivotal step in reshaping the global image of these programs, particularly in the eyes of international partners such as the European Union.

Caribbean Investment Citizenship as an Economic Pillar

During the dialogue, Eastern Caribbean governments affirmed that Caribbean second citizenship programs are a cornerstone of their national economies. Given limited natural resources and the escalating challenges of climate change, the revenue generated by these programs is a vital source of funding for infrastructure projects, enhancing healthcare and education, and supporting recovery plans following natural disasters.

Therefore, strengthening governance and transparency in the administration of Caribbean investment citizenship is not merely a response to external pressures, but an internal imperative to ensure the long-term sustainability and credibility of these programs.

Direct Impact on Caribbean Investment Citizenship Investors

For international investors, the results of the fourth round offer clear reassurance. Stronger regional oversight and international recognition of the progress made mean that obtaining Caribbean investment citizenship is now conducted within a more transparent and secure framework.

This development also helps protect Caribbean investment citizenship holders from the volatility of international policies or sudden travel restrictions, and reinforces the position of Caribbean passport as reliable tools for global mobility.

Future Based on Partnership, Not Confrontation

What distinguished the fourth round was the clear shift from a logic of scrutiny and pressure to one of partnership and cooperation. The United States and its partners expressed their support for reforms led by Caribbean countries, acknowledging the role of Caribbean investment citizenship Programs (CCIPs) in promoting economic and social stability in the region.

This shift reflects a growing international conviction that improving and regulating these programs is the most effective approach, rather than seeking to undermine or eliminate them.

Conclusion: A New Phase for Caribbean Investment Citizenship

In conclusion, the fourth roundtable between the United States and the Caribbean states affirms that Caribbean investment citizenship program is entering a new phase characterized by governance, transparency, and regional integration. With the establishment of the United States-Caribbean Economic Partnership Agreement (ECCIRA) and the implementation of the Six Principles, these programs are gaining increasing international recognition as economic instruments.

In this context, Global Citizen Consultants is closely monitoring these developments and is committed to providing up-to-date professional insights to help investors understand the evolving landscape and make informed decisions regarding citizenship and investment residency, in line with new regulatory frameworks and current international trends.