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Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes have come under closer review over the last year as global standards on transparency tighten.
The OECD has introduced new measures calling for deeper background checks and greater data sharing between governments to limit tax evasion and financial misconduct. In response, regional authorities are updating their approval systems and disclosure rules, which is already changing how investors prepare applications and the type of information they need to provide.
The sections below explain how the OECD’s standards are taking shape, how Caribbean states are responding, and what investors should expect as the new framework comes into force.
Understanding the OECD’s new standards
The OECD’s reforms build on its Common Reporting Standard, a global framework designed to stop people from using multiple citizenships or accounts to hide wealth from tax authorities. The new rules go further, urging countries that offer citizenship-by-investment programmes to confirm the real tax residency of every applicant and share verified data when needed. This means governments will have to match their background checks with stricter financial disclosure and closer cooperation between agencies.
For investors, the practical change lies in how information is gathered and verified. Source-of-wealth evidence will face greater scrutiny, and inconsistencies between jurisdictions will be flagged faster through automatic exchange systems. While the aim is to improve transparency across borders, the process places new responsibility on both applicants and local authorities to prove the integrity of each citizenship file.
Caribbean programmes under review
Caribbean governments have moved quickly to show cooperation with the OECD and the European Union. The five countries that run citizenship-by-investment programmes, St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda, signed a joint agreement earlier this year setting new standards for how their schemes are run. The framework includes a shared minimum investment level, tighter vetting procedures and greater exchange of applicant data with international partners.
Some jurisdictions have already revised their rules or paused specific routes while they upgrade due diligence systems. St Kitts raised its minimum contribution to USD 250,000, while Dominica and Grenada introduced independent audits of their CBI units and additional layers of background screening. The aim is to keep these programmes credible and protect their visa-free access arrangements with the EU and the UK. These steps mark the first coordinated effort across the region to apply shared standards, giving the programmes a stronger footing with international partners.
What this means for investors
For investors, the reality is a slower, more detailed process as scrutiny deepens under the new framework. Background checks that once took weeks may now take months as governments verify financial records, source of wealth and tax residency with greater precision. Applicants will need to prepare more detailed documentation and expect follow-up questions where information doesn’t line up across jurisdictions.
The process is starting to resemble enhanced due diligence in financial services, with clearer templates for wealth verification and third-party data checks. This makes consistency more likely but also means applicants have to plan carefully. The new reporting system also limits the privacy these programmes once offered. Tax authorities now share information automatically, so each file needs to present an accurate picture of an investor’s income, assets and residence status. Gaps or inconsistencies can slow approval or trigger further review.
Fees and minimum investment levels may also increase as governments cover the higher costs of compliance. Investors who prepare early, keep their records organised and work with experienced advisors will find the process smoother and less open to delay.
Outlook for 2025 and beyond
Over the coming year, the Caribbean programmes are expected to settle into a more uniform structure as the OECD standards take hold. Processing may stay slower, but governments are likely to balance stricter checks with predictable procedures once systems mature. For applicants with clear financial records and well-documented sources of wealth, legitimate routes will remain open.
These programmes continue to serve investors who value global mobility and portfolio diversification, though the path now demands more preparation and transparency. Demand is expected to stay steady, with greater interest in jurisdictions that show strong compliance and stable international relationships. As reforms bed in, confidence will depend less on speed and more on the quality of compliance behind each application, shaping how both governments and investors approach citizenship planning in the years ahead.
How can The Knightsbridge Group help?
The Knightsbridge Group supports investors through every stage of the citizenship and residency process, from preparing financial records to coordinating with programme authorities and international partners. Our experience across multiple jurisdictions means clients receive practical guidance that fits both current OECD standards and local due diligence rules.
To discuss your plans or review an existing application, contact [email protected].