Saint Lucia and four other Eastern Caribbean countries could face the loss of visa-free access to the European Union’s Schengen Area if they do not phase out their Citizenship by Investment Programmes by June 2028.
The European Union has intensified pressure on Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis, citing concerns about the security and migration implications of investor citizenship programmes. Under the EU’s revised Visa Suspension Mechanism, the operation of an investor citizenship scheme can now be grounds for suspending visa-free travel. For Saint Lucia, the issue could have a significant impact, as its passport holders currently have visa-free access for short stays to the 29 countries that make up the Schengen Area.
Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre says recent discussions with European officials made clear that the EU’s position on the programmes remains firm. Speaking at a pre-Cabinet press briefing, Pierre said the Europeans were “adamant” that countries operating Citizenship by Investment Programmes should phase them out. The European Commission has previously raised concerns about whether the screening and vetting systems used by the five Eastern Caribbean programmes are sufficient to identify applicants who could pose security risks while benefiting from visa-free travel to Europe.
The Eastern Caribbean governments have argued that they have strengthened their due diligence, integrity and security measures and have continued discussions with European authorities. However, Pierre says the latest talks suggest those measures have not changed the EU’s fundamental position.
For Saint Lucia, the Government is also weighing the economic importance of its Citizenship by Investment Programme.
Pierre says the programme accounts for approximately 10 percent of the country’s government revenue and has contributed to the country’s economy. The Prime Minister has previously said his administration has no intention of immediately ending the programme and will instead work to strengthen it.
The issue is now being considered at a regional level, with a technical delegation from the five affected countries expected to hold further discussions with European officials in October. The Eastern Caribbean governments now face a deadline of June 2028 to phase out their investor citizenship programmes, according to the European Commission’s position, or risk the suspension of visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
Prime Minister Pierre says Saint Lucia will continue negotiations with European authorities in an effort to find a solution that addresses the EU’s concerns while protecting the country’s financial system and the economic benefits associated with its Citizenship by Investment Programme.
