Lets chat here! What can we help you?

Eastern Caribbean to Launch Regional CBI Regulator in September 2025

This September, five Eastern Caribbean nations, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia, will implement a landmark reform: the creation of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA).

This is the most significant change in the history of Caribbean citizenship by investment (CBI) programs. For investors, it means new rules, tighter standards, and less time to apply under the current frameworks.

Why ECCIRA Is Being Introduced

For years, Caribbean countries cooperated informally on citizenship programs. Now, with growing international scrutiny from the US, UK, and EU, the region is moving toward a binding, uniform framework to safeguard credibility and long-term sustainability.

ECCIRA will function as a regional regulator ensuring all participating countries follow the same rules, due diligence standards, and enforcement mechanisms.

Key Changes Investors Should Expect

The new framework introduces stricter and region-wide requirements:

30-Day Residency Rule – New citizens will be required to spend at least 30 days in their chosen Caribbean country within the first five years after citizenship is granted.
Annual Application Caps – Each country will have a set number of approvals allowed per year.
Stricter Due Diligence – Uniform background checks and enhanced screening across all jurisdictions.
Cross-Border Screening – If one country rejects an applicant, others will not be able to approve them.
Regional Enforcement – Sanctions or blacklisting in one program will apply across all five nations.

Enforcement Powers

ECCIRA will not just regulate, it will enforce compliance. The authority will have the power to:

Reduce a country’s annual quota if standards are not met.
Levy financial penalties into a regional compliance fund.
Refer unresolved breaches to binding arbitration after six months.
Impose region-wide sanctions, so that a firm blacklisted in one program is barred from all.

The framework also includes an exit clause, giving countries the option to withdraw with six months’ notice. This balances the goal of regional unity with national sovereignty.

Timeline for Implementation

The agreement establishing ECCIRA has been finalized.
Each of the five parliaments will pass enabling legislation in September 2025.
Once all five parliaments ratify the agreement, the regulator will become operational.
The new rules will begin applying to all incoming CBI applications.

In short, investors only have a few weeks left to apply under current rules.

Why Urgency Matters Now

The Caribbean has long been one of the most accessible and flexible regions for second citizenship. With ECCIRA, the path will become more restrictive and more competitive.

The success of ECCIRA will depend on synchronized parliamentary action and effective rollout of its governance, licensing, and enforcement systems. Industry participants will need to adapt quickly to the new standards, prepare for regional licensing, and adjust to stricter cross-border enforcement.

For investors considering Caribbean citizenship, acting now means securing your passport under current rules, before September brings sweeping reforms.

How UNO Capital Can Help

At UNO Capital, we specialize in citizenship and residency programs worldwide, with deep expertise in the Caribbean. Our team guides investors through every step from eligibility assessment and documentation to application management and due diligence preparation.

Here’s how we can support you:

Explain how the new residency, licensing, and due diligence requirements may affect your plans.
Help you identify which programs are most likely to adapt smoothly under ECCIRA.
Get your application prepared and submitted before new quotas and stricter enforcement come into force.

With ECCIRA just weeks away, UNO Capital is helping clients fast-track their applications so they can secure citizenship under the current frameworks before restrictions tighten. Contact us today to begin your application.