Антигуа и Барбуда ужесточает правила программы гражданства за инвестиции: обязательный выезд на 30 дней и регулярные аудиты

Annual Audits, 30-day Residency Among CIP Amendments By Editorial Staff Writer The government has introduced amendments to Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) that will require annual independent financial audits, biennial operational audits and increase the minimum residency requirement for successful applicants from five days to 30 days. Prime Minister Gaston Browne presented the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Amendment Bill 2026 in Parliament on Tuesday, describing the changes as necessary to bring the country’s legislation into line with the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority Agreement. The regional regulatory authority, established by the five Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States countries that operate CIP programmes, is expected to become operational in September. “This bill seeks to amend the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act of 2013 to align it with the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority Agreement Act,” Browne told Parliament. Among the key changes is a requirement for the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to undergo an annual independent financial audit. The legislation also introduces a biennial independent operational audit to be conducted in accordance with internationally accepted auditing and financial reporting standards. Browne noted that the issue of audits had been raised earlier in the sitting by Barbuda MP Trevor Walker during Questions to the Prime Minister. “Audits have been done. I don’t have the last date of the last one,” Browne said, adding that the new regional authority would ensure the annual and biennial audits are carried out. The amendments also increase the residency requirement for successful citizenship applicants and their dependants from five days to 30 days. Browne said the change reflects a regional agreement among the OECS countries operating citizenship by investment programmes. “What we’re doing now is bringing our domestic Act into conformity by increasing the residency from five to 30 days,” he said. He added that the 30-day requirement had already been implemented administratively and that the legislative amendment removes any inconsistency between Antigua and Barbuda’s domestic law and the regional agreement. The bill further requires the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to submit six-monthly reports to the new regional regulatory authority while continuing its existing practice of reporting to Parliament. Browne said the regulatory authority would also have the power to issue standards, directives and decisions governing the operation of citizenship by investment units across participating OECS countries. The legislation requires the Chief Executive Officer of the CIU to ensure the programme is managed in accordance with those regional directives and standards. According to the Prime Minister, the harmonised framework is intended to strengthen oversight and ensure that participating countries apply common rules and procedures in administering their citizenship by investment programmes. He said Antigua and Barbuda had advocated for a regional regulatory body for several years before agreement was reached among participating states. The amendments were presented as part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen governance and oversight of the CIP amid increased international scrutiny of Caribbean investment migration programmes.