Charmaine-Donovan, CEO CIP/ Photo Courtesy CIP Unit
— Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) has confirmed that it remains operational and continues to accept citizenship applications despite a November 12 deadline for Caribbean countries to inform the European Union of their plans for their citizenship by investment programmes.
The clarification comes as the government awaits a response from the European Commission to its request for additional time to wind down the programme, which allows qualifying foreign investors to obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
In a memorandum dated November 12, 2026, CIU Chief Executive Officer Charmaine Donovan sought to address uncertainty among stakeholders about the programme’s future following discussions between Caribbean governments and European officials.
“The CIU remains operational and continues to accept applications for citizenship,” Donovan said.
The unit said it would remain open for business until otherwise advised.
The announcement follows months of discussions between the European Union and Caribbean countries operating citizenship by investment programmes, amid growing concerns about the implications of the programmes for visa-free travel to Europe.
According to Donovan, the EU hosted heads of citizenship by investment units in March 2026 to discuss changes to European legislation and their potential consequences.
During those discussions, participating countries were advised that they would need to indicate whether they intended to continue operating their respective programmes.
The memorandum disclosed that the European Union subsequently communicated with the government of Antigua and Barbuda, inviting it to wind down its programme by June 1, 2028, to retain visa-free access to the Schengen area.
The Schengen area comprises European countries that generally permit travel across their shared borders without routine internal border checks. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders currently benefit from visa-free access for short visits, an arrangement that is particularly important for international travel, tourism and business.
The possibility of losing that privilege has become a significant concern for Caribbean countries that operate citizenship by investment programmes.
Antigua and Barbuda is among five Eastern Caribbean countries with such programmes, alongside Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia.
The programmes allow foreign nationals to obtain citizenship through qualifying investments or contributions, subject to eligibility requirements and background checks.
They have also provided governments with revenue to support public spending, infrastructure development and other national priorities.
However, European authorities have raised concerns about security risks associated with investor citizenship schemes, including the possibility that individuals who would otherwise require visas could acquire citizenship and gain visa-free access to European countries.
The issue has prompted increasing scrutiny of Caribbean investment migration programmes and discussions about their future.
Donovan said technical delegations from Caribbean countries operating investment migration programmes met again with EU representatives on October 20, 2026.
The meeting was supported by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
According to the memorandum, participating countries agreed to communicate their final decisions to the European Union by November 12.
Antigua and Barbuda submitted its position ahead of that deadline.
On October 30, the government wrote to the European Commission indicating its intention to wind down the citizenship by investment programme while requesting a transition period extending to the end of 2030.
That request would give Antigua and Barbuda approximately two years and seven months beyond the June 1, 2028, date identified by the European Union.
The government’s position represents a significant development for a programme that has been an important component of the country’s investment and revenue strategy.
It also signals that Antigua and Barbuda is seeking an orderly transition rather than an immediate shutdown.
However, the memorandum does not indicate whether the European Commission has accepted the proposed extension or when a decision is expected.
It also does not explain how applications already being processed, approved investments or existing contractual arrangements would be handled if the programme is eventually discontinued.
The distinction between the government’s intention to wind down the programme and its present operations is particularly important for prospective investors, licensed agents, developers and other stakeholders.
Although Antigua and Barbuda has formally communicated its intention to discontinue the programme, the CIU has made clear that applications are still being accepted.
The latest announcement also comes against the backdrop of broader regional efforts to respond to international pressure for stronger oversight, due diligence and greater transparency in citizenship by investment programmes.
For Antigua and Barbuda, the challenge is balancing the economic benefits associated with investment migration against the importance of preserving visa-free access to Europe for its citizens.
The government’s request for a transition period through 2030 suggests it is seeking additional time to manage the financial and administrative consequences of eventually ending the programme.
For now, the immediate position remains unchanged: the Citizenship by Investment Unit is open, applications are being accepted, and the government is awaiting a response from the European Commission.
The memorandum does not establish a final closure date, and the proposed 2030 deadline remains subject to the European Commission’s response.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment programme remains open, unit says.