{"dataset":"citizenship-by-investment","resource":"events","page":1,"pages":1,"total":731,"page_size":5000,"next":null,"prev":null,"rows":[{"event_id":"e-53aadcb9b4","date":"2026-10-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ARG","program_id":"arg-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Argentina announces citizenship-by-investment prices (USD 350,000 contribution or USD 800,000 bond), applications from Q4 2026","description":"At Argentina Week in Paris the Minister of Economy and the Chief of Cabinet announced the launch of the programme: USD 350,000 non-refundable contribution to the Treasury or USD 800,000 programme bond, family add-ons, vetting by the Agency with intelligence and financial-intelligence bodies; applications during Q4 2026.","source_id":"arg-mecon-caputo-cbi-2026","location":"subtitle and paras. 1-6","quote":"El programa estará operativo para recibir solicitudes durante el cuarto trimestre de 2026.","countries":"","short_title":"Argentina announces citizenship-by-investment prices (USD 350,000 contribution or USD 800,000 bond), applications from Q4 2026","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-1c1fac0847","date":"2026-09-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"Second wave: 274 sham sales, 1,070 irregular citizenships","description":"Istanbul prosecutors: 274 of 734 sales to foreigners by three construction firms were sham; 1,070 persons naturalised irregularly; USD 72.25m of required FX never entered; 88 suspects, 72 detained, 2,011 properties frozen, 30 companies placed under trustees.","source_id":"tur-milliyet-2026-09-21","location":"prosecutor and Justice Minister statements","quote":"274 satış işleminin muvazaalı olduğu tespit edilmiştir","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey finds more sham property sales for citizenship","plain_summary":"Prosecutors found 274 of 734 property sales by three construction firms were sham, leading to 1,070 irregular citizenships; US$72.25 million in required foreign currency was never paid, and dozens of suspects were detained.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-649bb84430","date":"2026-09-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Interior Ministry: 6,134 citizenship decisions cancelled or withdrawn; Istanbul probe finds 1,070 irregular grants (reported)","description":"The Ministry said 1,413 investors and family (6,134 people) had lost citizenship over false valuation reports or security grounds, and an Istanbul prosecution identified 1,070 people naturalised through sham property sales.","source_id":"tur-hurriyet-2026-09-21","location":"quoted Ministry statement","quote":"Böylelikle toplam 1413 yatırımcı ve aile fertleriyle birlikte 6 bin 134 kişinin vatandaşlık kazanma kararı iptal edilmiş veya geri alınmıştır.","countries":"","short_title":"Interior Ministry: 6,134 citizenship decisions cancelled or withdrawn; Istanbul probe finds 1,070 irregular grants (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-80193018cd","date":"2026-08-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MUS","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"'Golden visa' added to the Income Tax Act's premium-visa provisions","description":"The Finance Act 2026 defines a 'golden visa' as a visa issued under the Passports Act to a non-citizen on the recommendation of the Economic Development Board, and extends Income Tax Act ss. 73B and 74A(2)(a) (premium visa holders) to golden visa holders. The Act does not say what a golden visa requires; no programme is linked until a document sets out its conditions.","source_id":"mus-fa-2026","location":"s. 7(a)(iii), (k) and (m), PDF pp. 55-59 (Acts pp. 497-501)","quote":"“golden visa” means a visa issued by the passport officer under the Passports Act to a non-citizen on the recommendation of the Economic Development Board;","countries":"","short_title":"'Golden visa' added to the Income Tax Act's premium-visa provisions","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-de42529c40","date":"2026-08-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"Budget projects falling CBI revenue and announces a grandparent citizenship route","description":"In the FY2026/27 budget address the government announced citizenship by grandparent descent from 1 January 2027 (subject to legislation) and a free two-year residence visa; the opposition cited CBI revenue falling from about EC$605m to EC$514.9m, and EC$474.8m in 2027/28.","source_id":"dma-caribbean360-2026-08","location":"'What Happened', para 1 and bullets","quote":"Finance Minister Irving McIntyre unveiled the grandparent citizenship pathway during the August 4 budget address","countries":"","short_title":"Budget projects falling CBI revenue and announces a grandparent citizenship route","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-6bf44becaf","date":"2026-08-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Ministry announces 6,134 CBI citizenships annulled or withdrawn","description":"Interior Ministry: 1,150 investors' investment certificates cancelled after fake/irregular valuation reports (5,391 persons' citizenship annulled) and 263 investors (743 persons) withdrawn on security grounds.","source_id":"tur-hurriyet-2026-08-04","location":"quoted Ministry statement","quote":"toplamda 1413 yatırımcı ve aile fertleri ile birlikte 6 bin 134 kişinin vatandaşlık kazanma kararı","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey annuls over 6,000 investor citizenships","plain_summary":"Turkey's interior ministry said it had cancelled 1,150 investors' certificates over fake valuation reports, annulling citizenship for 5,391 people, and withdrew citizenship from a further 743 people on security grounds, 6,134 in total.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-58f039c1d6","date":"2026-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"Istanbul operation on fake valuation reports (first wave)","description":"Operation in 16 provinces (Istanbul-led) against 90 suspects (72 detained) over sham sales of low-value property backed by fake valuation reports; 687 people found to have obtained citizenship irregularly.","source_id":"tur-kronos-2026-08-08","location":"para. 2-3","quote":"Bu yolla 687 kişinin usulsüz vatandaşlık kazandığı açıklandı.","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey raids fake valuations used for citizenship","plain_summary":"Turkish police raided 16 provinces over sham sales of undervalued property backed by inflated valuation reports; officials said 687 people had obtained citizenship irregularly through this route.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-29f51a2bf9","date":"2026-07-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"context","title":"Budget: 103 applications, 52 approved, $3.7 million received in FY2025-26","description":"The President's 2026-27 budget speech gives the first official counts: 103 applications, 52 approved, 9 rejected, $3.7 million received against a $9 million budget; Budget Paper 1 gives $3.4 million in its text and 3,740,599 in its table.","source_id":"nru-parl-approp-speech-2026","location":"PDF p. 7","quote":"52 have been approved and 9 rejected, with the remainder still being processed or withdrawn.","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru's programme: 52 approved, A$3.7 million in a year","plain_summary":"The President's 2026-27 budget speech gave the first official numbers: 103 applications, 52 approved and 9 rejected in 2025-26, raising about A$3.7 million against a A$9 million budget.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-98ffaea86c","date":"2026-07-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"PM says EU could withdraw visa-free access by end of 2026","description":"PM Browne said the EU had threatened to withdraw visa-free access, possibly by year end, and that the CIP would continue anyway.","source_id":"atg-imidaily-2026-07","location":"body text","quote":"has threatened that they could withdraw their visa-free access potentially by the end of the year","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua PM: EU may end visa-free access this year","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda's prime minister said the European Union had threatened to withdraw visa-free access, possibly by the end of 2026, but that the citizenship programme would continue regardless.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-e89d35035d","date":"2026-06-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"price_change","title":"USD 90,000 discount extended to end-2026","description":"Cabinet Resolution 539/2026 extends the Iruwa Initiative to 31 Dec 2026.","source_id":"nru-cabinet-iruwa-ext-2026","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"extends the duration of the Special Project for the ‘The Iruwa Initiative’ to 31 December 2026","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru extends its USD 90,000 discount to 2026 year-end","plain_summary":"A Nauru cabinet resolution extended the 'Iruwa Initiative' discounted USD 90,000 citizenship contribution through 31 December 2026.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-5c3bf1ad16","date":"2026-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"rule_change","title":"Draft law to remove fixed investment amounts","description":"The Interior Ministry published draft amendments to the Law on Citizenship on ENER, citing the Commission: fixed investment amounts would be removed and each case assessed individually on the opinion of competent institutions, with investment no longer automatically giving the right. Adoption not confirmed as of 2026-10-02.","source_id":"mkd-dw-golden-passports-2026","location":"section 'Што се менува за странските инвеститори?'","quote":"Со законските измени се укинуваат фиксните парични износи за стекнување државјанство","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia drafts law scrapping fixed investment amounts","plain_summary":"North Macedonia's Interior Ministry published draft amendments removing fixed investment amounts for citizenship, so each case would be assessed individually rather than automatically granting the right. Adoption was unconfirmed as of October 2026.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-6af7d27ff2","date":"2026-05-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"context","title":"Interior Minister gives updated total: 174,567 people since 2018","description":"Minister Mustafa Çiftçi: 51,762 investors and 122,805 family members naturalised; USD 16.074bn of investment.","source_id":"tur-kronos-2026-08-08","location":"section '174 bin kişiye yatırım karşılığı vatandaşlık'","quote":"toplam 174 bin 567 kişi bu kapsamda Türk vatandaşlığı kazanmıştır","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey updates its total citizenship-by-investment numbers","plain_summary":"Turkey's interior minister said 174,567 people, 51,762 investors and their 122,805 family members, had become citizens through investment, representing US$16.074 billion in investment.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-dc94b40825","date":"2026-04-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ARG","program_id":"arg-cbi","category":"context","title":"First executive director of the citizenship-by-investment agency appointed","description":"Decreto 285/2026 appoints the Agency's executive director, ad honorem, from 22 April 2026. No Ministry of Economy rule defining relevant investments had been published by 1 Oct 2026.","source_id":"arg-bora-dec-285-2026","location":"Art. 1","quote":"con carácter “ad honorem” en el cargo de Directora Ejecutiva de la AGENCIA DE PROGRAMAS DE CIUDADANÍA POR INVERSIÓN","countries":"","short_title":"Argentina appoints head of its citizenship agency","plain_summary":"An Argentine decree appointed, unpaid, the first executive director of the Agency for Citizenship-by-Investment Programmes from 22 April 2026; no rule defining qualifying investments had been published by 1 October 2026.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-b251c48040","date":"2026-03-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"rule_change","title":"Second amending Act lets the Minister refuse applications directly","description":"Act No. 13 of 2026 moves the programme to the Minister responsible for the Program Office and lets that Minister refuse citizenship without going to Cabinet.","source_id":"nru-act-13-2026","location":"PDF p. 2, s. 5","quote":"Where the Minister is satisfied that the requirements of the Act have not been met, he or she shall not grant citizenship to a person applying for citizenship under this Act.","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru lets its minister refuse applications","plain_summary":"A March 2026 amendment moves the programme to a minister who can refuse citizenship without going to Cabinet.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-04c50d7c2a","date":"2026-03-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Built real estate option at US$500,000","description":"SI 57 of 2026 adds approved built real estate (apartments, villas) at US$500,000 and renames marketing agents business advisory partners.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2026","location":"p. 17","quote":"Applicant and            US$500,000","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia adds a US$500,000 built-property option","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia added a new route to citizenship through buying approved built real estate, such as apartments or villas, worth US$500,000, and renamed marketing agents as business advisory partners.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-266375ceea","date":"2026-03-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Annual cap of 1,500 approvals; 25% NEF marketing retention","description":"SI 57 of 2026 caps approvals at 1,500 a year (applications received in FY2024-2025 excluded), raises the share of each NEF contribution kept for marketing to 25%, sets a US$350,000 financial-resources affidavit, closes new approvals of real estate projects after 1 Dec 2025, requires biometrics and new due diligence and administration fees.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2026","location":"p. 7, reg. 4(b)","quote":"the Board may approve a maximum of one thousand and five hundred applications for citizenship by investment, annually.","countries":"","short_title":"Annual cap of 1,500 approvals; 25% NEF marketing retention","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-9d92b0a323","date":"2026-03-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLV","program_id":"slv-investor-naturalisation","category":"rule_change","title":"D.L. 531 adds loss of naturalisation for long absence and a minimum stay for temporary residents","description":"D.L. 531 of 17 Mar 2026, published in D.O. No. 57 on 23 Mar 2026, amended the migration law: naturalised Salvadorans lose nationality after more than 2 consecutive years residing in their country of origin or more than 5 consecutive years abroad, unless permitted (art. 279); children under 18 born abroad before their parents' naturalisation can be considered Salvadoran (art. 164); temporary residents must stay at least 90 days a year (arts. 119, 72(5)). The compilation gives the publication date, not the entry-into-force date.","source_id":"slv-csj-lem-consol-2026","location":"PDF p. 101, list of reforms; PDF p. 80, art. 279; p. 52, art. 164","quote":"(3) Decreto Legislativo No. 531 de fecha 17 de marzo de 2026, publicado en el Diario Oficial No. 57, Tomo 450 de fecha 23 de marzo de 2026.","countries":"","short_title":"D.L. 531 adds loss of naturalisation for long absence and a minimum stay for temporary residents","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-f944527d09","date":"2026-03-11","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"European Commission closes the infringement procedure against Cyprus","description":"After the inquiry, revocations and the law removing the investor-naturalisation power.","source_id":"cyp-lawoffice-ec-closure-2026","location":"Paragraph 1","quote":"it has decided to close the infringement procedure initiated against the Republic of Cyprus","countries":"","short_title":"EU closes infringement case against Cyprus over passports","plain_summary":"The European Commission closed its infringement procedure against Cyprus on 11 March 2026, following the inquiry, citizenship revocations and the law removing Cyprus's power to naturalise investors.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-3598be4bf6","date":"2026-03-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ARG","program_id":"arg-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Congress sets tax residence rules for investment citizens","description":"Ley 27802, art. 194: people naturalised for a relevant investment do not become tax residents merely by naturalisation. First law passed by Congress that refers to the scheme.","source_id":"arg-bora-ley-27802-2026","location":"Art. 194","quote":"no serán consideradas residentes fiscales en los términos del inciso a) del presente artículo por el solo hecho de dicha naturalización","countries":"","short_title":"Argentina clarifies tax residence for investment citizens","plain_summary":"A law passed by Argentina's Congress states that people naturalised through the investment-citizenship route do not become tax residents just by gaining citizenship; it is the first law Congress has passed referring to the scheme.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-bb35197917","date":"2026-02-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"FinCEN rescinds its 2014 St Kitts advisory","description":"According to the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Unit, FinCEN formally removed advisory FIN-2014-A004 on 24 February 2026.","source_id":"intl-kna-ciu-fincen-rescission-2026","location":"Release text","quote":"The advisory, which had been in place since 2014, was formally removed on 24 February 2026","countries":"","short_title":"US withdraws its 2014 warning on St Kitts citizenship","plain_summary":"The US financial-crime watchdog formally removed its 2014 warning about abuse of St Kitts and Nevis's citizenship programme, according to the country's citizenship unit.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-5c19f18390","date":"2026-02-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"legal","title":"FinCEN advisory rescinded","description":"The CIU says FinCEN formally removed advisory FIN-2014-A004 on 24 February 2026.","source_id":"kna-ciu-fincen-rescission-2026","location":"press release","quote":"The advisory, which had been in place since 2014, was formally removed on 24 February 2026","countries":"","short_title":"US cancels 2014 advisory on St Kitts passports","plain_summary":"The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship unit said the US financial-crime watchdog formally withdrew its 2014 advisory on the programme.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-a4dd158c3b","date":"2026-02-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"FinCEN marks its 2014 St Kitts CBI advisory as rescinded","description":"FinCEN's page for advisory FIN-2014-A004 (St Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment passports used for financial crime) now carries the note that the advisory was rescinded on 24 Feb 2026. Same event as the Citizenship Unit's announcement already in the dataset; this is the US government's own record.","source_id":"intl-fincen-2014-a004-rescinded","location":"page header","quote":"UPDATE [2/24/2026]: This Advisory has been rescinded.","countries":"","short_title":"US withdraws its 2014 warning about St Kitts passports","plain_summary":"FinCEN, the US financial crimes agency, marked its 2014 advisory on St Kitts passports being used for financial crime as withdrawn on 24 February 2026.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-2b6827bc7a","date":"2026-02-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"context","title":"Sovereign Wealth and Resilience Fund bill, to receive CIU profits and SISC revenue, has first reading","description":"The bill would channel into a new Sovereign Wealth and Resilience Fund up to 25 percent of the profits of the Citizenship by Investment Unit and the revenue the CIU collects as Sustainable Island State Contributions, plus Geothermal Energy Authority profits. Not yet enacted when the IMF report was written.","source_id":"kna-imf-art4-2026","location":"PDF p. 20 (printed p. 16), para 16 and footnote 21","quote":"The proposed legislation would channel into the new fund up to 25 percent of the profits of the CIU, the profits collected by the Geothermal Energy Authority, and the revenue collected by the CIU identified as Sustainable Island State Contributions. The first reading by the National Assembly took place on February 12, 2026.","countries":"","short_title":"Sovereign Wealth and Resilience Fund bill, to receive CIU profits and SISC revenue, has first reading","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-8ad6d15f6b","date":"2026-02","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"PNG","program_id":"png-investor-naturalisation","category":"context","title":"Papua New Guinea placed under FATF increased monitoring (grey list)","description":"The FATF statement (from February 2026, repeated in June 2026 because Papua New Guinea deferred reporting) dates its high-level political commitment, i.e. its listing, to February 2026.","source_id":"intl-fatf-increased-monitoring-2026-06","location":"Papua New Guinea section (statement from February 2026)","quote":"In February 2026, Papua New Guinea made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen the effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime.","countries":"","short_title":"Papua New Guinea placed under FATF increased monitoring (grey list)","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-a91071bb6e","date":"2026-01-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"price_change","title":"Prices restructured: USD 115,000 contribution, lower fees","description":"Amendment Regulations 2026 replace family-size tiers with a USD 115,000 single-applicant contribution plus per-dependant amounts, cut the application fee to 5,000 and due diligence to 6,000, and add a USD 10,000 administration fee.","source_id":"nru-regs-amend-2026","location":"PDF p. 12, reg. 17","quote":"Schedule 1 is deleted and substituted as follows","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru restructures citizenship prices, cuts some fees","plain_summary":"From 29 January 2026, Nauru replaced family-size pricing with a USD 115,000 single-applicant contribution plus per-dependant amounts, cut application and due-diligence fees, and added a USD 10,000 administration fee.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-d4f4f49c23","date":"2026-01-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"price_change","title":"Temporary discount to USD 90,000 (\"Iruwa Initiative\")","description":"Cabinet designated a special project marking the first anniversary, cutting the main-applicant contribution to USD 90,000 from 29 Jan to 30 Jun 2026.","source_id":"nru-cabinet-iruwa-2026","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"The contribution value for the special project is reduced from $115,000 USD to $90,000 USD for the main applicant","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru offers temporary discount to USD 90,000","plain_summary":"Nauru's cabinet launched a special 'Iruwa Initiative' cutting the main-applicant contribution from USD 115,000 to USD 90,000, running from 29 January to 30 June 2026 to mark the programme's first anniversary.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-6fb64c66d6","date":"2026-01-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Administrative Court of Appeal refers 'acts of government' question to the Supreme Constitutional Court","description":"Appeals by applicants against refusals, non-acceptance, revocations and the abolition itself; the Republic argues CIP naturalisations are not subject to judicial review.","source_id":"cyp-lawoffice-adminappeal-2026","location":"Paragraph 1","quote":"Δεκτό έκανε το Διοικητικό Εφετείο το αίτημα του Γενικού Εισαγγελέα","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus court sends citizenship question to top constitutional court","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Administrative Court of Appeal referred to the Supreme Constitutional Court the question of whether investor-programme naturalisations can be judicially reviewed, after the government argued they could not.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-8b849772e8","date":"2026-01-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"US pauses immigrant visa issuance for Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica nationals (with 21 other countries)","description":"NAFSA notes that 23 travel-ban countries, including the two CBI states Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, are also subject to a pause in US immigrant visa issuance effective 21 January 2026.","source_id":"lca-nafsa-2025-12","location":"section \"Basic notes\"","quote":"Note that 23 of the ban countries are also separately subject to a pause in immigrant visa issuance effective January 21, 2026","countries":"ATG;DMA","short_title":"US pauses immigrant visa issuance for Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica nationals (with 21 other countries)","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-5800aa61c8","date":"2026-01-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"OCCRP: 'cash for citizenship' underpinned crime groups' penetration of Cambodia","description":"OCCRP reports that several China-born figures who obtained Cambodian citizenship were later sanctioned or prosecuted (Prince Group's Chen Zhi, extradited to China; Dong Lecheng; She Zhijiang), and that nine of the ten people convicted in Singapore's 2023 laundering case had acquired Cambodian citizenship.","source_id":"khm-occrp-haven-2026","location":"section 'Cash for Citizenship'","quote":"citizenship scheme has underpinned the penetration of crime groups into the country","countries":"","short_title":"Report links Cambodia's citizenship sales to crime networks","plain_summary":"Investigative outlet OCCRP reported that several China-born people who obtained Cambodian citizenship were later sanctioned or prosecuted, and that nine of ten people convicted in Singapore's 2023 money-laundering case had acquired Cambodian citizenship.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-295b0867b0","date":"2026-01-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"New post-approval application fees (US$25,000 per family of up to four)","description":"S.R.O. 1 of 2026 replaces regulation 26 of the 2024 CBI regulations: after approval in principle, applicants under the real-estate and Public Benefit options pay US$25,000 for a main applicant or family of up to four, US$25,000 per extra child under 18 and US$50,000 per extra dependant aged 18 or over; unmarried children aged 18-29 supported by the applicant count as dependants.","source_id":"kna-sro-1-2026","location":"p. 1, reg. 3-4","quote":"the following respective application fees shall be paid to the Unit on every CBI application after approval-in-principle is granted by the Unit","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts adds a US$25,000 fee after approval","plain_summary":"From January 2026 applicants approved in principle pay US$25,000 for a family of up to four, plus more per extra dependant.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-01441be878","date":"2026-01-07","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"Antigua and Barbuda included in US Visa Bond Pilot Program","description":"Government statement confirms inclusion in the US visa-bond pilot for a narrow category of new visitor-visa applicants.","source_id":"atg-ciu-web-visa-bond-2026-01","location":"para 3","quote":"while Antigua and Barbuda has been included in a U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua joins US visa bond pilot programme","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda's government confirmed it was included in a US pilot programme requiring a bond from a narrow group of new visitor-visa applicants.","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-6c6b1aecc8","date":"2026-01-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Residency and genuine-link requirements take effect","description":"New s. 30A requires applicants and dependants to meet prescribed residency and genuine-link requirements from 1 January 2026.","source_id":"lca-cbi-act-amend-2025","location":"p. 8, s. 8 (new s. 30A)","quote":"Subsection (1) takes effect from the 1st day of January, 2026.","countries":"","short_title":"Residency and genuine-link requirements take effect","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-3db6a0b247","date":"2026-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CPV","program_id":"cpv-investor-citizenship","category":"context","title":"Special regulation on citizenship by investment still pending","description":"As of the January 2026 report, the regulation detailing conditions and procedure for acquisition based on investment had not been adopted; the 2024 Nationality Regulation covers only proof of effective ties. Academic secondary source (GLOBALCIT country report, Jan 2026); law texts not read.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-cpv-2026","location":"section 4, Current political debates","quote":"The adoption of the regulation on the acquisition of Cape Verdean citizenship based on investment is still pending.","countries":"","short_title":"Special regulation on citizenship by investment still pending","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-65b53196dc","date":"2026-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"STP","program_id":"stp-cbi","category":"context","title":"First São Tomé and Príncipe passports issued under the programme","description":"TechCabal reports that the first passports were issued in January 2026, after 98 applications in the first four and a half months.","source_id":"intl-techcabal-africa-cbi-2026","location":"São Tomé paragraph","quote":"The first passports were issued in January 2026.","countries":"","short_title":"First São Tomé and Príncipe passports issued under the programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-74eceda269","date":"2026","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"Naturalised tycoon Chen Zhi extradited to China; officials say his citizenship was irregularly obtained","description":"Chen Zhi, a naturalised Cambodian, adviser to the prime minister and holder of a diplomatic passport, was extradited to China 'earlier this year' for running a large online scam network; Cambodian officials said his citizenship had been 'irregularly obtained', and PM Hun Manet told AFP he had used forged documents. The column also says the government halted publication of naturalisation decrees in 2024 (already an event from khm-st-citizenship-data-2024).","source_id":"khm-diplomat-naturalisation-2026","location":"para 1","quote":"was extradited to China earlier this year for running a massive online scamming network, Cambodian officials suggested that his citizenship had been \" irregularly obtained .\"","countries":"","short_title":"Naturalised tycoon Chen Zhi extradited to China; officials say his citizenship was irregularly obtained","plain_summary":"","year":"2026"},{"event_id":"e-d4bfe17ea4","date":"2025-12-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"legal","title":"EU revised Visa Suspension Mechanism adopted (as reported), making operation of a CBI programme a ground for suspending visa-free access","description":"Searchlight reports that the Commission grounded its June 2026 phase-out request in a revised Visa Suspension Mechanism adopted by the Union on 31 December 2025, under which the operation of a CBI programme is a self-standing ground for suspending visa-free access. Date as printed in the article (secondary source); the regulation itself is not stored here.","source_id":"dma-searchlight-2026-07","location":"Article text, third paragraph","quote":"The EU grounded its request in a revised Visa Suspension Mechanism adopted by the Union on December 31, 2025.","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"EU revised Visa Suspension Mechanism adopted (as reported), making operation of a CBI programme a ground for suspending visa-free access","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-f086cd5bf3","date":"2025-12-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"legal","title":"Amending Act lets Cabinet set contributions and designate discount 'Special Projects'","description":"Act No. 50 of 2025 replaces s. 9: contributions are prescribed by Cabinet; Cabinet may designate Special Projects with temporary discounts (but not on due-diligence fees). It also widens 'Dependent' to parents, grandparents and siblings and allows electronic applications. It is the legal basis of the Jan 2026 'Iruwa Initiative' discount.","source_id":"nru-act-50-2025","location":"PDF p. 3, new s. 9(7)","quote":"The Cabinet may on the recommendation of the Minister and in consultation with the Program Office, designate a Special Project for which a temporary modification or discount to the contribution payable under this Act may apply.","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru lets its Cabinet set prices and discounts","plain_summary":"A December 2025 amendment lets Cabinet set the contribution and offer temporary discounts, and widens which relatives can be included.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-1e9033e7b1","date":"2025-12-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"context","title":"EU staff document lists nationalities excluded from the Antigua and Barbuda programme","description":"The Commission staff working document accompanying the Eighth Visa Suspension Mechanism report lists the nationalities excluded from applying under Antigua and Barbuda's restricted countries policy: Russia, Belarus, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Yemen and Somalia. The date is that of the document, not of the restriction.","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2025-429","location":"PDF p. 38 (printed p. 37)","quote":"In Antigua and Barbuda: Russia, Belarus, Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Yemen and Somalia","countries":"","short_title":"EU staff document lists nationalities excluded from the Antigua and Barbuda programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-66f65fe7e7","date":"2025-12-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"EU staff document lists nationalities excluded from the Dominica programme","description":"The Commission staff working document accompanying the Eighth Visa Suspension Mechanism report lists the nationalities excluded from applying under Dominica's restricted countries policy: Russia, Belarus, Iraq (Northern part), Yemen and unless certain criteria met North Korea and Sudan. The date is that of the document, not of the restriction.","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2025-429","location":"PDF p. 38 (printed p. 37)","quote":"In Dominica: Russia, Belarus, Iraq (Northern part), Yemen and unless certain criteria met North Korea and Sudan","countries":"","short_title":"EU staff document lists nationalities excluded from the Dominica programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-e4c3a4f85b","date":"2025-12-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"context","title":"EU staff document lists nationalities excluded from the Grenada programme","description":"The Commission staff working document accompanying the Eighth Visa Suspension Mechanism report lists the nationalities excluded from applying under Grenada's restricted countries policy: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Russia, Yemen. The date is that of the document, not of the restriction.","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2025-429","location":"PDF p. 38 (printed p. 37)","quote":"In Grenada: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Russia, Yemen","countries":"","short_title":"EU staff document lists nationalities excluded from the Grenada programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-fd34b6d8dd","date":"2025-12-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU warns Caribbean CBI could trigger visa suspension","description":"Eighth VSM report: about 107,000 passports issued by the five states; CBI is a potential ground for suspension under the revised mechanism; states should vet applicants \"pending the discontinuation of those schemes\".","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2025-792","location":"p. 15 (printed), PDF p. 16","quote":"constitutes a potential ground for the suspension of visa-free travel under the revised Visa Suspension Mechanism.","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"EU warns Caribbean citizenship sales could cost visa-free travel","plain_summary":"The European Union said the five Caribbean countries had issued about 107,000 citizenship-sale passports and warned their schemes could now be grounds for suspending visa-free travel, until they are discontinued.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-1509ce4613","date":"2025-12-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"EU staff document lists nationalities excluded from the Saint Lucia programme","description":"The Commission staff working document accompanying the Eighth Visa Suspension Mechanism report lists the nationalities excluded from applying under Saint Lucia's restricted countries policy: Russia, Belarus, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea. The date is that of the document, not of the restriction.","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2025-429","location":"PDF p. 38 (printed p. 37)","quote":"In Saint Lucia: Russia, Belarus, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea","countries":"","short_title":"EU staff document lists nationalities excluded from the Saint Lucia programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-d0a84070ad","date":"2025-12-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"visa_access","title":"Commission: North Macedonia must abolish the investor citizenship scheme","description":"Under the revised Visa Suspension Mechanism, where operating such schemes is in itself a ground for suspending visa-free travel, the Eighth VSM report says North Macedonia must abolish the scheme and repeal its legal basis.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2025-792","location":"PDF p. 15, recommendation (d)","quote":"North Macedonia must abolish the scheme and repeal its legal","countries":"","short_title":"EU tells North Macedonia to scrap investor citizenship","plain_summary":"The European Commission's eighth visa-suspension report, dated 19 December 2025, says running an investor-citizenship scheme can itself justify suspending visa-free travel, and that North Macedonia must abolish its scheme and repeal the law behind it.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-7d856bcec2","date":"2025-12-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"Commission: investor citizenship is now a ground to suspend visa-free travel; Montenegro must repeal the legal basis","description":"Eighth visa-suspension report: under the revised mechanism, running such a programme is in itself a ground for suspension; Montenegro must repeal the legal basis, process the remaining files securely and revoke citizenship of sanctioned persons.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2025-792","location":"PDF p. 14","quote":"Montenegro must ensure that the legal basis of the scheme is repealed","countries":"","short_title":"EU: Montenegro must also end its citizenship-for-sale scheme","plain_summary":"The same European Commission report says running such a programme is itself grounds for suspending visa-free travel, and that Montenegro must repeal its legal basis, secure pending files and revoke citizenship from sanctioned people.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-d1bd0534c0","date":"2025-12-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"US Proclamation restricts entry of Antigua and Barbuda nationals","description":"The US Proclamation 'Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States' (16 Dec 2025) covered Antigua and Barbuda. The ambassador said visas already issued stay valid and new applications would face new biometric arrangements.","source_id":"atg-ciu-web-sanders-2025-12","location":"paras 1-4","quote":"following the issuance of the United States Proclamation entitled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” issued on 16 December 2025","countries":"","short_title":"US restricts entry for Antigua and Barbuda citizens","plain_summary":"A US proclamation partly restricted entry for Antigua and Barbuda nationals from 1 January 2026; officials said visas already issued remain valid but new applicants face extra biometric checks.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-2aa26a4c56","date":"2025-12-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"US partially restricts entry of Antigua and Barbuda nationals over CBI","description":"Proclamation 10998 suspended entry as immigrants and on B, F, M and J visas, effective 1 January 2026.","source_id":"intl-usa-proc-10998-2025","location":"Sec. 5(b), FR p. 59724","quote":"(i) Antigua and Barbuda has historically had CBI without residency.","countries":"","short_title":"US suspends some visa categories for Antigua and Barbuda","plain_summary":"A US proclamation suspended immigrant visas and several visitor and student visa categories for Antigua and Barbuda nationals from 1 January 2026, citing its history of citizenship sales without a residency requirement.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-2af532d952","date":"2025-12-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"US partially restricts entry of Dominica nationals over CBI","description":"Proclamation 10998 suspended entry as immigrants and on B, F, M and J visas, effective 1 January 2026.","source_id":"intl-usa-proc-10998-2025","location":"Sec. 5(e), FR p. 59724","quote":"(i) Dominica has historically had CBI without residency.","countries":"","short_title":"US suspends some visa categories for Dominica","plain_summary":"The same US proclamation suspended immigrant visas and several visitor and student visa categories for Dominica nationals from 1 January 2026, citing its history of citizenship sales without a residency requirement.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-04138135f1","date":"2025-12-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"context","title":"Budget: CBI shortfall drives revenue miss","description":"2026 budget address: non-tax revenue 48.3% below budget due to a CBI slowdown (figures match 2024), and 2025 revenue projected ~31.3% below budget largely because of CBI receipts.","source_id":"kna-mof-budget-address-2026","location":"PDF p. 39, para 126","quote":"approximately 31.3 percent largely attributable to the shortfall in receipts from the CBI Programme.","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts budget blames revenue miss on citizenship slowdown","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis's 2026 budget said non-tax revenue came in 48.3% below budget, and 2025 revenue was projected about 31.3% below budget, largely because of a slowdown in citizenship-sale income.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-1ff82f9350","date":"2025-12-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"Not included in US partial visa restrictions","description":"The US proclamation of 16 Dec 2025 imposed partial restrictions on Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, citing CBI; Saint Lucia is not on the list.","source_id":"lca-nafsa-2025-12","location":"list of partial restrictions","quote":"Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d ‘Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia left off US visa restriction list","plain_summary":"The US proclamation restricting entry for Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica over their citizenship programmes did not include Saint Lucia.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-342d4b735c","date":"2025-12-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"USA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"US partially suspends entry of Dominica nationals from 1 January 2026","description":"Presidential proclamation includes Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda explicitly because of their CBI programmes.","source_id":"dma-crs-in12631-2025","location":"PDF p. 3","quote":"the December one includes countries (i.e., Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica) on the basis of their offering citizenship by investment programs","countries":"","short_title":"US cites citizenship sales in new entry restrictions","plain_summary":"A US presidential proclamation explicitly named Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica's citizenship-by-investment programmes as reasons for partly suspending their citizens' entry.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-8c8b0db861","date":"2025-12-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Thresholds raised to 4 billion riel (investment) and 12 billion riel (donation)","description":"Sub-decree No. 225 on the implementation of the Law on Nationality sets the investment route at 4,000,000,000 riel of own capital in priority sectors and the donation route at 12,000,000,000 riel, and repeals Sub-decree No. 112 of 30 Aug 2018.","source_id":"khm-subdecree-225-2025","location":"PDF p. 10 (printed 10/18), Art. 29(1) and Art. 31; repeal of Sub-decree No. 112 in Art. 58, PDF p. 18","quote":"ចាប់ពី ៤ ០០០ ០០០ ០០០(បួនប៊ីលាន)រៀលឡើងទៅ ... ចំនួនចាប់ពី១២ ០០០ ០០០ ០០០(ដប់ពីរប៊ីលាន)រៀលឡើងទៅ","countries":"","short_title":"Cambodia raises citizenship investment and donation thresholds","plain_summary":"A Cambodian sub-decree from 1 December 2025 raises the investment route to 4,000,000,000 riel of own capital in priority sectors and the donation route to 12,000,000,000 riel, replacing 2018 rules.