This week, the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) hosted its quarterly Authorised Agent breakfast in Basseterre, bringing together the trusted partners who continue to play an integral role in the success of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. The meeting came at a pivotal moment, as the Unit reflects on the achievements of the past year and looks ahead to new opportunities in 2026.
A year of milestones
Over the last year, the CIU has marked its first full year as a statutory body – a transition that has allowed the Unit to operate with greater independence, agility, and accountability. This transformation has proven invaluable, enabling faster responses to international expectations while strengthening oversight and governance.
The creation of the Office of the Chairman has further anchored the Programme’s reputation as the premier standard in investment migration. Acting as a centre of excellence, the Office has prioritised transparency, economic growth, and customer service. In its first 100 days alone, the CIU implemented stronger due diligence, streamlined systems, and recorded a remarkable 169% increase in applications – evidence of renewed confidence in the Programme worldwide.
Authorised Agents at the heart of the journey
Speaking at the breakfast, His Excellency Calvin St. Juste, Executive Chairman of the CIU, underscored the central role that Authorised Agents have played in this journey.
“Your partnership has been instrumental in our success,” he told attendees. “The milestones we celebrate today were achieved not in isolation, but through collaboration with you, our Authorised Agents, who ensure the integrity and efficiency of the Programme every step of the way.”
This year also marked the continuation of quarterly in-person meetings with Authorised Agents, an initiative designed to keep lines of communication open, share policy updates, and reinforce best practices. The Unit expressed its appreciation for the hard work and professionalism that agents bring to the Programme, noting that their contributions extend beyond transactions to the very reputation of the Federation.
Recognition on the global stage
The breakfast also came shortly after the release of the 2025 CBI Index, in which St. Kitts and Nevis was ranked the world’s best Citizenship by Investment Programme for the fifth consecutive year. With a top score of 87 per cent across nine pillars, including full marks for due diligence, ease of processing and certainty of product, the Federation has once again demonstrated its leadership in the industry.
This recognition, Chairman St. Juste noted, reflects not only the strength of the Programme but also the trust it has built through decades of transparency, resilience, and continuous innovation.
Looking forward
While the breakfast provided an opportunity to reflect on achievements, it also set the stage for the year ahead. The Unit reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of the Programme, deepening international partnerships, and supporting national development priorities such as the Sustainable Island State agenda.
The Chairman highlighted the importance of continued collaboration with Authorised Agents as the Programme adapts to a changing global landscape. The CIU also noted the success of its recent webinar with International Marketing Agents (IMAs), part of its wider efforts to maintain close engagement with all stakeholders.
As St. Kitts and Nevis looks to the future, the message was clear: the strength of the CBI Programme lies in its partnerships. By building on a strong foundation of transparency, accountability, and collaboration, the Federation is poised to continue leading the way in global investment migration.