In early July 2025, the Eastern Caribbean countries offering Citizenship by Investment programmes, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia, published a draft agreement aimed at strengthening programme integrity and improving regional cooperation. One of the key features of this proposal is the requirement for new citizens to spend at least thirty days physically present in the issuing country within the first five years after receiving citizenship.
This proposal also includes civic and cultural integration requirements, annual application caps, stricter due diligence, and the formation of a regional regulatory body. Public consultation is ongoing until 16 July, with final ratification expected later this year.
Why Thirty Days? Context and Rationale
Eastern Caribbean governments are responding to international pressure, especially from the United States, European Union, and OECD to demonstrate that citizenship is not purely transactional. The visa bans and warnings issued earlier this year highlighted public concern over “passport‑for‑sale” programmes with no substantive ties to the issuing country .
Requiring a modest stay helps establish a genuine connection, reinforcing the credibility of the programme and mitigating reputational risk.
What This Means for Saint Lucia
If enacted, Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Programme would shift from requiring no physical presence to expecting new citizens (and their dependents) to spend at least thirty days in-country during the five years following approval. Failure to comply could result in penalties or non-renewal of passports .
That said, this requirement is non-consecutive and spread over multiple visits, making it manageable even for busy families.
How McNamara Supports Advisors and Their Clients
As a trusted local partner, McNamara Citizenship Services is already preparing to help global advisors adapt. Here’s how:
- Early notification: We flag the pending change so advisors and clients can plan ahead
- Trip scheduling: We help map out optimal travel schedules to satisfy the stay requirement
- Documentation help: We guide advisors and clients on maintaining accurate entry/exit records
- Cultural orientation: We can support clients in fulfilling civic education or integration components alongside residency obligations
We believe this approach aligns with our mission to support advisors through regulatory evolution, not simply to facilitate applications, but to sustain the value of citizenship long-term.
Why McNamara Welcomes This Shift
This change demonstrates that regional CBI programmes are serious about accountability, association, and authenticity. McNamara supports transparent innovation. We respect the Citizenship by Investment Unit’s decision, and see it as a step toward strengthening the credibility of Saint Lucia’s CBI offering. When frameworks are clear, our advisor partners succeed with greater confidence, and clients benefit from a more robust citizenship outcome.
Summary
A 30‑day physical presence requirement may seem like a small change, but it marks a strategic move toward programme integrity in the Eastern Caribbean. McNamara Citizenship Services is fully prepared to guide advisors and their clients through this transition. With proper planning and local legal support, this new rule enhances credibility, not complexity.
