Overview for HNWIs & Family Offices
The Caribbean CBI landscape has entered a new phase—defined by higher legitimacy, tighter compliance, and deeper cooperation with the EU, the US, and major security agencies.
Core change: a 30-day residency requirement over 5 years for new citizens, paired with a unified due-diligence framework to enhance robustness, transparency, and long-term program resilience.
These shifts are investor protections, not constraints—built to preserve program credibility and visa-free access.
✅ A Modern Residency Rule: Only 30 Days in 5 Years
Requirement: New citizens must spend 30 total days within the first 5 years in their chosen country.
Why it helps you
- Substance & credibility
Creates genuine ties—valued by international partners and supportive of program integrity. - Low operational burden
Thirty days over five years is manageable for busy principals and multi-jurisdiction families. - Global alignment
Mirrors norms across citizenship/residency regimes—responsible policy without investor friction.
✅ A New Unified Due-Diligence Mechanism
A more centralized, standards-driven vetting model to elevate trust and reduce counterparty risk.
- Enhanced background screening
Multi-layer checks via top-tier due-diligence firms, global databases, and intelligence platforms. - Cross-program data sharing
CBI units share files to prevent program shopping or re-applications after rejection. - EU/US/Interpol cooperation
Processes align with partner expectations—identity verification, source-of-funds clarity, consistency. - Ongoing monitoring
Post-approval surveillance to proactively flag risks and protect program integrity.
Outcome: Only reputable applicants qualify—supporting passport reputation and market durability.
✅ Why These Reforms Matter for Investors
- Protecting visa-free access
Schengen, the UK, and others reward strong controls—lower risk of future restrictions. - Preserving asset value
Stronger vetting → stronger international trust → durable long-term utility of the passport. - Rising recognition
Compliance leadership drives broader acceptance and bilateral opportunities. - Category leadership
Positions Caribbean programs alongside best-practice citizenship frameworks globally.
✅ A Stronger, Safer, More Sustainable Caribbean CBI Industry
For 30+ years, the Caribbean has delivered reliable second-citizenship options.
With the 30-day residency rule and enhanced due diligence, the region is signaling greater credibility, sustainability, and partnership with global authorities.
What this means for your family:
- ✅ More durable visa-free access
- ✅ Better intergovernmental cooperation
- ✅ Higher global confidence in document integrity
- ✅ Long-term stability across generations
This is the next chapter of Caribbean CBI—forward-looking and investor-centric.
Globalia & Globevisa: Your Trusted Advisors Across 100+ Global Programs
As strategic advisors serving HNWIs and family offices, Globalia Consulting (partner of Globevisa Group) guides you through:
- Program fit: Which Caribbean CBI aligns with your objectives (mobility, succession, lifestyle, tax posture).
- Rule navigation: How the 30-day rule and compliance standards apply to your profile.
- Due-diligence readiness: Structuring KYC/AML and source-of-funds files for smooth approvals.
- Comparatives: Alternatives in Europe, the Americas, and Asia to diversify optionality.
Next step: Speak with our advisory team to capitalize on the Caribbean’s strengthened framework, or to compare against other global options and build a bespoke mobility plan for your family.