The European Commission is reviewing visa-free access for several Caribbean countries over concerns of the Citizenship By Investment programs.
The countries names in its 8th annual Visa Suspension Mechanism report include Antigua, Dominica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and Grenada.
The CBI programs, which have granted citizenship to thousands of foreign nationals, are now being scrutinized by the EU for potential security risks.
The EU is concerned that CBI programs could let people bypass normal security checks and pose risks like illegal migration, security threats, and tax evasion.
The Commission said the five Caribbean nations have issued about 107,000 passports through these programs and while the number of applications remains high, with low rejection rates, it raises further concerns about security checks.
It added that if security measures are not strengthened, these countries may face restrictions on their citizens’ visa-free access to the Schengen Area.
