Antigua and Barbuda has approved sweeping amendments to its Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), introducing stricter governance, mandatory independent audits and a longer physical presence requirement for new citizens. The reforms align the country’s legislation with the upcoming Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA), which is expected to begin operations in September 2026.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne presented the Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Bill 2026 to Parliament, describing the reforms as the final stage of a regional harmonisation process agreed by the five Eastern Caribbean countries operating Citizenship by Investment programmes. According to Browne, the amendments are intended to bring Antigua’s domestic legislation into line with commitments already made under the ECCIRA Agreement rather than serve as a direct response to the European Commission’s recent proposal to phase out Caribbean CBI programs.

What Changes Under the New Legislation?

The amendments significantly strengthen oversight of Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).

Among the key changes are:

  • Mandatory annual independent financial audits
  • Biennial operational audits conducted in accordance with internationally recognised auditing and financial reporting standards
  • Mandatory six-monthly reports submitted to ECCIRA in addition to existing reporting obligations to Parliament
  • A legal requirement for the CIU and its Chief Executive Officer to operate in accordance with the standards, directives and compliance requirements established by the regional regulator

The reforms are designed to create a more transparent and accountable governance framework while ensuring that Antigua’s programme operates under the same standards as the other participating Eastern Caribbean jurisdictions.

Regional Regulator Expected to Launch in September

The legislative changes come just weeks before the planned launch of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA), which is expected to become operational in September 2026.

ECCIRA will become the first regional regulator dedicated exclusively to the Citizenship by Investment programs.

The authority will oversee the five OECS jurisdictions operating CBI schemes:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia

The regulator will establish common operational standards, supervise compliance, monitor participating Citizenship by Investment Units and help ensure that all five programmes apply consistent governance, due diligence and reporting requirements.

The creation of ECCIRA forms part of the wider Caribbean reform agenda that has been developing over the past several years, including harmonised due diligence procedures, enhanced information sharing, mandatory applicant interviews, common minimum investment thresholds and stronger regulatory oversight.

Residency Requirement Increases to 30 days

One of the most notable amendments increases the physical presence requirement for successful applicants and their eligible dependents from five days to 30 days.

Prime Minister Browne clarified that the new rule reflects an agreement already reached among the participating Caribbean CBI jurisdictions and has already been implemented administratively. The legislative amendment therefore removes the remaining inconsistency between Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment Act and the regional framework.

Industry experts also emphasised that the requirement should not be misunderstood. The 30-day stay is not an annual obligation. Instead, new citizens must spend a cumulative 30 days in Antigua and Barbuda during the first five years after citizenship has been granted, after which no additional physical presence requirement applies.

What This Means for Investors

The latest amendments do not alter Antigua and Barbuda’s investment options or qualifying contribution amounts. Instead, they strengthen the program’s regulatory framework by introducing greater transparency, independent oversight and closer regional coordination.

For investors, the reforms signal that Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs continue moving towards a more unified regulatory model. Once ECCIRA becomes operational, participating jurisdictions are expected to operate under increasingly harmonised standards while preserving their individual programme structures.