Caribbean Second Citizenship Units Agree on Unified Body

According to reports, the anticipated 92-article agreement, drafted by the Eastern Caribbean countries offering Caribbean second citizenship programs, will focus on issues such as mandatory residency to maintain Caribbean citizenship, annual quotas for applications, new due diligence standards, and other legislation.

This decision follows years of consultations and agreements, beginning with two conferences held in February 2023 between Caribbean countries and the European Union, on the one hand, and Caribbean countries and the United States, on the other.

Caribbean Second Citizenship Unit Implementation Date

The countries offering Caribbean second citizenship seek to address the concerns of various parties, most notably London, Washington, Brussels, and EU countries in general, regarding the integrity of investment citizenship programs, particularly those addressing climate change issues.

The reason the Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Authority (ECCIRA) implemented the agreement in September rather than immediately is that this legislation will pass through five parliamentary systems, and these systems must be approved one by one for implementation.

This means that for the Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Authority to be fully operational, it must pass through all five parliaments, as stated in the text, “to enter into force on the thirtieth day after the deposit of the fifth instrument of ratification.” A specialized body will be responsible for its implementation.

There will be physical administrative bodies in each Caribbean second citizenship-granting country. In addition, new staff will be appointed to manage these offices. All of these measures are expected to be implemented two months after Parliament approves and implements the resolution.

Preparations of Caribbean Second Citizenship Body Committee

Lydia Elliott was selected by the Caribbean Second Citizenship Authority to be the legal lead for the upcoming legislation, with the approval of all five countries. Technically, an Interim Regulatory Committee (IRC) has been selected to be responsible, under the supervision of the heads of government.

Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, will chair the International Reform Division, and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Croft of Antigua and Barbuda will serve as Vice-Chair. This committee has held numerous meetings with relevant stakeholders and bodies to finalize the framework.

International Compliance and Caribbean Second Citizenship

The draft law, expected to be passed in September, addresses several other issues, particularly diplomatic relations between Caribbean second citizenship-granting countries and those that offer visa-free entry.

Amidst the turbulent global diplomatic landscape and the desire to reduce the number of countries that can enter the UK, the US, or the Schengen Area without a visa, these countries are seeking to create a positive impression of their attractive programs and banking systems.

In July 2025, the draft law was submitted to interested countries, such as the US and the UK, for comments. These comments will be taken into consideration, marking a positive shift in the plan’s trajectory toward maintaining the strength of Caribbean citizenship by investment programs.

On the European level, it is worth noting that EU countries are seriously considering reducing the number of countries that can enter the EU without a visa, which prompted the Caribbean Second Citizenship Unit to also take this into account when drafting the legislation under consideration.

Official React to the Caribbean Second Citizenship Agreement

Gareth Wilkin, Attorney General of St. Kitts and Nevis, described the move as follows: “This legislation represents the culmination of historic reform efforts that began in December 2022, when St. Kitts and Nevis took bold steps, the first of their kind in the region, to restructure the infrastructure investment sector of the Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program, ensuring sustainability, credibility, and flexibility.”

He added: “The regional regulatory body is completing these reforms as a governance safeguard for economic security and global reputation, and Antigua will enjoy an easier transition period given that its program is already working on key proposals such as residency, enhanced due diligence, and a joint resettlement center.”

Referring to the Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program, he said: “The St. Kitts Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Unit has created a dynamic program capable of adapting quickly and efficiently.” He warned that if some fundamental disagreements on key issues are not resolved, it is likely that they will not sign, or at least the signing will be delayed.

Noteworthy Points About Caribbean Second Citizenship Body

✓ Authority Standards: Establish a regulatory framework and guidelines for practices covering marketing standards, application integrity, and audit quality, with certifications required from each participant.

✓ Authority Structure: The new structure of the Authority will consist of several key operational elements, including a Council of Ministers, a Board of Directors, representatives from each state, and nominees from regional institutions.

✓ Authority Sanctions: The Authority has the right to impose financial penalties for any violations, or escalate the matter to arbitration for those who fail to pay these penalties within a specified period.

✓ Authority Provisions: The agreement will include provisions allowing Caribbean second citizenship governments to withdraw from the regulatory framework with six months’ notice.

In this article, we discussed the new Caribbean second citizenship program module. To learn more about Caribbean citizenship through investment programs, browse our articles or contact one of our consultants for a detailed explanation of these programs.