Caribbean Nationality: Visa-Free Entry to the EU still valid

Caribbean nationality programs offer the opportunity to travel and reside in Europe for 90 days every 180 days, indefinitely, without a visa. All you have to do is book a flight, pack your bags, and travel. Furthermore, as a Caribbean citizen, you will be able to establish a business in Europe with minimal requirements and obstacles, unlike in many countries.

Given the nearly 30% rejection rate for non-EU citizens seeking entry to Europe, a Caribbean passport is the ideal solution. It not only gives you the opportunity to travel to Europe, but also allows you to reside, establish a business, and start a new life there. You will then be eligible for European residency, followed by permanent residency, and then European citizenship.

Is EU considering abolishing visa-free travel for Caribbean?

Recent news of the abolition of visa-free travel for Caribbean citizens with Europe has raised growing concern, raising questions about the veracity of the news and its implications for holders of Caribbean nationality by investment.

We at Global Citizen Consultants urge investors not to panic, although their concerns are justified, as no official decision or legal action has been issued indicating this.

European committees have submitted several proposals asking the European Parliament to reduce the number of countries that allow visa-free travel to Europe, not just Caribbean countries, but in general.

Therefore, countries granting Caribbean nationality may be required to meet additional obligations, or they may be removed from the list of countries not allowing visa-free entry to Europe anymore.

Furthermore, the decision must go through several stages and must be approved by the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Council for implementation. This could take years, and the status of the decision may change during any of these stages.

Actions Taken by Caribbean Nationality by Investment Program

▣ Strengthen and expand due diligence and rigorous screening of applicants, including requiring a personal interview.

▣ Engage in an active dialogue with EU countries and the United States, and raise the level of diplomacy between these parties.

▣ Establish political, trade, and economic relations, and conclude reciprocal visa-free entry agreements with countries around the world.

▣ Focus on developing promising sectors and diversifying economic sectors rather than solely focusing on the citizenship program.

▣ Prioritizing addressing global issues and European concerns related to second citizenship programs, including anti-money laundering and financial crime.

▣ Reaching agreements between countries offering Caribbean citizenship to share applicant information and standardize required investment amounts.

▣ Cooperating with external bodies to jointly screen applicants and address gaps and weaknesses in the program through periodic reviews to improve these programs and maintain their reputation.

Saint Lucia Citizenship Unit’s Comment on this Issue

To calm the recent controversy, Saint Lucia’s Caribbean Citizenship Unit has joined the debate, reassuring its citizens and holders of Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program.

Saint Lucia’s Minister of Investment and Tourism made statements on the matter, confirming that his country is in serious discussions with the European Union to maintain visa-free access to EU countries.

Minister Hillier added that the EU has specific criteria for maintaining visa-free travel with countries, and therefore warned his citizens against any misconduct that could affect these relations and Saint Lucia’s privileged status with Schengen countries.

The Minister emphasized that there are no indications or evidence that the EU intends to revoke the visa waiver with his country, noting that we subject applicants to a rigorous vetting process and adhere to the highest standards of accountability to maintain our strong reputation.

Does the power of Caribbean nationality lie in access to EU?

Caribbean nationality by investment is a comprehensive program whose benefits go beyond simply joining the European Union. On the one hand, you can enter more than 125 other countries without a visa, including the United Kingdom, China, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia. You can also obtain visas to enter the United States for tourism or business purposes.

On the other hand, the appeal of Caribbean citizenship goes beyond freedom of movement; it is one of the few programs that offer citizenship by investment after purchasing a property or making contributions to Caribbean governments.

These programs are known for their favorable tax regimes, rapid application processing, economical citizenship costs, the ability to add family members, attractive climates, stunning natural beauty, dual citizenship accepting, and no residency requirements before or after citizenship.

These benefits of Caribbean nationality are not all; there are many other features you can take advantage of to become a global citizen. Contact us if you have any questions; we have been an accredited Caribbean nationality program office for over 10 years.