The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken a historic step toward strengthening the governance and international credibility of Citizenship Programmes across the Eastern Caribbean. On 17 October 2025, the National Assembly passed the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) Bill, 2025, paving the way for a unified regional regulator responsible for oversight of all participating programmes.
This milestone legislation implements the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Agreement, a treaty signed by Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis. By passing the enabling Bill, the Federation formally translates the treaty into law, demonstrating what Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew described it as a commitment to ensuring that “we really mean business when it comes to regulating the Citizenship Programmes throughout the OECS.”
“This process took us a number of years, and to culminate with a regulatory body within the OECS is a tremendous achievement,” Dr. Drew noted.
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ESTABLISHING A REGIONAL REGULATOR
With the passage of the Bill, the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) will now have the legal mandate to oversee, regulate, and monitor all CBI activities across member jurisdictions. The Authority will serve as the central body responsible for ensuring compliance with agreed-upon standards, safeguarding due-diligence processes, and preserving the integrity of the citizenship programme framework.
ECCIRA’s introduction is intended to elevate transparency and accountability across the region. It will also align participating countries with a harmonised governance structure, reducing reputational vulnerabilities, and addressing international concerns related to security, financial integrity, and programme management.
RAISING STANDARDS AND STRENGTHENING CONFIDENCE
The establishment of ECCIRA reflects a shared regional vision to implement stronger due diligence, greater uniformity, and more cohesive management of investor-citizenship programmes. For St. Kitts and Nevis, this move reinforces its role as a leader in responsible citizenship programme administration, an area where the country has long taken pride.
By building a regionally regulated structure, the new Authority will help ensure that all participating nations operate under the same rigorous standards. This coordinated oversight is expected to enhance confidence among international partners and strengthen the global standing of Caribbean citizenship programmes.
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A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE OECS
The passage of the ECCIRA Bill represents more than a national milestone; it is a collective step forward for the OECS.
Once fully operational, ECCIRA will introduce shared procedures, transparent reporting expectations, and a more unified compliance architecture. This harmonisation will help safeguard participating countries from reputational risk while ensuring the long-term sustainability of citizenship programmes, an essential revenue source for national development.
STRENGTHENING THE FUTURE OF CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT
For St. Kitts and Nevis, the Bill is a strategic investment in the future of its globally recognised Programme. Stronger oversight and regional harmonisation will support the continued competitiveness and integrity of the island’s citizenship framework. It also reaffirms the Federation’s position as the premier standard for due diligence and responsible management in the global investment migration industry.