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-762793c82c","date":"2025-12-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"No new real estate project applications after 1 December 2025","description":"SI 57 of 2026 (published 23 March 2026) inserts reg. 10(10): an application for approval of a real estate project must not be made after 1 December 2025.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2026","location":"p. 8, reg. 6(c)","quote":"An application for approval of a real estate project under this regulation must not be made after the 1st day of December, 2025.","countries":"","short_title":"No new real estate project applications after 1 December 2025","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-ff2a74727e","date":"2025-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CIU announces genuine-link requirement and move away from contribution routes in 2026","description":"Chairman's update says citizenship will require a genuine link and the programme will begin transitioning from contribution-based pathways in 2026.","source_id":"kna-ciu-chairman-update-2025-12","location":"p. 1","quote":"Looking ahead to 2026, the Programme will commence its transition away from contribution-based pathways.","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts plans to require a genuine link to citizenship","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis's citizenship unit said future citizens will need a genuine connection to the country, and the programme will start moving away from simple payment routes in 2026.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-20cb79262d","date":"2025-11-26","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU makes investor citizenship a ground for visa suspension","description":"Regulation (EU) 2025/2441 (published 10 December 2025) added the operation of an investor citizenship scheme without genuine link as a ground to suspend visa-free travel for Annex II countries.","source_id":"intl-eu-reg-2025-2441","location":"Article 1, new Article 8a(1)(e) of Regulation 2018/1806, PDF p. 6","quote":"(e) the operation, by a third country listed in Annex II, of an investor citizenship scheme under which citizenship is granted to a person, in exchange for pre-determined payments or investments, without that person having any genuine link to that third country;","countries":"","short_title":"EU can now suspend visas over citizenship sales","plain_summary":"The European Union added running a citizenship-for-investment scheme without a genuine link to the country as a new reason it can suspend a country's visa-free access.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-34f6a618fc","date":"2025-11-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Administrative Court refuses to suspend deprivation of sanctioned CIP citizens","description":"Persons on the EU Ukraine-related sanctions list (Regulation 2022/581) deprived in 2022.","source_id":"cyp-lawoffice-admincourt-sanctions-2025","location":"Paragraph 1","quote":"αποφάσισε την Πέμπτη, 20 Νοεμβρίου 2025, το Διοικητικό Δικαστήριο","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus court won't halt stripping sanctioned citizens' passports","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Administrative Court refused on 20 November 2025 to suspend the stripping of citizenship from investment-programme citizens placed on the EU's Ukraine-related sanctions list, who had been deprived of citizenship in 2022.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-f48d0d61a5","date":"2025-11-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"legal","title":"CBI (Amendment) Act 2025","description":"Amendment Act No. 22 of 2025 redefines qualifying dependants (e.g. children to 30 if supported, parents over 55).","source_id":"lca-cbi-act-amend-2025","location":"p. 3-4","quote":"This Act may be cited as the Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Act, 2025.","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia widens who counts as a dependant","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia passed an amendment redefining qualifying dependants on citizenship applications, including children up to 30 if supported and parents over 55.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-a27eda4133","date":"2025-11-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Share of CIU surplus to the Sovereign Wealth Fund","description":"New s. 19A: between 10% and 25% of the CIU year-end balance, after its operating needs, is to be paid to the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Saint Lucia.","source_id":"lca-cbi-act-amend-2025","location":"p. 7, s. 6 (new s. 19A)","quote":"No less than ten per cent and no more than twenty-five per cent of any balance at the end of the financial year","countries":"","short_title":"Share of CIU surplus to the Sovereign Wealth Fund","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-ea33ce171c","date":"2025-11-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Name changes barred for five years; OECS denials","description":"Amendment Act bars new citizens from changing their name within five years of the certificate of registration (with exceptions, and a due diligence check on later changes) and lets the Board deny an applicant already denied by another OECS member state.","source_id":"lca-cbi-act-amend-2025","location":"p. 10, s. 10 (new s. 36A)","quote":"A citizen shall not change his or her name within five years of being issued a certificate of registration","countries":"","short_title":"Name changes barred for five years; OECS denials","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-aeab984dee","date":"2025-11-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Commission: repeal the legal basis for an investor citizenship scheme","description":"EC Montenegro 2025 Report: to comply with EU law Montenegro should repeal the legal basis allowing the scheme to be (re)developed; it should run security checks on the remaining applications and revoke citizenship granted through the scheme to persons under international restrictive measures.","source_id":"mne-ec-report-2025","location":"PDF p. 52 (Chapter 23) and p. 61 (Chapter 24)","quote":"To ensure compliance with EU law, Montenegro should repeal the legal basis allowing for the (re)development of an investor citizenship scheme.","countries":"","short_title":"Commission: repeal the legal basis for an investor citizenship scheme","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-b395990e35","date":"2025-11-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLE","program_id":"sle-go-for-gold","category":"rule_change","title":"Promoters claim 13 families naturalised under presidential prerogative; regulation pending","description":"A GO-FOR-GOLD programme update says 13 families were naturalised in a six-month pilot under s. 27A of the Citizenship Act 1973 (the President's power to register anyone as a citizen), that a Citizenship Act amendment and a 'Citizenship (Special Naturalization) Regulation 2025' are pending, and lists fees (main applicant USD 140,000; dependants USD 10,000-20,000; business partner USD 30,000 or USD 85,000, inconsistently). None of this was found in an official publication; s. 27A itself was not read.","source_id":"sle-gfg-update-2025","location":"pp. 1-3","quote":"pending the adoption of forthcoming amendments to the Citizenship Act and the promulgation of the Citizenship (Special Naturalization) Regulation 2025","countries":"","short_title":"Promoters claim 13 families naturalised in Sierra Leone pilot","plain_summary":"A programme update says 13 families were naturalised in a six-month pilot under the President's power to register citizens. It says new rules are pending and lists fees from US$140,000. Nothing official was found.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-c65db4c4c7","date":"2025-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Administrative Court annuls refusals of investor citizenship applications (reported)","description":"At the end of November 2025 the Administrative Court annulled several Interior Ministry refusals, covering 25 applications, finding the ministry wrongly applied the citizenship law instead of the programme rules; refusals rested on negative opinions of the security agency ANB.","source_id":"mne-biznis-2026-05-18","location":"paras on the Administrative Court","quote":"U presudama Upravnog suda, koje se odnose na 25 aplikacija, utvrđeno je da je MUP prilikom odbijanja aplikanata pogrešno primjenjivao materijalno pravo","countries":"","short_title":"Administrative Court annuls refusals of investor citizenship applications (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-734f3c0b95","date":"2025-10-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Suspended agent Latitude reinstated (reported)","description":"IMI Daily's later note says the CIU confirmed Latitude Consultancy's reinstatement and authorisation to resume operations effective 31 October 2025.","source_id":"kna-imidaily-2025-04-08","location":"note at end of article","quote":"confirming its reinstatement and authorization to resume operations within the nation’s CBI program effective 31 October 2025","countries":"","short_title":"Suspended agent Latitude reinstated (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-51897d66ea","date":"2025-10-26","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"WSM","program_id":"wsm-cia","category":"rule_change","title":"Samoa bars applicants with ties to foreign governments (reported)","description":"The Samoa Observer, quoting the acting CEO of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, reports that investors linked to foreign governments or state entities are automatically ineligible; state ownership found in due diligence is treated as a security risk.","source_id":"wsm-observer-2025-10-26","location":"opening paragraph","quote":"Investors with ties to foreign governments or state entities will be automatically ineligible for Samoa's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.","countries":"","short_title":"Samoa bars investors tied to foreign governments (reported)","plain_summary":"The commerce ministry said applicants linked to foreign governments or state companies are automatically ineligible.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-1397c43ec2","date":"2025-10-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLE","program_id":"sle-go-for-gold","category":"context","title":"Promoters say the immigration chief confirmed the 'Special Naturalisation Protocol' (claim)","description":"The GO-FOR-GOLD update says the Chief Immigration Officer confirmed on 21 October 2025 the Special Naturalisation Protocol, an administrative framework under s. 27A of the Citizenship Act 1973 for granting citizenship to investors pending legislation; it quotes him saying it is the operative legal basis for current grants. Not found in an official publication.","source_id":"sle-gfg-update-2025","location":"p. 7, FAQ 2","quote":"It is the operative administrative framework under which qualified investors are granted citizenship pending final legislative enactment, confirmed by the Chief Immigration Officer on October 21, 2025.","countries":"","short_title":"Promoters say the immigration chief confirmed the 'Special Naturalisation Protocol' (claim)","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-0fd728ed6b","date":"2025-10-17","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"National Assembly approves agreement establishing the regional CBI regulator (ECCIRA)","description":"St Kitts and Nevis' National Assembly approved the agreement among Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia to establish the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority, which oversees and regulates all persons operating the programme, with offences, penalties and enforcement powers.","source_id":"kna-imf-art4-2026","location":"PDF p. 20 (printed p. 16), footnote 20","quote":"The National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis approved the agreement on October 17, 2025.","countries":"","short_title":"National Assembly approves agreement establishing the regional CBI regulator (ECCIRA)","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-de29d2d58f","date":"2025-10-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Supreme Court upholds police search warrant on a law firm in a CIP investigation","description":"Certiorari application rejected.","source_id":"cyp-lawoffice-supremecourt-warrant-2025","location":"Paragraph 1","quote":"προχώρησε το Ανώτατο Δικαστήριο την Τετάρτη, 8 Οκτωβρίου 2025","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus top court upholds search of law firm","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Supreme Court rejected an application on 8 October 2025 to overturn a police search warrant issued against a law firm as part of an investigation into the citizenship investment programme.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-1e84763055","date":"2025-10-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Government approves bill deleting the legal basis for investor naturalisation","description":"Deletes art. 111A(2) of the Civil Registry Law; adds 60-day deadline for objections and gazette notice of deprivations. Passed by Parliament within three months of tabling (date and law number not found).","source_id":"cyp-presidency-spokesman-deprivation-2025","location":"Paragraph 3","quote":"το Υπουργικό Συμβούλιο αποφάσισε τη διαγραφή του εδαφίου (2) του άρθρου 111Α του Νόμου","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus government moves to end investor citizenship law","plain_summary":"Cyprus's government approved a bill on 2 October 2025 deleting the legal basis for granting citizenship to investors, adding a 60-day objection period and requiring public notice of citizenship losses.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-ceabf3e974","date":"2025-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Parliament passes Eastern Caribbean CBI Regulatory Authority Act","description":"Dominica’s parliament passed the ECCIRA Act (regional regulator), per the 2026/27 budget address.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2026-27","location":"PDF p. 32","quote":"The Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority Act, passed by Parliament last October","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica passes law for shared Caribbean regulator","plain_summary":"Dominica's parliament passed a law creating the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority, a shared regulator for the region's citizenship-sale programmes.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-bccbbd8b27","date":"2025-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"STP","program_id":"stp-cbi","category":"launch","title":"National conference formally introduces the programme","description":"The CIU held a national conference with the Prime Minister and the Justice Minister; generators bought with programme money were presented.","source_id":"stp-cip-web-launch-2026","location":"News item of 2 January 2026","quote":"held a national conference to formally introduce the Citizenship by Investment Program to key stakeholders and the wider public","countries":"","short_title":"Sao Tome and Principe launches citizenship programme publicly","plain_summary":"The programme's governing unit held a national conference in October 2025 with the Prime Minister and Justice Minister to formally introduce the citizenship-by-investment programme, showcasing generators bought with its money.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-ef98e04dd3","date":"2025-09-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"context","title":"Ministry declines to give yearly CBI naturalisation figures to parliament","description":"CHP MP Murat Bakan records that four written questions since 2023 asking for yearly CBI naturalisations by nationality were answered only with a reference to the legislation.","source_id":"tur-tbmm-bakan-q-2025-09","location":"p. 1","quote":"bugüne kadar bu konuyla ilgili sorduğum tüm sorularım yanıtsız bırakılmıştır","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey won't give parliament yearly citizenship-sale figures","plain_summary":"A Turkish opposition lawmaker said four written questions asking for yearly citizenship-by-investment numbers by nationality, since 2023, had only been answered with a reference to the law.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-45f17496d0","date":"2025-09-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"Operation against sham property sales for citizenship (19 provinces)","description":"Police operation in 19 provinces against 117 suspects accused of arranging sham property sales so that 451 foreigners and their families could obtain citizenship; 49 arrested; citizenship of 451 foreigners withdrawn (per the Interior Minister).","source_id":"tur-tbmm-pbk-2025-11-17","location":"p. 88","quote":"19 ilde eş zamanlı bir operasyon düzenledik 24/9/2025'te.","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey raids fake property sales used for citizenship","plain_summary":"Turkish police raided 19 provinces, accusing 117 suspects of arranging sham property sales so 451 foreigners and their families could get citizenship; 49 people were arrested and the 451 citizenships were withdrawn.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-72b841f1de","date":"2025-09-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"104 detained in operation against ring selling irregular citizenship","description":"MP Murat Bakan reports an operation in the Büyükçekmece Chief Prosecutor's investigation (started on a CIMER tip-off): 104 people detained; sham property sales backed by inflated valuation reports gave 451 foreigners and their families 1,198 citizenships without the required foreign-currency inflow (USD 181.2m). The ring called the method 'BABATAK'.","source_id":"tur-tbmm-bakan-q-2025-09","location":"p. 1","quote":"Bugün yabancılara usulsüz vatandaşlık kazandıran suç örgütüne yönelik operasyonda 104 kişinin gözaltına alındığı","countries":"","short_title":"104 detained in operation against ring selling irregular citizenship","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-9b08497110","date":"2025-09-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"context","title":"IMF reports low take-up and urges oversight","description":"The 2025 Article IV says FY2025 revenue was AU$0.24 million against an expected US$5.7 million, flags money-laundering risks and recommends independent assessments and published statistics; the authorities said low take-up reflects strict criteria.","source_id":"nru-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 20, para 26","quote":"with the low take-up of the program reflecting its stringent criteria","countries":"","short_title":"IMF finds low take-up of Nauru's scheme","plain_summary":"The IMF's 2025 report said Nauru's citizenship programme earned only AU$0.24 million against an expected US$5.7 million, warned of money-laundering risks, and recommended independent reviews; officials blamed strict eligibility criteria.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-d8f4d74cd6","date":"2025-09-11","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Council of State rejects the annulment claim (no standing); appeal pending","description":"The 10th Chamber rejected the claim to annul the regulation because the TBB lacked standing; an objection was still pending in August 2026.","source_id":"tur-turizmekonomi-2026-08","location":"section on the TBB case","quote":"Danıştay 10’uncu Daire, 11 Eylül 2025’te düzenlemenin iptali istemini de","countries":"","short_title":"Council of State rejects the annulment claim (no standing); appeal pending","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-c1b2d2500a","date":"2025-09-11","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Council of State dismisses the annulment case (no standing); appeal pending","description":"The 10th Chamber dismissed the bar association's annulment request because it lacked standing; the appeal had not been decided as of August 2026.","source_id":"tur-kronos-2026-08-08","location":"section 'TBB'NİN AÇTIĞI DAVA REDDEDİLDİ'","quote":"Danıştay 10’uncu Daire, 11 Eylül 2025’te de düzenlemenin iptali istemini TBB’nin dava açma yetkisi bulunmadığı gerekçesiyle reddetti.","countries":"","short_title":"Council of State dismisses the annulment case (no standing); appeal pending","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-ddfc64f35f","date":"2025-09-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Council of Ministers approves deprivation of 28 more CIP citizens","description":"Six proposals; total 41 decisions on 150 persons since March 2023 and 360 persons since 2021.","source_id":"cyp-moi-revocations-2025","location":"Paragraph 1","quote":"ενέκρινε έξι προτάσεις για αποστέρηση της κυπριακής υπηκοότητας από 28 πρόσωπα","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus approves stripping citizenship from 28 more people","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Council of Ministers approved six proposals on 10 September 2025 to strip citizenship from 28 more investment-programme citizens, bringing the total to 150 people since March 2023 and 360 since 2021.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-9bf6acfe97","date":"2025-09-05","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Law on Nationality amended","description":"Amendment to the Law on Nationality promulgated (Kram NS/RKM/0925/030), amending arts. 1, 7, 16, 27, 28, 29 and 34 of the 2018 law. New art. 29 lets any Khmer citizen be deprived of Khmer nationality for treason or collusion with a foreign state, acts harming sovereignty or national security, voluntary service in a foreign army or public office, obtaining Khmer nationality by fraud or false information, or conviction for felonies or misdemeanours against the King, state security or terrorism; deprivation of nationality by birth only for adults with (or able to get) another nationality, after a national commission's opinion; decided by royal decree. New arts. 16 and 27 require people naturalised by marriage or by naturalisation to swear an oath before the Supreme Court before receiving an ID card and passport. (Content read from the amendment's Khmer text, khm-law-nationality-amend-2025, by OCR; this event's source gives the Kram number and date.)","source_id":"khm-subdecree-225-2025","location":"PDF p. 1, preamble","quote":"នស/រកម/០៩២៥/០៣០ ចុះថ្ងៃទី៥ ខែកញ្ញា ឆ្នាំ២០២៥","countries":"","short_title":"Cambodia amends law allowing citizenship revocation","plain_summary":"Cambodia's amended Law on Nationality, issued 5 September 2025, reportedly allows revoking naturalised citizenship, including when it was obtained illegally, according to press reports not verified against the original text.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-9d437d2e34","date":"2025-09-05","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Amended Nationality Law allows deprivation of citizenship obtained by fraud","description":"New Art. 29 lets Khmer nationality be withdrawn (by Royal Decree) for treason, harming sovereignty or security, serving a foreign army or state, acquiring nationality by fraud or false information, or conviction for certain crimes; withdrawal from citizens by birth needs age 18+ and another nationality (or the prospect of one) and a national commission's opinion. New Arts. 16 and 27: ID cards and passports are issued only after the oath before the Supreme Court; the oath text is annexed. This confirms the press reports noted on the existing event for this law.","source_id":"khm-law-nationality-amend-2025","location":"PDF pp. 3-4 (printed 3/4-4/4), Article One, new Arts. 16, 27 and 29","quote":"៤- បានទទួលសញ្ជាតិខ្មែរដោយការក្លែងបន្លំ ឬការផ្តល់ព័ត៌មានមិនពិត។","countries":"","short_title":"Amended Nationality Law allows deprivation of citizenship obtained by fraud","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-ba809e3882","date":"2025-08-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"context","title":"Budget: first Nauru citizenship-programme passports issued; Henley & Partners named as partner","description":"The 2025-26 budget speech says the first successful applicants are being issued passports after a slow start in 2024-25; Budget Paper 2 says the programme was designed and is run with Henley & Partners.","source_id":"nru-mof-budget-speech-2025","location":"PDF p. 6","quote":"The first successful applicants are being issued new passports.","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru issues its first passports to investors","plain_summary":"The 2025-26 budget speech said the first successful applicants were receiving passports after a slow start, and named Henley & Partners as the programme partner.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-eefc04a6c7","date":"2025-08-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"STP","program_id":"stp-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Decree-Law 07/2025 creates the citizenship-by-investment programme","description":"Published and in force 1 Aug 2025 (approved by the Council of Ministers 10 May 2025, promulgated 28 Jul 2025). Creates the programme (PCID), the unit running it (UCID), the National Transformation Fund and a review committee chaired by the Public Prosecutor; unlicensed promotion fined up to USD 500,000.","source_id":"stp-dr-dl-7-2025","location":"PDF p. 3 (printed p. 431-432), art. 5","quote":"É criado, ao abrigo do presente diploma, o Programa de Cidadania por Investimento e Doação","countries":"","short_title":"Sao Tome and Principe launches a citizenship-by-investment programme","plain_summary":"A decree-law effective 1 August 2025 creates Sao Tome and Principe's citizenship-by-investment programme, a running unit, a transformation fund and a review committee; unlicensed promotion can be fined up to USD 500,000.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-a84fc0ab7f","date":"2025-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"Caribbean CBI states notify EU of regional regulator","description":"The five countries jointly notified the Commission of legislation creating a regional regulator, reportedly including biometrics and a residency requirement for approved applicants.","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2025-429","location":"PDF p. 37","quote":"In August 2025, the five Caribbean countries jointly notified the Commission of the establishment of a regional regulator for the operation of investor citizenship schemes.","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"Caribbean states tell EU about new shared regulator","plain_summary":"The five Eastern Caribbean citizenship-selling countries jointly told the European Commission about a new regional regulator, reportedly including biometric checks and a residency requirement for approved applicants.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-0128a75c67","date":"2025-07-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ARG","program_id":"arg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Procedure for citizenship-by-investment applications set","description":"Decreto 524/2025: the Agency assesses whether the investment is relevant, requests security and financial-intelligence reports (including SIDE and UIF) and recommends approval or rejection to the National Migration Directorate.","source_id":"arg-bora-dec-524-2025","location":"Art. 2","quote":"la Agencia evaluará si la inversión realizada por el solicitante de la ciudadanía califica como “relevante”, de acuerdo con lo que establezca el MINISTERIO DE ECONOMÍA","countries":"","short_title":"Argentina sets procedure for investor citizenship applications","plain_summary":"An Argentine decree creates a process where a new agency checks whether an applicant's investment qualifies as 'relevant' and requests security and financial-intelligence reports before recommending approval or rejection.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-0ee9587994","date":"2025-07-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"LN 159 of 2025 sets out merit-based naturalisation rules","description":"Amends S.L. 188.06 to regulate citizenship by merit.","source_id":"mlt-cma-notice-2025-09-02","location":"paragraph 2","quote":"Subsidiary legislation 188.06 was amended in order to provide for processes and requirements to regulate the granting of citizenship by naturalisation on the basis of merit.","countries":"","short_title":"Malta sets rules for merit-based citizenship","plain_summary":"Malta issued new regulations setting out the process and requirements for granting citizenship by merit, replacing its investment-based route.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-d242aa4ecc","date":"2025-07-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"closure","title":"Investment-route applications not approved before 29 April 2025 lapse","description":"L.N. 159 of 2025 renamed the regulations \"Granting of Citizenship by Naturalisation on the basis of Merit Regulations\", deleted Part IV (naturalisation by direct investment), the cap of 400 a year and 1,500 in total, the fee provisions and the fee and residence-permit schedules, and replaced them with a proposal-letter and Evaluation Board procedure for merit applicants. Its transitional clause says applications under Part IV that the Minister had not approved for naturalisation before 29 April 2025 (the date of the CJEU judgment) cease to have effect.","source_id":"mlt-ln-2025-159","location":"regs. 16, 22, 24 and 25 (PDF p. 14 and 17, printed B 1609 and B 1612)","quote":"any applications submitted under Part IV of the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services Regulations which had not been approved for naturalisation by the Minister under the said Part IV prior to 29 April 2025, shall cease to have effect.","countries":"","short_title":"Investment-route applications not approved before 29 April 2025 lapse","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-01d186469d","date":"2025-07-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"closure","title":"Act XXI of 2025: art. 10(9) becomes naturalisation \"by merit\"; pending applications protected","description":"The Act replaced art. 10(9) with a merit-based power. A transitional clause keeps it from applying to art. 10(9) applications filed before it came into force.","source_id":"mlt-act-xxi-2025","location":"s. 11 (new art. 27(4))","quote":"shall not apply in respect of any applications for the granting of Maltese citizenship by naturalisation filed in accordance with article 10(9) of the Act, before the coming into force of this Act","countries":"","short_title":"Malta rewrites law to citizenship 'by merit'","plain_summary":"A new law replaced Malta's investment-based citizenship power with one based on merit, though applications already filed before the change would still be processed under the old rules.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-724ed67a0f","date":"2025-07-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"closure","title":"Government publishes amendments ending the scheme","description":"The Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services programme was discontinued and references to the transaction and agents removed. The government said the merit route was strengthened.","source_id":"mlt-cma-pr-2025-07-23","location":"paragraph 2","quote":"the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services programme has been discontinued, and all references to the programme, the transaction itself, and the agents involved have been removed.","countries":"","short_title":"Malta ends its citizenship-for-investment scheme","plain_summary":"Malta discontinued its Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services programme, removing all references to the investment transaction and the agents involved.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-127fcb9cd3","date":"2025-07-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Administrative Court refuses to suspend deprivation of a CIP citizen wanted by China","description":"Deprivation based on an Interpol red notice for bribery, within 10 years of naturalisation.","source_id":"cyp-lawoffice-admincourt-interpol-2025","location":"Paragraph 1","quote":"με απόφασή του ημερομηνίας 16 Ιουλίου 2025","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus court won't block citizen's loss of passport","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Administrative Court refused on 16 July 2025 to suspend the stripping of citizenship from a former investment-programme citizen wanted by China under an Interpol red notice for bribery, within ten years of naturalisation.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-eefbc414f2","date":"2025-07-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"JOR","program_id":"jor-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Cabinet decision 4375 overhauls investor citizenship","description":"New rules in Jordanian dinars tied to actual investment and jobs (shares JOD 1m; new projects JOD 700,000 / 500,000; existing JOD 700,000 / 350,000; sector routes JOD 3m); the deposit/treasury bond route no longer appears; residence via JOD 200,000 developer property.","source_id":"jor-moin-mechanism-4375-2025","location":"PDF p. 1, title","quote":"آلية تنفيذ قرار مجلس الوزراء رقم (4375) تاريخ 2025/7/02","countries":"","short_title":"Jordan overhauls its investor citizenship rules","plain_summary":"A new Jordanian cabinet decision from 2 July 2025 ties investor citizenship to actual investment and jobs created, with amounts from JOD 350,000 to JOD 3 million; the old deposit route was dropped.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-c5adc6b1ec","date":"2025-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Part of NTF receipts to be set aside monthly for the new hospital (Project Polaris)","description":"The 2025 Budget Statement announced that a small percentage of all National Transformation Fund receipts would be set aside monthly from June 2025, after the legal requirements were finalised, to support the transition to the new hospital (Project Polaris). The percentage is not stated.","source_id":"grd-mof-budget-2025","location":"PDF p. 17 (printed p. 16), Advancing Project Polaris","quote":"a small percentage of all NTF receipts will be set aside monthly, commencing June 2025 after finalizing the legal requirements","countries":"","short_title":"Part of NTF receipts to be set aside monthly for the new hospital (Project Polaris)","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-acf9b2930a","date":"2025-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-ciip","category":"rule_change","title":"CIIP resumed","description":"IMF: CIIP resumed in June 2025.","source_id":"vut-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 13, para 10","quote":"Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) resumed in June 2025, following a suspension in March","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu resumes its investment citizenship programme","plain_summary":"The IMF reported that Vanuatu's investment citizenship programme resumed in June 2025, after being suspended in March.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-3896069286","date":"2025-05-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ARG","program_id":"arg-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Argentina decree allows citizenship for a \"relevant investment\"","description":"Decree of necessity and urgency 366/2025 (dated 28 May) amends Citizenship Law 346 so foreigners who prove a relevant investment can naturalise regardless of residence, and creates the Agencia de Programas de Ciudadanía por Inversión under the Ministry of Economy, which must define qualifying investments.","source_id":"arg-bora-dnu-366-2025","location":"Art. 37 (new art. 2 inc. 2 of Law 346)","quote":"Los extranjeros que acrediten ante la DIRECCIÓN NACIONAL DE MIGRACIONES, cualquiera sea el tiempo de su residencia, haber realizado una inversión relevante en el país","countries":"","short_title":"Argentina creates a path to citizenship for investors","plain_summary":"A decree signed 28 May 2025 lets foreigners who prove a 'relevant investment' become Argentine citizens regardless of how long they have lived there, and sets up a new agency to define qualifying investments.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-f9235121b6","date":"2025-05-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ARG","program_id":"arg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Citizenship-by-investment agency must publish investments received each year","description":"Among the powers given to the new Agencia de Programas de Ciudadanía por Inversión (new art. 6 ter of Law 346): implement CBI programmes, publish annually the investments received by them, receive and evaluate applications with reports from the Migration Directorate, UIF and others, and send a reasoned recommendation to the Migration Directorate. Its Executive Director (rank of Under-Secretary) must also prepare and publish an annual report (art. 6 quáter g). Funded from the Ministry of Economy budget (art. 46).","source_id":"arg-bora-dnu-366-2025","location":"Arts. 40-42 (new arts. 6 bis, 6 ter, 6 quáter of Law 346), art. 46","quote":"2°. Publicar anualmente las inversiones recibidas por los programas de ciudadanía por inversión.","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship-by-investment agency must publish investments received each year","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-197706d0c0","date":"2025-05-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"rule_change","title":"Passport forms and fees set for programme citizens","description":"Passports (Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Forms and Fees) Regulations 2025 (SL 26 of 2025) set the passport application form, cancellation and loss notices, a separate register and a USD 500 fee for a new or renewed passport for people granted citizenship under the programme.","source_id":"nru-sl-passport-fees-2025","location":"PDF p. 1 and Schedule 3 (p. 13)","quote":"Notified: 19th May, 2025","countries":"","short_title":"Passport forms and fees set for programme citizens","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-069ff94307","date":"2025-05-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLV","program_id":"slv-investor-naturalisation","category":"rule_change","title":"Direct permanent residence for those joining government programmes","description":"D.L. 286 of 30 April 2025 (D.O. 5 May 2025, in force eight days later; date counted by us from the two stored documents) lets foreigners who join central-government programmes obtain permanent residence without prior temporary residence and exempts them from the absence limit; the recitals name donation or investment in programmes. Fee USD 690.","source_id":"slv-dl-286-2025","location":"recital IV and art. 2","quote":"mediante la donación o inversión para la ejecución de programas o proyectos orientados a dinamizar la economía del país opten por una residencia definitiva","countries":"","short_title":"Direct permanent residence for those joining government programmes","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-f8e160a94a","date":"2025-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-ciip","category":"rule_change","title":"CIIP amended","description":"IMF: amendments made to the CIIP in May 2025 to improve compliance on investments and reporting.","source_id":"vut-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 13, footnote 8","quote":"Amendments were made to the program in May 2025, to improve compliance on investments and","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu amends resumed investment citizenship programme","plain_summary":"The IMF reported that Vanuatu's investment citizenship programme was amended in May 2025 to improve compliance on investments and reporting.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-5e57aff286","date":"2025-04-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"legal","title":"EU Court rules Malta's golden passport scheme illegal","description":"Grand Chamber judgment in C-181/23: Malta's transactional naturalisation scheme amounts to commercialising nationality and Union citizenship, breaching Article 20 TFEU and Article 4(3) TEU.","source_id":"intl-cjeu-c181-23","location":"Operative part, p. 22","quote":"which establishes a transactional naturalisation procedure in exchange for predetermined payments or investments and thus amounts to the commercialisation of the grant of the nationality of a Member State","countries":"","short_title":"Top EU court rules Malta's citizenship sales illegal","plain_summary":"The European Union's top court ruled that Malta's scheme of granting citizenship for pre-set payments amounted to selling nationality, breaking European Union law.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-3f6d38cc83","date":"2025-04-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"legal","title":"CJEU rules the Maltese scheme contrary to EU law (C-181/23)","description":"The Grand Chamber held that granting nationality in exchange for predetermined payments or investments amounts to the commercialisation of Union citizenship, breaching Art. 20 TFEU and Art. 4(3) TEU. Malta was ordered to pay the costs.","source_id":"mlt-cjeu-c181-23","location":"para 100; operative part","quote":"A programme of that sort amounts to the commercialisation of the granting of the status of national of a Member State and, by extension, Union citizenship","countries":"","short_title":"EU court: Malta's scheme broke European law","plain_summary":"The court ruled that granting citizenship in exchange for pre-determined payments amounted to selling nationality, breaching European Union treaty rules, and ordered Malta to pay the legal costs.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-67528be654","date":"2025-04-07","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Government terminates investment agreement with MSR Media (reported)","description":"The government ended its investment agreement with MSR Media SKN Ltd and MSR Hotels & Co. Ltd, citing failures to renovate tourism infrastructure, employ agreed numbers of citizens and deliver films.","source_id":"kna-imidaily-2025-04-08","location":"para on MSR","quote":"The government also terminated its investment agreement with MSR Media SKN Ltd and MSR Hotels & Co. Ltd for multiple contractual breaches.","countries":"","short_title":"Government terminates investment agreement with MSR Media (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-86b80fa639","date":"2025-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"legal","title":"13 investors deprived of citizenship; agents blacklisted","description":"Deprivation of Citizenship Order 2025 for investors who paid below statutory minimums; RIF Trust blacklisted, Latitude suspended (later reinstated per the report).","source_id":"kna-imidaily-2025-04-08","location":"article","quote":"failed to pay the statutory minimum investment required","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts strips 13 investors of citizenship, blacklists agent","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis stripped citizenship from 13 investors who had paid below the required minimum, blacklisted one agent and temporarily suspended another, which was later reinstated.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-5042a39ed6","date":"2025-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"context","title":"US INCSR 2025: Antigua and Barbuda CBI excludes six nationalities and has suspended Russia and Belarus","description":"The State Department's 2025 money laundering report says the programme grants citizenship after criminal background checks, that nationals of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan are ineligible, and that Antigua and Barbuda states it suspended applications from Russia and Belarus as of February 2022.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2025","location":"PDF p. 56, Antigua and Barbuda, Overview","quote":"Nationals of Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Yemen, Somalia, and Sudan are ineligible to apply. Antigua and Barbuda states it suspended CBI applications from Russia and Belarus as of February 2022.","countries":"","short_title":"US INCSR 2025: Antigua and Barbuda CBI excludes six nationalities and has suspended Russia and Belarus","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-3f50cf7a96","date":"2025-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"context","title":"US INCSR 2025: investigations into the terminated Cyprus programme ongoing","description":"The State Department's 2025 report says Cyprus terminated its CBI programme in 2020 amid allegations of corruption and that related investigations are ongoing and have led to prosecutions and/or revocations of citizenship (no numbers).","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2025","location":"PDF p. 119, Cyprus, Overview","quote":"The ROC terminated its citizenship by investment (CBI) program in 2020 amid allegations of corruption. Investigations related to the CBI are ongoing and have led to prosecutions and/or revocations of citizenship.","countries":"","short_title":"US INCSR 2025: investigations into the terminated Cyprus programme ongoing","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-04c06605f4","date":"2025-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-ciip","category":"rule_change","title":"CIIP suspended","description":"IMF: CIIP temporarily suspended in March 2025 over compliance concerns.","source_id":"vut-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 13, footnote 8","quote":"The CIIP program was temporarily suspended in March 2025 amid growing concerns over compliance with","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu suspends its investment citizenship programme","plain_summary":"The IMF reported that Vanuatu's investment citizenship programme was temporarily suspended in March 2025 because of growing concerns about compliance.