St. Kitts and Nevis has joined its fellow Eastern Caribbean States in signing a landmark agreement to enhance the integrity, transparency, and sustainability of Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIP) across the region.

The agreement paves the way for the establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) by October 2025. This new body will provide uniform oversight and enforce compliance standards for all participating states, which are Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Saint Lucia.

Key reforms include stricter due diligence measures, mandatory biometric data collection, stronger residency requirements, and a region-wide minimum investment threshold of US$200,000. Revenues will continue to fund critical infrastructure, social development, and climate resilience projects.

The reforms follow extensive consultations with international partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Commission.