Nevis Style Realty Urges Continued Reform of Citizenship by Investment Program

CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS, SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS, November 12, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Nevis Style Realty, a full-service real estate firm based in Nevis and St. Kitts, has issued a statement emphasizing the broader value of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program beyond its current benefits in securing European Union (EU) access. Wayne Tyson, the principal of Nevis Style Realty, argues that the program should continue to be reformed and engaged with the EU, while also protecting its significant contributions to the Federation.

Tyson asserts that the CBI program offers more than just a travel benefit.

The CBI program has been a substantial fiscal contributor to St. Kitts and Nevis. According to the International Monetary Fund's 2026 review, CBI fees were equivalent to 23.8% of GDP in 2021, 25.8% in 2022, and 22.2% in 2023. Receipts later declined to an estimated 8.6% of GDP in 2024 and 6.0% in 2025. The program's reform record is also a key factor in its assessment. The European Commission's 2025 Visa Suspension Mechanism report highlights that in response to EU concerns, the five Eastern Caribbean CBI states harmonized their minimum investment threshold at US$200,000, strengthened security screening, and established common information-sharing and transparency standards.

St. Kitts and Nevis has also taken significant steps to reform the program. The Citizenship Unit has been converted into a statutory corporation governed by a board, and legislated annual external audits have been implemented. The government has established continuing international due diligence, criminalized underselling, introduced mandatory interviews, expanded international screening, applied restricted-country controls, and implemented biometric verification. These measures demonstrate the program's adaptability and commitment to enhancing security and integrity.

The same Commission report recorded 98 rejections from 223 applications in St. Kitts and Nevis during 2024, a reported rejection rate of 43.9%. This figure underscores that applications are not approved automatically, despite the program's reputation for being lenient. Tyson recommends that the Government seek written, measurable benchmarks from the EU, publish a compliance roadmap, independently verify key safeguards, and report annually on applications, approvals, rejections, revocations, and the use of program revenue. He also supports proportionate residency or engagement requirements that create a genuine connection without making the program commercially unworkable.

The Nevis Style Realty statement concludes by emphasizing the program's broader benefits and the need for continued reform and engagement with the EU. The company advises that the program should be assessed against its full national value, not just its travel benefits.