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-d00bff895d","date":"2025-02-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"rule_change","title":"First amendment to the regulations","description":"SL No. 2 of 2025 changes agent licensing and application documents and adds a USD 7,500 due diligence fee for benefactors.","source_id":"nru-sl-2-2025","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"NAURU ECONOMIC AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE CITIZENSHIP (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2025","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru first amends its citizenship-investment regulations","plain_summary":"Nauru's first amendment to its citizenship-by-investment regulations, from 10 February 2025, changed agent licensing and application documents and added a USD 7,500 due-diligence fee for donors.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-81339a5873","date":"2025-01-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Nicosia Permanent Assize Court gives judgment in a CIP naturalisations case","description":"The Law Office's statement does not give the outcome or defendants (believed to be the case arising from Al Jazeera's film; not verified).","source_id":"cyp-lawoffice-assize-2025","location":"Paragraph 1","quote":"Η απόφαση του Μόνιμου Κακουργιοδικείου Λευκωσίας, που εκδόθηκε σήμερα σε υπόθεση πολιτογραφήσεων ξένων επενδυτών","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus court rules in a citizenship-programme naturalisation case","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Nicosia Permanent Assize Court issued a ruling on 23 January 2025 in a case about naturalisations under the citizenship investment programme; the outcome and defendants were not disclosed.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-53461ee375","date":"2025-01-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLE","program_id":"sle-go-for-gold","category":"price_change","title":"Reported prices: USD 140,000 fast-track, USD 100,000 heritage route","description":"The Sierra Leone Telegraph reports a USD 140,000 'Fast-Track Naturalization' (90 days) and a USD 100,000 'Heritage Naturalization' (60 days) under GO-FOR-GOLD, quoting the Chief Immigration Officer; no official price schedule was found.","source_id":"sle-telegraph-2025","location":"article body","quote":"This groundbreaking initiative provides an efficient alternative to the traditional naturalization process, which typically requires eight years of residence.","countries":"","short_title":"Reported prices for Sierra Leone fast-track citizenship: US$140,000 and US$100,000","plain_summary":"The Sierra Leone Telegraph reports a US$140,000 fast-track route (90 days) and a US$100,000 heritage route (60 days), quoting the Chief Immigration Officer. No official price list was found.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-4473a659ed","date":"2025-01-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLE","program_id":"sle-go-for-gold","category":"launch","title":"Sierra Leone announces naturalisation for investors (no legal basis published)","description":"A press release in the name of the Immigration Department announces 'new arrangements' for naturalising high-net-worth investors and people of Sierra Leonean heritage. It gives no amounts and no legal basis. Media reported USD 140,000 (citizenship in 90 days) and USD 100,000 for people of African ancestry (60 days), plus USD 10,000 per dependant. The Citizenship Act requires 8 or 15 years' residence for naturalisation, and no amending act or regulation was found. Recorded as a claim, not as a programme.","source_id":"sle-slid-pr-2025","location":"p. 1","quote":"announces today groundbreaking measures aimed at facilitating the naturalization of qualifying high-net-worth foreign national investors","countries":"","short_title":"Sierra Leone announces investor citizenship, but no legal basis published","plain_summary":"A press release in the immigration department's name announces new arrangements for high-net-worth investors and people of Sierra Leonean heritage, without amounts or legal basis. Media reported US$140,000 and US$100,000. No law change was found.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-fa4e2d8577","date":"2025-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"SLE","program_id":"sle-go-for-gold","category":"launch","title":"GO-FOR-GOLD launched in January 2025 (promoters' account)","description":"The promoters' programme update dates the launch of GO-FOR-GOLD to January 2025, as part of the President's plan to attract foreign direct investment before 2028. The press release in the Immigration Department's name dates the residency programme's launch to December 2024 (separate event).","source_id":"sle-gfg-update-2025","location":"p. 1, \"A Presidential Vision to Attract Foreign Direct Investment\"","quote":"Launched in January 2025 the GO-FOR-GOLD program forms part of a broader vision to attract meaningful foreign direct investment (FDI)","countries":"","short_title":"GO-FOR-GOLD launched in January 2025 (promoters' account)","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-cefb973276","date":"2025-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"SLE","program_id":"sle-go-for-gold","category":"launch","title":"Sierra Leone fast-track citizenship scheme introduced in January 2025 (TechCabal)","description":"TechCabal reports that Sierra Leone introduced a USD 140,000 fast-track scheme in January 2025 (bare \"$\" in a press article).","source_id":"intl-techcabal-africa-cbi-2026","location":"Sierra Leone sentence","quote":"introduced a $140,000 fast-track scheme in January 2025","countries":"","short_title":"Sierra Leone fast-track citizenship scheme introduced in January 2025 (TechCabal)","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-935a141a61","date":"2025","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Regional CBI regulator agreement enacted into law","description":"The IMF reports that legislation establishing a new independent regional regulator for CIPs was approved by Antigua and Barbuda and the other ECCU countries with CIPs in late 2025 (Annex IV); para 25 says the agreement has been enacted into law. Exact date not given.","source_id":"atg-imf-art4-2026","location":"PDF pp. 51-52 (printed pp. 47-48), Annex IV 'Implementation of the Fund's Past Policy Advice'; also PDF p. 16, para 25","quote":"Legislation to establish a new regional CIP regulator was approved by Antigua and Barbuda (and other ECCU countries with CIPs) in late 2025.","countries":"","short_title":"Regional citizenship regulator becomes law in Antigua","plain_summary":"An agreement setting up an independent regional regulator for citizenship-sale programmes was enacted into law in Antigua and Barbuda and other Eastern Caribbean countries, the IMF reported.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-1ecc9fb0db","date":"2025","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"70% fee cut announced for local developers in CBI","description":"Announced in the 2025 Budget Statement.","source_id":"grd-mof-budget-2025","location":"p. 32, section 6.4.4.2","quote":"this government in the coming weeks will pass amended regulations to reduce by 70% all fees that are to be paid by local Grenadian-developers","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada plans 70% fee cut for local developers","plain_summary":"Grenada announced plans to cut by 70% the fees local Grenadian developers pay under its citizenship programme.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-1a2e8731cb","date":"2025","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"ECCU enacting legislation for regional regulator ECCIRA","description":"Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority to set and enforce uniform standards for programmes and agents; Grenada plans to repeal and replace its CBI Act in 2026 (Budget Statement 2026).","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 10, para 4","quote":"the ECCU is enacting a common legislation to establish a new regional CBI regulator.","countries":"","short_title":"Region moves to create a shared citizenship regulator","plain_summary":"Eastern Caribbean countries are enacting legislation to create a shared regulator setting common standards for citizenship-sale programmes and their agents; Grenada plans to replace its own law in 2026.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-0027ae0a51","date":"2025","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Enhanced Local Developer Policy advanced by the IMA","description":"The 2026 Budget Statement says the Investment Migration Agency advanced an 'Enhanced Local Developer Policy' in 2025, opening the CBI approved-project route to Grenadian developers, and that the CBI legislation is to be repealed and replaced in 2026 ahead of the regional regulator ECCIRA.","source_id":"grd-mof-budget-2026","location":"PDF p. 43, section 5.20.5","quote":"the Agency advanced the Enhanced Local Developer Policy, opening new pathways for Grenadian developers","countries":"","short_title":"Enhanced Local Developer Policy advanced by the IMA","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-e9a328dd88","date":"2025","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"IMA launches a Citizenship by Invitation programme","description":"The Medium-Term Economic and Fiscal Strategy 2025-2027 says the Investment Migration Agency will develop new migration products, 'including the Citizenship by Invitation program launched in 2025'. No date, terms or numbers are given.","source_id":"grd-mof-mtefs-2025","location":"p. 35, section 4.1","quote":"develop new migration products, including the Citizenship by Invitation program launched in 2025","countries":"","short_title":"IMA launches a Citizenship by Invitation programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-6ea66ac4b5","date":"2025","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"context","title":"US$10 million affordable housing project announced under the Public Benefit Option","description":"The CIU Chairman lists among 2025 milestones the announcement of a US$10 million Affordable Housing Project under the Public Benefit Option with ring-fenced funds, the launch of the Saturn digital application platform, signing of the Eastern Caribbean CBI Regulatory Framework, and a first cohort of a Micro and Small Business Grant Programme (EC$360,000 to 36 entrepreneurs; funding source not stated).","source_id":"kna-ciu-chairman-update-2025-12","location":"p. 1, Key Milestones in 2025","quote":"Announcement of a US$10 million Affordable Housing Project under the Public Benefit Option, supported by rigorous financial reporting and ring-fenced funds.","countries":"","short_title":"US$10 million affordable housing project announced under the Public Benefit Option","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-bbc212e219","date":"2025","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Blockchain-verified due diligence certification introduced","description":"The 2026 budget address says that over the past year the CIU introduced blockchain-verified certification for due diligence (claimed as a world first), launched the Saturn digital platform and led the establishment of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority; it also says the CIU launched a Micro and Small Business Grant Programme awarding EC$10,000 each to 36 local businesses.","source_id":"kna-mof-budget-address-2026","location":"PDF p. 19, para 48","quote":"We became the first nation in the world to introduce blockchain- verified certification for due diligence","countries":"","short_title":"Blockchain-verified due diligence certification introduced","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-10f52a6a6b","date":"2025","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"Marketing partners told to stop promoting visa-free access","description":"CEO reports that during FY2024/25 the CIU instructed marketing partners to stop advertising visa-free access. Exact date not given.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2024-25","location":"PDF p. 11","quote":"The Unit instructed all marketing partners to discontinue the promotion of visa free access","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia stops marketing visa-free access","plain_summary":"During the 2024/25 financial year, Saint Lucia's citizenship unit told its marketing partners to stop advertising visa-free travel as a selling point.","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-fe11371099","date":"2025","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"launch","title":"Nauru citizenship programme inception year 2025 (IMF table)","description":"Annex Table 1 gives Nauru's programme inception year as 2025, while the Annex text (para 1) says it was 'introduced ... in late 2024' and the Act dates from August 2024; kept as a separate account (decision 14).","source_id":"nru-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 54, Annex VI, Table 1 'Nauru: Citizenship Programs for Selected Small Developing States'","quote":"Nauru 2025 $105,000 3-4 months","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru citizenship programme inception year 2025 (IMF table)","plain_summary":"","year":"2025"},{"event_id":"e-e254a915b8","date":"2024-12-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Land Registry circular 2024/4 and guide on property-for-citizenship","description":"TKGM circular 2024/4 on the citizenship regulation and its guide for land registries take effect on 9 Dec 2024: purchase price and transfers must each reach the threshold in force on the acquisition date and be confirmed by a valuation-based amount certificate (TTB), valid six months from issue.","source_id":"tur-tkgm-ykt-vatandaslik-kazanimi","location":"sections 'Genelge' and 'Kılavuzlar'; FAQ on TTB validity","quote":"Kılavuz hükümleri 09/12/2024 tarihinde yürürlüğe girmiştir.","countries":"","short_title":"Land Registry circular 2024/4 and guide on property-for-citizenship","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-4dd81b8559","date":"2024-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"SLE","program_id":"sle-go-for-gold","category":"launch","title":"GO-FOR-GOLD residency programme launched (reported)","description":"A press release attributed to the Sierra Leone Immigration Department says a GO-FOR-GOLD 'investment-based residency' programme was launched in December 2024. Its terms (permanent residency through gold purchases and programme fees) come only from promoters; no regulation was found.","source_id":"sle-slid-pr-2025","location":"p. 2","quote":"The launch of the GO-FOR-GOLD residency program in December 2024, promoting investment-based residency opportunities.","countries":"","short_title":"Sierra Leone residency programme reportedly launched in December 2024","plain_summary":"A press release attributed to the immigration department says an investment-based residency programme called GO-FOR-GOLD launched in December 2024. Its terms come only from promoters, and no regulation was found.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-75586b3bd5","date":"2024-11-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"context","title":"President launches the programme at a Singapore industry conference","description":"President David Adeang launched the programme at the 18th Global Citizenship Conference in Singapore.","source_id":"nru-gio-mr-2024-12","location":"Media release, para 1","quote":"launched Nauru's innovative Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program at the 18th Global Citizenship Conference in Singapore, 28 November","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru's president launches citizenship programme in Singapore","plain_summary":"Nauru's President David Adeang launched the country's Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program at an industry conference in Singapore, the 18th Global Citizenship Conference.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-a797d8433e","date":"2024-11-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"context","title":"First official cumulative CBI numbers disclosed in parliament","description":"Interior Minister Yerlikaya tells the Plan and Budget Committee, 'for the first time', that 159,433 people (46,163 investors) have been naturalised through investment.","source_id":"tur-tbmm-pbk-2024-11-20","location":"p. 99","quote":"ilk defa söylüyorum: 159.433 yabancı yatırım yaparak, istisnai olarak Türk vatandaşlığını kazanmıştır","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey reveals total citizenship-by-investment numbers for first time","plain_summary":"Turkey's interior minister told parliament, for the first time, that 159,433 people, including 46,163 investors, had gained Turkish citizenship through investment.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-77c52819ef","date":"2024-11-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"context","title":"Programme unveiled at COP29 in Baku","description":"Minister for Climate Change Asterio Appi presented the programme to COP29 delegates.","source_id":"nru-ecrcp-web-cop29-2024","location":"Press release","quote":"unveiled its groundbreaking Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29)","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru unveils citizenship programme at United Nations climate summit","plain_summary":"Nauru's climate change minister, Asterio Appi, presented the country's new Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Program to delegates at the United Nations climate summit in Baku.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-1033e99667","date":"2024-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"Unit brochure lists nationalities under restrictions","description":"The CBI Unit brochure (6 November 2024) says applications from nationals of Belarus, Iran, Northern Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Yemen and Sudan are subject to additional scrutiny, limitations or explicit bans.","source_id":"dma-cbiu-brochure-2024","location":"PDF p. 9 (printed p. 16)","quote":"Applications from nationals of Belarus, Iran, Northern Iraq, North Korea, Russia, Yemen, and Sudan are subject to additional scrutiny, limitations, or explicit bans.","countries":"","short_title":"Unit brochure lists nationalities under restrictions","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-1b68f6ba76","date":"2024-10-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"rule_change","title":"Programme regulations and prices gazetted","description":"Regulations SL 28 of 2024 set contributions from USD 105,000 (single applicant), application fees from USD 25,000 and due diligence fees.","source_id":"nru-sl-28-2024","location":"PDF p. 13, Schedule 1","quote":"CITIZENSHIP CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS AND FEES","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru publishes prices for its new citizenship programme","plain_summary":"Nauru published regulations setting contribution fees for its citizenship-by-investment programme starting at US$105,000 for a single applicant, plus application fees from US$25,000 and due-diligence fees.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-ea069eb3ef","date":"2024-10-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Real estate minimum cut to US$325,000","description":"S.R.O. 43 of 2024 cut approved-development real estate to US$325,000 and single-family private homes to US$600,000.","source_id":"kna-sro-43-2024","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"[Published 25 th October 2024, Extra-Ordinary Gazette No. 66 of 2024]","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts cuts real-estate citizenship price again","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis cut its approved-development real-estate threshold to US$325,000 and its single-family-home threshold to US$600,000.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-d826c853fe","date":"2024-10-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Parents aged 55 or over qualify as dependants; bankruptcy bar limited to ten years","description":"S.R.O. 43 of 2024 lowers the age at which a parent of the main applicant or spouse counts as a dependant from 65 to 55, limits the bankruptcy bar to bankruptcies within ten years of the application, recomposes the Technical Committee (including a civil servant recommended by the Continuing International Due Diligence Unit and the CIU chief executive), and adds a US$7,500 fee for adding a child under three born after citizenship was granted.","source_id":"kna-sro-43-2024","location":"PDF pp. 1-3, regs. 3-5, 10-11","quote":"replacing the expression “sixty-five” with the expression “fifty-five” in paragraph (d).","countries":"","short_title":"Parents aged 55 or over qualify as dependants; bankruptcy bar limited to ten years","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-aced6265d4","date":"2024-10-17","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"context","title":"PM says CBI revenue fell ~60% and visa-free access was at risk","description":"PM Drew reported CBI revenue of EC$218m to September 2024 vs EC$620m in 2023 and said the country had been on the brink of losing EU/UK visa-free access.","source_id":"kna-sknis-pm-cbi-speech-2024-10-17","location":"speech","quote":"Saint Kitts and Nevis was on the brink of losing that precious visa-free access.","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts PM: citizenship revenue fell 60%, visa access at risk","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis's prime minister said citizenship-sale revenue fell to EC$218 million by September 2024 from EC$620 million in 2023, and that the country had nearly lost visa-free access to the EU and UK.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-54a8a49212","date":"2024-10-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"legal","title":"Advocate General Collins proposes dismissing the Commission's case against Malta","description":"Opinion in C-181/23: the Commission had not shown that EU law requires a \"genuine link\" for naturalisation; the AG proposed dismissing the action with costs against the Commission. The Court ruled the other way on 29 April 2025. Primary source for event e-5222fda4f1 (dated 2024-10 from a secondary source).","source_id":"intl-cjeu-c181-23-ag","location":"Conclusion, point 62","quote":"I propose that the Court: – dismiss the Commission’s action; – order the Commission to pay its costs and those of the Republic of Malta.","countries":"","short_title":"EU court adviser sides with Malta","plain_summary":"In October 2024 the Advocate General advised the EU court to reject the Commission's case against Malta's golden passports. The court ruled the other way in April 2025.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-626f14721d","date":"2024-10-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Statutory Citizenship Unit begins operating; government claims record revenue","description":"The 2025 budget address dates the CIU restructuring into a statutory body to 1 October 2024 and claims record-breaking revenue since; EU data show only 223 applications in all of 2024.","source_id":"kna-mof-budget-address-2025","location":"PDF p. 22, para 38","quote":"increased applications, and record-breaking revenue since the restructuring on 1 October","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts' new citizenship unit claims record revenue","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis's citizenship unit began operating as an independent statutory body, and the government said revenue hit a record since, though European Union data showed only 223 applications for all of 2024.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-7b601b762e","date":"2024-10-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLE","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"Sierra Leone resumes ordinary naturalisation (8 years' residence)","description":"The Sierra Leone Immigration Department resumes naturalisation from 1 Oct 2024; applicants must show 8 years' residence. The Citizenship Act 1973 as summarised by the Department has no investment route.","source_id":"sle-slid-notice-naturalisation-2024","location":"public notice (OCR)","quote":"IT WOULD RESUME THE NATURALISATION PROCESS WITH EFFECT FROM 1ST OCTOBER, 2024","countries":"","short_title":"Sierra Leone resumes ordinary naturalisation after 8 years' residence","plain_summary":"From 1 October 2024 the immigration department resumed naturalisation, requiring eight years' residence. The department's summary of the 1973 Citizenship Act shows no investment route.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-18ce1ecad2","date":"2024-10-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Opposition İYİ Party sues to revoke naturalisations","description":"İYİ Party petitions the Council of State to revoke the citizenship of about half a million naturalised foreigners, mainly Syrians, arguing a national security risk and targeting all who naturalised through property investment. Nordic Monitor separately estimates that 500,000 foreigners acquired citizenship in seven years based on property purchase figures.","source_id":"tur-nordicmonitor-2024-10-14","location":"para. 1","quote":"present a national security risk","countries":"","short_title":"Turkish opposition sues to revoke mass naturalisations","plain_summary":"Turkey's opposition İYİ Party asked the top administrative court to revoke citizenship from about half a million naturalised foreigners, mostly Syrians, calling it a national security risk.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-5222fda4f1","date":"2024-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"legal","title":"Advocate General Collins recommends dismissing the Commission's action","description":"The non-binding opinion found the Commission had not proved a \"genuine link\" requirement. The Court did not follow it. Same event as e-54a8a49212 (the opinion itself, delivered 4 Oct 2024), here as reported by the Maltese regulator (\"In October of 2024, several local and foreign media portals reported...\"); pages should show the primary event.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2024","location":"PDF p. 29","quote":"He recommended dismissing the Commission’s action, affirming member states’ exclusive right to determine nationality unless it compromises EU principles.","countries":"","short_title":"Court adviser says Malta's citizenship case should be dismissed","plain_summary":"A non-binding opinion from an adviser to the European Union's top court found the European Commission had not proved Malta needed a 'genuine link' requirement; the court did not follow this advice.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-8700d3dc16","date":"2024-09-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"OCCRP: only five naturalisations in 2024 gazettes as Cambodia hides citizenship data","description":"OCCRP and The Straits Times report that the 61 gazettes of 2024 record just five naturalisations (all granted in late 2023), against more than 650 announced in 2023; seven of 17 suspects still wanted in the Singapore money-laundering case were recently naturalised Cambodians (OCCRP tally).","source_id":"khm-occrp-citizenship-data-2024","location":"paragraphs 4-7","quote":"In the 61 gazettes issued this year, just five foreigners were recorded as being naturalised","countries":"","short_title":"OCCRP: only five naturalisations in 2024 gazettes as Cambodia hides citizenship data","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-ffb149605c","date":"2024-09","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CIU head resigns; technical committee restructured","description":"IMF Box (from press reports): the CIU CEO resigned in September 2024 and the oversight mechanism was restructured, the technical committee to include the Permanent Secretary for National Security, two civil servants appointed by the Minister, the CIU CEO and a Board of Governors representative.","source_id":"kna-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 66 (printed p. 62), Annex IX Box 1","quote":"The CBI oversight mechanism was restructured, so that the technical committee would include the PS for National Security, two civil servants appointed by the Minister, the CIU CEO, and a BoG representative.","countries":"","short_title":"CIU head resigns; technical committee restructured","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-f2487c0e1d","date":"2024-08-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"Third US-Caribbean Roundtable on CBI (Grenada): four of six principles fully implemented","description":"The five Eastern Caribbean CBI states (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia) and the US Treasury met in Grenada. All five were reported to have fully implemented Principles 1 (treatment of denials), 2 (interviews), 3 (FIU checks) and 6 (suspension of applications from Russians and Belarusians); audits and retrieval of revoked passports were still being implemented. The March 2024 MOA was signed by all five, and an Interim Regulatory Commission was to be appointed to set up the regional regulator.","source_id":"intl-eccb-us-roundtable-2024","location":"paras 1, 4-6","quote":"On 29 August 2024, the five Eastern Caribbean countries 1 that offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programmes and the United States Department of the Treasury held a productive Roundtable in Grenada","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA;USA","short_title":"Third US-Caribbean Roundtable on CBI (Grenada): four of six principles fully implemented","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-c0a109aa3b","date":"2024-08-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-ecrcp","category":"launch","title":"Nauru Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Act 2024 certified","description":"Act No. 15 of 2024 establishes the programme and its Program Office; contributions go to the Treasury Fund after the agent fee is deducted.","source_id":"nru-act-15-2024","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"Certified: 20 August 2024","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru's new citizenship-by-investment law is certified","plain_summary":"Nauru's Economic and Climate Resilience Citizenship Act 2024 was certified, setting up the citizenship-selling programme and its Program Office, with contributions going to the Treasury Fund after agent fees are deducted.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-322d5771f6","date":"2024-08-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CIU closed as a government department","description":"The National Audit Office states the CIU as a department closed on 9 Aug 2024; CBI revenue in the 2024 public accounts covers 1 Jan-8 Aug only. The 2025 budget address dates the statutory Unit's restructuring to 1 October.","source_id":"kna-audit-report-2024","location":"PDF p. 20","quote":"The Citizenship by Investment Unit, as a department of the government, was closed with effect from August 9th 2024.","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts closes its citizenship unit as a government department","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis's Citizenship by Investment Unit stopped operating as a government department on 9 August 2024, before reopening later as an independent statutory body.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-e9814d01d6","date":"2024-07-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"New thresholds enacted: NDF US$230,000, real estate US$300,000, UWI US$260,000","description":"S.I. 2024 No. 50 set the new US$ thresholds and a new fee schedule, and ended all limited-time offers at 11:59 p.m. on 31 Jul 2024.","source_id":"atg-cbi-regs-2024","location":"PDF pp. 6-7, 9","quote":"No applications based on a Limited Time Offer incentive offered by the Unit shall be accepted after the 31st July 2024 at 11:59 p.m.","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua sets new prices, ends temporary discounts","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda set new thresholds, US$230,000 for its fund, US$300,000 for real estate and US$260,000 for its university route, and ended all its temporary discount offers.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-c64d341cc8","date":"2024-07-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Wider family definition, alternate main applicant and real-estate resale limit","description":"S.I. 2024 No. 50 also redefined dependants (children up to 30, parents or grandparents over 55, unmarried siblings, spouses and children of dependants added later if the dependant is not over 35), let a main applicant designate an alternate main applicant, and allowed approved real estate to be resold to another applicant only once and only after five years. The handwritten date it was made is not legible in the scan.","source_id":"atg-cbi-regs-2024","location":"PDF pp. 4-6, regs 3-5","quote":"shall only be resold once for the purpose of satisfying the requirements of another applicant under the programme","countries":"","short_title":"Wider family definition, alternate main applicant and real-estate resale limit","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-b67384f3af","date":"2024-07-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Family-of-four price cut to US$250,000","description":"S.R.O. 20 of 2024: SISC US$250,000 covers a main applicant or family of up to four (was US$350,000).","source_id":"kna-sro-20-2024","location":"PDF p. 13, reg. 21(2)(a)","quote":"US$250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) for a main applicant or a family with up to four total persons","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts cuts family citizenship price to US$250,000","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis lowered its main contribution to US$250,000 for a family of up to four, down from US$350,000.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-9c31bb515b","date":"2024-07-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CBI regulations reissued: US$50,000 agent payment, wider checks, advertising bans","description":"S.R.O. 20 of 2024 replaces the 2023 regulations. For each SISC application the Unit now pays US$50,000 to the Authorised Agent. Due diligence must include checks by the national Financial Intelligence Unit, the Continuing International Due Diligence Unit, CARICOM IMPACS's Joint Regional Communications Centre and at least one international firm; insufficient proof of source of funds bars approval. Decisions in principle are due within 120 to 180 days (was 120). Schedule 2 bans advertising that names visa-free destinations or their number, speaks of \"second\" or \"golden\" passports, offers discounts or refers to the number or origin of successful applicants. Payments for real estate and public benefit units go through the Unit or an attorney and into escrow only after citizenship is granted.","source_id":"kna-sro-20-2024","location":"PDF pp. 14, 22-23, 29-30, regs. 21(7), 24(2)-(3), Schedule 2","quote":"pay US$50,000 to the Authorised Agent associated with the CBI application","countries":"","short_title":"CBI regulations reissued: US$50,000 agent payment, wider checks, advertising bans","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-f9160e3f50","date":"2024-07-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Transition deadline extended after Hurricane Beryl","description":"Applications under the old prices accepted until 12 July 2024 (funds cleared by 31 July 2024).","source_id":"grd-ima-circular-3-2024","location":"Circular No. 3 of 2024","quote":"the Agency has decided to extend the application submission deadline to July 12, 2024.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada extends price-change deadline after Hurricane Beryl","plain_summary":"Grenada extended its deadline for applications under the old, lower prices to 12 July 2024, after Hurricane Beryl.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-e6a98f32ca","date":"2024-07-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"NTF minimum raised to US$235,000 and real-estate share minimum to US$270,000","description":"SRO 12 of 2024 (gazetted 26 June 2024), corrected by SRO 15 of 2024. Previous NTF minimum US$150,000 (IMA website May 2024).","source_id":"grd-sro-12-2024","location":"reg. 1(2)","quote":"These Regulations shall come into force on the first day of July 2024.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada raises its citizenship-sale minimums","plain_summary":"Grenada raised its fund-donation minimum to US$235,000 and its real-estate route minimum to US$270,000.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-92b2b10560","date":"2024-07-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"price_change","title":"US$200,000 minimum CBI price takes effect in five Caribbean states","description":"OECS: minimum price for any CBI option US$200,000 from 1 July 2024; discounting declared illegal; interim 7-member regulatory commission planned.","source_id":"intl-oecs-moa-implementation-2024","location":"Release text","quote":"With effect from July 01, 2024 , all countries have agreed that the minimum price for any CBI options shall be US$200,000 .","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"Caribbean states enforce US$200,000 minimum citizenship price","plain_summary":"A US$200,000 minimum price for any citizenship-sale option took effect across the five Eastern Caribbean countries, with discounting made illegal and a shared regulator planned.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-325c5a6855","date":"2024-07-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Regional US$200,000 minimum price takes effect","description":"All MOA signatories apply a US$200,000 minimum for any CBI option; discounting declared illegal.","source_id":"dma-oecs-moa-release-2024","location":"Release text, para 3","quote":"With effect from July 01, 2024, all countries have agreed that the minimum price for any CBI options shall be US$200,000.","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"Regional US$200,000 minimum citizenship price takes effect","plain_summary":"All five countries in the regional agreement began applying a US$200,000 minimum price for any citizenship option, and banned discounting.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-81e6e3b418","date":"2024-07-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Minimums raised to US$240,000 (NEF)/US$300,000 (real estate)","description":"Saint Lucia implements higher minimums in line with the regional agreement: NEF US$240,000, real estate US$300,000, enterprise Option 3 US$250,000.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2024b","location":"p. 3","quote":"These Regulations are deemed to have come into force on the 1 day of July, 2024.","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia raises its citizenship-sale minimums","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia raised its fund-donation minimum to US$240,000, real estate to US$300,000, and its infrastructure option to US$250,000, in line with the regional agreement.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-530421ac1c","date":"2024-06-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Fund contribution doubled to US$200,000 (S.R.O. 8 of 2024)","description":"New regulations raise the direct contribution for a main applicant from US$100,000 to US$200,000 and the real-estate government fee to US$75,000.","source_id":"dma-sro8-2024","location":"PDF p. 3","quote":"(Gazetted 28th June, 2024.)","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica doubles its main citizenship price","plain_summary":"Dominica raised its main fund contribution for a single applicant from US$100,000 to US$200,000, and its real-estate government fee to US$75,000.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-f3d90cd287","date":"2024-06-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Increases in CBI contributions kept from pre-agreed project financing","description":"S.R.O. 8 of 2024 provides that where the Government has agreed to finance a project from CBI contributions or fees and these are increased, the difference is not allocated to the project unless the Minister of Finance approves. The same regulations lower the contribution for an additional adult dependant from US$50,000 to US$40,000 and repeal S.R.O. 1 of 2024.","source_id":"dma-sro8-2024","location":"PDF p. 29, Schedule 1 para 1(5)","quote":"the difference between the original direct monetary investment or fee and the new direct monetary investment or fee shall not be allocated to the project, unless approved by the Minister of Finance.","countries":"","short_title":"Increases in CBI contributions kept from pre-agreed project financing","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-a91e69cc07","date":"2024-06-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CIU Act published: how CBI money is split","description":"Citizenship by Investment Unit Act 2024 published (assented 19 June). Sustainable Island State Contributions and other statutory contributions, less agents' fees, go directly to the Consolidated Fund; the Unit keeps application, agent and due diligence fees and a share of post-approval-in-principle fees set by Cabinet, not above 50 percent; financial year July-June; audited accounts to be gazetted and an annual report submitted by 31 October. Comes into force on dates set by ministerial order.","source_id":"kna-act-11-2024","location":"PDF p. 6, s.18(1)(f)","quote":"which percentage shall not exceed fifty percent;","countries":"","short_title":"CIU Act published: how CBI money is split","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-11a96af9e7","date":"2024-06-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"IMA Circular No. 2: new prices from 1 July 2024 and cut-off for old prices","description":"IMA told agents and developers that the OECS Memorandum of Agreement pricing (NTF US$235,000; approved project US$270,000 plus US$50,000 government contribution) takes effect on 1 July 2024; only complete applications lodged with the Grenada Co-operative Bank by 30 June 2024 are accepted at the old prices, with funds cleared by 31 July 2024. Agents' commission capped at US$35,000 (NTF) and US$40,000 (approved project). Superseded on 3 July by Circular No. 3, which moved the deadline to 12 July 2024.","source_id":"grd-ima-circular-3-2024","location":"PDF pp. 2-3, Circular No. 2 of 2024","quote":"a new pricing structure for the Investment Migration Agency Grenada (IMA) will be implemented effective July 1, 2024","countries":"","short_title":"IMA Circular No. 2: new prices from 1 July 2024 and cut-off for old prices","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-5a59599f3e","date":"2024-06-26","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"CIU announces thresholds under five-country MoA, with 30-day delay","description":"A CIU memo announced proposed thresholds under the Memorandum of Agreement among five OECS CBI states (US$200,000 floor), subject to parliamentary approval; Antigua and Barbuda requested 30 more days beyond the 30 June 2024 deadline to complete that approval.","source_id":"atg-imidaily-2024-06","location":"body text","quote":"executed between five heads of governments of OECS territories operating CIPs","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua adopts US$200,000 price floor, asks for more time","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda's citizenship unit put the regional US$200,000 minimum price into effect but asked for 30 extra days beyond the deadline to get parliament's approval.