EU tells Caribbean nations to end golden passports by 2028 or face Schengen visa ban

EU has told five Caribbean nations to end citizenship-by-investment programs by 2028 or lose visa-free access to the Schengen area. The affected countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis. The programs, starting around $200,000, provide crucial revenue; the nations are planning a coordinated response, including a mission to Brussels. The EU previously restricted similar schemes elsewhere, including Vanuatu and Malta. Some immigration lawyers view the demand as a starting point for negotiation, given Caribbean nations’ reliance on the revenue.