(Antigua Observer) The British High Commissioner has provided clarity on the review that is currently being done on Citizenship by Investment Programmes (CIP) in Antigua and Barbuda and other countries.
During a recent appearance on Observer AM, Resident British Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda Lindsy Thompson explained that due to discrepancies with its Residency by Investment programme, the UK government became cautious that such routes “were not secure” and raised several red flags that could eventually undermine the country’s immigration system.
That residency programme was shut down by the UK last year but because of those risks, it has now influenced them to look into the CIP.
Thompson sought to assure listeners that the review is meant to examine risks and that it is not limited to the English-speaking Caribbean.
“We constantly review our immigration system and we were not satisfied that that route to residency was secure enough,” she said.
“There was a potential for misuse. Now, when you have gone through that experience it naturally makes you look at all the other routes that people can enter the UK and of course CIP, those countries like Antigua and Barbuda who have high value passports, citizens can enter the UK visa-free are naturally one thing we look at.