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-69a2b49c00","date":"2024-06-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"price_change","title":"OECS statement: 1 July 2024 cutoff for old CBI pricing","description":"IMI Daily reports an OECS statement of 23 June confirming that the Caribbean CBI countries were going ahead with the Memorandum of Agreement and that 1 July would be the cutoff date for the old pricing.","source_id":"atg-imidaily-2024-06","location":"paragraph on the MoA","quote":"statement on June 23rd confirming that Caribbean CIP countries were pressing ahead with the MoA’s stipulations and that July 1st would be the cutoff date for the old pricing model","countries":"","short_title":"OECS statement: 1 July 2024 cutoff for old CBI pricing","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-21daaccdd1","date":"2024-06-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Interim Regulatory Commission for CBI announced","description":"The OECS release says participating governments will soon appoint a 7-member Interim Regulatory Commission (one member from each of the five CBI countries, the OECS Commission and the ECCB) pending legislation for a regional regulator; discounting below the agreed minimum is declared illegal.","source_id":"dma-oecs-moa-release-2024","location":"Release text, para 6","quote":"participating Governments will soon appoint an Interim Regulatory Commission pending the enactment of enabling legislation for the regional regulator.","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"Interim Regulatory Commission for CBI announced","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-9a69b1a939","date":"2024-06-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Citizenship by Investment Unit Act passed","description":"CIU to become a statutory body corporate with its own Board; SISC paid directly into the Consolidated Fund; annual report required by 31 October.","source_id":"kna-act-11-2024","location":"p. 10","quote":"Passed by the National Assembly this 14th day of June, 2024.","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts turns its citizenship unit into an independent body","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis passed a law making its citizenship unit a statutory body with its own board, sending citizenship revenue straight to the government's main fund and requiring an annual report.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-c24c6a2af8","date":"2024-06-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Saint Lucia signs the CBI memorandum of agreement","description":"Saint Lucia's Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre signed the MoA, making all five Eastern Caribbean CBI states parties.","source_id":"intl-oecs-cbi-moa-2024","location":"p. 7, signature block Party E","quote":"Party E. – Saint Lucia [...] Date: 3.06.24","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia signs regional citizenship-sale agreement","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia's prime minister signed the regional agreement, making all five Eastern Caribbean citizenship-selling countries parties to it.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-faba1342de","date":"2024-04-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Dedicated account opened for programme donations to less developed municipalities","description":"At the Investment Agency's request of 2 April 2024 the Finance Ministry opened a dedicated account for revenue intended for the development of less developed municipalities; the Agency then moved programme donations there in instalments from June 2024.","source_id":"mne-mirn-info-cbi-2026-07","location":"PDF p. 2","quote":"Ministarstvo finansija je shodno zahtjevu Agencije za investicije Crne Gore od 02. aprila 2024. godine, otvorilo namjenski račun","countries":"","short_title":"Dedicated account opened for programme donations to less developed municipalities","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-4864488e2a","date":"2024-04-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Dedicated account opened for programme donations to less developed municipalities","description":"At the Investment Agency's request of 2 April 2024 the Finance Ministry opened a dedicated account for revenue intended for the development of less developed municipalities; the Agency then moved programme donations there in instalments from June 2024.","source_id":"mne-mirn-info-cbi-2026-09","location":"PDF p. 3","quote":"Ministarstvo finansija je shodno zahtjevu Agencije za investicije Crne Gore od 02. aprila 2024. godine, otvorilo namjenski račun","countries":"","short_title":"Dedicated account opened for programme donations to less developed municipalities","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-a23c8c781b","date":"2024-04-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Dedicated account opened for programme donations to less developed municipalities (reported)","description":"At the Investment Agency's request of 2 April 2024, the Finance Ministry opened a dedicated account for revenue earmarked for less developed municipalities.","source_id":"mne-vijesti-2026-06-20","location":"section \"Za manje razvijene lokalne samouprave\", para 3","quote":"Ministarstvo finansija je shodno zahtjevu Agencije za investicije od 2. aprila 2024. godine, otvorilo namjenski račun","countries":"","short_title":"Dedicated account opened for programme donations to less developed municipalities (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-240122aab3","date":"2024-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"IMF urges regional CBI standards and minimum pricing","description":"IMF ECCU staff report recommended common due diligence and disclosure standards and minimum pricing benchmarks to avoid a \"race-to-the-bottom\".","source_id":"intl-imf-cr-24-93","location":"Policy recommendations, \"Adopt common CBI program standards\"","quote":"minimum pricing benchmarks to avoid a revenue-erosive race-to-the-bottom competition","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"IMF urges common Caribbean citizenship-sale standards","plain_summary":"The IMF recommended shared due-diligence and disclosure standards, plus minimum pricing, to stop Caribbean countries undercutting each other on citizenship sales.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-c72dcfc801","date":"2024-03-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"price_change","title":"Four Caribbean CBI states sign MoA on US$200,000 minimum","description":"Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Grenada signed on 20 March 2024 (St Kitts and Nevis dated its signature 19 March) a non-binding memorandum to raise and harmonise the minimum investment to US$200,000 by 30 June 2024, net of commissions, share applicant information, create a regional regulator by 30 June 2024 and ban \"visa-free access\" marketing.","source_id":"intl-oecs-cbi-moa-2024","location":"Clause 2 (p. 2)","quote":"The Parties agree to increase and harmonize the minimum investment threshold of the CBIPs to an investment sum of two hundred thousand United States dollars (US$200,000), no later than 30 June 2024.","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA","short_title":"Four Caribbean states sign deal to raise citizenship prices","plain_summary":"Four Eastern Caribbean countries agreed to raise their minimum citizenship price to US$200,000 by 30 June 2024, share applicant information, set up a shared regulator, and stop marketing visa-free travel.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-7dfed7e633","date":"2024-03-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Valuation reports for CBI centralised at state-linked appraiser","description":"TKGM circular 2024/2: valuation reports underlying citizenship applications are issued by GEDAŞ through the TADEBİS system (Tutar Tespit Belgesi, valid six months). Media describe GEDAŞ as a TOKİ affiliate (tur-kronos-2026-08-08).","source_id":"tur-tkgm-ykt-degerleme-raporu","location":"sections 'TTB Nedir?' and 'TADEBİS Nedir?'","quote":"01/03/2024 tarihinde yürürlüğe giren Yabancıların Taşınmaz Edinimlerinde ve Bazı İşlemlerde Kullanılacak Değerleme Raporlarına İlişkin Usul ve Esaslar hakkındaki 2024/2 Sayılı Genelge","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey centralises property valuations for citizenship applications","plain_summary":"Turkey required valuation reports underlying citizenship applications to be issued by a single state-linked appraiser, valid for six months.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-e4cebff2e9","date":"2024-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CBI Unit rebranded Investment Migration Agency (IMA)","description":"","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2024","location":"PDF p. 8, footnote 1","quote":"The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Unit was rebranded to the Investment Migration Agency (IMA) in March 2024.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada renames its citizenship unit","plain_summary":"Grenada's Citizenship by Investment Unit was renamed the Investment Migration Agency in March 2024.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-6bccc10716","date":"2024-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Regional Memorandum of Agreement on common minimum pricing and a regional regulator","description":"Grenada and four other ECCU CBI states signed an MoA after consultations with the EU; the EU later reported harmonisation at a US$200,000 minimum.","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2024","location":"PDF p. 15, Box 1","quote":"In March 2024, following consultations with the EU, Grenada was among the signatories of a regional Memorandum of Agreement to establish, inter alia, common standards for minimum CBI pricing and a regional CBI regulator.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada joins regional agreement on citizenship-sale pricing","plain_summary":"Grenada and four other Eastern Caribbean countries signed an agreement, after talks with the European Union, on common minimum prices and a shared regulator for citizenship sales.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-44840c88ac","date":"2024-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Regional Memorandum of Agreement on CBI published","description":"Five Eastern Caribbean CBI states agree common standards, information sharing and a regional regulator.","source_id":"dma-oecs-moa-release-2024","location":"Release text, para 2","quote":"The MOA which was published in March 2024 aims to ensure mutual cooperation, information sharing and adherence to common standards of best practice, and regulatory oversight.","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"Caribbean states agree common citizenship-sale standards","plain_summary":"Five Eastern Caribbean countries agreed common standards, information-sharing and a shared regulator for their citizenship-sale programmes.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-02dd4bea8d","date":"2024-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Regional Memorandum of Agreement sets US$200,000 minimum","description":"Five ECCU CBI countries signed an MoA setting a common minimum price of US$200,000 and shared standards, after consultations with the EU.","source_id":"kna-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 64 (printed p. 60), Annex IX para 2","quote":"the ECCU countries signed a regional Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) in March 2024, including setting the minimum pricing of US$200,000","countries":"","short_title":"Caribbean states agree US$200,000 minimum citizenship price","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis and four other Eastern Caribbean countries agreed, after talks with the European Union, to set a common minimum citizenship price of US$200,000.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-96f5d3d898","date":"2024-02","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"context","title":"Cambodia stops publishing naturalisations in the Royal Gazette","description":"The Straits Times and OCCRP found the last new-citizenship details were published in February 2024; the Royal Gazette of 27 Sept 2024 had none.","source_id":"khm-st-citizenship-data-2024","location":"paragraph 3","quote":"showed that the last time new citizenship details were published was in February","countries":"","short_title":"Cambodia stops publishing new citizenships in its gazette","plain_summary":"Journalists found Cambodia last published details of new citizenships in its Royal Gazette in February 2024, with none appearing in the gazette's September 2024 edition.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-de2c117f8c","date":"2024-01-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"New Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2024 (S.R.O. 1 of 2024)","description":"Consolidated regulations; fund contribution still US$100,000 for a main applicant.","source_id":"dma-sro1-2024","location":"PDF p. 3","quote":"(Gazetted 25th January, 2024.)","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica consolidates its citizenship-sale regulations","plain_summary":"Dominica issued new consolidated regulations for its citizenship programme, keeping the fund contribution at US$100,000 for a main applicant.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-9577aed3e4","date":"2024-01-17","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLV","program_id":"slv-investor-naturalisation","category":"launch","title":"El Salvador's naturalisation route for investors and donors enters into force (D.L. 918)","description":"Decreto Legislativo 918 of 20 Dec 2023, published in Diario Oficial No. 5, Tomo 442, on 9 Jan 2024, adds art. 156(5) to the Ley Especial de Migración y de Extranjería: foreigners who meet the requirements of government programmes for attracting investors or donors who inject capital in legal tender or through sustainable investment projects may apply for naturalisation. Art. 2: in force eight days after publication, i.e. 17 Jan 2024 (counted by us). The considerations refer to donations in bitcoin.","source_id":"slv-do-5-2024-dl-918","location":"p. 5, Art. 1 (new art. 156(5)) and Art. 2 (scanned page; read by OCR and checked by eye)","quote":"El presente decreto entrará en vigencia ocho días después de su publicación en el Diario Oficial.","countries":"","short_title":"El Salvador's naturalisation route for investors and donors enters into force (D.L. 918)","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-bc268ab497","date":"2024-01-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLV","program_id":"slv-investor-naturalisation","category":"legal","title":"El Salvador publishes D.L. 918 allowing naturalisation of investors and donors (art. 156(5))","description":"Decreto Legislativo 918 of 20 December 2023, published 9 January 2024, adds a fifth ground for naturalisation: meeting government programmes for investors or donors who inject capital in legal tender or sustainable investment projects. Dated by publication; D.L. 918 itself is not stored, so its in-force date is unknown.","source_id":"slv-csj-lem-consol-2026","location":"PDF p. 49, art. 156(5); PDF p. 101, list of reforms","quote":"Los extranjeros que cumplan con los requisitos establecidos en los programas gubernamentales destinados a la atracción de inversionistas o donantes que busquen apoyar el desarrollo económico, social y cultural de El Salvador mediante inyección de capital en moneda de curso legal","countries":"","short_title":"El Salvador publishes D.L. 918 allowing naturalisation of investors and donors (art. 156(5))","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-c891e2682f","date":"2024","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"context","title":"Record CBI revenue from backlog clearance","description":"IMA revenue 553.7m (new format), 97% above budget, attributed to backlog of Russian/Belarusian applications.","source_id":"grd-mof-press-ima-2025","location":"p. 1","quote":"extraordinary revenues collected in 2024, which resulted from a significant backlog of CBI applications—particularly from Russia and Belarus","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada's citizenship revenue hits a record on backlog","plain_summary":"Grenada's citizenship-sale revenue in 2024 came in 97% above budget, which officials attributed to clearing a backlog of applications, mostly from Russia and Belarus.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-8071e8ea4a","date":"2024","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Restructured CIU sets ten-week target for application decisions","description":"The 2025 budget address lists, among the restructured CIU's milestones after its move to a statutory body (1 October 2024), a ten-week target for application decisions, a 24-hour response time for applicants, a Communication Division and a Task Force to clear backlogged files ('Thirty Wins in Thirty Days').","source_id":"kna-mof-budget-address-2025","location":"PDF p. 22, para 39","quote":"including setting a ten-week target for application decisions, implementing a 24-hour response time for applicants","countries":"","short_title":"Restructured CIU sets ten-week target for application decisions","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-e20f692c8d","date":"2024","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"Saint Lucia initially stays out of regional MOA","description":"Budget address: Saint Lucia agreed with the regional CBI Memorandum of Agreement except the immediate rise in minimum investment, citing existing infrastructure contracts; its request for a grandfather clause was refused.","source_id":"lca-gov-budget-2024","location":"PDF p. 63-64","quote":"We agreed with every provision of the MOA except for the immediate increase of the minimum investment level.","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia initially resists regional price agreement","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia agreed to most of a regional citizenship-sale agreement but objected to an immediate price rise, citing existing building contracts; its request for an exemption was refused.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-4c211231bb","date":"2024","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"Government to fund roads and housing through the CIP","description":"Budget address 2024-25: houses to be built under the CIP (Rock Hall earmarked); negotiations with a private developer to fund, in the first instance, $200m of the National Road Development Programme through the CIP infrastructure option, with developers recouping costs through CIP; the Prime Minister says the earlier real estate project (Range Hotel) failed to materialise, costing taxpayers $12 million. Amounts printed with a bare $.","source_id":"lca-gov-budget-2024","location":"PDF p. 52","quote":"the government has entered negotiations with a Private Sector Developer to fund, in the first instance, $200m towards our National Road Development Programme.","countries":"","short_title":"Government to fund roads and housing through the CIP","plain_summary":"","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-4824aaca4b","date":"2024","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-ciip","category":"rule_change","title":"Cheaper CIIP reactivated","description":"IMF: projected ECP revenue fell 60% below the 2024 target partly because a cheaper citizenship-by-investment programme was reactivated; the authorities named the re-activation of an older, lower-cost programme. The 2024 agency revenue report and 2025 budget book point to the CIIP's lower fees.","source_id":"vut-imf-art4-2024","location":"PDF p. 11, para 10","quote":"partly due to the reactivation of a cheaper","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu reactivates a cheaper citizenship-by-investment programme","plain_summary":"The IMF said Vanuatu's citizenship-programme revenue fell 60% below the 2024 target partly because authorities reactivated an older, lower-cost citizenship-by-investment programme.","year":"2024"},{"event_id":"e-56e9867232","date":"2023-12-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Infrastructure (enterprise Option 3) route","description":"New US$100,000 enterprise Option 3 for housing, social development and investment services projects, which the government calls an infrastructure option financed by developers recovering costs through CIP.","source_id":"lca-gov-budget-2024","location":"PDF p. 53","quote":"in December 2023, this government introduced an infrastructure option to complement the other funding options.","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia adds an infrastructure investment route","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia introduced a US$100,000 option for housing and infrastructure projects, funded by developers who recover their costs through the citizenship programme.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-9bba33118f","date":"2023-12-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Due diligence fee raised and new application forms","description":"SI 162 of 2023 raises the applicant due diligence fee to US$8,000, sets administration fees for enterprise Options 1-3 and replaces the application forms (checklist SL1, SL2A/B, SL4 investment confirmation, promoter licence form; the forms state that a name change is not permitted within five years of citizenship).","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2023","location":"p. 1, reg. 3(a)","quote":"Applicant US$ 8,000”;","countries":"","short_title":"Due diligence fee raised and new application forms","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-b99af7cc7e","date":"2023-12-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Only built property qualifies","description":"Presidential Decree 7938 restricts the real estate route to condominium units or plots with buildings; farmland and empty plots excluded.","source_id":"tur-rg-2023-12-12-reg","location":"Art. 1","quote":"kat mülkiyeti veya kat irtifakı kurulmuş ya da üzerinde yapı bulunan arsa vasıflı taşınmazı","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey excludes empty land from citizenship real-estate route","plain_summary":"Turkey restricted its real-estate citizenship route to built properties such as flats, excluding farmland and empty plots.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-b156923346","date":"2023-12-07","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SLV","program_id":"slv-investor-naturalisation","category":"applications_open","title":"'Freedom Visa' launched with Tether (reported)","description":"The press reports that the government, with Tether, launched the Freedom Visa on 7 December 2023: residence and a path to citizenship for a USD 1 million donation in bitcoin or USDT, 1,000 places a year. Before the legal reform was published.","source_id":"slv-cointelegraph-freedomvisa-2023-12","location":"article body, para. 3","quote":"Launched by the El Salvador government on Dec. 7 in partnership with stablecoin issuer Tether, the Freedom Visa is a citizenship-by-donation program","countries":"","short_title":"'Freedom Visa' launched with Tether (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-76dda7dd62","date":"2023-11-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Commission: nobody has taken responsibility for screening the source of funds","description":"EC 2023 report asks that pending applications and the origin of funds be screened.","source_id":"mne-ec-report-2023","location":"PDF p. 52","quote":"the origin of funds generated by the scheme, for which no Montenegrin body has taken responsibility","countries":"","short_title":"EU says nobody checked the source of investors' funds","plain_summary":"The European Commission's 2023 report said no authority in Montenegro had taken responsibility for checking where money from the citizenship-by-investment scheme actually came from.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-163f29be42","date":"2023-11-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Council of State plenary rejects the bar union's objection on standing","description":"The Council of State's Plenary of Administrative Chambers rejected the TBB objection on the ground of standing.","source_id":"tur-turizmekonomi-2026-08","location":"section on the TBB case","quote":"da 1 Kasım 2023’te TBB’nin itirazını dava açma ehliyeti yönünden reddetti","countries":"","short_title":"Council of State plenary rejects the bar union's objection on standing","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-908c11e912","date":"2023-11-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Council of State plenary rejects the bar association’s objection for lack of standing","description":"The Council of State's Board of Administrative Chambers rejected the bar association's objection on the ground that it lacked standing to sue.","source_id":"tur-kronos-2026-08-08","location":"section 'TBB'NİN AÇTIĞI DAVA REDDEDİLDİ'","quote":"Danıştay İdari Dava Daireleri Kurulu ise 1 Kasım 2023’te başvuruyu dava açma ehliyeti yönünden reddetti.","countries":"","short_title":"Council of State plenary rejects the bar association’s objection for lack of standing","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-225d341792","date":"2023-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"FATF and OECD publish joint report on misuse of CBI/RBI programmes","description":"Report approved by the FATF plenary of 25-27 October 2023 on money-laundering, corruption and tax risks of investor citizenship and residence programmes, with mitigation measures; notes 22 programmes on the OECD CRS high-risk list.","source_id":"intl-fatf-oecd-cbi-rbi-2023","location":"p. 39, para 117","quote":"the OECD has analysed over 100 CBI/RBI programmes, of which 22 are currently identified as potentially posing a high-risk to the integrity of the CRS","countries":"","short_title":"FATF and OECD warn about misuse of investor schemes","plain_summary":"The global money-laundering watchdog and the OECD published a joint report on how golden passports and visas are misused for money laundering, corruption and tax evasion.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-7ceb714db6","date":"2023-10-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU monitoring report flags Eastern Caribbean CBI schemes","description":"Sixth Visa Suspension Mechanism report: at least 88,000 passports issued by the five states, rejection rates 3–6%, costs as low as USD 100,000; Commission to convene joint committees under the visa waiver agreements.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2023-730","location":"p. 37 (printed)","quote":"In certain cases, the cost per individual is as low as USD 100 000.","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"EU report: Caribbean countries issued at least 88,000 passports","plain_summary":"A European Union monitoring report found the five Eastern Caribbean countries had issued at least 88,000 citizenship-sale passports, with rejection rates of only 3-6% and costs as low as US$100,000.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-dbb916831d","date":"2023-10-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"OCCRP investigation: budget figures imply thousands of undisclosed citizenships","description":"OCCRP compared gazettes (about 7,700 names, 2007-2022) with naturalisation fees in budgets (enough for more than 19,000 citizens, mid-2016 to mid-2022).","source_id":"dma-occrp-2023","location":"Key findings","quote":"More than 10,000 names appear to be undisclosed.","countries":"","short_title":"Report: Dominica's citizenship numbers may be far higher than disclosed","plain_summary":"An investigation comparing government gazettes with naturalisation fees collected suggested Dominica issued far more citizenships than the roughly 7,700 names it published between 2007 and 2022, potentially over 19,000.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-beef43572f","date":"2023-10-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"New licence fees for CBI agents and promoters","description":"New licences for CBI agents and promoters from 1 October 2023: US$15,000 a year for non-resident agents and US$10,000 for non-resident promoters.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2023-24","location":"PDF p. 45","quote":"Government will issue new licences to qualifying agents and promoters with effect from October 1, 2023.","countries":"","short_title":"New licence fees for CBI agents and promoters","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-9897a26eb8","date":"2023-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"Second US-Caribbean Roundtable on CBI held in Miami","description":"Second of the roundtables between the five Eastern Caribbean CBI states and the US Treasury on implementing the Six CBI Principles.","source_id":"intl-eccb-us-roundtable-2024","location":"para 3","quote":"the second was held in Miami in October 2023","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA;USA","short_title":"Second US-Caribbean Roundtable on CBI held in Miami","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-baf3d39313","date":"2023-09-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"EGY","program_id":"egy-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Property route opened to private property (PM Decree 3562/2023)","description":"The USD 300,000 property route no longer requires state-owned property; fee payable in EGP equivalent. In force 19 Sep 2023.","source_id":"egy-gazette-pmd-3562-2023","location":"Gazette p. 3, Art. 1","quote":"شراء عقار بمبلغ لا يقل عـن ثلاثمائـة ألـف دولار أمريكي","countries":"","short_title":"Egypt opens property route to privately owned real estate","plain_summary":"Egypt changed its US$300,000 property-based citizenship route so investors no longer need to buy state-owned property, with the fee payable in Egyptian pounds.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-7fe047013c","date":"2023-09-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"CBI chairman says ~90% of 2023 approvals were Russian nationals","description":"CBI Committee chairman Richard Duncan (interview) - claim, not official statistics. Same article reports Grenada's former ambassador to Russia removed from agents' list in March 2023.","source_id":"grd-nowgrenada-2023-09","location":"para 2","quote":"The overwhelming majority, maybe 90% of the applicants approved so far are in the area of Russian nationality","countries":"","short_title":"Official says most 2023 Grenada approvals were Russian","plain_summary":"Grenada's citizenship committee chairman said in an interview that around 90% of that year's approvals were Russian nationals, a claim rather than official data.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-b80dd92901","date":"2023-09-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Applicant interviews and FIA financial screening introduced","description":"The CIU introduced applicant identity verification interviews and financial screening by the Financial Intelligence Authority for every applicant from 4 September 2023.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2023-24","location":"PDF p. 18 (CEO)","quote":"we introduced two major initiatives on","countries":"","short_title":"Applicant interviews and FIA financial screening introduced","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-bf87548704","date":"2023-09-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"US$5,000 levy per CBI investor in private developments","description":"Levy announced in the 2023/24 budget to capitalise the Debt Repayment Fund.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2023-24","location":"PDF p. 45","quote":"This levy will take effect from September 1, 2023","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica adds a US$5,000 levy per investor","plain_summary":"Dominica introduced a US$5,000 levy on each citizenship investor in private developments, to help pay down government debt.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-6395baf7fa","date":"2023-08-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"MP: wanted crime-group leader naturalised under another identity","description":"MP Murat Çan (Samsun) tells the Plan and Budget Committee that the leader of an international crime group, sought under an INTERPOL red notice, obtained Turkish citizenship by presidential decision on 29 Aug 2023 under another identity, and quotes the minister's written answer that his fingerprints were not in the red notice. Raised under the heading of citizenship for money or property; the route is not stated. MP's claim; person not named.","source_id":"tur-tbmm-pbk-2024-11-20","location":"p. 86, Murat Çan (Samsun)","quote":"Uluslararası bir suç örgütünün lideri başka bir kimlikle 29 Ağustos 2023’te Cumhurbaşkanı kararıyla Türk vatandaşlığı kazandı.","countries":"","short_title":"MP: wanted crime-group leader naturalised under another identity","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-92574e33fe","date":"2023-08-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CPV","program_id":"cpv-investor-citizenship","category":"rule_change","title":"New nationality law replaces 'economic nationality' with nationality by investment","description":"Law 33/X/2023 art. 14 allows nationality for relevant investments plus effective ties to Cape Verde (language or regular stays); minimum amounts are left to a future law. In force 23 Aug 2023.","source_id":"cpv-bo-lei-33-x-2023","location":"PDF p. 4 (BO p. 1916), art. 14(1)","quote":"Pode ser concedida a nacionalidade cabo-verdiana ao estrangeiro que, pessoalmente ou através da sua participação em empresa, realizar investimentos de relevante interesse para Cabo Verde","countries":"","short_title":"Cape Verde rewrites its investor citizenship rules","plain_summary":"A 2023 nationality law allows citizenship for large investments plus real ties to the country, but leaves the amounts to a future law.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-e488105f31","date":"2023-08-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CPV","program_id":"cpv-investor-citizenship","category":"legal","title":"New Nationality Act ends the quasi-citizenship and sets citizenship by investment (Law 33/X/2023)","description":"The 2023 Nationality Act put an end to the quasi-citizenship of naturalised investors and set new rules in Article 14: investments creating jobs and contributing significantly to development, plus effective ties to the national community (language or stays). Academic secondary source (GLOBALCIT country report, Jan 2026); law texts not read.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-cpv-2026","location":"PDF p. 13 and p. 29","quote":"It also put an end to the quasi-citizenship of naturalised investors by setting new rules for citizenship by investment","countries":"","short_title":"New Nationality Act ends the quasi-citizenship and sets citizenship by investment (Law 33/X/2023)","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-051f3df63e","date":"2023-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"Singapore money-laundering arrests expose Cambodian passports","description":"Nine of the ten foreigners arrested in Singapore's money-laundering case in August 2023 held Cambodian passports; all ten were originally from China. Afterwards Cambodia granted far fewer citizenships and later stopped publishing them.","source_id":"khm-st-citizenship-data-2024","location":"photo caption","quote":"Nine of the 10 foreigners arrested in August 2023 in the money laundering probe in Singapore held Cambodian passports.","countries":"","short_title":"Singapore arrests expose widespread use of Cambodian passports","plain_summary":"Nine of the ten foreign nationals arrested in Singapore's money-laundering case in August 2023, all originally from China, held Cambodian passports; Cambodia later granted far fewer citizenships and stopped publishing them.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-458e8278e5","date":"2023-07-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Prices roughly doubled; SISC replaces SGF; mandatory interviews","description":"S.R.O. 26 of 2023: minimum SISC US$250,000 (single), real estate US$400,000, private homes US$400,000/800,000; interviews mandatory; agents regulated.","source_id":"kna-sro-26-2023","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"[Published 27th July 2023, Extra Ordinary Gazette No. 44 of 2023]","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts roughly doubles its citizenship prices","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis raised its main contribution to at least US$250,000 and real estate to US$400,000, replaced its old fund with a new one, and made interviews compulsory.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-303790206b","date":"2023-07-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Nationals of six countries excluded from CBI","description":"Exclusion Order bars citizens and residents of Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran.","source_id":"kna-sro-27-2023","location":"p. 1, para 3","quote":"every citizen of, and persons ordinarily resident in, the following countries shall be excluded","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts bars citizenship applicants from six countries","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis barred citizens and residents of Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran from applying for its citizenship programme.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-5c6ecd133a","date":"2023-07-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Transition fees for applications under previous options","description":"The CSI Regulations 2023 require applications made under the previous Alternative Investment Option and Real Estate Option (CBI Regulations 2011) to pay post-approval-in-principle application fees within 90 days of approval in principle (e.g. US$50,000 per main applicant for the previous real estate option).","source_id":"kna-ciu-web-2026-09","location":"'Previous Options Transition' page (companion snapshot raw/kna-ciu-web-previous-options-transition-2026-09.html, listed in the source notes)","quote":"The following updates regarding previous investment options were introduced in the Saint Christopher and Nevis Citizenship by Substantial Investment Regulations 2023 (the CSI Regulations 2023) on 27 July 2023 and have come into effect.","countries":"","short_title":"Transition fees for applications under previous options","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-1111b608b0","date":"2023-07-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Agents licensed yearly; marketing agents paid from each SISC contribution","description":"S.R.O. 26 of 2023 requires Authorised Agents to apply each year (US$5,000) and International Marketing Agents to be designated (US$20,000 a year, up from US$10,000). For each Sustainable Island State Contribution application the Unit pays US$5,000 to the Authorised Agent and US$20,000 to the International Marketing Agent. Agent commissions and fees are excluded from minimum investments, circumventing a minimum is punishable by a fine of up to EC$10,000, and advertising the programme or showing its passport is restricted. Real estate bought under the programme cannot be resold for seven years.","source_id":"kna-sro-26-2023","location":"PDF pp. 13, 16, 25-28, regs. 29(14)-(15), 30(8), 36-38","quote":"the Unit shall, on approval in writing from the Technical Committee and upon receipt of an invoice, pay to the following persons associated with the CBI application","countries":"","short_title":"Agents licensed yearly; marketing agents paid from each SISC contribution","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-976209e589","date":"2023-07-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"context","title":"EU screening report: refrain from systematic investor citizenship","description":"The Commission's Cluster 1 screening report says North Macedonia, as a candidate, should refrain from systematic acquisition of citizenship based on special economic interest, which would be incompatible with EU law.","source_id":"mkd-ec-screening-cluster1-2023","location":"p. 68","quote":"North Macedonia should refrain from enabling systematic acquisition of","countries":"","short_title":"EU tells North Macedonia to stop selling citizenship","plain_summary":"The European Commission's screening report said North Macedonia, as an EU candidate country, should stop systematically granting citizenship for special economic interest, calling the practice incompatible with EU law.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-cc16c1f5e9","date":"2023-07-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government orders monthly reports on the programme","description":"Government conclusion no. 07-040/23-3615/2 tasks the Investment Agency, with the then Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism, with reporting monthly to the Government on implementing the programme decision.","source_id":"mne-mirn-info-cbi-2026-07","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"Vlada Crne Gore je na sjednici održanoj 20. jula 2023. godine donijela Zaključak br: 07-040/23-3615/2 kojim se zadužuje Agencija za investicije Crne Gore","countries":"","short_title":"Government orders monthly reports on the programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-3f47d37a4d","date":"2023-07-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government orders monthly reports on the programme","description":"Government conclusion no. 07-040/23-3615/2 tasks the Investment Agency, with the then Ministry of Economic Development and Tourism, with reporting monthly to the Government on implementing the programme decision.","source_id":"mne-mirn-info-cbi-2026-09","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"Vlada Crne Gore je na sjednici održanoj 20. jula 2023. godine donijela Zaključak br: 07-040/23-3615/2 kojim se zadužuje Agencija za investicije Crne Gore","countries":"","short_title":"Government orders monthly reports on the programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-582d115bac","date":"2023-07-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"UK imposes visa requirement on Dominica over CBI abuse","description":"UK visa regime effective 15:00 on 19 July 2023 for Dominica (and Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu).","source_id":"intl-gbr-hc1715-em-2023","location":"para 7.2","quote":"Careful consideration of Dominica's and Vanuatu's operation of a citizenship by investment scheme has shown clear and evident abuse of the scheme, including the granting of citizenship to individuals known to pose a risk to the UK.","countries":"","short_title":"UK requires visas from Dominica over citizenship-sale abuse","plain_summary":"The UK imposed a visa requirement on Dominica, alongside Honduras, Namibia, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu, from 19 July 2023.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-18bfa50e55","date":"2023-07-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GBR","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"UK imposes visa requirement on Dominica nationals","description":"The UK Home Secretary cited abuse of Dominica’s CBI scheme, including citizenship granted to people posing a risk to the UK; transition period until 16 August 2023.","source_id":"dma-uk-hcws979-2023","location":"Statement, para 3","quote":"Careful consideration of Dominica’s and Vanuatu’s operation of a citizenship by investment scheme has shown clear and evident abuse of the scheme","countries":"","short_title":"UK cites abuse of Dominica's citizenship sales for new visa rule","plain_summary":"The UK's Home Secretary said clear abuse of Dominica's citizenship-sale scheme, including citizenship granted to people who posed a risk to the UK, justified a new visa requirement, phased in by 16 August 2023.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-c53f8d84a9","date":"2023-07-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CPV","program_id":"cpv-investor-citizenship","category":"legal","title":"National Assembly approves new nationality law with nationality by investment","description":"The National Assembly approved Law 33/X/2023 (promulgated 17 Aug 2023), which replaces 'economic nationality' with nationality by investment and revokes Law 80/III/90.","source_id":"cpv-bo-lei-33-x-2023","location":"PDF p. 5 (BO p. 1918), closing formula","quote":"Aprovada em 13 de julho de 2023.","countries":"","short_title":"National Assembly approves new nationality law with nationality by investment","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-a1841e8365","date":"2023-06-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Agents' licences kept valid until pending files are decided","description":"Licences of intermediary and due-diligence agents remain valid until decisions on all applications filed by 31 Dec 2022.","source_id":"mne-sl-67-2023","location":"art. 1, PDF p. 1","quote":"koji su podnijeti do 31. decembra 2022. godine","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro keeps agents' licences valid for pending files","plain_summary":"Montenegro kept the licences of intermediary and due-diligence agents valid until decisions were made on all citizenship-by-investment applications filed by 31 December 2022.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-026c1f3fbe","date":"2023-06-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"Canada partially lifts visa requirement","description":"SKN nationals holding a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or a current US non-immigrant visa may use an eTA instead of a visa.","source_id":"kna-sknis-canada-partial-waiver-2023-06-06","location":"article","quote":"the visa requirement imposed on nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis in 2014 has been partially lifted","countries":"","short_title":"Canada eases visa rule for some St Kitts travellers","plain_summary":"Canada partly lifted its 2014 visa requirement, letting St Kitts and Nevis citizens with a recent Canadian visa or a current US visa use a simpler electronic travel authorisation instead.