The US more than doubled its visa bond list from 15 to 38 countries. Starting January 21, tourists from Tonga, Antigua, and 23 others must post $15,000 to visit.
From Norway’s secretive CBI ban to Caribbean leaders scrambling to avoid US restrictions, here are our 10 most-read stories from a record 5 million readers in 2025.
New potential rules could force CBI applicants to stay to play, or risk losing out for failing to prove “genuine links.”
No formal communication echoes across the Caribbean as leaders demand answers after finding their nations on a reported US travel ban list
The question on everyone’s mind is if other Caribbean CIPs will raise prices like Saint Kitts. IMI contacted each to get an answer.
Antigua & Barbuda has released the first statistical report on its CIP in more than three years. Figures show the program has fallen behind.
Russians and Belarusians are excluded again. The suspension, moreover, will have retroactive effect, going back three weeks.
Antigua & Barbuda’s information minister says his government has offered to let the EU audit the citizenship by investment program.
“You have to incentivize them so heavily that the net amounts received by the governments would be reduced considerably,” said PM Browne.
40 years have passed since countries first began selling citizenships. See our timeline of the history of citizenship by investment programs.
Foreign Affairs Minister Greene expressed determination not to give up on CBI in the face of pressure from Europe and the US.
“It will be to demonstrate, over and above anything else, our intent to be compliant and sympathetic,” to EU concerns, said the government.
PM Browne says EU and US lawmakers are effectively forcing Caribbean countries to choose between CBI and visa-free travel to Schengen.
Applications and revenues are up sharply on the year. The figures indicate virtually no applicants are choosing investments over donations.
The Nigerian couple appears to have absconded with millions, months after gaining Antiguan citizenship. PM Browne promises consequences.
Reacting to the State Department’s Report, PM Browne said Washington’s accusations against himself and regional CIPs were based on hearsay.
The report noted shortcomings in transparency (and the potential or actualized corruption that such opacity engenders) among five CIPs.
Fees on adding dependents after-the-fact are sharply cut and even the future spouses and children of a dependent child may now be included.
Between 2015 and 2017, one in five Antigua CIP investors chose the real estate option. In the last two years, only one in forty did. Why?
“We are looking closely at actions that are taken and actions being contemplated by the EU and also by the OECD,” said Ambassador Colin Murdoch.