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Regional CBI Regulator Takes Shape: Highlights of ECCIRA Draft Legislation

Enhancing Integrity in Caribbean Citizenship by Investment: Draft ECCIRA Legislation Opens for Public Consultation

Citizens International is committed to guiding you through the evolving landscape of Caribbean citizenship by investment. Based in Antigua & Barbuda, we have witnessed the benefits of a well-regulated programme firsthand. The recently published Draft Legislation for the Establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) is now open for public comment through 16 July 2025. This framework reflects years of consultation and responds to global expectations for transparency, consistent standards and robust due diligence.

1. A Unified Regional Regulator

The draft creates ECCIRA as an independent body headquartered in Basseterre with broad oversight authority:

  • Fit and Proper Licensing
    All agents, due-diligence firms, developers and escrow providers must hold a current ECCIRA pre-qualification certificate valid for up to three years.

  • Audit, Inspection and Enforcement
    ECCIRA can conduct on-site inspections, demand documents, impose fines or suspensions and revoke licences to maintain integrity across all Participating States.

This model builds on Antigua & Barbuda’s existing best practices and aligns five individual programmes under one regulatory umbrella.

2. Transparency and Reporting

Transparency is at the heart of the draft legislation, ensuring investors and the public can monitor CBI activity:

  • Public Registers
    Quarterly publication of licensed service providers, approved applications and pre-qualified agents will be accessible online.

  • Annual Reports
    ECCIRA will submit a detailed annual report to the Council of Ministers and national parliaments, covering application volumes, due diligence outcomes, enforcement actions and financial statements.

  • Key Registers
    Registers will capture changes of name, denied applications, sanctions imposed and escrow-account details to uphold accountability.

These measures mirror Antigua & Barbuda’s own transparency standards and build confidence in every programme member state.

3. Annual Application Caps

To protect passport value and prevent oversupply, ECCIRA will recommend annual application limits for each country based on:

  • Global demand, reputational considerations and risk assessment

  • National absorptive capacity and projected economic impact

  • Monthly reporting by Competent Authorities to monitor compliance

Once approved by the ECCIRA Council of Ministers, these quotas will be enforced uniformly across all Participating States.

4. Genuine-Link and Residency Requirements

For the first time region-wide, the draft mandates new citizens to:

  1. Spend at least 30 days in the host country within any five-year period following naturalisation.

  2. Complete an integration programme that includes civic education, cultural orientation or community service plus an in-person or virtual interview.

  3. Submit annual declarations of presence and investment for verification against immigration and land-registry records.

Failure to meet these obligations may result in administrative fines of up to 10 percent of the qualifying investment or passport revocation. Exceptions for medical or humanitarian reasons must be formally approved by ECCIRA.

5. Compliance-Linked Passport Validity

Passports will carry an initial five-year term, renewable for ten years only after demonstrating compliance with residency and integration requirements. Antigua & Barbuda already follows this approach and serves as a model for regional alignment.

6. Financial Safeguards and Escrow Accounts

Investor funds must be placed in ECCIRA-approved escrow accounts until due diligence is complete and contractual milestones are met. This ensures financial protection and standardised safeguards across all programmes.

Your Next Steps

These reforms respond to international scrutiny and endorse Antigua & Barbuda’s leadership in establishing high standards. To review the full Draft ECCIRA Legislation and provide feedback, visit here.

Interested in learning how these changes affect your plans? Schedule a personalised, complimentary conversation with our Antigua team today. With these enhancements, your pathway to Caribbean citizenship remains transparent, robust and tailored to your goals.

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