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-e6f03f7cb9","date":"2023-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Limited time offer extended to January 2024 (then overridden)","description":"IMF Box (from press reports): in June 2023 the CIU CEO announced the SGF limited time offer would be extended by seven months to 31 January 2024 because of 'overwhelming demand'; the July 2023 price doubling overrode the extension with immediate effect.","source_id":"kna-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 66 (printed p. 62), Annex IX Box 1","quote":"June 2023. CIU CEO announced that the LTO would be extended by seven months until 1/31/24 due to “an overwhelming demand”.","countries":"","short_title":"Limited time offer extended to January 2024 (then overridden)","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-cedde84ee1","date":"2023-05-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Council of State refuses to suspend the CBI regulation","description":"The 10th Chamber of the Council of State rejected, by majority, the TBB request to suspend the regulation.","source_id":"tur-turizmekonomi-2026-08","location":"section on the TBB case","quote":"Danıştay 10’uncu Daire, 18 Mayıs 2023’te yürütmenin durdurulması talebini oy çokluğuyla reddetti.","countries":"","short_title":"Council of State refuses to suspend the CBI regulation","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-f2ef0ecf38","date":"2023-05-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Council of State refuses to stay the investor citizenship rules","description":"The Council of State's 10th Chamber rejected, by majority, the bar association's request for a stay of execution.","source_id":"tur-kronos-2026-08-08","location":"section 'TBB'NİN AÇTIĞI DAVA REDDEDİLDİ'","quote":"Danıştay 10’uncu Daire, 18 Mayıs 2023’te TBB’nin yürütmenin durdurulması talebini oyçokluğuyla reddetti.","countries":"","short_title":"Council of State refuses to stay the investor citizenship rules","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-438ff4b776","date":"2023-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Coordinating body set up to oversee pending applications","description":"Government forms a Coordinating Body to monitor processing of pending applications.","source_id":"mne-ec-report-2023","location":"PDF p. 67","quote":"in May 2023 the government adopted a decision on forming a Coordinating Body to monitor and implement the pending applications within this scheme","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro sets up body to oversee pending applications","plain_summary":"Montenegro's government formed a Coordinating Body to monitor and process the applications still pending from its closed citizenship-by-investment scheme.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-346e7dcd9c","date":"2023-04-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Grenada stops accepting applications from Russia and Belarus (from 1 April 2023)","description":"Russia and Belarus join North Korea, Iran and Palestine on the list of countries whose nationals cannot apply, following the US request after the 25 February 2023 roundtable. Dated 1 April here; another source (grd-imf-art4-2023) gives March 2023.","source_id":"grd-nowgrenada-2023-09","location":"para 8","quote":"As of 1 April 2023, Grenada stopped accepting applications from Russia and Belarus","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada stops accepting applications from Russia and Belarus (from 1 April 2023)","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-e7e397885f","date":"2023-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"Debt Repayment Fund established","description":"The Government established a Debt Repayment Fund in April 2023, to be capitalised from FY2023/24 with part of CBI revenue and a US$5,000 levy per CBI investor in private developments.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2023-24","location":"PDF p. 45","quote":"Government established the Debt Repayment Fund in April 2023","countries":"","short_title":"Debt Repayment Fund established","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-c1cceb57b6","date":"2023-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"10% of NTF receipts set aside in a contingency fund at the ECCB","description":"Since April 2023 the government has paid 10 percent of National Transformation Fund (CBI donation) receipts into a contingency fund at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank for disaster response (EC$61.1 million by late 2025). The 2025 Budget Statement says the set-aside was reduced from the 40 percent required under the earlier rules, which it says were never applied.","source_id":"grd-mof-budget-2026","location":"PDF p. 38, section 5.19","quote":"Since April of 2023, we have set aside 10 percent of receipts into the National Transformation Fund into a Contingency Fund at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank","countries":"","short_title":"10% of NTF receipts set aside in a contingency fund at the ECCB","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-dd44293d2f","date":"2023-03-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"CBI Committee notice: Grenada's former ambassador to Russia is not a licensed agent","description":"A notice of 28 March 2023 on the programme website says Grenada's former ambassador to the Russian Federation is not a licensed marketing agent or sub-agent and may not market the programme; NOW Grenada reports his licence was revoked in March 2023.","source_id":"grd-nowgrenada-2023-09","location":"paras 5-6","quote":"is not a licenced Marketing Agent, nor a registered sub-agent of the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programme","countries":"","short_title":"CBI Committee notice: Grenada's former ambassador to Russia is not a licensed agent","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-e44836570d","date":"2023-03-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"legal","title":"Commission files infringement action against Malta (C-181/23)","description":"Action for failure to fulfil obligations under Art. 258 TFEU brought on 21 March 2023, limited to the 2020 investor citizenship scheme; hearing 17 June 2024, Advocate General's opinion 4 October 2024.","source_id":"mlt-cjeu-c181-23","location":"heading; para 40","quote":"ACTION for failure to fulfil obligations under Article 258 TFEU, brought on 21 March 2023","countries":"","short_title":"Commission files infringement action against Malta (C-181/23)","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-a6ffd0b6fc","date":"2023-03-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"EGY","program_id":"egy-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Prices cut (PM Decree 876/2023)","description":"Property threshold cut to USD 300,000, project to USD 350,000 plus USD 100,000, deposit to USD 500,000 for 3 years; USD 250,000 donation unchanged; instalments allowed; cash entering through customs accepted. In force 3 Mar 2023, amid Egypt's foreign-currency shortage.","source_id":"egy-gazette-pmd-876-2023","location":"Gazette pp. 3-5, Arts. 1-3","quote":"ويجوز تقسيط المبالغ المنصوص عليها فى البندين","countries":"","short_title":"Egypt cuts citizenship-by-investment prices amid currency shortage","plain_summary":"Egypt lowered its citizenship-investment thresholds, cutting the property option to US$300,000 and allowing instalment payments, amid the country's foreign-currency shortage; the US$250,000 donation option stayed the same.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-e969a3e9cd","date":"2023-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Grenada stops accepting Russian and Belarusian applications","description":"IMF says processing of new applications was suspended in March 2023; NOW Grenada says applications stopped as of 1 April 2023. The resulting backlog was cleared in 2024 (MoF press release 2025).","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2023","location":"PDF p. 12, footnote 5","quote":"In March 2023, Grenada suspended processing new Russian and Belarusian applications.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada stops Russian and Belarusian citizenship applications","plain_summary":"Grenada suspended processing new applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals in early 2023; the resulting backlog of cases was cleared the following year.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-812ab0082d","date":"2023-02-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"context","title":"US-Caribbean Roundtable on CBI in St Kitts","description":"Led the five ECCU CBI countries to strengthen integrity and stop Russian/Belarusian applications (IMF CR 25/39 Box 1).","source_id":"grd-nowgrenada-2023-09","location":"second-to-last paragraph","quote":"comply with a request from the USA following the 25 February 2023 historic US-Caribbea[n] Roundtable","countries":"","short_title":"US-Caribbean talks push for stronger citizenship-sale checks","plain_summary":"Following talks with the United States, the five Eastern Caribbean citizenship-selling countries agreed to strengthen integrity checks and stop processing Russian and Belarusian applications.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-732bd72769","date":"2023-02-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Shared-ownership property no longer qualifies","description":"Per the Land Registry (TKGM) programme page: property shares (hisseli) acquired after 1 Feb 2023 can no longer be used for citizenship, and a shortfall in the investment can no longer be made up with a promise-to-sell contract after that date. The page does not name the instrument that set the rule.","source_id":"tur-tkgm-ykt-vatandaslik-kazanimi","location":"FAQ 'Hisseli olarak alınan taşınmazlarla...' and 'Daha önce alınmış taşınmazlar...'","quote":"01/02/2023 tarihinden sonra hisseli olarak edinilen taşınmazlar VATANDAŞLIK KAZANIMI için kullanılamaz.","countries":"","short_title":"Shared-ownership property no longer qualifies","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-5e3bf8c19c","date":"2023-02","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"US law restricts E-2 treaty-investor visas for CBI citizens","description":"People who gained citizenship through investment must be domiciled in Grenada for three years before E-2 eligibility (AMIGOS Act provisions). IMF dates the legislation February 2023; industry sources say it was enacted in the FY2023 NDAA signed 23 December 2022 - date to be verified against Public Law text.","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2023","location":"PDF p. 12, footnote 5","quote":"In February 2023, the U.S. passed legislation that requires people who earned Grenada citizenship through the CBI program to live in Grenada for three years before being eligible to apply for access to the U.S. through the E-2 investment visa.","countries":"","short_title":"US restricts investor visas for Grenada's new citizens","plain_summary":"A US law now requires people who became Grenadian citizens by investment to actually live in Grenada for three years before they can apply for a US investor visa.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-9d181769e0","date":"2023-02","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"Six CBI principles agreed with the US Treasury","description":"Caribbean heads of government agreed six principles with the US Treasury (denials, interviews, FIU checks, audits, passport retrieval, suspension of Russian/Belarusian applicants); first US-Caribbean roundtable in St Kitts.","source_id":"intl-eccb-us-roundtable-2024","location":"Release text","quote":"the Six CBI Principles agreed to by Caribbean Heads of Government in February 2023. [...] The first was held in St. Kitts and Nevis in February 2023","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"Caribbean states and US agree citizenship-sale safeguards","plain_summary":"Caribbean governments and the US Treasury agreed six principles for citizenship-sale programmes, including interviews, background checks, audits, retrieving passports, and suspending Russian and Belarusian applicants.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-11c53d34e1","date":"2023-02","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"context","title":"US-Caribbean roundtable agrees six CBI principles","description":"Five Eastern Caribbean CBI states and the US Treasury agreed principles incl. interviews, FIU checks, independent audits, and suspension of Russian and Belarusian applicants.","source_id":"kna-sknis-pm-cbi-speech-2024-10-17","location":"speech, reform timeline","quote":"In February 2023, our Federation hosted the Historic US-Caribbean Roundtable on CBIs at the Park Hyatt.","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts hosts US talks on citizenship-sale safeguards","plain_summary":"Five Eastern Caribbean countries and the US Treasury agreed principles for their citizenship programmes, including interviews, background checks, audits and suspending Russian and Belarusian applicants.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-c88d171cfb","date":"2023-02","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Applications from Russia, Belarus and Iran suspended","description":"Saint Lucia suspended receipt of CBI applications from Russia, Belarus and Iran in February 2023, citing inability to conduct due diligence and accept funds.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2022-23","location":"PDF p. 4 (Chairman)","quote":"Saint Lucia made the decision in February 2023 to suspend receipt of applications from the above noted countries.","countries":"","short_title":"Applications from Russia, Belarus and Iran suspended","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-861fd599ee","date":"2023-01-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"EUR 33 million of programme money moved to the state treasury","description":"Funds for less developed municipalities held by the Investment Agency transferred to the central treasury account under the 2023 budget law.","source_id":"mne-vijesti-2026-06-20","location":"para 8","quote":"pa je 32.999.849 eura 13. januara 2023. godine, prenijeto na Centralni račun državnog trezora","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro moves €33 million of investor funds to treasury","plain_summary":"Montenegro transferred about €33 million held by its Investment Agency for less-developed municipalities into the central state treasury account, under the 2023 budget law.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-f2b4a92a19","date":"2023-01-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"New CBI regime: Board of Governors and Technical Committee","description":"A professional CBI Board of Governors (oversight of the Unit, review of investment proposals) to be appointed effective 1 Jan 2023, and a CBI Technical Committee led by the Head of the CIU to review applications and due diligence. (The SGF limited-time offer of US$125,000 for 1 Jan-30 Jun 2023 is in the CIU head's address, kna-ciu-address-2022-12, term t-ebebc1cf52; this article does not mention it.)","source_id":"kna-sknis-new-cbi-regs-2022-12-27","location":"article","quote":"Effective January 1, 2023 , St. Kitts and Nevis will move to appoint a Professional Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Board of Governors.","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts creates new oversight bodies, cuts price temporarily","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis set up a Board of Governors and Technical Committee to oversee its citizenship programme and temporarily cut its main contribution to US$125,000 for the first half of 2023.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-1d32612313","date":"2023-01-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Real estate cut to US$200,000; National Action Bond","description":"Real estate minimum lowered from US$300,000 to US$200,000; National Action Bond (US$300,000) replaces COVID and regular bonds.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2022b","location":"p. 2-4","quote":"These Regulations shall come into force on the 1st day of January, 2023.","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia cuts real-estate price, adds new bond","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia lowered its real-estate citizenship threshold from US$300,000 to US$200,000 and replaced its pandemic-era bonds with a new US$300,000 National Action Bond.","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-a845f79a7a","date":"2023-01-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"VIBE initiative launched","description":"Launch of the VIBE (Visit, Invest, Build, Establish) initiative for citizens granted under the programme, alongside the amendment regulations in force 1 January 2023.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2022-23","location":"PDF p. 6 (Chairman)","quote":"The launch of the VIBE on 1 January 2023,","countries":"","short_title":"VIBE initiative launched","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-65d0ffcbb7","date":"2023-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Public Good Investment Option replaces Alternative Investment Option; real estate limited to approved developments","description":"From January 2023 the Alternative Investment Option is replaced by the Public Good Investment Option (minimum US$175,000); only Approved Developments qualify for the real estate route; existing Approved Private Homes and AIO developments must reapply within 45 days of the new regulations.","source_id":"kna-ciu-address-2022-12","location":"PDF pp. 3-4 (OCR)","quote":"From January 2023 onwards, the Alternative Investment Option (AIO) under the current CBI Programme is to be replaced by the newly introduced Public Good Investment Option (PGIO)","countries":"","short_title":"Public Good Investment Option replaces Alternative Investment Option; real estate limited to approved developments","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-c8ae248f92","date":"2023","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CBI donations recorded as non-tax revenue instead of grants from 2023","description":"Grenada's fiscal accounts record the non-refundable contributions under the CBI programme as non-tax revenue starting in 2023; before 2023, contributions used to finance investment projects were recorded under grants. IMF says the change improves the programme's transparency and follows the view of its Committee on Balance of Payments Statistics.","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2023","location":"PDF p. 14, footnote 8 and footnote to the fiscal projections text table","quote":"the nonrefundable contribution to the CBI program is recorded as non-tax revenues, instead of grants, starting 2023.","countries":"","short_title":"CBI donations recorded as non-tax revenue instead of grants from 2023","plain_summary":"","year":"2023"},{"event_id":"e-a22306f23c","date":"2022-12-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"closure","title":"Programme closes to new applications","description":"Scheme expires; applications filed earlier continue to be processed. The government informed the Commission in January 2023.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2023-730","location":"PDF p. 26","quote":"The investor citizenship scheme was terminated on 31 December 2022.","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro's citizenship-by-investment scheme closes to new applicants","plain_summary":"Montenegro's programme selling citizenship to investors expired, though applications already filed continued to be processed; the government told the European Commission about it in January 2023.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-73fb8e9bb1","date":"2022-12-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"closure","title":"Programme ends at the end of 2022 under EU pressure (reported)","description":"Vijesti says the programme was abolished at the end of 2022 under pressure from the EU.","source_id":"mne-vijesti-2026-06-20","location":"para 8","quote":"do kraja 2022. kada je program ukinut pod pritiskom EU","countries":"","short_title":"Programme ends at the end of 2022 under EU pressure (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-bb2e86ed46","date":"2022-12-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"closure","title":"Special investment programme ends (reported)","description":"The programme ran until 31 December 2022; processing of received applications and transfers continued afterwards.","source_id":"mne-cdm-2026-08-21","location":"para 2","quote":"Program je trajao do 31. decembra 2022. godine","countries":"","short_title":"Special investment programme ends (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-ab2f761306","date":"2022-12-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"New CBI regulations enacted; underselling criminalised","description":"The Prime Minister says new CBI regulations were enacted by 23 December 2022, introducing a Board of Governors to oversee the CIU and a Technical Committee to review files, and criminalising underselling. The government had received a first report of its investigation into the programme in October 2022 and announced reforms in Dubai on 1 December 2022.","source_id":"kna-sknis-pm-cbi-speech-2024-10-17","location":"speech, paras 8-9","quote":"By December 23, 2022, we enacted new CBI regulations into law.","countries":"","short_title":"New CBI regulations enacted; underselling criminalised","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-459068081d","date":"2022-12-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"legal","title":"Government annuls citizenship granted for sporting interest","description":"The Government annulled the citizenship granted on 31 May 2022 to Oleksandr Onyshchenko (on the equestrian federation's initiative) after reports that he was wanted in Ukraine and on a US blacklist; the only Art. 11 revocation reported by the Interior Ministry.","source_id":"mkd-dw-economic-citizenship-2023","location":"paragraph on revocations","quote":"На 6 декември 2022 година, Владата го поништи државјанството","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia cancels citizenship granted for sporting reasons","plain_summary":"North Macedonia's government annulled citizenship it had given Oleksandr Onyshchenko on the equestrian federation's request, after reports he was wanted in Ukraine and blacklisted by the US.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-64e3e641d5","date":"2022-12-05","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Budget statement: CBI receipts to be reported as non-tax revenue and 10% of NTF set aside for disasters","description":"In the 2023 budget statement, PM and Finance Minister Dickon Mitchell said CBI revenues, described as grants by the previous administration, would be reported as non-tax revenue from January 2023; the NTF regulation would be amended to set aside at least 10% of NTF contributions for post-disaster financing managed by the ECCB, with the other 90% earmarked for capital projects; and transparency of CBI receipts would be increased.","source_id":"grd-nowgrenada-2022-12","location":"paras 3 and 9-10","quote":"effective January 2023, all CBI revenues will be reported as non-tax revenues","countries":"","short_title":"Budget statement: CBI receipts to be reported as non-tax revenue and 10% of NTF set aside for disasters","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-d2fde56828","date":"2022-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"context","title":"First CBI dividend paid to citizens","description":"New government paid a 'CBI dividend' to Social Security contributors; the 2024 budget said it reached about 17,500 people in the first round. IMF later urged forgoing such payments.","source_id":"kna-mof-budget-address-2024","location":"PDF p. 9, para 15","quote":"The CBI dividend payment alone impacted about 17,500 individuals in its inaugural round.","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts pays citizens a dividend from passport sales","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis's new government paid a cash dividend from citizenship-sale revenue to about 17,500 social security contributors in its first round; the IMF later urged the country to stop such payments.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-4555f337ab","date":"2022-11-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"Sambi sentenced to life; 11 co-accused convicted","description":"State Security Court (no appeal possible) gives Sambi life imprisonment for high treason; ex-vice president Mohamed Ali Soilihi 20 years in absentia; prosecutor had alleged EUR 1.8bn diverted. Defence called the trial political; UN body had called his pre-trial detention arbitrary.","source_id":"com-rfi-2022-11-28","location":"paragraph 1","quote":"Les peines vont de deux ans de prison avec sursis à la perpétuité, pour l'ancien président, reconnu coupable de « haute trahison ».","countries":"","short_title":"Comoros ex-president Sambi sentenced to life for treason","plain_summary":"The State Security Court, with no right of appeal, sentenced former president Sambi to life imprisonment for high treason; prosecutors had alleged €1.8 billion was diverted, though the defence called the trial political.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-8136a789a1","date":"2022-11-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"High treason trial opens at the State Security Court","description":"Sambi tried before the Cour de sûreté de l'État; the investigating judge had requalified the charges as high treason.","source_id":"com-lefigaro-2022-11-21","location":"paragraph 1","quote":"a comparu lundi devant la Cour de sûreté de l'État à Moroni pour « haute trahison »","countries":"","short_title":"Comoros ex-president Sambi goes on trial for treason","plain_summary":"Former Comoros president Sambi went on trial before the State Security Court on a charge of high treason, after a judge changed the original charges against him.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-3435a25fe5","date":"2022-11-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SYC","program_id":"syc-investor-citizenship","category":"context","title":"Cabinet approves Citizenship Act amendments on eligibility and a public register of new citizens","description":"Cabinet approved amendments to the Citizenship Act on eligibility for citizenship, with a public register of people granted citizenship and publication of their details in the Gazette and newspapers. The release does not say whether the investor route changes.","source_id":"syc-statehouse-cabinet-2022-11-16","location":"news item, Citizenship Act paragraph","quote":"Cabinet also approved amendments to the Citizenship Act 2013 (Cap 30) related to citizenship applications. The amendments include eligibility for citizenship.","countries":"","short_title":"Cabinet approves Citizenship Act amendments on eligibility and a public register of new citizens","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-d009ae2b9b","date":"2022-09-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"legal","title":"Commission refers Malta to the Court of Justice","description":"Case registered as C-181/23. The Commission said Malta was the only Member State still running such a scheme.","source_id":"mlt-ec-ip-22-5422","location":"paragraph 1","quote":"Today, the European Commission has decided to refer Malta to the Court of Justice of the European Union for its investor citizenship scheme","countries":"","short_title":"EU refers Malta to top European court","plain_summary":"The European Commission referred Malta's citizenship-sale scheme to the European Union's top court, saying Malta was the only member state still running such a programme.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-12b76adaf9","date":"2022-09","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"Investigating judge sends ex-president Sambi to trial, requalifying the charges as high treason","description":"When the case was sent for trial in September 2022, the investigating judge requalified the acts charged against former president Sambi in the 'economic citizenship' scandal as high treason. Sambi had been placed under house arrest in May 2018 and jailed three months later in this case; he had been in pre-trial detention for more than four years (legal limit eight months).","source_id":"com-lefigaro-2022-11-21","location":"last paragraph of the article","quote":"Lors de son renvoi en septembre, le juge d'instruction avait requalifié les faits reprochés à l'ancien président en « haute trahison ».","countries":"","short_title":"Investigating judge sends ex-president Sambi to trial, requalifying the charges as high treason","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-91b9acbc55","date":"2022-08-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"scandal","title":"Audit Office special report on the whole programme","description":"3,517 investors and 3,810 family members naturalised; property contracts worth about EUR 1.09bn cancelled and EUR 3.9bn still open after years; EUR 204m reduced-VAT loss.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"Cover","quote":"22 Αυγούστου 2022","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus audit finds billions in unresolved citizenship-programme property deals","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Audit Office reported that 3,517 investors and 3,810 family members gained citizenship, with about €1.09 billion in property contracts cancelled, €3.9 billion still open, and €204 million lost to a reduced sales tax rate.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-5fa6fe250a","date":"2022-07-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MUS","program_id":"mus-investor-naturalisation","category":"rule_change","title":"Citizenship Act s. 9(4) replaced","description":"The Immigration Act 2022 repealed s. 9(4) of the Mauritius Citizenship Act (in the 2003 consolidation, the requirement that a person naturalised under s. 9 first renounce other nationalities) and replaced it with a rule that s. 9 does not apply to holders of a temporary residence permit. Whether renunciation had already been dropped by an earlier amendment was not checked.","source_id":"mus-immigration-act-2022","location":"s. 38(4)(d)(i), PDF p. 44","quote":"in section 9 – (i) by repealing subsection (4) and replacing it by the following subsection – (4) This section shall not apply to a non-citizen who is the holder of a temporary residence permit","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship Act s. 9(4) replaced","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-1c9071882e","date":"2022-07","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"context","title":"CFATF mutual evaluation flags CBI-related ML/TF risk understanding","description":"IMF summarises the CFATF report's findings on weak understanding of risks associated with legal persons and the CBI programme.","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2023","location":"PDF p. 21, para 24","quote":"highlighted weaknesses in Grenada's understanding of the ML/TF risk associated with legal persons and the CBI program.","countries":"","short_title":"Review flags gaps in Grenada's money-laundering checks","plain_summary":"An international evaluation found Grenada had a weak understanding of money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks linked to companies and its citizenship-sale programme, the IMF reported.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-b6e582f141","date":"2022-06-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Bank-guarantee requirement for project investors cut to EUR 1 million","description":"Abazović government replaces the 50%-of-minimum-investment guarantee (up to EUR 2.5 million per EC) with EUR 1,000,000, and lets children born during the procedure be added.","source_id":"mne-sl-68-2022","location":"art. 1, PDF p. 1","quote":"zamjenjuju se riječima: „1.000.000,00 eura,”","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro cuts bank-guarantee requirement for investors to €1 million","plain_summary":"Montenegro's government lowered the required bank guarantee for citizenship-by-investment project investors to €1 million, down from up to €2.5 million, and allowed children born during the process to be added.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-c41893791e","date":"2022-06-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"legal","title":"Court of Appeal confirms ruling for the agency in a refused IIP applicant's case","description":"Appeal in Case 144/2016 decided on 9 Jun 2022, upholding the 25 Jun 2020 judgment in favour of the agency.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2022","location":"PDF p. 54, section 3.6","quote":"judgement by the Court of Appeal was passed 9th June 2022 in full agreement with the Judgement previously pronounced","countries":"","short_title":"Court of Appeal confirms ruling for the agency in a refused IIP applicant's case","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-42c9a5e645","date":"2022-06-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"New marketing partners appointed","description":"Strategic marketing partnerships: CS Global Partners (6 June 2022), Arton Capital (10 June 2022), Latitude Consultancy Limited (20 October 2022) and Bluemina Citizenship & Residency Inc (12 January 2023).","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2022-23","location":"PDF p. 6 (Chairman)","quote":"CS Global Partners (6 June 2022), Arton Capital (10 June 2022)","countries":"","short_title":"New marketing partners appointed","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-13a1755ee6","date":"2022-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Union of Bar Associations asks the Council of State to annul citizenship by property purchase (reported)","description":"The Türkiye Barolar Birliği filed a case in June 2022 asking the Council of State to revoke the presidential decree and regulations allowing citizenship through property purchases; pending as of Oct 2024.","source_id":"tur-nordicmonitor-2024-10-14","location":"para on the TBB petition","quote":"A similar challenge to the government’s regulations on pathways to citizenship through investment in real estate was filed by the Union of Bar Associations (Türkiye Barolar Birliği, TBB) in June 2022.","countries":"","short_title":"Union of Bar Associations asks the Council of State to annul citizenship by property purchase (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-e7fedf25e4","date":"2022-05-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Real estate threshold raised to USD 400,000 (from 13 June 2022); pension route added","description":"Presidential Decree 5554 raises the real estate minimum from 250,000 to 400,000, effective one month after publication, and adds a USD 500,000 private pension route.","source_id":"tur-rg-2022-05-13-reg","location":"Art. 1-3","quote":"(b) bendinde yer alan “250.000” ibareleri “400.000” şeklinde değiştirilmiştir.","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey raises real-estate threshold, adds pension route","plain_summary":"Turkey raised the minimum real-estate investment for citizenship from US$250,000 to US$400,000 and added a new route through a US$500,000 private pension investment.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-ee2198689a","date":"2022-04-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"legal","title":"Commission sends reasoned opinion to Malta","description":"Second stage of the infringement procedure.","source_id":"mlt-ec-ip-22-5422","location":"paragraph 4","quote":"On 6 April 2022, the Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Malta.","countries":"","short_title":"EU sends Malta a formal legal opinion","plain_summary":"The European Commission moved to the next stage of its legal case against Malta's citizenship-sale scheme, sending a reasoned opinion.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-f712bb2312","date":"2022-04-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"JOR","program_id":"jor-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Employment route added","description":"Citizenship for investors employing 150 Jordanians in Amman or 100 elsewhere (decision 6404, letter of 3 Apr 2022).","source_id":"jor-moin-bases-2023","location":"PDF p. 19","quote":"لكل مستثمر يعمل على تشغيل (150) مواطن أردني في محافظة العاصمة أو (100) مواطن اردني في باقي محافظات المملكة","countries":"","short_title":"Jordan adds jobs-based route to investor citizenship","plain_summary":"Jordan added a new route letting investors gain citizenship by employing 150 Jordanians in Amman, or 100 elsewhere in the country.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-2e8388dcf9","date":"2022-04-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"closure","title":"Repeal of arts. 12a and 14a published; pending cases terminated","description":"Law amending the Citizenship Act published in State Gazette no. 26 of 1 Apr 2022. Unfinished procedures are terminated; investor naturalisations can be revoked if investments are not maintained (two years for art. 14a, one year for art. 12a).","source_id":"bgr-lex-zbg-2026","location":"transitional provisions, § 7","quote":"§ 7. Неприключените до влизането в сила на този закон производства по отменените чл. 12а и 14а се прекратяват.","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria publishes repeal of investor citizenship rules","plain_summary":"Bulgaria published the repeal of its citizenship-by-investment provisions, terminating unfinished cases and allowing naturalisations to be revoked if investments were not kept for the required one or two years.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-2b279d6312","date":"2022-03-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"context","title":"Opposition bill to end citizenship through property purchase","description":"CHP MP Mahmut Tanal submits a bill to repeal Art. 12(1)(b) of Citizenship Law 5901 (the basis for investor naturalisation), arguing that foreigners should not obtain citizenship by buying property for small sums; registered as Esas No. 2/4361 and referred to the Interior Committee on 5 April 2022. (The article also covers Turquoise Card holders.)","source_id":"tur-tbmm-bill-tanal-2022","location":"PDF p. 1 (cover and stamp), p. 5 (Art. 1)","quote":"maddesinin birinci fıkrasının (b) bendi yürürlükten kaldırılmıştır","countries":"","short_title":"Opposition bill to end citizenship through property purchase","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-c7b86cade9","date":"2022-03-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"Commission recommends immediate repeal of investor citizenship schemes","description":"Recommendation C(2022) 2028: member states should repeal investor citizenship schemes and review golden passports and residence permits held by sanctioned Russian and Belarusian nationals.","source_id":"intl-ec-ip-22-1731","location":"Press release text","quote":"the Commission is urging Member States to immediately repeal any existing investor citizenship schemes","countries":"","short_title":"EU tells member states to scrap citizenship sales","plain_summary":"The European Commission urged its member states to immediately repeal citizenship-sale schemes and review golden passports and residence permits held by sanctioned Russians and Belarusians.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-4d431232bc","date":"2022-03-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"Commission asks member states to stop issuing investor residence permits to Russians and Belarusians","description":"Recommendation C(2022) 2028, point 5: member states running investor residence schemes should suspend permits for Russian and Belarusian nationals; point 4: withdraw or refuse to renew permits of sanctioned persons; point 6: report by end of May 2022.","source_id":"intl-ec-rec-c-2022-2028","location":"PDF p. 8 (Commission document p. 7), points 4-6","quote":"Member States that operate investor residence schemes should suspend the issuance of residence permits on the basis of investor residence schemes to Russian and Belarusian nationals","countries":"","short_title":"EU asks countries to stop golden visas for Russians","plain_summary":"After the invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission asked member states to stop issuing investor residence permits to Russians and Belarusians and to withdraw those of sanctioned people.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-c9b85d17ec","date":"2022-03-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"Commission: naturalisations of sanctioned Russian and Belarusian investors should be reviewed","description":"Point 3 of Recommendation C(2022) 2028: member states that naturalised Russian or Belarusian nationals under investor citizenship schemes should immediately assess withdrawing citizenship from those under EU sanctions or supporting the war, including family members.","source_id":"intl-ec-rec-c-2022-2028","location":"PDF p. 8 (Commission document p. 7), point 3","quote":"any Member State that has naturalised Russian or Belarusian nationals based on an investor citizenship scheme should immediately assess","countries":"","short_title":"EU asks countries to review golden passports of sanctioned Russians","plain_summary":"The Commission asked member states to consider taking citizenship away from Russian or Belarusian investors under EU sanctions or supporting the war.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-5ffcecc9df","date":"2022-03-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Six hotel projects struck off the list of development projects","description":"Government removes six hotels (Žabljak, Kolašin, Miločer, Mojkovac) from the list: three projects had not met their investment obligations and for three no bank guarantees were delivered; revised list has ten projects; the ministry is to call the guarantees of two Žabljak projects.","source_id":"mne-investitor-2022-03-11","location":"paras 1-2","quote":"razlog isključenja je to što investitori nisu dostavili bankarske garancije","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro drops six hotel projects from investment list","plain_summary":"Montenegro's government removed six hotel projects from its approved development list because the investors had not provided bank guarantees, leaving ten projects and costing their clients the basis for citizenship.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-a6ff6e2c34","date":"2022-03-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"STP","program_id":"stp-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Nationality Law No. 7/2022 provides for naturalisation by investment","description":"The Decree-Law of 2025 implements naturalisation for investment or donation under art. 10(2) of the Nationality Law approved by Law No. 7/2022 of 10 March. The 2022 law itself was not found online.","source_id":"stp-dr-dl-7-2025","location":"PDF p. 2-3 (printed p. 430-432), preamble and art. 5","quote":"conformidade com a Lei da Nacionalidade, aprovada pela Lei n.º 7/2022, de 10 de Março","countries":"","short_title":"Sao Tome and Principe passes citizenship-by-investment law","plain_summary":"A new nationality law in Sao Tome and Principe provided for naturalisation through investment or donation, later implemented by a 2025 decree-law.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-6f2b0cbb0c","date":"2022-03-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"European Parliament calls for phase-out of CBI and pressure on Caribbean CBI states","description":"Resolution with proposals to the Commission: CBI schemes \"objectionable\", should be phased out; asks the Commission to push visa-free third countries with CBI schemes — footnoted as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia — to abolish them.","source_id":"intl-ep-res-2022-0065","location":"para 17 and fn 21, OJ C 347/103","quote":"Notes that a risk stems from third countries that have CBI schemes and that benefit from visa-free travel to the Union","countries":"","short_title":"European Parliament calls for citizenship sales to be phased out","plain_summary":"The European Parliament called citizenship-for-sale schemes objectionable and asked the European Commission to press visa-free Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia, to abolish them.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-625324d28a","date":"2022-03-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"European Parliament calls on Montenegro to end its scheme","description":"EP resolution on citizenship and residence by investment notes that Montenegro has not decided to discontinue its scheme.","source_id":"intl-ep-res-2022-0065","location":"PDF p. 5, recital X","quote":"whereas the Montenegrin government has not decided to discontinue its CBI scheme","countries":"","short_title":"European Parliament urges Montenegro to end citizenship sales","plain_summary":"A European Parliament resolution on citizenship and residence by investment noted that Montenegro's government had not decided to end its scheme.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-03b4c3843a","date":"2022-03-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"rule_change","title":"Scheme suspended for Russian and Belarusian nationals","description":"After Russia's invasion of Ukraine; the scheme stayed open to other nationalities.","source_id":"mlt-cjeu-c181-23","location":"para 36","quote":"On 2 March 2022, Malta suspended its 2020 investor citizenship scheme for Russian and Belarusian nationals until further notice","countries":"","short_title":"Malta suspends citizenship sales to Russians and Belarusians","plain_summary":"After Russia invaded Ukraine, Malta suspended its citizenship-sale scheme for Russian and Belarusian nationals, while keeping it open to other nationalities.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-3f38614eb1","date":"2022-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Final vote abolishes investor citizenship","description":"Second reading adopted (reported 25 Mar 2022); SANS to check all naturalisation files within six months; pending investor applications to be ended.","source_id":"bgr-economy-2022-03-25","location":"para 1","quote":"С приетите текстове се отменя възможността за придобиване на гражданство срещу извършена инвестиция.","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria's parliament finally abolishes investor citizenship","plain_summary":"Bulgaria's parliament adopted a final vote abolishing citizenship by investment, ordered security checks of all naturalisation files within six months, and ended pending investor applications.