Prime Minister Gaston Browne says the European Union has warned that Antigua and Barbuda could lose visa-free access to the Schengen Area by the end of the year over concerns surrounding the country’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, but his administration intends to intensify diplomatic engagement in an effort to prevent that outcome.
Speaking on Pointe FM on Saturday, Browne said the government is seeking a high-level meeting with European officials to persuade them to reconsider what he described as a threatened policy change.
“The European Union has threatened that they could withdraw their visa-free access, potentially by the end of the year,” Browne said. “We don’t know for sure they will, but we’re trying to have a high-level engagement with them to see if we can actually reconsider.”
The prime minister said Antigua and Barbuda believes an electronic travel authorization system should be sufficient to address Europe’s security concerns while preserving the long-standing visa-free arrangement.
“We have the view that an electronic travel authorization should be sufficient,” Browne said. “We think that it’s a sensible thing to do to maintain the good relations that we’ve had over the years and not to throw the baby out with the bath water.”
According to Browne, the concerns extend beyond Antigua and Barbuda and affect other Eastern Caribbean countries operating investment migration programmes.
He noted that Ireland recently ended visa-free arrangements for some Caribbean nations and acknowledged that additional restrictions could follow despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“We can anticipate that, despite our best efforts, these visa-free arrangements may be discontinued,” he said.
Despite that possibility, Browne insisted his government has no intention of abandoning the Citizenship by Investment Programme, describing it as an essential pillar of the country’s finances.
“What I will say here, under my leadership and certainly under the Labour Party’s governance of this country, with or without those visa-free arrangements, our CIP programme continues,” Browne said. “It is too important a source of non-tax revenue to give it up.”
Browne defended the integrity of Antigua and Barbuda’s programme, arguing that while no immigration system is entirely immune from abuse, the country’s due diligence procedures compare favorably with those of larger nations.
“We are pretty sure that we have strengthened our programme and that it does not represent any significant risk to any country,” he said. “Nothing is foolproof… I believe that our programmes are better run than theirs.”
The prime minister rejected suggestions that Caribbean investment migration programmes pose a unique security threat, noting that countries criticizing the region also operate their own investment-based immigration programmes.
“I can say definitively in the case of Antigua and Barbuda, our programme is run with integrity,” Browne said. “I’ve never once overturned any case that was actually rejected by the CI Unit. We have allowed the unit and the board to operate independently.”
He argued that Antigua and Barbuda’s small size actually makes it more difficult for individuals with criminal intentions to remain undetected.
“If anything, our CIP programmes are helping these larger countries to unearth the criminals,” Browne said, adding that wealthy individuals with legitimate business interests could often obtain visas directly from those same countries without relying on Caribbean citizenship.
Browne also criticized what he described as a double standard in the treatment of Caribbean nations, saying they are often unfairly grouped together whenever concerns arise about investment migration.
“The unfortunate thing about it is that they keep dubbing us with the same brush,” he said.
Looking ahead, Browne said Antigua and Barbuda remains willing to strengthen international cooperation by introducing additional security measures, including biometric screening for CBI applicants and greater information sharing with foreign governments.
“If we can collaborate and make sure that we have the biometric exam for these CIP citizens and that we can share information, if anything, it will help them to unearth these criminals,” he said.
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Hey GB..this is the question these nations ask when they are vetting someone. Why would you want to be a citizen of my country if you have no intentions lof iving here?
Your residency requirements needs to be seriously reinvented..it’s a big red flag.
When you get a chance, just look at the DR policy in obtaining citizenship, and you would see the huge gaps in the two policies..
Nothing wrong with the concept of CBI, it’s just that yours have a serious residency loophole.
Anyway, continue with your ignorance.
The Prime Minister can afford to say that the CIP programme will continue regardless of what the European authorities decide about visa-free access for Antiguans because he and his family travel on diplomatic passports and are not directly affected in the same way as ordinary citizens.
If the government had the courage to reduce the size of the public sector and improve efficiency, our country would be less dependent on the CIP programme. There is a perception that some government employees contribute very little while continuing to collect a monthly salary. At the same time, governments are often reluctant to make difficult decisions because public sector workers represent an important voting bloc during elections.
The private sector, which plays a major role in driving the economy, creating jobs, and generating tax revenue, should make its voice heard and hold leaders accountable for political decisions that have a direct impact on hardworking citizens and businesses. Antigua and Barbuda needs long-term economic policies that reduce dependence on any single revenue source and strengthen the country’s future.
Then adapt the CIP Investment program scheme if you love it so much PM. Your stubbornness and pig-headed behaviour is going to hurt us once again!
Remember, Prime Minister you were given a mandate to represent this country.
What is going on in that head of yours?
I can see that you believe that being in charge of Antigua, and you think that what you say goes, but that’s “old school’ behaviour. Ah pure 80s politicking.
However, today is more about a collaborative cooperation attempt, where a good compromise is mutually reached, and all parties involved are happy with the outcome.
Why make politics difficult when it doesn’t have to be…
… your Cabinet Ministers know this as well, but dare not speak out against you…
Oh for an ABLP “Trojan Horse” … 🐎
Get rid of Syrians and Jamaicans and Gaston
The European Union’s threat to suspend visa-free access for Antigua and Barbuda is driven primarily by the country’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. The EU is specifically concerned that the “golden passports” issued under this program grant European access to individuals who lack a “genuine link” to the nation. Our leaders must know it is not if…..but when. The EU Parliament has already passed sweeping reforms to their visa free suspension policy and AĹL COUNTRIES operating Citizenship by Investment Programs are considered valid grounds for suspension. Anyhow we turn, we getting squeezed especially in regard to our CIP Program.
Why should we give up our Citizenship by Investment (CIP) program just to please the former colonial powers? Many U.S. citizens are actively seeking second citizenships. Instead of abandoning the program, Antigua and Barbuda should capitalize on that demand and strengthen our economy.
I am one of the first to call out this program, even before it became a national news lately, because I saw this coming.
I didn’t say abandon it for political reasons, I said abandon it, because of the serious loopholes it has for criminals to take advantage of, and since then, GB haven’t closed all the loopholes, especially the residency requirement..
Why would you sell citizenship to someone who doesn’t really want to live in your country, why?
That’s a serious red flag for me.
But again, continue in your ignorance!
ALL these countries does not like the idea that Antigua is rising too fast. They feel as if they are loosing control over the West Idies and the Caribbean on a whole. They realize they cannot railroad Gaston the way they did past leaders. He nah fraid dem an’ dem nah like dat, so they’re trying to pull out all the stops and will be disruptive and do not care. Stand your ground PM. We will all see it in time
FC. That’s big talk. The world is based on free movement, this is how we learn and progress. Where do you see Antigua rising, have you looked around lately, have you observed the progress for the people.
Its people like you that keep the system the way it is. Perhaps when your benefits run out you will sing a different song, because the delusion you must be living is messing with your head.
CIP should have been addressed a long time ago, but some people are lining their pockets at the expense of our progress. Greed, jealousy and selfishness is our biggest prolem. This is why countries are closing their doors on black people. They would rather Spanish, Asian and Indians because they work smart and plan for the future of their children. Not like us who plan for the weekend party to flash and flex. SAD
True ! True that the syrians have been quietly getting our passports,
But Gaston not letting up with this self enrichment by selling passports.
This guy have no political ideology to be a prime minister, only cake shop salesman ideology to sell off the country’s lands and resources.