A recent report by the European Commission reveals that Caribbean nations, including Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and Dominica, have granted citizenship to over 88,000 individuals through investment schemes. These “golden passports” provide visa-free travel to European countries and have raised security concerns due to potential risks of organized crime, money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. The European Commission is proposing to crack down on visa-free travel for individuals using these passports, aiming to address the infiltration and misuse of such schemes.
news organizations have uncovered instances of individuals with questionable backgrounds obtaining these passports
In recent investigations, news organizations have uncovered instances of individuals with questionable backgrounds obtaining these passports, including a former Afghan spy and a colonel under Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in Libya. The scale of the trade and the discrepancy between the number of passports issued and the existing population in some Caribbean nations have further alarmed authorities.
The European Commission’s proposed legislation seeks to end visa exemptions for countries operating investor citizenship schemes without a “genuine link” to the nation. This move comes as approximately 150,000 people have used visa-free travel arrangements to claim asylum upon arriving in European countries, according to EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson.
Critics argue that the ability to purchase citizenship and evade immigration regulations through these schemes is highly problematic. The popularity of “golden passports” surged after Caribbean countries gained visa-free travel privileges in 2015. However, buyers are not required to have any connection to these states or even visit them.
The European Commission’s efforts aim to address security risks associated with the “golden passport” trade and ensure the integrity of visa-free travel arrangements.