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-f9b52688f4","date":"2022-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"Caribbean CBI states suspend Russian and Belarusian applications","description":"All five Eastern Caribbean CBI countries suspended examination of applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals (welcomed by the Commission).","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2023-730","location":"p. 37 (printed)","quote":"the Commission welcomed the decision of March 2022 taken by all five Caribbean countries to suspend the examination of applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals","countries":"ATG;DMA;GRD;KNA;LCA","short_title":"Caribbean countries stop Russian and Belarusian citizenship applications","plain_summary":"All five Eastern Caribbean countries that sell citizenship suspended applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals, a move the European Commission welcomed.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-ed483b3e53","date":"2022-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Interior Ministry tightens checks, freezing pending applications","description":"Stricter internal and external checks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine; in May 2022 extra checks on Russian and Belarusian applicants and a procedure to revoke citizenship of sanctioned persons (none found by Oct 2022).","source_id":"mne-ec-report-2022","location":"PDF p. 61","quote":"In March 2022, the Ministry of Interior adopted stricter internal and external checks for all applications, which resulted in freezing the process of pending applications for the time being.","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro tightens checks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine","plain_summary":"Montenegro's Interior Ministry adopted stricter checks on all applications, freezing pending cases, and later added extra scrutiny of Russian and Belarusian applicants and a process to revoke sanctioned citizens' passports.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-509dde1cd5","date":"2022-02-17","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Parliament votes 218-0 at first reading to abolish citizenship by investment","description":"Government bill adopted unanimously at first reading; DPS alternatives rejected.","source_id":"bgr-economy-2022-02-17","location":"para 2","quote":"Народните представители приеха единодушно с 218 гласа „за“ законопроекта, внесен от Министерския съвет.","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria's parliament votes to end selling citizenship","plain_summary":"Bulgaria's parliament adopted, unanimously by 218 votes to zero in a first reading, a government bill to abolish citizenship by investment, rejecting alternative proposals.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-ee646683ea","date":"2022-01-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government approves bill to abolish citizenship by investment","description":"The Council of Ministers (Decision No. 12 of 14 Jan 2022) approves a bill repealing arts. 12a and 14a of the Citizenship Act and sends it to the National Assembly (bill 47-202-01-2). The memorandum says investors' qualifying assets (mainly government bonds or trust deposits over BGN 1 million, or BGN 2 million) were often sold before naturalisation, that investors barely lived in Bulgaria, and cites a Commission letter of June 2021.","source_id":"bgr-ns-bill-47-202-01-2-2022","location":"Cover letter and motives","quote":"изпращам Ви одобрения с Решение № 12 на Министерския съвет от 2022 г. проект на Закон за изменение на Закона за българското гражданство","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria moves to abolish citizenship by investment","plain_summary":"In January 2022 the government sent Parliament a bill to scrap the investor route to citizenship.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-1662375cd7","date":"2022-01-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"COVID-19 relief bond deadline extended to end-2022","description":"SI 4 of 2022 (made 30 Dec 2021) extends the deadline for purchasing the COVID-19 relief bond to 31 December 2022.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2022a","location":"p. 1, reg. 2","quote":"“(a) be made by the 31st day of December, 2022;”.","countries":"","short_title":"COVID-19 relief bond deadline extended to end-2022","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-77351eed3b","date":"2022-01-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Foreign currency must be sold to the Central Bank; TL no longer accepted","description":"Presidential Decree 5072 removes TL equivalents and requires investors' foreign currency to be sold to a bank and on to the Central Bank before the transaction.","source_id":"tur-rg-2022-01-06-reg","location":"Art. 1, new para. (10)","quote":"döviz tutarları işlem öncesinde Türkiye’de faaliyet gösteren bir bankaya ve bu bankaca da Merkez Bankasına satılır","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey tightens currency rules for citizenship investors","plain_summary":"Turkey stopped accepting the local currency's equivalent value and required investors' foreign currency to be sold to a bank and then the central bank before completing the transaction.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-f66f01410b","date":"2022","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Deprivation orders for CIP citizens on the EU's Russia/Ukraine sanctions list","description":"Issued with the agreement of the independent deprivation committee; suspension refused by the Administrative Court on 20 Nov 2025.","source_id":"cyp-lawoffice-admincourt-sanctions-2025","location":"Paragraph 3","quote":"προχώρησε το 2022 στην έκδοση Διατάγματος αποστέρησης","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus strips citizenship from sanctioned passport holders","plain_summary":"Cyprus issued deprivation orders in 2022 against citizens who had bought citizenship and were later placed on the EU's Russia and Ukraine sanctions list; a court refused to suspend the orders in 2025.","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-18eba1b8fc","date":"2022","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"Government to earmark part of CBI revenue for debt repayment","description":"The 2022/23 budget address said a percentage of CBI revenue would be earmarked for debt repayment during FY2022/23 (followed in 2023 by a levy on CBI investors for a Debt Repayment Fund).","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2022-23","location":"PDF p. 18","quote":"During this Fiscal Year, we will also earmark a percentage of Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) revenue for debt repayment.","countries":"","short_title":"Government to earmark part of CBI revenue for debt repayment","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-0eadc28116","date":"2022","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Lower threshold for the CBI investment option (as described by IMF)","description":"IMF attributes stronger 2022 CBI flows to private investment to 'a lower threshold for the investment program'; the report gives neither the old nor the new amount nor a date.","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2023","location":"PDF p. 10, para 6","quote":"stronger financial account from CBI flows to private investment","countries":"","short_title":"Lower threshold for the CBI investment option (as described by IMF)","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-01155bfec6","date":"2022","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"JOR","program_id":"jor-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Commercial-sector routes added (decision 6404)","description":"Cabinet decision 6404 lets investors in six commercial sectors (pharmaceutical warehouses, car dealers, food logistics, maritime, housing companies, tourist restaurants) qualify for citizenship with company investment of JOD 1m-3m, an investor share of JOD 750,000-2m and 20-40 Jordanian jobs. The letter date is printed as '30/2/2022', which does not exist, so only the year is used.","source_id":"jor-moin-bases-2023","location":"PDF p. 12","quote":"استناداً الى قرار مجلس الوزراء رقم (6404) بموجب كتاب دولة رئيس الوزراء رقم 20813/1/11/12 تاريخ 30/2/2022 للقطاع التجاري","countries":"","short_title":"Commercial-sector routes added (decision 6404)","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-8de902949a","date":"2022","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Union of Turkish Bar Associations sues to suspend and annul the CBI rules","description":"The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) filed a case at the Council of State in 2022 seeking suspension and annulment of the citizenship-by-investment regulation, arguing the conditions must be set by law.","source_id":"tur-turizmekonomi-2026-08","location":"section on the TBB case","quote":"2022’de yatırım yoluyla vatandaşlık düzenlemesinin yürütmesinin durdurulması ve iptali istemiyle","countries":"","short_title":"Union of Turkish Bar Associations sues to suspend and annul the CBI rules","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-64f8a24996","date":"2022","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Union of Turkish Bar Associations sues to annul the investor citizenship rules","description":"The bar association (TBB) asked the Council of State to stay and annul the regulation, arguing that the basic conditions for citizenship must be set by law, not by a regulation tying citizenship to foreign-currency investment.","source_id":"tur-kronos-2026-08-08","location":"section 'TBB'NİN AÇTIĞI DAVA REDDEDİLDİ'","quote":"TBB, 2022’de düzenlemenin yürütmesinin durdurulması ve iptali istemiyle Danıştay’da dava açtı.","countries":"","short_title":"Union of Turkish Bar Associations sues to annul the investor citizenship rules","plain_summary":"","year":"2022"},{"event_id":"e-ba6c4f1d52","date":"2021-12-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Agents' licences may be renewed three times instead of twice","description":"The amending decision lets intermediary and due-diligence agents renew their one-year licences three times instead of twice, adds innovation to the programme's purpose, and changes the documents applicants must submit.","source_id":"mne-sl-143-2021","location":"art. 2, PDF p. 1","quote":"U članu 7 stav 1 riječi: ,,dva puta“ zamjenjuju se riječima: “tri puta“","countries":"","short_title":"Agents' licences may be renewed three times instead of twice","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-1d79fff9f5","date":"2021-12-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Programme extended to 31 December 2022 and made costlier","description":"Decision adopted without a session extends the programme by a year, adds EUR 100,000 for the Innovation Fund and requires project investors to post bank guarantees of 50% of the minimum investment within 30 days.","source_id":"mne-sl-143-2021","location":"art. 8, PDF p. 2","quote":"U članu 18 stav 1 riječi: “31. decembra 2021. godine.” zamjenjuje se riječima: “31. decembra 2022. godine.”","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro extends and raises cost of citizenship scheme","plain_summary":"Montenegro extended its citizenship-by-investment programme by a year to 31 December 2022, added a €100,000 payment to the Innovation Fund, and required project investors to post bank guarantees of half the minimum investment.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-008f827a91","date":"2021-12-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government extends the programme to the end of 2022 (reported)","description":"Having planned to end the programme at the end of 2021 because of weak interest, the government decided on 30 December 2021 to extend it to the end of 2022, citing COVID delays to projects.","source_id":"mne-vijesti-2026-06-20","location":"para 9","quote":"Međutim 30. decembra 2021. donijela je odluku da program produži do kraja 2022.","countries":"","short_title":"Government extends the programme to the end of 2022 (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-98d0975d4b","date":"2021-12-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Apple plantation in Pljevlja put on the agriculture project list","description":"The Government put the project 'Construction of an apple plantation in Vrulja, Pljevlja' on the List of development projects in agriculture and wood processing.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-h2","location":"PDF p. 3","quote":"Vlada je, na sjednici od 23. decembra 2021. godine, uvrstila projekat ,Izgradnje plantaže jabuka u Vrulji, opština Pljevlja“","countries":"","short_title":"Apple plantation in Pljevlja put on the agriculture project list","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-55c2654086","date":"2021-10-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Cyprus has revoked the citizenship of 39 investors","description":"Reported by the Commission in April 2022, which also noted Cyprus had stopped processing applications.","source_id":"cyp-ec-ip-22-2068","location":"Paragraph on Cyprus","quote":"as of 15 October 2021, revoked the citizenship of 39 investors","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus revokes citizenship of 39 investors","plain_summary":"The European Commission reported that, as of 15 October 2021, Cyprus had revoked the citizenship of 39 investors and had stopped processing applications.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-506ebd7602","date":"2021-10-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Liko Soho hotel in Bar added to the list of tourism projects","description":"The Government accepted the proposal to put the condo hotel 'Liko Soho', Bar, on the List of development projects in tourism, which then had 16 projects.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-q3","location":"PDF p. 2","quote":"Vlada Crne Gore je, na sjednici od 14. oktobra 2021. godine, prihvatila Predlog za kandidovanje projekta Izgradnje hotela “Liko Soho” Bar","countries":"","short_title":"Liko Soho hotel in Bar added to the list of tourism projects","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-327fcad126","date":"2021-10-07","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Expanded monitoring of tourism projects adopted","description":"The Government adopted the Q2 2021 information with an expanded methodology for monitoring tourism development projects: besides the independent controller's report, a report on the state of works and site visits with local-government cooperation.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-q3","location":"PDF p. 5","quote":"Vlada Crne Gore je, na sjednici od 7. oktobra 2021. godine, usvojila Informaciju o aktivnostima realizacije","countries":"","short_title":"Expanded monitoring of tourism projects adopted","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-2451ebd77e","date":"2021-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"EPRS estimates 132,000 people and EUR 21.4 billion through EU investor schemes, 2011-2019","description":"European added value assessment underpinning the EP's March 2022 call to phase out CBI and regulate RBI.","source_id":"intl-eprs-eava-cbi-rbi-2021","location":"PDF p. 26 (printed p. 12)","quote":"the EAVA estimates that more than 132 000 people from third countries have obtained residence or citizenship in EU Member States via CBI/RBI schemes between 2011 and 2019","countries":"","short_title":"EU research estimates €21 billion from investor schemes","plain_summary":"The European Parliament research service estimated that about 132,000 people got citizenship or residence through EU investor schemes in 2011–2019, investing about €21.4 billion.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-699943e03c","date":"2021-09-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"JOR","program_id":"jor-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"New bases for investor citizenship and residence; 500 a year cap","description":"Cabinet (decision 3657) resets the routes (USD 1m deposit + USD 1m bonds; USD 1.5m shares; USD 1m / USD 750,000 new projects; USD 1m / USD 500,000 existing projects), adds 5-year residence for JOD 200,000 property and limits the scheme to 500 investors a year.","source_id":"jor-pm-cabinet-bases-2021","location":"para. 10","quote":"وأنّ تطبّق هذه الأسس على 500 مستثمر سنويّاً فقط","countries":"","short_title":"Jordan resets investor citizenship rules, caps numbers at 500","plain_summary":"Jordan's Cabinet reset its investor citizenship routes -- deposits, bonds, shares or business projects -- added five-year residence for property investors, and capped the scheme at 500 people a year.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-f7458f1ec3","date":"2021-09-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Commission recommends rejecting the agriculture project proposals","description":"An inter-ministerial commission (Agriculture, Economic Development and Ecology ministries), formed on 6 Jul 2021, reported on the proposals received under the agriculture and wood-processing call and gave reasons to reject them.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-q3","location":"PDF p. 3","quote":"09.09.2021. godine izradila Izvještaj Komisije o ocjeni razvojnih projekata podnijetih po JP, te navela razloge zbog kojih smatra da iste treba odbiti","countries":"","short_title":"Commission recommends rejecting the agriculture project proposals","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-3b55502126","date":"2021-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"Caretaker justice minister orders security agency to review investor citizenships","description":"Minister Yanaki Stoilov calls for an end to the \"trade in investment citizenship\" and orders SANS to check citizenships granted on this basis (reported 9 Aug 2021).","source_id":"bgr-dnes-2021-08-09","location":"section \"Вижда ли се краят на схемата\"","quote":"Стоилов разпореди и на Държавна агенция Национална сигурност (ДАНС) да провери гражданствата, придобити на това основание през последните години.","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria orders security check of investor citizenships","plain_summary":"Bulgaria's caretaker justice minister called for an end to the \"trade in investment citizenship\" and ordered the state security agency to review citizenships granted this way.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-418fdc0e62","date":"2021-07-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"context","title":"Pending applications still examined after abolition, up to 31 Jul 2021","description":"After the programme was abolished on 31 Oct 2020, applications still pending continued to be examined and approved; the Audit Office reviewed those examined up to 31 Jul 2021 and found problematic handling continued. 31 Jul 2021 is the end of the period the audit covers (Ministry lists for 19.8.2020 to 31.7.2021); the report does not say no approvals followed.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 10 (printed p. 4)","quote":"που παρέμεναν σε εκκρεμότητα και που εξετάστηκαν μέχρι και τις 31.7.2021","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus finishes approving its last pending passport applications","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Audit Office noted that problematic handling continued for pending citizenship applications, which were examined up until 31 July 2021.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-283538a6a4","date":"2021-07-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"RWA","program_id":"rwa-investor-naturalisation","category":"launch","title":"Rwanda's new nationality law allows nationality on grounds of substantial sustainable investment","description":"Organic Law 002/2021.OL governing Rwandan nationality, published in the Official Gazette on 28 Jul 2021 and in force that day (art. 56), includes acquisition of nationality on grounds of substantial sustainable investment or activities (art. 15). No amount is set.","source_id":"rwa-og-nationality-law-2021","location":"art. 56 (English column)","quote":"This Organic Law comes into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.","countries":"","short_title":"Rwanda's new nationality law allows nationality on grounds of substantial sustainable investment","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-6c8c59effd","date":"2021-07-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-reo","category":"launch","title":"Real Estate Option Program commences","description":"REO under s.13F and Regulation Order No. 93 of 2021; property must be bought in one of four Vanuatu Government Approved Projects; Naika Holdings Ltd appointed exclusive master agent.","source_id":"vut-coc-web-reo","location":"news item","quote":"The REO program commenced 23 July 2021.","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu launches Real Estate Option residence-by-investment route","plain_summary":"Vanuatu's Real Estate Option programme began, requiring property purchases in one of four government-approved projects, with Naika Holdings Ltd as exclusive master agent.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-e46ae55a2e","date":"2021-07-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-dsp","category":"scandal","title":"Guardian investigation into Vanuatu passport buyers","description":"Based on government documents, the Guardian reports more than 2,000 buyers in 2020, including people sought by police and linked to sanctions.","source_id":"vut-guardian-2021-07","location":"standfirst","quote":"more than 2,000 people, including individuals sought by police, have purchased passports","countries":"","short_title":"Guardian investigation exposes Vanuatu passport buyers' records","plain_summary":"The Guardian reported that more than 2,000 people bought Vanuatu passports in 2020, including people sought by police and linked to sanctions, based on leaked government documents.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-e90a81f27b","date":"2021-06-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"European Commission sends Cyprus a reasoned opinion","description":"Because Cyprus kept processing pending applications after closure.","source_id":"cyp-ec-inf-21-2743","location":"Cyprus section","quote":"today the Commission decided to take the next step in the procedure against Cyprus by issuing a reasoned opinion","countries":"","short_title":"EU issues Cyprus a formal warning over pending cases","plain_summary":"The European Commission sent Cyprus a reasoned opinion, the next step in its legal case, because Cyprus kept processing citizenship applications filed before the programme closed.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-a4e924f082","date":"2021-06-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"legal","title":"Commission sends additional letter of formal notice over the 2020 scheme","description":"The Commission found the 2020 scheme still transactional.","source_id":"mlt-ec-ip-22-5422","location":"paragraph 2","quote":"The Commission sent an additional letter of formal notice to Malta on 9 June 2021, following the introduction of a new scheme at the end of 2020.","countries":"","short_title":"EU sends Malta a further legal warning","plain_summary":"The European Commission sent Malta another formal legal notice, saying its replacement citizenship-sale scheme launched in 2020 was still essentially a sale.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-e97c21ee0e","date":"2021-06-07","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Nikolatos inquiry report submitted to the Attorney General","description":"Of 6,779 naturalisations (2007-Aug 2020), 53.24% (family members and executives) were outside the legal framework; recommends examining deprivation for dozens of investors. Released with redactions on 22 Jun 2021.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 754-755 (printed p. 752-753)","quote":"Λευκωσία, 07 Ιουνίου 2021","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus inquiry finds most naturalisations broke the rules","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Nikolatos inquiry found that of 6,779 naturalisations from 2007 to August 2020, over half -- family members and executives -- fell outside the legal framework, and recommended reviewing dozens of investors for citizenship removal.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-df580f88ad","date":"2021-06-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"US sanctions cite bribery scheme for Bulgarian residence and citizenship documents","description":"Global Magnitsky designations of Delyan Peevski and Ilko Zhelyazkov; Treasury says from early 2018 they ran a scheme selling residency documents so clients could skip the $500,000 deposit or five-year wait.","source_id":"bgr-ustreasury-jy0208-2021","location":"section on Peevski","quote":"as of early 2018, these two government officials ran a scheme to sell Bulgarian residency documents","countries":"","short_title":"US sanctions Bulgarian officials over residency-document bribery","plain_summary":"The United States sanctioned Delyan Peevski and Ilko Zhelyazkov, saying that from early 2018 they ran a scheme selling Bulgarian residency documents so clients could skip the US$500,000 deposit or five-year wait.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-5aaeaa785c","date":"2021-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"legal","title":"European Commission writes again about Bulgarian investor citizenship","description":"A further letter from the European Commission in June 2021 expressed concern that Bulgarian law still allowed naturalisation in exchange for predetermined payments, citing Article 20 TFEU; the government cites it as a reason for repealing arts. 12a and 14a.","source_id":"bgr-ns-bill-47-202-01-2-2022","location":"Motives to the bill, paras 8-9","quote":"получено поредно писмо от юни 2021 г. от Европейската комисия","countries":"","short_title":"European Commission writes again about Bulgarian investor citizenship","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-521f2c7eb3","date":"2021-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"All agents' licences extended by another year","description":"At their request all licensed agents had their licences extended for one more year in June 2021.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-q2","location":"PDF p. 3","quote":"tokom juna mjeseca 2021. godine svim licenciranim agentima je produžena licenca za još godinu dana","countries":"","short_title":"All agents' licences extended by another year","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-b4835f70da","date":"2021-05-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Interim report handed to the Police for criminal investigation","description":"Legal Service announced the interim report and exhibits were handed to the Police with instructions to start investigations.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF pp. 23-24 (printed pp. 21-22)","quote":"σε ανακοίνωση της Νομικής Υπηρεσίας με\n ημερομηνία 14 Μαΐου, 2021","countries":"","short_title":"Interim report handed to the Police for criminal investigation","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-3543986db1","date":"2021-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Government report proposes not to extend the programme beyond 2021","description":"The Ministry of Economic Development proposes that the Government not extend the programme after 31 Dec 2021, citing EU accession and only 37 citizenships granted out of the 2,000 cap; the EU Integration Office calls for urgent abolition.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF pp. 7-8, section 5","quote":"Vlada Crne Gore neće produžiti trajanje Posebnog programa ulaganja","countries":"","short_title":"Government report proposes not to extend the programme beyond 2021","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-696747502f","date":"2021-04-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Nikolatos committee submits interim report","description":"Interim report submitted to the Attorney General; later published after anonymisation.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 4 (printed p. 2)","quote":"υποβλήθηκε στις 16 Απριλίου 2021, στον Γενικό Εισαγγελέα","countries":"","short_title":"Nikolatos committee submits interim report","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-3768601478","date":"2021-03-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government confirms the programme ends after three years","description":"At its session of 18 March 2021 the Government confirmed the three-year duration of the programme (to 31 Dec 2021) and undertook to decide by 31 Dec 2021 whether to introduce a new system for acquiring citizenship.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-q2","location":"PDF p. 5, section 2","quote":"Vlada Crne! Gore je, na sjednici od 18. marta 2021. godine, potvrdila trajanje Posebnog programa","countries":"","short_title":"Government confirms the programme ends after three years","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-7c67281664","date":"2021-03-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Parliament keeps investor citizenship but tightens control (DV 21 of 2021)","description":"The amending law adopted by the 44th National Assembly (State Gazette no. 21 of 2021) kept citizenship and permanent residence for investors while increasing control over investors, instead of abolishing them as the government had proposed in 2019. Date is the State Gazette issue date used elsewhere in the dataset for DV 21/2021.","source_id":"bgr-ns-bill-47-202-01-2-2022","location":"Motives to the bill, para 7","quote":"се запази възможността за придобиване на българско гражданство и за даване на разрешение за постоянно пребиваване срещу инвестиции, като се увеличи възможността за контрол върху инвеститорите","countries":"","short_title":"Parliament keeps investor citizenship but tightens control (DV 21 of 2021)","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-66049bb447","date":"2021-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government announces phase-out by end of 2021","description":"Krivokapić government decides not to prolong the scheme beyond 2021.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2021-602","location":"PDF p. 14","quote":"In March 2021, the government decided to phase out by the end of 2021 the investor citizenship scheme","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro announces end of its golden passport scheme","plain_summary":"Montenegro's government decided not to extend its citizenship-by-investment scheme beyond the end of 2021.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-9a7d5d8016","date":"2021-02-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"rule_change","title":"Innovation Fund to adopt rulebook and fee for economic-interest assessments","description":"Decree amendment of 16 Feb 2021 adds a scientific-interest criterion and requires the Fund for Innovation and Technology Development to adopt, with Government consent, a rulebook on assessing special economic interest and a fee tariff. In force on the eighth day after publication on 19 Feb 2021.","source_id":"mkd-sv-decree-2021-42","location":"PDF p. 2, item 624, Art. 2","quote":"Фондот за иновации и технолошки развој ќе доне","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia adds rules for investor-citizenship assessments","plain_summary":"A decree amendment added a scientific-interest criterion and required North Macedonia's Innovation Fund to adopt a rulebook and fee for assessing special economic interest applications.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-0f823a373a","date":"2021-02-26","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"scandal","title":"Audit Office report ΥΦΤ/01/2021 mentions Ayia Napa marina naturalisations","description":"Special report on the Deputy Ministry of Tourism refers to the naturalisation of persons linked to the Ayia Napa marina.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 8 (printed p. 2), section 1.1","quote":"στις 26.2.2021 εκδώσαμε την Ειδική Έκθεση με","countries":"","short_title":"Audit Office report ΥΦΤ/01/2021 mentions Ayia Napa marina naturalisations","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-95f7cf6728","date":"2021-01-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ARE","program_id":"are-citizenship-nomination","category":"launch","title":"Citizenship by nomination opened to investors and talents","description":"Cabinet amends the Executive Regulation of the Federal Law on Nationality and Passports: investors (who must own UAE property), doctors, scientists, inventors and artists may be nominated for citizenship by Rulers' and Crown Princes' courts, executive councils or the Cabinet; other nationality may be kept; citizenship can be withdrawn. No investment amount is published and it cannot be applied for directly.","source_id":"are-wam-citizenship-amendments-2021","location":"paras 1, 4 and 6","quote":"Acquiring the Emirati citizenship will be done through nominations from Rulers and Crown Princes Courts, Executive Councils, and the Cabinet","countries":"","short_title":"UAE opens citizenship by nomination to investors","plain_summary":"The UAE opened citizenship by nomination to investors owning UAE property, as well as doctors, scientists, inventors and artists. No investment amount is published and people cannot apply directly.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-c39edc3ff6","date":"2021","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"legal","title":"ICSID accepts arbitration over CBI-financed Kimpton Kawana Bay resort","description":"True Blue Development's case against the government concerns an unfinished CBI-approved project.","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2023","location":"PDF p. 13, footnote 6","quote":"In 2021, the ICSID accepted True Blue Development's request for arbitration with the government of Grenada over the construction of the Kimpton Kawana Bay Resort, which is a CBI approved project.","countries":"","short_title":"Arbitration accepted over unfinished citizenship-linked resort","plain_summary":"An international arbitration body agreed to hear a developer's case against Grenada's government over an unfinished resort approved under the citizenship-sale programme.","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-b2664602ad","date":"2021","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-reo","category":"rule_change","title":"Act No. 1 of 2021 inserts the Real Estate Option Program section (s.13F)","description":"The 2021 consolidation records that section 13F, the legal basis of the current Real Estate Option Program, was inserted by Act No. 1 of 2021.","source_id":"vut-citizenship-act-cap112-2021","location":"PDF p. 16, endnotes (OCR)","quote":"13F Inserted by Act 1 of 2021","countries":"","short_title":"Act No. 1 of 2021 inserts the Real Estate Option Program section (s.13F)","plain_summary":"","year":"2021"},{"event_id":"e-6ea4373720","date":"2020-12-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"COVID-19 relief bond deadline extended to end-2021","description":"SI 214 of 2020 (made 23 Dec 2020) extends the deadline for purchasing the COVID-19 relief bond to 31 December 2021.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2020b","location":"p. 1, reg. 2","quote":"“(a) be made by the 31st day of December, 2021;”.","countries":"","short_title":"COVID-19 relief bond deadline extended to end-2021","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-b8d39d9f96","date":"2020-12-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Oath of allegiance allowed by video link","description":"S.I. 2020 No. 85 allowed the oath or affirmation of allegiance by Zoom, Skype or similar technology.","source_id":"atg-cbi-regs-2020b","location":"PDF p. 5","quote":"allegiance or affirmation using zoom, skype or other similar audio-visual technology","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua allows citizenship oath by video call","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda allowed new citizens to take their oath of allegiance over Zoom, Skype or similar video technology.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-8a966a4551","date":"2020-11-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"scandal","title":"Audit Office report on naturalised 'company executives'","description":"18 casino-resort-related persons (plus 9 relatives) and 64 persons linked to one company were naturalised as executives without meeting criteria.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2020-11-en","location":"Executive summary","quote":"we managed to find 64 persons that have been naturalized","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus audit finds unqualified 'executives' naturalised","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Audit Office found that 18 people linked to a casino resort and their 9 relatives, plus 64 people linked to one company, were naturalised as executives without meeting the criteria.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-ae198bc4be","date":"2020-11-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CIU told to remit excess cash to government","description":"Memo from the Office of the Prime Minister instructs the CIU to remit excess cash to the Consolidated Fund.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2021-22","location":"PDF p. 53, Note 16","quote":"By way of memo dated November 23, 2020 from the Office of the Prime Minister the Unit is instructed to remit excess cash to the Consolidated Fund","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia told to hand over spare citizenship-sale cash","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia's prime minister's office instructed the citizenship unit to transfer its excess cash to the government's general fund.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-1c97a6a187","date":"2020-11-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"launch","title":"New scheme: citizenship for exceptional services by direct investment (LN 437 of 2020)","description":"Replaced the IIP: EUR 600,000/750,000 contribution, 400 a year and 1,500 in total, run by the new Community Malta Agency.","source_id":"mlt-ln-2020-437","location":"reg. on maximum number of admissions (PDF p. 16); date from legislation.mt metadata","quote":"granted, excluding dependants, shall not exceed four hundred (400) per annum, and in any case the total accumulated amount of successful applicants excluding dependants shall not exceed one thousand five hundred (1,500).","countries":"","short_title":"Malta launches a new citizenship-for-investment scheme","plain_summary":"Malta replaced its old programme with one requiring a EUR 600,000 or EUR 750,000 contribution, capped at 400 people a year and 1,500 in total, run by a new government agency.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-d5d14dc0bd","date":"2020-11-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"closure","title":"Programme stops receiving new applications","description":"Pending applications continued to be processed (until 31 Jul 2021 per the Audit Office).","source_id":"cyp-ec-inf-21-2743","location":"Cyprus section","quote":"While Cyprus has repealed its scheme and stopped receiving new applications on 1 November 2020, it continues processing pending applications.","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus stops taking new citizenship-by-investment applications","plain_summary":"Cyprus stopped accepting new applications for its citizenship programme on 1 November 2020, but kept processing applications already pending.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-b9dd2f7be4","date":"2020-10-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Corporate guarantee allowed for Montenegrin-owned developers","description":"Public call amended: companies ultimately owned by Montenegrin citizens may give a corporate guarantee instead of the bank guarantee, if three-year profit exceeds EUR 9 million and revenue EUR 90 million.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF p. 2, section 2.1.1","quote":"30.10.2020. godine su izvršene i izmjene i dopune Javnog poziva","countries":"","short_title":"Corporate guarantee allowed for Montenegrin-owned developers","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-b2dcac7109","date":"2020-10-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"legal","title":"European Commission writes to Bulgaria about its investor citizenship scheme","description":"Commission letter raising concerns, sent the day it opened infringements against Cyprus and Malta.","source_id":"intl-ep-res-2022-0065","location":"PDF p. 1, citations","quote":"having regard to the Commission letter to Bulgaria of 20 October 2020 highlighting concerns regarding an investor","countries":"","short_title":"EU writes to Bulgaria over selling citizenship","plain_summary":"The European Commission sent Bulgaria a letter raising concerns about its investor citizenship scheme, the same day it opened infringement cases against Cyprus and Malta.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-32b14965a8","date":"2020-10-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"European Commission opens infringement procedure against Cyprus","description":"Letter of formal notice: granting nationality for pre-determined payments breaches Art. 4(3) TEU and Art. 20 TFEU.","source_id":"intl-ec-ip-20-1925","location":"Press release text","quote":"the European Commission is launching infringement procedures against Cyprus and Malta","countries":"","short_title":"EU opens infringement case against Cyprus over passports","plain_summary":"The European Commission opened an infringement procedure against Cyprus, arguing that granting citizenship for a fixed payment breaches EU treaty rules.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-f087a79a00","date":"2020-10-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"legal","title":"Commission opens infringements against Cyprus and Malta","description":"Letters of formal notice over investor citizenship schemes, arguing that granting nationality for pre-determined payments without a genuine link breaches Article 4(3) TEU.","source_id":"intl-ec-ip-20-1925","location":"Press release text","quote":"the European Commission is launching infringement procedures against Cyprus and Malta by issuing letters of formal notice regarding their investor citizenship schemes","countries":"CYP;MLT","short_title":"EU takes first legal steps against Cyprus and Malta","plain_summary":"The European Commission opened formal legal proceedings against Cyprus and Malta, arguing that granting citizenship for payment without a genuine connection to the country breaks European Union treaties.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-74b54b6374","date":"2020-10-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"","category":"legal","title":"European Commission opens infringement procedure against Malta (and Cyprus)","description":"Letters of formal notice under Art. 4(3) TEU and Art. 20 TFEU.","source_id":"mlt-ec-ip-20-1925","location":"paragraph 1","quote":"Today, the European Commission is launching infringement procedures against Cyprus and Malta by issuing letters of formal notice","countries":"","short_title":"EU opens legal case against Malta's citizenship sales","plain_summary":"The European Commission sent Malta a formal notice opening legal proceedings over its citizenship-sale scheme, alongside a similar case against Cyprus.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-d2774effe4","date":"2020-10-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"legal","title":"Court rules for the agency in second refused IIP applicant's case","description":"Case 834/2016, brought by a refused IIP applicant, decided in favour of the agency after 24 sittings; an appeal was lodged.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2021","location":"PDF p. 25, section 1.8","quote":"judgement in favour of the Defendant (the Agency) was issued on 20th October 2020.","countries":"","short_title":"Court rules for the agency in second refused IIP applicant's case","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-b09c1daea1","date":"2020-10-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"scandal","title":"House Speaker Demetris Syllouris resigns","description":"After Al Jazeera's undercover film showed him offering help to a fictitious convicted investor.","source_id":"cyp-aljazeera-speaker-2020","location":"Paragraph 1","quote":"Demetris Syllouris, the Cypriot parliament speaker, has announced he will resign","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus parliament speaker resigns over passport sales film","plain_summary":"Demetris Syllouris resigned as Cyprus's House Speaker after an Al Jazeera undercover film showed him offering to help a fictitious convicted investor obtain citizenship.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-6e201b8662","date":"2020-10-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"closure","title":"Council of Ministers abolishes the programme from 1 November 2020","description":"Decision on the proposal of the finance and interior ministers; last day for applications 31 Oct 2020; applications filed by then could still be examined. Announced after Al Jazeera's undercover film.