On 12 March 2025, His Excellency Calvin St. Juste, the Executive Chairman of the St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), addressed a group of International Marketing Agents in a comprehensive webinar.
This session provided agents with key updates on the progression of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, with a particular focus on the strategic initiatives that have shaped its development over recent months.
Central to the Chairman’s address were the exciting advancements in digital transformation, policy adjustments, and an increased emphasis on transparency and operational efficiency.
COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
At the start of the webinar, Executive Chairman St. Juste expressed his gratitude to the International Marketing Agents for their continuous support and partnership.
He reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining transparency and regular communication with agents, ensuring that they are well-informed about changes and updates within the CBI Programme.
This session marked a step forward in the Executive Chairman’s pledge to build stronger relationships with agents and stakeholders, ensuring mutual success and a shared vision for the Programme’s future.
REFLECTION ON THE FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE
A key highlight of His Excellency St. Juste’s address was his reflection on the first 100 days of his leadership.
READ MORE: 100 DAYS OF TRANSFORMATION, INNOVATION, EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE
He shared an inspiring video that showcased the significant progress made by the CIU under his direction.
One of the most impressive achievements highlighted was the 169 per cent increase in applications, a clear sign that the Programme’s reputation and effectiveness are on the rise.
The Chairman noted that this early success was the result of the hard work and dedication of the newly formed executive team, who have laid a strong foundation for continued growth and success in the future.
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: A GAME-CHANGER
One of the most anticipated aspects of the webinar was the introduction of a new digital platform set to revolutionise the CBI Programme.
This platform, which is expected to launch in the coming weeks, will provide International Marketing Agents with real-time updates on the status of their clients’ applications.
Through a user-friendly dashboard, agents will be able to monitor key milestones, track progress, and communicate directly with local Authorised Agents.
Executive Chairman St. Juste emphasised that the digital transformation is a direct response to feedback from the field, where agents requested better visibility into the application process.
The Chairman further underscored that while speed is a priority, it will never come at the expense of due diligence or security.
The new platform aims to make St. Kitts and Nevis the fastest and most efficient programmes in the industry.
MAINTAINING INTEGRITY AND SECURITY
While embracing the future of digital tools, St. Juste made it clear that the Programme’s commitment to integrity and security would remain a top priority.
In investment migration, it is vital to ensure the safety of the programme, applicants, and the nation’s borders. He reassured the agents that the CIU would continue to uphold rigorous vetting processes while increasing the overall efficiency of the system.
TRANSPARENCY AND DENIAL OF APPLICATIONS
One topic that generated significant interest was the issue of application denials and the level of transparency in the decision-making process.
Chairman St. Juste explained that while the Government strives for transparency, certain confidentiality and security protocols must be followed.
In some cases, disclosing the specific reasons for an application’s denial could expose sensitive information, and as such, only broad reasons for rejection would be communicated to the applicants.
He stressed that denials are not taken lightly and are the result of a thorough and rigorous process to ensure that the integrity of the Programme is upheld.
THE PATH TO SUSTAINED GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
St. Kitts and Nevis has been a pioneer in the Citizenship by Investment sector for over four decades, and Chairman St. Juste reaffirmed that the country would maintain its leadership position.
Despite the rise of other citizenship programmes, St. Kitts and Nevis continues to be regarded as the original and most reputable choice for prospective investors.
In his remarks, Executive Chairman St. Juste stressed the importance of sustainability and long-term viability for the CBI Programme. He expressed confidence in the Programme’s ability to withstand economic shifts and remain the first choice for those seeking second citizenship.
ENHANCING SERVICE AND INNOVATION: A STEP FORWARD
Customer service was another key focus of His Excellency St. Juste’s address.
The Executive Chairman emphasised that at its core, the CBI Programme is all about people, and the CIU is committed to delivering the highest standard of service.
To this end, the Programme has introduced training initiatives with international experts to enhance the skills of staff and service providers.
Additionally, the Executive Chairman discussed ongoing efforts to improve processing times.
Thanks to new technology and digital innovations, approval in principle is now expected within 60 to 100 days, a significant reduction from the previous 180 days.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: THE OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
A major development highlighted during the webinar was the introduction of the Office of the Chairman, a new entity that will focus on driving economic growth, real estate development, and improving customer service within the CBI Programme.
His Excellency St. Juste emphasised that investments made by applicants should not only be fulfilled but executed to meet international standards.
READ MORE: ST. KITTS AND NEVIS CIU LAUNCHES THE OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS APPLICATION BACKLOG
The Executive Chairman provided an update on the newly created task force, which was established to address the backlog of CBI applications.
Thanks to the efforts of this team, approximately 95 per cent of the backlog has been cleared, and the CIU now operates with a 24-hour response time, ensuring that applicants and their representatives are given the attention they deserve.
A COLLABORATIVE FUTURE
Chairman St. Juste concluded his remarks by stressing that the future success of the CBI Programme depends on the collaboration between the CIU and its international marketing agents.
He encouraged agents to continue their efforts in promoting the Programme and maintaining its high standards.
As the Programme continues to evolve, agents can expect further updates on the digital platform and new features designed to enhance transparency, communication, and processing efficiency.
The CIU’s ongoing focus on innovation and strategic partnerships will help ensure that St. Kitts and Nevis remains a global leader in the Citizenship by Investment sector.