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 28 (printed p. 22)","quote":"Στις 13.10.2020, το ΥΣ ενέκρινε την πρόταση των Υπουργών Οικονομικών και Εσωτερικών για κατάργηση του Προγράμματος από 1.11.2020.","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus abolishes its citizenship-by-investment programme","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Council of Ministers decided to end the scheme from 1 November 2020, after an Al Jazeera undercover film; the last day to apply was 31 October 2020.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-4e0b6f66f6","date":"2020-10-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Attorney General announces criminal investigation after Al Jazeera film","description":"Attorney General George Savvidis said an investigation into possible criminal offences would be launched, after Al Jazeera released \"The Cyprus Papers Undercover\" on 12 October 2020.","source_id":"cyp-aljazeera-abolition-2020","location":"para 4","quote":"Cypriot Attorney General George Savvidis said an investigation into possible criminal offences would be launched.","countries":"","short_title":"Attorney General announces criminal investigation after Al Jazeera film","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-291345ed1f","date":"2020-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"scandal","title":"Al Jazeera undercover film shows House Speaker and an MP offering help to a convicted 'investor'","description":"Al Jazeera's film, broadcast on a Monday shortly before the Speaker's resignation, showed the Speaker, MP Christakis Giovanis, a lawyer and real estate developers indicating that a fictitious convicted Chinese businessman could get a passport if enough money was invested. The MP resigned first.","source_id":"cyp-aljazeera-speaker-2020","location":"paragraphs 6-8","quote":"In Al Jazeera’s film, which was broadcast on Monday","countries":"","short_title":"Al Jazeera undercover film shows House Speaker and an MP offering help to a convicted 'investor'","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-29cbe5fd1c","date":"2020-09-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"scandal","title":"Audit Office report on the programme","description":"Finds 1,597 applications filed after 21 May 2018, family naturalisations beyond legal powers, and overvalued property; the Ministry refused most files.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2020-09","location":"Cover","quote":"24 Σεπτεμβρίου 2020","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus audit finds flawed passport-for-investment approvals","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Audit Office found 1,597 applications filed after the programme's legal deadline, family members naturalised beyond the law's powers, and overvalued property; the Ministry refused most of these files.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-7ca6646f48","date":"2020-09-07","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Attorney General appoints the Nikolatos inquiry committee","description":"Decree (ΚΔΠ 406/2020) covering all exceptional naturalisations from 2007 to 17 Aug 2020.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 78 (printed p. 76)","quote":"(Κ.Δ.Π. 406/2020, ημερ. 7.9.2020)","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus appoints inquiry committee into passport sales","plain_summary":"Cyprus's Attorney General appointed the Nikolatos committee to investigate all exceptional naturalisations granted between 2007 and 17 August 2020.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-c4c05470c9","date":"2020-09-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Independent Committee for the Examination of Deprivation of Citizenship established","description":"Set up under art. 113(6)-(7) of the Civil Registry Law as amended by Law 113(I)/2020; the inquiry asks it to examine each case recommended for deprivation.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF pp. 780-781 (printed pp. 778-779), ch. 20 Ζ.2","quote":"η οποία έχει συσταθεί με βάση γνωστοποίηση δυνάμει του άρθρου 113(6) και (7) του περί Αρχείου Πληθυσμού Νόμου (δημοσιεύτηκε στις 04.09.2020)","countries":"","short_title":"Independent Committee for the Examination of Deprivation of Citizenship established","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-0301a99771","date":"2020-09-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"closure","title":"Abolition takes effect","description":"Scheme abolished; files submitted earlier continue to be examined under the old rules.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2021-602","location":"PDF p. 30","quote":"The scheme was abolished on 1 September 2020, although applications submitted until that date continue to be examined.","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova's citizenship-by-investment programme ends","plain_summary":"Moldova's scheme to sell citizenship was abolished, though applications submitted before the deadline continued to be reviewed under the old rules.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-14fbeda145","date":"2020-08-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"context","title":"Audit Office announces audit of the programme","description":"Audit Office announces the start of its audit of the Cyprus Investment Programme; the Presidency then announces an inquiry committee.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 8 (printed p. 2), section 1.1","quote":"Αμέσως μετά την εξαγγελία από την Υπηρεσία μας στις 28.8.2020 της έναρξης ελέγχου του ΚΕΠ","countries":"","short_title":"Audit Office announces audit of the programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-bcdb8effba","date":"2020-08-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"scandal","title":"Al Jazeera publishes 'The Cyprus Papers'","description":"Leak of more than 1,400 approved applications from 2017-2019 (people from more than 70 countries; most applicants from Russia, China, Ukraine), showing passports sold to people under investigation or convicted.","source_id":"cyp-aljazeera-cyprus-papers-2020","location":"Paragraph 2","quote":"The Cyprus Papers is a leak of more than 1,400 passport applications approved by the government of the island nation between 2017 and 2019","countries":"","short_title":"Al Jazeera leak exposes 'Cyprus Papers' passport sales","plain_summary":"Al Jazeera published a leak of more than 1,400 approved citizenship applications from 2017-2019, covering nearly 2,500 people from over 70 countries, showing passports sold to people under investigation or convicted.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-31d79b4b1a","date":"2020-08-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Regulations ΚΔΠ 379/2020 put the programme's criteria into law","description":"EUR 100,000 to the Research and Innovation Foundation (or one of three other public funds) plus EUR 100,000 to the Land Development Corporation, EUR 2m investment held 5 years, EUR 500,000 home for life; Schengen visa and 6-month residence permit required; ban on PEPs, sanctioned or wanted persons and those refused citizenship elsewhere; business route must employ 9 Cypriot/EU citizens; Supervisory Committee for service providers (fines up to EUR 350,000, EUR 700,000 for repeat breaches) and a Naturalisations Control Unit publishing annual statistics; advertising rules.","source_id":"cyp-kdp-379-2020","location":"Regulations 4-18 and Annex, PDF pp. 1-14 (gazette pp. 2021-2034)","quote":"Οι περί Τιμητικής Πολιτογράφησης για Λόγους Δημοσίου Συμφέροντος και Πολιτογράφησης Αλλοδαπών Επιχειρηματιών ή Επενδυτών Κανονισμοί του 2020","countries":"","short_title":"Regulations ΚΔΠ 379/2020 put the programme's criteria into law","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-bfb5eafb5f","date":"2020-08-17","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Law 113(I)/2020: criteria move into regulations; new grounds for deprivation within 10 years","description":"Amends art. 111A; published with ΚΔΠ 379/2020 (18 Aug 2020), which raised required contributions to EUR 200,000.","source_id":"cyp-law-113-2020","location":"Gazette Αρ. 4773, 17.8.2020; art. 3","quote":"σε διάστημα δέκα (10) ετών από την εγγραφή ή την πολιτογράφησή του","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus tightens citizenship rules and raises investment amount","plain_summary":"A new Cypriot law moved the programme's criteria into regulations and added grounds to strip citizenship within ten years of naturalisation; the required contribution rose to €200,000.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-f064112566","date":"2020-08-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CIU Board decides to transfer excess funds to government","description":"The Board decided that excess CIU funds beyond its budget be transferred to the Government; the Minister then instructed remittance of excess funds to the Consolidated Fund (separate from NEF donations).","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2020-21","location":"PDF p. 53, Note 16 (image, OCR)","quote":"on August 14th, 2020, the Board decided that any excess funds which may accumulate from time to time should be transferred to the","countries":"","short_title":"CIU Board decides to transfer excess funds to government","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-ccff05a139","date":"2020-08-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"closure","title":"Last day IIP applications were accepted","description":"The regulator's report says IIP applications were accepted until 14 August 2020; applications for the residence document submitted before 15 August 2020 continued to be assessed under the IIP rules.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2020","location":"PDF p. 1, cover note","quote":"Applications for this Programme were accepted till 14th August 2020","countries":"","short_title":"Last day IIP applications were accepted","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-c671acd50c","date":"2020-08-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"context","title":"President Dodon grants citizenship to 11 more investors and relatives","description":"Decree for six main applicants and five family members, effective 1 Sep 2020.","source_id":"mda-zdg-2020-08-07","location":"para 1","quote":"Pe 3 august curent, președintele Igor Dodon a semnat un decret prin care 11 persoane străine vor primi cetățenia Republicii Moldova","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova's president grants citizenship to 11 more investors","plain_summary":"Moldova's President Igor Dodon signed a decree granting citizenship to six investors and five family members, effective from 1 September 2020.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-2eb74c0c04","date":"2020-07-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Parliament passes CIP regulations without transitional clause","description":"Plenary passes the naturalisation regulations; an amendment deletes the transitional provision that would have let pending applications be examined under the old regime.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 99-100 (printed pp. 93-94)","quote":"κατά την ψήφιση των Κανονισμών από την Ολομέλεια της Βουλής των Αντιπροσώπων στις 31.7.2020, κατατέθηκε και υπερψηφίστηκε τροπολογία","countries":"","short_title":"Parliament passes CIP regulations without transitional clause","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-9f5aacd625","date":"2020-07-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"closure","title":"IIP closed to new applications; regulations repealed","description":"Amendments to the Citizenship Act stopped IIP applications, repealed the IIP regulations and wound up the MIIPA. Pending applications continued: IIP naturalisations went on until 2024.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2020","location":"PDF p. 5","quote":"on 31st July 2020 amendments were carried to the Malta Citizenship Act, Cap. 188, applications for the granting of citizenship in terms of the Individual Investor Programme were stopped","countries":"","short_title":"Malta closes its Individual Investor Programme","plain_summary":"Malta stopped accepting new applications and repealed the rules for its Individual Investor Programme, though applications already filed kept being processed until 2024.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-c670486415","date":"2020-07-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-mec","category":"legal_basis","title":"2020 Citizenship (Amendment) Act adopted, creating the exceptional-services route","description":"Malta adopted the 2020 act amending art. 10(9) of the Maltese Citizenship Act (naturalisation for exceptional services, including by investors); it does not apply to applications filed before it came into force. The detailed 2020 regulations followed on 20 November 2020.","source_id":"mlt-cjeu-c181-23","location":"paras 20-22","quote":"On 28 July 2020, the Republic of Malta adopted the 2020 act.","countries":"","short_title":"2020 Citizenship (Amendment) Act adopted, creating the exceptional-services route","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-0123002810","date":"2020-07-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Developers of tourism projects must post a bank guarantee","description":"Public call amended: applicants for the tourism project list must provide an irrevocable first-demand bank guarantee of 50% of the minimum investment.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF p. 2, section 2.1.1","quote":"02.07.2020. godine su izvršene dodatne izmjene i dopune predmetnog Javnog poziva","countries":"","short_title":"Developers of tourism projects must post a bank guarantee","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-ee718944bf","date":"2020-07","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Parliament passes law allowing removal of citizenship (reported)","description":"The law lets Cyprus remove citizenship from anyone who commits a serious crime, is wanted by Interpol or is sanctioned within 10 years of buying a passport; MPs voted against publishing buyers' names.","source_id":"cyp-aljazeera-cyprus-papers-2020","location":"para on rules","quote":"Cypriot parliamentarians in July finally passed a law that gave the country the power to remove citizenship","countries":"","short_title":"Parliament passes law allowing removal of citizenship (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-ae90bb2016","date":"2020-06-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"legal","title":"Court rules for the agency in a refused IIP applicant's case","description":"First of two 2016 lawsuits by refused IIP applicants (Case 144/2016) decided in favour of the agency after 30 sittings; appeal lodged 13 Jul 2020.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2021","location":"PDF p. 25, section 1.8","quote":"judgement, in favour of the Defendant (the Agency), was issued on 25 June 2020.","countries":"","short_title":"Court rules for the agency in a refused IIP applicant's case","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-bcb6611060","date":"2020-06-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"closure","title":"Parliament abolishes the programme from 1 September 2020","description":"80 deputies vote in final reading to abolish citizenship by investment; applications already filed are examined as set by the government.","source_id":"mda-tv8-2020-06-18","location":"paras 1-3","quote":"80 de deputați au susținut adoptarea proiectului în lectura a doua, lectură finală.","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova's parliament votes to abolish selling citizenship","plain_summary":"Moldova's parliament voted in a final reading to abolish its citizenship-by-investment programme from 1 September 2020, though applications already filed would still be reviewed.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-7c239b2996","date":"2020-06-17","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government backs bill to make investor citizens' names public","description":"The Government supported a deputy's bill to repeal art. 27(2) of the Citizenship Law, which kept the names of people granted citizenship by investment secret.","source_id":"mda-zdg-2020-08-07","location":"section on the legal basis","quote":"La 17 iunie curent, Guvernul a susținut proiectul de lege pentru abrogarea alineatului (2) al articolului 27 din Legea cetățeniei Republicii Moldova","countries":"","short_title":"Government backs bill to make investor citizens' names public","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-abd7ce8bbd","date":"2020-06-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"rule_change","title":"IIP deadlines may be extended for unavoidable delays (LN 235 of 2020)","description":"LN 235 of 2020 (published 9 June 2020, backdated) let the agency extend the regulations' time limits, including the two-year deadline for the oath of allegiance, when delays cannot be attributed to the applicant or agent; prompted by Covid-19 travel restrictions.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2020","location":"PDF p. 52, section 3.1","quote":"Published as a supplement in the Government Gazette of Malta No 20,419 on 9th June 2020.","countries":"","short_title":"IIP deadlines may be extended for unavoidable delays (LN 235 of 2020)","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-3095fbb811","date":"2020-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"All agents' licences extended by a year","description":"At their request all licensed agents had their licences extended for one more year in June 2020.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF p. 5, section 2.4","quote":"tokom juna mjeseca 2020. godine svim licenciranim agentima je produžena licenca za još godinu dana","countries":"","short_title":"All agents' licences extended by a year","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-70210bd664","date":"2020-05-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"COVID-19 relief bond option","description":"Temporary US$250,000 non-interest bearing government bond route to raise funds during the pandemic; later extended to end-2021 and end-2022.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2020a","location":"p. 3-4","quote":"(a) be made by the 31st day of December, 2020;","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia adds a pandemic relief bond option","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia temporarily let people gain citizenship by buying a US$250,000 interest-free government bond, to raise money during the pandemic; the option was later extended twice.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-fc51c124e7","date":"2020-05-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Admin fee waiver for real estate projects with a school","description":"New reg. 13A waives the real estate administration fee for applicants and dependants where the approved project includes an educational institution and a child dependant has a letter of acceptance; new reg. 13B waives the processing fee for the COVID-19 bond.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2020a","location":"pp. 4-5, reg. 5","quote":"A non-refundable administration fee with regard to an approved real estate project that includes an educational institution shall be waived","countries":"","short_title":"Admin fee waiver for real estate projects with a school","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-83e6cfbd88","date":"2020-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"CIU takes on alien landholding licensing","description":"Alien Landholding (Licensing) Act No. 1 of 2020 (in effect March 2020) and Regulations No. 70 of 2020 (May 2020) give the CIP Unit the processing of certificates of eligibility and alien landholding licences.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2020-21","location":"PDF p. 6 (Chairman)","quote":"The CIP Unit now has the mandate to issue Alien Landholding Licenses","countries":"","short_title":"CIU takes on alien landholding licensing","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-d406d56402","date":"2020-04-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"rule_change","title":"NDSF share of IIP contributions cut from 70% to 20% (LN 161 of 2020)","description":"More IIP money went to the Consolidated Fund. The Regulator's 2021 figures show EUR 15.3m to the NDSF and EUR 61.1m to the Consolidated Fund.","source_id":"mlt-ndsf-ar-2020","location":"PDF p. 9, footnote","quote":"L.N 161 of 2020 published on the 24th April 2020 amended the proportion of contributions from the Individual Investor Programme which are to be allotted to the National Development and Social Fund under the principal regulations, from seventy percent (70%) to twenty percent (20%).","countries":"","short_title":"Malta shifts more citizenship-sale money to general use","plain_summary":"Malta cut the share of citizenship-sale contributions going to its development fund from 70% to 20%, sending more money to general government funds instead.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-f6bbeed46f","date":"2020-04-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"EU Justice Commissioner asks Cyprus to consider phasing out the programme","description":"Letter of 01.04.2020 from the Commissioner for Justice asking Cyprus to consider gradually ending the programme; the Interior Minister replied on 06.04.2020 defending stricter rules instead.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 211 (printed p. 209), ch. 6, section 6.9","quote":"με επιστολή ημερομηνίας 01.04.2020 ο Επίτροπος για Δικαιοσύνη","countries":"","short_title":"EU Justice Commissioner asks Cyprus to consider phasing out the programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-5c4cfa6279","date":"2020-04-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"legal","title":"Commission writes to Malta that the IIP may breach sincere cooperation","description":"By letter of 1 April 2020 the Commission told Malta that investor citizenship schemes such as the 2014 IIP, which involve the 'sale' of Union citizenship, could breach the principle of sincere cooperation. Malta replied with details between April and October 2020.","source_id":"mlt-cjeu-c181-23","location":"para 30","quote":"By letter dated 1 April 2020, the Commission indicated to the Republic of Malta that investor citizenship schemes such as the 2014 investor citizenship scheme","countries":"","short_title":"Commission writes to Malta that the IIP may breach sincere cooperation","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-e8ca222be4","date":"2020-03-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-dsp","category":"rule_change","title":"Due diligence tightened and agent quota set","description":"Orders No. 38 and 39 of 2020 (VCP and DSP) require due diligence by an international specialist firm as well as the FIU, extend the FIU deadline from 48 to 96 hours, raise the due diligence fee to USD 5,000, and (DSP) require each agent to bring at least 12 investors a year.","source_id":"vut-dsp-amend-order-39-2020","location":"PDF p. 2, Schedule item 1","quote":"A designated agent is to achieve a minimum of 12 investors per annum.","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu tightens checks and sets a minimum sales quota for agents","plain_summary":"New orders added independent due-diligence checks, extended the money-laundering check deadline from 48 to 96 hours, raised the fee to USD 5,000, and required agents to bring at least 12 investors a year.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-b3116fd15c","date":"2020-03-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-vcp","category":"rule_change","title":"VCP due diligence tightened and fee raised to USD 5,000","description":"Order No. 38 of 2020 amends the Contribution Program Regulations Order No. 220 of 2016: the designated agent must apply to the FIU for due diligence checks by an international specialist firm engaged by the FIU (defined as a globally reputable firm specialised in citizenship and visa due diligence) as well as by the FIU itself; the time in paragraph 2A(1)(b) is extended from 48 to 96 hours; the due diligence fee in paragraph 3(2C) rises from USD 2,000 to USD 5,000. Commences on the day it is made. The same changes for the DSP (Order No. 39 of 2020) are event e-e8ca222be4.","source_id":"vut-vcp-amend-order-38-2020","location":"PDF p. 1, clauses 1-2; PDF p. 2, Schedule items 1-4 (OCR)","quote":"Paragraph 2A(1)(b) Delete “48 hours”, substitute “96 hours”","countries":"","short_title":"VCP due diligence tightened and fee raised to USD 5,000","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-15216f01b1","date":"2020-03-11","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Amendment 12/20: Investment Agency takes over; minor family members covered","description":"Amendment of the Decision (Službeni list CG 12/20 of 11 Mar 2020) after the Investment Agency replaced the Secretariat for Development Projects; family members under 18 can acquire citizenship under the programme.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF p. 1, section 1","quote":"Predmetne izmjene su objavljene u ,Službenom listu Crne Gore“, broj 12/20 od 11.03.2020.","countries":"","short_title":"Amendment 12/20: Investment Agency takes over; minor family members covered","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-d14181d12e","date":"2020-03-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government approves draft law for a repeat moratorium until 1 January 2021 (reported)","description":"Monitorul Fiscal reported on 2 Mar 2020 that the government had approved a draft law instituting a new moratorium: no new applications until 1 Jan 2021. Earlier the government had approved extending the moratorium to 24 Feb 2020. Exact approval date not given; the date is the publication date.","source_id":"mda-fisc-2020","location":"paras 1-2","quote":"Până la 1 ianuarie 2021 , cererile noi de dobândire a cetățeniei Republicii Moldova prin investiții nu vor fi acceptate.","countries":"","short_title":"Government approves draft law for a repeat moratorium until 1 January 2021 (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-a80452adda","date":"2020-02-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Parliament votes moratorium until 1 September 2020","description":"Law voted in two readings; in force 20 Mar 2020.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2020-325","location":"PDF p. 19","quote":"The law was voted on 28 February 2020 in two readings and the new moratorium entered into force on 20 March 2020.","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova's parliament votes moratorium until September 2020","plain_summary":"Moldova's parliament passed a law pausing new citizenship investment applications until 1 September 2020, which took effect on 20 March 2020.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-5e85d6b6b2","date":"2020-02-26","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government approves bill for a new moratorium","description":"Chicu government sends Parliament a bill for a moratorium on new applications (draft: until 1 Jan 2021).","source_id":"mda-gov-moratorium-bill-2020","location":"draft law, art. 1","quote":"Se instituie moratoriu, până la 1 ianuarie 2021, asupra recepționării cererilor noi de dobândire a cetățeniei Republicii Moldova","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova's government proposes a new citizenship programme pause","plain_summary":"Moldova's government sent parliament a bill proposing a moratorium on new citizenship investment applications, drafted to last until 1 January 2021.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-438d8ca379","date":"2020-02-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Moratorium extended to 24 February 2020 by government draft decision (reported)","description":"The government had earlier approved a draft decision extending the moratorium until 24 February 2020 (date of approval not given; the date recorded is the end of the extended moratorium).","source_id":"mda-fisc-2020","location":"para 3","quote":"anterior, Guvernul a aprobat un proiect de hotărâre ce prevedea extinderea moratoriului până la 24 februarie curent","countries":"","short_title":"Moratorium extended to 24 February 2020 by government draft decision (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-9ac44d024b","date":"2020-02","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"First Montenegrin investor passport issued (reported)","description":"Vijesti reports the first \"golden passport\" was issued in February 2020.","source_id":"mne-vijesti-2026-06-20","location":"para 7","quote":"Prvi zlatni pasoš izdat je u februaru 2020.","countries":"","short_title":"First Montenegrin investor passport issued (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-ba10521905","date":"2020-01-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"2019 amendment to article 111A enters into force","description":"The 2019 amendment took effect without the required regulations; previous terms continued to apply.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF pp. 250, 252 (printed pp. 248, 250), ch. 8","quote":"Η τροποποίηση του 2019, η οποία τέθηκε σε εφαρμογή την 31η Ιανουαρίου του 2020","countries":"","short_title":"2019 amendment to article 111A enters into force","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-48de86c779","date":"2020-01-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"scandal","title":"Audit Office report ΥΠΕΣ/01/2020 on naturalisation of the presidential aircraft owner","description":"Special report on the naturalisation of the owner of the aircraft used by the President, five more investors and 36 relatives.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 8 (printed p. 2), section 1.1","quote":"31.1.2020 η έκδοση της Ειδικής Έκθεσης με αρ. ΥΠΕΣ/01/2020","countries":"","short_title":"Audit Office report ΥΠΕΣ/01/2020 on naturalisation of the presidential aircraft owner","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-66952f793d","date":"2020","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"EGY","program_id":"egy-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"PM Decree 647/2020 organises the naturalisation unit","description":"Decree 647/2020 forms the Cabinet unit examining investment-naturalisation applications and sets procedures and documents.","source_id":"egy-ecu-about-2026","location":"section 'معلومات عن الوحدة'","quote":"القرار رقم 647 لسنه 2020 بتشكيل وحدة بمجلس الوزراء تختص بفحص طلبات التجنس","countries":"","short_title":"Egypt sets up a unit to examine citizenship applications","plain_summary":"A 2020 prime ministerial decree organised the cabinet unit that examines investment-naturalisation applications and set its procedures and required documents.","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-8c892f64c0","date":"2020","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"Two real estate projects introduced; marketing agreements renegotiated","description":"Chairman reports the first two approved real estate projects (Cannelles development and the Alpina Hotel, part of DSH Pearl of the Caribbean) and the renegotiation of both marketing agent agreements (exclusivities removed, common commission framework) during 2019/20; exact dates not given.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2019-20","location":"PDF p. 5 (Chairman)","quote":"introduction of two real estate projects, being the","countries":"","short_title":"Two real estate projects introduced; marketing agreements renegotiated","plain_summary":"","year":"2020"},{"event_id":"e-54eef427fc","date":"2019-12-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Moratorium extended by two months (reported)","description":"By government decision the moratorium was extended by two more months from 20 December 2019; parliament later did not extend it.","source_id":"mda-newsmaker-2020-02-25","location":"para 7-8","quote":"prin decizie de guvern, începând cu 20 decembrie, moratoriul a fost prelungit cu încă două luni","countries":"","short_title":"Moratorium extended by two months (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-8e1fe94dc0","date":"2019-12-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"EGY","program_id":"egy-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"PM Decree 3099/2019 sets the investment routes for Egyptian nationality","description":"Prime Minister's Decree 3099 of 18 Dec 2019, published in Official Gazette No. 50 bis (c) the same day and in force the next day, lets the Prime Minister grant nationality, on the proposal of a new Cabinet unit, for buying state property (USD 500,000), investing USD 400,000 in a project, depositing USD 750,000 (5 years) or USD 1 million (3 years), or paying USD 250,000 to the treasury.","source_id":"egy-gazette-pmd-3099-2019","location":"Art. 3","quote":"يُنشر هذا القرار فى الجريدة الرسمية ، ويُعمل به من اليوم التالى لتاريخ نشره","countries":"","short_title":"Egypt sets prices for citizenship","plain_summary":"A December 2019 decree lets the Prime Minister grant nationality for buying state property, investing in a business, or depositing money, with set minimum amounts in US dollars.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-0e91d01163","date":"2019-12-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"rule_change","title":"EUR 200,000 investment-fund route added","description":"Decree amendment of 10 Dec 2019 adds a route of at least EUR 200,000 per person for two years in a qualifying private investment fund.","source_id":"mkd-sv-decree-2019-255","location":"p. 4, Art. 2","quote":"најмалку 200.000 евра","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia adds an investment-fund route to residence","plain_summary":"A 2019 decree amendment let North Macedonia grant residence through an investment of at least €200,000 per person for two years in a qualifying private investment fund.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-5555785f2d","date":"2019-12-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Attorney General: no legal basis to strip investor citizenships","description":"Opinion of Attorney General Costas Clerides: section 113(3) of the Civil Registry Law could not be used to deprive of citizenship persons naturalised under section 111A.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 461 (printed p. 459), section 13.2","quote":"γνωμάτευση, ημερ. 09.12.2019","countries":"","short_title":"Attorney General: no legal basis to strip investor citizenships","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-86af8aa5a2","date":"2019-12-05","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Finance Ministry asks providers to confirm investors kept investments","description":"Letter to registered providers asking for data on whether each client naturalised between 01.05.2013 and 31.12.2018 still held the investment and/or permanent residence.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 354 (printed p. 352), ch. 11.1","quote":"το Υπουργείο Οικονομικών είχε γνωστοποιήσει επιστολή, ημερομηνίας 05.12.2019 στα Μέλη του Μητρώου Παρόχων Υπηρεσιών, με θέμα τον έλεγχο διατήρησης επενδύσεων ή/και μόνιμης ιδιόκτητης κατοικίας","countries":"","short_title":"Finance Ministry asks providers to confirm investors kept investments","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-603f7d9216","date":"2019-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"EGY","program_id":"egy-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Prime Minister's decree (December 2019) sets the amounts for the four routes","description":"Prime Minister's Decree 3099/2019 sets the amounts: state property USD 500,000; project USD 400,000; deposit USD 750,000 (5 years) or USD 1 million (3 years); USD 250,000 to the Treasury (as reported; decree text not obtained).","source_id":"egy-aljazeera-opinion-2023","location":"section '4 خيارات'","quote":"وهو ما قام به بالفعل في الشهر الأخير من العام بتحديد المبالغ المطلوبة بكل خيار","countries":"","short_title":"Egypt sets amounts for its four investment citizenship routes","plain_summary":"A prime ministerial decree set the required amounts for Egypt's investment citizenship routes: US$500,000 for state property, US$400,000 for a project, US$750,000-1 million in deposits, or US$250,000 to the Treasury.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-3e91e24983","date":"2019-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"JOR","program_id":"jor-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Cabinet cuts investor citizenship thresholds","description":"A December 2019 Cabinet decision lowers the deposit, bond and securities routes from USD 1.5m to USD 1m, SMEs to USD 750,000 for 3 years, and projects from USD 2m to USD 1.5m (Amman) and USD 1.5m to USD 1m (elsewhere).","source_id":"jor-jic-206-investors-2020","location":"para. 6","quote":"under a Cabinet decision made in December 2019","countries":"","short_title":"Jordan lowers thresholds for its investor citizenship programme","plain_summary":"Jordan's cabinet cut investment thresholds in December 2019, lowering the deposit and securities route from US$1.5 million to US$1 million and reducing amounts for small businesses and larger projects.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-2a3c6bce25","date":"2019-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Moratorium extended by two months","description":"Moratorium extended in December 2019 (to 24 Feb 2020 per TV8).","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2020-132","location":"PDF p. 52","quote":"further extended for two more months in December 2019","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova extends its citizenship programme moratorium by two months","plain_summary":"Moldova extended the pause on new citizenship investment applications by a further two months in December 2019.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-f7e5b1e796","date":"2019-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Parliament amends citizenship law to cover investors' families","description":"Amendments to the Law on Montenegrin Citizenship confirm automatic eligibility of successful applicants' family members.","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2020-132","location":"PDF p. 24","quote":"In December 2019, Parliament enacted amendments to the law on Montenegrin citizenship. These confirm the automatic eligibility for citizenship of the family members of successful applicants","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro extends citizenship to investors' family members","plain_summary":"Montenegro's parliament amended its citizenship law to confirm that family members of successful investor applicants are automatically eligible for citizenship too.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-2790d16555","date":"2019-11-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"European Commission asks about deprivation of citizenship of 26 persons","description":"The Commission (DG Justice and Consumers) wrote asking about deprivation procedures for 26 persons, assessment of their service providers and planned changes to the framework; Cyprus replied on 10.1.2020.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 210 (printed p. 208), ch. 6, section 6.9","quote":"Στις 29.11.2019, η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή","countries":"","short_title":"European Commission asks about deprivation of citizenship of 26 persons","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-ea412725f0","date":"2019-11-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Council of Ministers starts deprivation for 26 persons and appoints a three-member review committee","description":"The committee (Accountant General, later Capital Markets Commission chair, and a Law Office representative) was to examine the Ministry's new due-diligence checks on naturalisations up to 2018 and whether all naturalisations met the criteria in force.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 744 (printed p. 742), ch. 19","quote":"το Υπουργικό Συμβούλιο αποφάσισε στις 6/11/2019 την έναρξη της διαδικασίας αποστέρησης","countries":"","short_title":"Council of Ministers starts deprivation for 26 persons and appoints a three-member review committee","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-cbef37b0c2","date":"2019-11-05","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Rulebook on processing-industry projects","description":"Ministry of Economy adopts the conditions for processing-industry projects (Službeni list CG 063/19); no call for such projects followed.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF p. 3, section 2.2","quote":"Nekadašnje Ministarstvo ekonomije je 05.11.2019. godine donijelo Pravilnik","countries":"","short_title":"Rulebook on processing-industry projects","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-24d8c4ee04","date":"2019-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Three due-diligence firms contracted","description":"Ministry contracted three firms for enhanced due diligence at end-November 2019; first requests December 2019, reports received in 2020 (testimony).","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 101 (printed p. 99), testimony of C. Kaoulla","quote":"συμβλήθηκαν με τρεις οίκους\nτέλος του Νοέμβρη του 2019","countries":"","short_title":"Three due-diligence firms contracted","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-2ae3fef169","date":"2019-10-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"scandal","title":"Government orders new due diligence on everyone naturalised before 2018","description":"Followed on 6 Nov 2019 by a three-member committee to review naturalisations and tighter checks on investments made before end-2016.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 28 (printed p. 22)","quote":"στην Απόφαση του, ημερ. 23.10.2019, το ΥΣ αποφάσισε να εξουσιοδοτήσει τον Υπουργό Εσωτερικών όπως προχωρήσει σε νέους ελέγχους δέουσας επιμέλειας","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus orders new checks on everyone naturalised before 2018","plain_summary":"Cyprus's government ordered fresh due diligence on all citizenship grants before 2018, followed by a committee to review past naturalisations and tighter checks on earlier investments.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-fb5c85e746","date":"2019-10-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government sends Parliament a bill to end citizenship for investors","description":"According to the 2022 motives, the Council of Ministers approved and on 8 Oct 2019 submitted to the National Assembly changes removing naturalisation for people with permanent residence under art. 25(1) items 6 and 7 of the Foreigners Act (and their family members, or who raised the investment to at least BGN 2 million). Parliament instead kept investor citizenship and residence with more controls (DV 21 of 2021).","source_id":"bgr-ns-bill-47-202-01-2-2022","location":"Motives to the bill, paras 6-7","quote":"Министерският съвет одобри и внесе на 8 октомври 2019 г. в Народното събрание предложения за промени в режима за придобиване на българско гражданство срещу инвестиции","countries":"","short_title":"Government sends Parliament a bill to end citizenship for investors","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-6453c66a2c","date":"2019-10-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Call for agriculture and wood-processing projects","description":"Public call for proposals for the list of development projects in agriculture and wood processing published; two applications arrived in December 2020.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF p. 4, section 2.3","quote":"oblasti poljoprivrede i drvoprerade na osnovu kojih se može steći crnogorsko državljanstvo prijemom objavljen je 08.10.2019. godine","countries":"","short_title":"Call for agriculture and wood-processing projects","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-18f5da488a","date":"2019-09-26","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Tourism projects must hire an independent controller","description":"First amendment of the public call for tourism projects: investors must engage an independent controller reporting every six months to the Ministry and the Government.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF p. 2, section 2.1.1","quote":"Prve izmjene i dopune Javnog poziva su objavljene 26.09.2019. godine.","countries":"","short_title":"Tourism projects must hire an independent controller","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-2f66396a95","date":"2019-09-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"OECD CRS high-risk list no longer includes the St Kitts and Nevis residence scheme (by September 2019)","description":"The \"Residence by Investment\" row for Saint Kitts and Nevis, present in the 8 May 2019 archived copy, is absent from the 21 September 2019 copy (24 schemes). The removal date is not published; the page still showed \"Last updated: 20 November 2018\".","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2019-09","location":"List table","quote":"identifying the following schemes that potentially pose a high-risk to the integrity of CRS","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts residence scheme dropped from the OECD risk list","plain_summary":"The St Kitts and Nevis residence scheme disappeared from the list between May and September 2019. The OECD did not say when.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-75157026c7","date":"2019-08-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Four-month moratorium on new applications (reported)","description":"A moratorium on receiving applications started on 23 August 2019 for four months.","source_id":"mda-newsmaker-2020-02-25","location":"para 7","quote":"moratoriul privind dobândirea cetățeniei prin investiție a fost instituit începând cu 23 august, pe o perioadă de patru luni","countries":"","short_title":"Four-month moratorium on new applications (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-34156698cf","date":"2019-08-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"First four-month moratorium takes effect","description":"The first four-month moratorium on the citizenship-by-investment law took effect on 23 August 2019 and was later extended to 20 February 2020.","source_id":"mda-zdg-2020-08-07","location":"last section","quote":"Primul moratoriu de patru luni a intrat prima dată în vigoare la 23 august 2019, fiind ulterior prelungit până la 20 februarie.","countries":"","short_title":"First four-month moratorium takes effect","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-42d06ee305","date":"2019-08-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"JOR","program_id":"jor-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Special investors committee formed","description":"Cabinet decision 5995 forms the special committee for investors, chaired by the Interior Minister, which recommends citizenship grants to the Cabinet.","source_id":"jor-moin-mechanism-4375-2025","location":"PDF p. 1, definitions","quote":"اللجنة الخاصة بالمستثمرين المشكلة بموجب قرار مجلس الوزراء رقم (5995) تاريخ 2019/8/19","countries":"","short_title":"Jordan forms special committee to vet investor citizenship","plain_summary":"A Jordanian cabinet decision created a special committee, chaired by the interior minister, to recommend investor citizenship grants to the cabinet.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-c5670f57d8","date":"2019-07-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Four-month moratorium on new applications (Law 107/2019)","description":"Parliament adopts a four-month moratorium after the change of government. The EC dates the suspension to 19 Jul 2019, and the Public Services Agency said intake stopped from 23 Aug 2019 (mda-newsmaker-2020-02-25).","source_id":"mda-fisc-2020","location":"para 3","quote":"la 31 iulie 2019 a fost aprobată Legea nr.107/2019 pentru instituirea moratoriului privind acordarea cetăţeniei RM","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova pauses its citizenship investment programme for four months","plain_summary":"Moldova's parliament approved a four-month moratorium on new citizenship investment applications after a change of government; intake reportedly stopped from late August 2019.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-29576c3a69","date":"2019-07-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"EGY","program_id":"egy-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Law 140/2019 replaces deposit residence with investment naturalisation","description":"Law 140/2019 lets the Prime Minister naturalise foreigners who buy state property, invest under the Investment Law or pay foreign currency to the Treasury or a Central Bank deposit; sets up a Cabinet unit and a USD 10,000 fee; repeals the deposit-residence article.","source_id":"egy-law-140-2019","location":"Art. 2 (new Art. 4 bis of Law 26/1975)","quote":"منح الجنسية المصرية لكل أجنبى قام بشراء عقار مملوك للدولة أو لغيرها من الأشخاص الاعتبارية العامة، أو بإنشاء مشروع استثمارى","countries":"","short_title":"Egypt replaces deposit residence with broader investment naturalisation","plain_summary":"A new Egyptian law replaced deposit residence, letting the Prime Minister grant citizenship to foreigners who buy state property, invest under the investment law, or pay the Treasury foreign currency, for a USD 10,000 fee.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-edcef4b87f","date":"2019-07-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Politically exposed persons barred from naturalisation","description":"Council of Ministers decision no. 87.926 of 25.07.2019 ruled out naturalising politically exposed persons (PEPs).","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 647 (printed p. 645), section 16.2.2, Conclusions A.3(b)","quote":"Απόφαση ημερ.25.07.2019 (αρ.87.926) για μη πολιτογράφηση Πολιτικά Εκτεθειμένων Προσώπων","countries":"","short_title":"Politically exposed persons barred from naturalisation","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-9b12e431f0","date":"2019-07-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Rulebook on agriculture and wood-processing projects","description":"Ministry of Agriculture adopts the conditions for agriculture and wood-processing development projects under the programme (Službeni list CG 041/19).","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF p. 4, section 2.3","quote":"Nekadašnje Ministarstvo poljoprivrede i ruralnog razvoja je 19.07.2019. godine, u skladu sa Odlukom, donijelo Pravilnik","countries":"","short_title":"Rulebook on agriculture and wood-processing projects","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-70f6ec04b7","date":"2019-07-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"National Economic Fund Act in force","description":"Commencement date printed in the Act: from this date the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund under Act No. 18 of 2019 receives CBI cash contributions, and references in the CBI Act to the Fund refer to it (s. 20).","source_id":"lca-nef-act-2019","location":"PDF p. 1 (Act p. 123)","quote":"[ 3rd July, 2019 ]","countries":"","short_title":"National Economic Fund Act in force","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-5b749407a1","date":"2019-07-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"National Economic Fund Act","description":"Saint Lucia National Economic Fund Act No. 18 of 2019 assented; NEF board to manage CIP donations (previously remitted to the Consolidated Fund).","source_id":"lca-nef-act-2019","location":"p. 1","quote":"NEVILLE CENAC, Governor-General. July 2, 2019.","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia creates a fund to manage citizenship donations","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia passed a law setting up a National Economic Fund board to manage donations from its citizenship programme, previously sent straight to general government funds.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-fb0b8addcf","date":"2019-06-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"legal","title":"National Economic Fund Act passed by Parliament","description":"Saint Lucia National Economic Fund Act No. 18 of 2019 passed by the House of Assembly on 11 June 2019 and the Senate on 13 June 2019. It replaces section 33 of the CBI Act: CBI cash contributions (\"qualifying investments\") go to the Fund, run by a board chaired by the Director of Finance, which may lend to or invest in government-approved capital projects, reduce government debt, buy government bonds or fund non-recurrent purposes approved by Cabinet, and must publish an annual report.","source_id":"lca-nef-act-2019","location":"PDF p. 8 (Act pp. 130-131)","quote":"Passed in the Senate this 13th day of June, 2019.","countries":"","short_title":"National Economic Fund Act passed by Parliament","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-6d7c4acd7e","date":"2019-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Parliament votes repeal of the citizenship-by-investment law at first reading only","description":"ACUM and PSRM deputies voted to repeal the law only at first reading in June 2019.","source_id":"mda-zdg-2020-08-07","location":"last section","quote":"În luna iunie 2019, deputații ACUM și PSRM au votat abrogarea legii cetățeniei prin investiție doar în prima lectură.","countries":"","short_title":"Parliament votes repeal of the citizenship-by-investment law at first reading only","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-7be0fee39c","date":"2019-05-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"EUR 150,000 donations, Schengen visa and refusal-elsewhere bar","description":"From applications filed on 15.5.2019: EUR 75,000 donations each to the Research and Innovation Foundation and the Cyprus Land Development Corporation, a valid Schengen visa, and EUR 2.5m total where a home already used for the programme is reused; applicants refused citizenship by another EU state are ineligible.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF pp. 59-63 (printed pp. 57-61), Programme VI criteria","quote":"ισχύει για αιτήσεις που\n υποβάλλονται από τις 15/5/2019 και εντεύθεν","countries":"","short_title":"EUR 150,000 donations, Schengen visa and refusal-elsewhere bar","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-5cf25db832","date":"2019-05-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Donation exemption for contracts stamped by 15 May 2019","description":"Applications filed up to 15.7.2019 exempted from the EUR 150,000 donations if the property contract was stamped by 15.5.2019.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 96 (printed p. 90)","quote":"Με την απόφαση του ΥΣ, ημερ. 6.5.2019, οι αιτήσεις που θα υποβάλλονταν μέχρι και τις 15.7.2019 εξαιρούνταν","countries":"","short_title":"Donation exemption for contracts stamped by 15 May 2019","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-fc55a45e5e","date":"2019-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Cyprus tightens eligibility rules (reported)","description":"Cyprus banned anyone under investigation, wanted, convicted or under international sanctions from buying a passport.","source_id":"cyp-aljazeera-cyprus-papers-2020","location":"para on rules","quote":"In May 2019, Cyprus introduced tougher rules on who was eligible for citizenship","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus tightens eligibility rules (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-73cd482c62","date":"2019-04-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-dsp","category":"price_change","title":"DSP Regulations Order No. 33 of 2019","description":"Sets government fees (USD 80,000-130,000), minimum agent selling prices (USD 130,000-180,000), USD 2,000 due diligence and FIU checks within 48 hours. VCP amended the same day by Order No. 34 of 2019 (per Citizenship Office directive).","source_id":"vut-dsp-regs-order-33-2019","location":"PDF p. 2, clause 2","quote":"For the purpose of section 13E of the Act, the Development Support Program is established.","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu sets new fees and checks for its investor programme","plain_summary":"A 2019 order set Vanuatu's government fees at USD 80,000-130,000, minimum agent prices at USD 130,000-180,000, a USD 2,000 due-diligence fee, and a 48-hour window for money-laundering checks.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-12986a7d50","date":"2019-03-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Co-investment offer, foreign bank accounts and payment in any currency","description":"S.I. 2019 No. 10 let two related parties invest $200,000 each in approved real estate until 31 Oct 2019, let the CIU open accounts outside the Eastern Caribbean, and allowed payment in any currency with Cabinet approval.","source_id":"atg-cbi-regs-2019","location":"PDF pp. 4-5","quote":"the Unit may allow two related parties, with a minimum investment of $200,000 each","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua eases investment and payment rules","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda let two related applicants invest $200,000 each in approved property (the regulation does not name the currency), let its citizenship unit open bank accounts abroad, and accepted payment in any currency with cabinet approval.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-f0aae2990d","date":"2019-03-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Dependent parents from age 58; passport renewal review fee repealed","description":"S.I. 2019 No. 10 also lowered the age for dependent parents or grandparents from over 65 to 58 or older, repealed the Schedule of Fees item for passport renewal (five-year review), and told the Board to identify countries where marketing the programme would pay.","source_id":"atg-cbi-regs-2019","location":"PDF pp. 5-6, regs 5 and 7","quote":"who is fifty eight (58) years of age or older and who is living with and is wholly supported by the main applicant","countries":"","short_title":"Dependent parents from age 58; passport renewal review fee repealed","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-bacb0ffdab","date":"2019-03-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"FIU stops replying when it has nothing on an applicant","description":"MOKAS told the Interior Ministry that if it did not reply within 5 working days to a request about an applicant, it should be taken that there was nothing to report (letter of 12 March 2019 reproduced as an image).","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF pp. 341-342 (printed pp. 339-340), ch. 10; MOKAS letter of 12 Mar 2019 reproduced as an image on PDF p. 342 (read by eye)","quote":"εάν εντός 5 εργάσιμων ημερών δεν λάβετε οποιαδήποτε απάντηση από τη Μονάδα, θα θεωρείται ότι δεν υπάρχει οτιδήποτε για αναφορά.","countries":"","short_title":"FIU stops replying when it has nothing on an applicant","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-478041bb40","date":"2019-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Ministry of Finance takes over monitoring of investment conditions","description":"Until March 2019 the Interior Ministry was responsible for checking that investments and homes were kept; from then the Ministry of Finance took full responsibility and wrote to all providers about investors naturalised 1 May 2013 to 31 Dec 2018.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 124 (printed p. 122), ch. 5 testimony 14 (K. Kakouris)","quote":"μέχρι τον Μάρτιο του 2019 την είχε το Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών","countries":"","short_title":"Ministry of Finance takes over monitoring of investment conditions","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-8ba636af8c","date":"2019-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"Gazettes stop listing new citizens (reported)","description":"OCCRP reports that Dominica's official gazettes stopped publishing the names of new citizens in March 2019; none of the gazettes seen up to December 2022 listed a new passport holder.","source_id":"dma-occrp-2023","location":"section \"Gazette Gaps\"","quote":"for unexplained reasons, Dominica’s gazettes stopped publishing the names of new citizens in March 2019","countries":"","short_title":"Gazettes stop listing new citizens (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-ac899fb6eb","date":"2019-02-26","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Call for projects for the list of tourism development projects","description":"The then Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism published the public call for expressions of interest to qualify projects for the List of development projects in tourism under the programme decision.","source_id":"mne-mirn-info-cbi-2026-07","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"Ministarstvo održivog razvoja i turizma 26. februara 2019. godine raspisalo Javni poziv za iskazivanje interesovanja za kvalifikovanje projekata na Listu razvojnih projekata u oblasti turizma","countries":"","short_title":"Call for projects for the list of tourism development projects","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-c4932d00c3","date":"2019-02-26","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Call for projects for the list of tourism development projects","description":"The then Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism published the public call for expressions of interest to qualify projects for the List of development projects in tourism under the programme decision.","source_id":"mne-mirn-info-cbi-2026-09","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"Ministarstvo održivog razvoja i turizma 26. februara 2019. godine raspisalo Javni poziv za iskazivanje interesovanja za kvalifikovanje projekata na Listu razvojnih projekata u oblasti turizma","countries":"","short_title":"Call for projects for the list of tourism development projects","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-a80928f169","date":"2019-02-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Law 9(I)/2019 requires regulations approved by Parliament","description":"Published amendment of article 111A: Council of Ministers must set the terms by regulations approved by Parliament; in force 31.1.2020 (report also says 1.2.2020), earlier Council criteria kept until regulations are issued.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF pp. 37-38, 69-70 (printed pp. 35-36, 67-68)","quote":"Στις 15 Φεβρουαρίου 2019, δημοσιεύτηκε η τροποποίηση του άρθρου\n111Α του Νόμου με τον Ν.9(Ι)/2019","countries":"","short_title":"Law 9(I)/2019 requires regulations approved by Parliament","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-0195c5e34a","date":"2019-02-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Revised programme: Schengen visa, EUR 150,000 donations, 5-year holding, PEP ban","description":"Decisions of 13 Feb 2019 (amended 25 Jul 2019): valid Schengen visa and EUR 75,000 donations each to the Research and Innovation Foundation and the Land Development Corporation for applications from 15 May 2019; investments held 5 years; politically exposed persons barred from July 2019.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 31 (printed p. 25), timeline chart","quote":"Δωρεά €75.000 προς ΚΟΑΓ και ΙΕΚ","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus revises citizenship programme with donations and longer holding period","plain_summary":"Cyprus required a valid Schengen visa, €75,000 donations each to two state funds, investments held for five years, and banned politically exposed persons from the programme from July 2019.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-f180a8245a","date":"2019-02","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Public call for tourism development projects issued (reported)","description":"The public call for projects to qualify for the list of tourism development projects was issued in February 2019.","source_id":"mne-cdm-2026-08-21","location":"para 2","quote":"javni poziv za kvalifikovanje projekata na Listu razvojnih projekata u oblasti turizma raspisan u februaru 2019. godine","countries":"","short_title":"Public call for tourism development projects issued (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-b193633853","date":"2019-01-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"European Commission report on investor citizenship and residence schemes","description":"COM(2019) 12 described the Bulgarian, Cypriot and Maltese investor citizenship schemes and investor residence schemes in 20 member states, and the risks for security, money laundering, tax evasion and corruption.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2019-12","location":"p. 1, section 1","quote":"Such schemes have raised concerns about certain inherent risks, in particular as regards security, money laundering, tax evasion and corruption.","countries":"BGR;CYP;MLT;CZE;EST;IRL;GRC;ESP;FRA;HRV;ITA;LVA;LTU;LUX;NLD;POL;PRT;ROU;SVK;GBR","short_title":"EU report flags risks of selling citizenship","plain_summary":"A European Commission report described citizenship-sale schemes in Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta, and residence-sale schemes in 20 countries, warning of security, money-laundering, tax and corruption risks.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-084ed5c67d","date":"2019-01-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"European Commission report notes Malta plans to raise the 1,800 cap","description":"COM(2019) 12 (the general publication is recorded as e-b193633853) noted that the Maltese scheme is capped at 1,800 main applicants and that the authorities intended to increase the cap by another 1,800.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2019-12","location":"p. 21","quote":"intend to increase the cap by another 1,800","countries":"","short_title":"EU report warns of risks in Malta's citizenship sales","plain_summary":"A European Commission report warned of security, money-laundering, tax and corruption risks in citizenship-sale schemes, and noted Malta planned to raise its applicant cap by another 1,800.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-1e4f8ec659","date":"2019-01-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Ministry of Justice proposes to scrap citizenship for investment","description":"Draft would remove the two articles allowing citizenship after investor permanent residence, while keeping investor residence in the Aliens Act.","source_id":"bgr-capital-2019-01-22","location":"para 2","quote":"Министерството на правосъдието предлага да отпадне възможността за купуване на българско гражданство чрез инвестиции.","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria's justice ministry proposes scrapping citizenship for investment","plain_summary":"Bulgaria's justice ministry proposed removing the legal provisions allowing citizenship for investment while keeping investor residence; the change was not adopted at the time.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-b9113352c9","date":"2019-01-07","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-dsp","category":"rule_change","title":"DSP given a statutory basis (s.13E)","description":"Citizenship (Amendment) Act No. 34 of 2018 commences, adding s.13E: DSP fees cover applicant, spouse and two children; decision within 3 months.","source_id":"vut-cit-amend-act-34-2018","location":"PDF p. 3, Schedule item 2","quote":"13E Application for citizenship by an investor under the Development Support Program","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu gives its citizenship-by-investment programme a legal basis","plain_summary":"A new law gave Vanuatu's Development Support Program citizenship route a statutory basis, covering the applicant, spouse and two children, with decisions due within three months.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-e77ab7fbaa","date":"2019-01-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Calls for intermediary and due-diligence agents","description":"The Secretariat for Development Projects published two public calls, for intermediary (marketing) agents and for due-diligence agents; 22 and 13 applications were received, three and two agents selected.","source_id":"mne-gov-info-cbi-2021-05","location":"PDF pp. 4-5, section 2.4","quote":"tadašnji Sekretarijat za razvojne projekte je 3. januara 2019. objavio dva javna poziva","countries":"","short_title":"Calls for intermediary and due-diligence agents","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-7e324d671e","date":"2019-01-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Programme opens to applications for three years","description":"Decision applies from 1 Jan 2019 to 31 Dec 2021, with a cap of 2,000 citizenship decisions (art. 16).","source_id":"mne-sl-79-2018","location":"art. 18, PDF p. 5","quote":"a primjenjivaće se od 1. januara 2019. godine do 31. decembra 2021. godine.","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro opens citizenship programme for three years, capped at 2,000","plain_summary":"Montenegro's investor citizenship programme ran from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021, with a limit of 2,000 citizenship decisions.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-d9e86a0f21","date":"2019","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"'Prison project' claim against previous administration","description":"In 2024 the Prime Minister claimed a real-estate project under the previous government produced 'tens of thousands' of citizenships; a political claim, not independently verified.","source_id":"kna-sknis-pm-cbi-speech-2024-10-17","location":"speech","quote":"The ill-conceived Team Unity Prison Project had resulted in tens of thousands of citizenships being issued from a single venture","countries":"","short_title":"PM claims past project issued tens of thousands of passports","plain_summary":"In 2024, St Kitts and Nevis's prime minister claimed a real-estate project under the previous government had produced tens of thousands of citizenships; a political claim, not independently checked.","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-f1d74ebc3e","date":"2019","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"First real estate project open for investment","description":"Saint Lucia Canelles Resort by Caribbean Galaxy Real Estate Ltd announced as the first project open for investment via the real estate route; exact date not given.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2018-19","location":"PDF p. 4 (Chairman)","quote":"Saint Lucia Canelles Resort by Caribbean GALAXY Real Estate Ltd is the first project","countries":"","short_title":"First real estate project open for investment","plain_summary":"","year":"2019"},{"event_id":"e-e6cbd6957a","date":"2018-12-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Investor citizenship decision enters into force","description":"The Government decision creating the Special Investment Programme (adopted 22 Nov 2018, published in Službeni list CG 79/2018 on 7 Dec 2018) enters into force on the eighth day after publication; it applies from 1 Jan 2019 to 31 Dec 2021.","source_id":"mne-sl-79-2018","location":"art. 18, PDF p. 5","quote":"Ova odluka stupa na snagu osmog dana od dana objav]jivanja u .,Sluzbenom listu Crne\nGore“, a primjenjivace se od 1, januara 2019. godine do 31. decembra 2021. godine.","countries":"","short_title":"Investor citizenship decision enters into force","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-2b6c26a647","date":"2018-12-07","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Off-plan / promise-to-sell contracts accepted","description":"Presidential Decree 418 lets a notarised promise-to-sell contract with full upfront payment qualify under the real estate route.","source_id":"tur-rg-2018-12-07-reg","location":"Art. 1","quote":"noterden düzenlenen sözleşmenin üç yıl süreyle devri ve terkini yapılmayacağı taahhüdüyle tapu siciline şerh edildiği","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey accepts promise-to-sell property contracts for citizenship","plain_summary":"Turkey allowed a notarised promise to sell property, paid in full upfront, to qualify under the real-estate citizenship route.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-86b22a404c","date":"2018-11-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Government adopts decision creating the investor citizenship programme","description":"Government of Duško Marković adopts the decision on the Special Investment Programme (published 7 Dec 2018, Službeni list CG 79/2018).","source_id":"mne-sl-79-2018","location":"preamble, PDF p. 1","quote":"Vlada Crne Gore, na sjednici od 22. novembra 2018. godine, donijela je","countries":"","short_title":"Montenegro's government creates its investor citizenship programme","plain_summary":"Montenegro's government adopted a decision setting up a Special Investment Programme granting citizenship to investors, published in December 2018.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-9dbffe10d2","date":"2018-11-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"context","title":"Minister: only names and professions of confirmed persons are published","description":"Answering a parliamentary question on secrecy, the Interior Minister says the names and professions of persons for whom the federal government has confirmed a special interest (links given for confirmations since 1 January 2017) are published by the Federal Chancellery, and that nothing further (reasons, supporters, ministries' opinions, rejections) will be published. Forum Informationsfreiheit says names were published online for 2016 and 2017.","source_id":"aut-parl-ab-1617-2018","location":"PDF p. 2, answer to question 1.1","quote":"Unter folgenden Links sind die Namen und Berufe jener Personen einsehbar","countries":"","short_title":"Austria says only limited details of citizenship grants are public","plain_summary":"Austria's interior minister said only the names and professions of people confirmed to have a special national interest are published, with reasons, supporters and rejections kept secret.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-c06762ff27","date":"2018-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Programme launched","description":"Moldova starts accepting investor citizenship applications.","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2020-132","location":"PDF p. 52","quote":"In November 2018, Moldova launched an investor citizenship scheme","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova launches its investor citizenship programme","plain_summary":"Moldova began accepting applications for its new investor citizenship programme in November 2018.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-83a9516e9d","date":"2018-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Citizenship-by-investment programme launched (reported)","description":"NewsMaker says the programme was launched in November 2018.","source_id":"mda-newsmaker-2020-02-25","location":"para 2","quote":"Programul de dobândire a cetățeniei Republicii Moldova prin investiție a fost lansat în noiembrie 2018.","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship-by-investment programme launched (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-eac7db5d00","date":"2018-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MNE","program_id":"mne-cbi","category":"context","title":"Government decision on criteria for economic citizenship adopted (reported)","description":"The government decision on criteria, method and procedure for selecting persons who can acquire citizenship on this basis was adopted in November 2018.","source_id":"mne-cdm-2026-08-21","location":"para 2","quote":"odluka o kriterijumima, načinu i postupku izbora lica koja mogu steći crnogorsko državljanstvo po ovom osnovu donijeta u novembru 2018. godine","countries":"","short_title":"Government decision on criteria for economic citizenship adopted (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-3132cc4271","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ARE","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"OECD lists \"UAE Residence by Investment\" as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"UAE Residence by Investment","countries":"","short_title":"UAE on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-5e3be87706","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"OECD lists an Antigua and Barbuda \"Permanent Residence Certificate\" scheme as potentially high-risk","description":"Besides the CIP, the OECD CRS list names an Antigua and Barbuda \"Permanent Residence Certificate\" scheme. No investor permanent residence route was found on the Antigua immigration website (only residence after four years or marriage).","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"table","quote":"Permanent Residence Certificate","countries":"","short_title":"Tax body lists an Antigua and Barbuda permanent residence scheme as high-risk","plain_summary":"On 22 October 2018 an international tax body's list of schemes that could hide offshore wealth named an Antigua and Barbuda permanent residence scheme. No investor route was found on the government's immigration site.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-2039e3cc50","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"context","title":"OECD lists the Antigua and Barbuda CIP as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua and Barbuda on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-d674aaeee5","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"context","title":"OECD lists the Cyprus investor naturalisation scheme as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"Citizenship by Investment: Scheme for Naturalisation of Investors in Cyprus by Exception","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus (citizenship) on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-f81ba9703a","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"OECD lists the Dominica CBI programme as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"Dominica Citizenship by Investment","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-a95e1ebb21","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"context","title":"OECD lists the Grenada CBI programme as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"Grenada Citizenship by Investment","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-86f1b6603f","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"context","title":"OECD lists the St Kitts and Nevis CBI programme (and a \"Residence by Investment\" scheme) as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence. The residence scheme was removed by September 2019.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"Saint Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts and Nevis on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-c7538c37b8","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"OECD lists the Saint Lucia CBI programme as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"Citizenship by Investment Saint Lucia","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-efc87a9122","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"context","title":"OECD lists the Malta IIP as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"Malta Individual Investor Programme","countries":"","short_title":"Malta (citizenship) on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-3e0f2f42c3","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SYC","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"OECD lists the Seychelles \"Type 1 Investor Visa\" as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"Seychelles Type 1 Investor Visa","countries":"","short_title":"Seychelles on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-b4701481cf","date":"2018-10-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-dsp","category":"context","title":"OECD lists four Vanuatu schemes, including the Development Support Programme, as potentially high-risk for CRS tax reporting","description":"The OECD's first list of CBI/RBI schemes that give access to a personal income tax rate below 10% on offshore financial assets without requiring at least 90 days' presence; financial institutions must take it into account in CRS due diligence. Listed: Development Support Programme, Self-Funded Visa, Land-Owner Visa, Investor Visa.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table (Last updated: 22 October 2018)","quote":"Vanuatu Development Support Programme","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu on the OECD tax-reporting risk list","plain_summary":"The OECD flagged it as a scheme that could help people hide money from tax authorities, because buyers can get a low tax rate without living there. Banks must take this into account when checking customers.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-c2d4cb1641","date":"2018-10-17","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"European Parliament research service publishes study on CBI/RBI schemes in the EU","description":"EPRS study for the TAX3 committee estimating naturalisations, permits and investment in eight member states, and finding very little transparency.","source_id":"intl-eprs-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"p. 18","quote":"There is very little transparency over the number and origin of applicants, the number of citizenship or residency granted by CBI/RBI schemes","countries":"BGR;CYP;EST;IRL;ITA;LVA;MLT;PRT","short_title":"European Parliament study on golden passports and visas","plain_summary":"The Parliament's research service estimated how many people bought citizenship or residence in eight EU countries, and found very little transparency.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-ba105c4d34","date":"2018-10-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"Transparency International and Global Witness report \"European Getaway\" on EU golden visas","description":"NGO report counting about 6,000 citizenships and nearly 100,000 residence permits sold by EU states in a decade, raising about EUR 25 billion, and criticising due diligence and secrecy.","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"Key findings, PDF p. 5 (printed p. 3)","quote":"None of the countries, with the exception of Austria and Malta, publish lists of new citizens or residents.","countries":"","short_title":"Anti-corruption groups count EU golden visas","plain_summary":"Transparency International and Global Witness estimated that EU countries sold about 6,000 citizenships and nearly 100,000 residence permits in a decade, for about €25 billion.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-5a6a7bc189","date":"2018-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"OECD lists CBI/RBI schemes posing high risk to the CRS","description":"After analysing over 100 schemes, the OECD listed those potentially high-risk for the Common Reporting Standard, including the CBI programmes of Antigua and Barbuda, Cyprus, Dominica, Grenada, Malta, St Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia, plus Vanuatu's Development Support Programme. Criteria: personal tax under 10% on offshore financial assets and no physical presence of at least 90 days. The EC dates the OECD conclusions 16 October 2018; the list page says last updated 22 October 2018.","source_id":"intl-oecd-cbi-rbi-2018","location":"List table and FAQ","quote":"The OECD has analysed over 100 CBI/RBI schemes, offered by CRS-committed jurisdictions, identifying the following schemes that potentially pose a high-risk to the integrity of CRS.","countries":"ATG;BHS;BHR;BRB;CYP;DMA;GRD;MYS;MLT;PAN;QAT;KNA;LCA;SYC;TCA;ARE;VUT","short_title":"Global tax body flags citizenship-sale programmes as high risk","plain_summary":"An international tax body listed citizenship-sale programmes in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Malta, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Vanuatu as posing a high risk to international tax-reporting rules.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-f495a55c9e","date":"2018-09-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Thresholds cut: real estate to USD 250,000","description":"Presidential Decree 106 lowers real estate to USD 250,000, capital/deposit/bond/fund routes to USD 500,000 and jobs to 50; TL equivalents allowed; switching between routes allowed.","source_id":"tur-rg-2018-09-19-reg","location":"Art. 1-4","quote":"“1.000.000 Amerikan Doları” ibaresi “250.000 Amerikan Doları veya karşılığı döviz ya da karşılığı Türk Lirası” şeklinde","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey cuts its citizenship investment thresholds","plain_summary":"Turkey lowered the real-estate threshold for citizenship to US$250,000 and other investment routes to US$500,000, and let applicants switch between routes.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-8198566094","date":"2018-09-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"President decides; inter-ministerial commission; cross rates allowed","description":"Presidential Decree 106 makes the President (instead of a Ministry proposal and Council of Ministers decision) the deciding authority for investor naturalisation, allows cross exchange rates as well as the CBRT effective selling rate for valuing amounts (para. 6), and lets a commission of Family/Labour, Environment, Treasury and Industry representatives be set up within the Interior Ministry to follow applications (new para. 7). Switching between investment types to complete the holding period (new para. 8) is in the price-change event of the same day.","source_id":"tur-rg-2018-09-19-reg","location":"Art. 1-3","quote":"İçişleri Bakanlığı bünyesinde Aile, Çalışma ve Sosyal Hizmetler Bakanlığı, Çevre ve Şehircilik Bakanlığı, Hazine ve Maliye Bakanlığı, Sanayi ve Teknoloji Bakanlığı temsilcilerinden oluşan bir komisyon kurulabilir","countries":"","short_title":"President decides; inter-ministerial commission; cross rates allowed","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-7a02678915","date":"2018-09","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Turkey lowers citizenship-by-investment thresholds (reported)","description":"Per the AA article, thresholds fell in September 2018 from $2m investment, $3m deposit and $1m real estate to $500,000, $500,000 and $250,000.","source_id":"tur-aa-2019-01-02","location":"para 2","quote":"Citizenship applications to Turkey are expected to boom in 2019 as the country eased its conditions in September","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey lowers citizenship-by-investment thresholds (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-d09c956d92","date":"2018-08-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"Ex-president Sambi charged","description":"Sambi formally charged with corruption and embezzlement of public funds over the passport scheme, and detained.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-08-21","location":"paragraph 1","quote":"Comoros ex-president Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi has been formally charged with corruption and embezzling public funds in connection with a scheme to sell his country’s passports","countries":"","short_title":"Comoros charges ex-president over passport sale scheme","plain_summary":"Former Comoros president Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi was formally charged with corruption and embezzling public funds linked to the scheme selling the country's passports, and was detained.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-364c81f2d5","date":"2018-08-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"Ex-president Dhoinine and 10 officials barred from travel; Sambi also faces forgery charges","description":"A court document dated 20 August 2018, seen by Reuters, shows Sambi and associates also face forgery and falsification charges; ex-president Dhoinine and 10 other senior officials were banned from travelling but not charged.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-08-21","location":"paras 9-11","quote":"Another ex-president, Ikililou Dhoinine, who succeeded Sambi, and 10 other senior officials from their administrations have been banned from traveling but charges have not been brought against them.","countries":"","short_title":"Ex-president Dhoinine and 10 officials barred from travel; Sambi also faces forgery charges","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-0e3fffa589","date":"2018-08-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"context","title":"Transparency NGO challenges secrecy of § 10(6) grants","description":"Forum Informationsfreiheit reported that the Interior Ministry had refused its request for the names of 2014-2015 grantees, including those naturalised for 'economic achievements'.","source_id":"aut-foi-10-6-2018","location":"paragraph 4","quote":"Die Auskunft wurde uns mit Verweis auf Amtsgeheimnis und Datenschutz verweigert","countries":"","short_title":"Austrian watchdog challenges secrecy around citizenship grants","plain_summary":"A transparency group said Austria's interior ministry refused to release the names of people naturalised in 2014-2015 for 'economic achievements', citing official secrecy and data protection.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-b39bd7438d","date":"2018-08-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Ministry starts systematic World-Check screening","description":"Ministry of Interior unit gained World-Check access at end-July 2018 and used it systematically from 1 August 2018 (testimony of the unit head); enhanced due diligence decided September 2018.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 101 (printed p. 99), testimony of C. Kaoulla","quote":"ξεκίνησαν\nνα το χρησιμοποιούν συστηματικά από την 1 Αυγούστου του 2018","countries":"","short_title":"Ministry starts systematic World-Check screening","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-1bc825a55f","date":"2018-08-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Cyprus reforms its investment programme: annual cap of 700 and longer assessment","description":"Reforms doubled the time for assessing applications and introduced an annual cap of 700 passports.","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 29 (printed p. 27)","quote":"Acknowledging the existence of \"problematic cases\", the Cypriot government unveiled a set of reforms on 1 August 2018.","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus reforms its investment programme: annual cap of 700 and longer assessment","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-88cc2822f5","date":"2018-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"Former president Sambi placed in pre-trial detention (reported)","description":"RFI reports that Sambi had been in pre-trial detention since August 2018, a detention the United Nations had called arbitrary.","source_id":"com-rfi-2022-11-28","location":"paragraph after the co-accused sentences","quote":"sa détention préventive depuis août 2018 a été jugée « arbitraire » par les Nations unies","countries":"","short_title":"Former president Sambi placed in pre-trial detention (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-0ab0eb4e49","date":"2018-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"First allocations to the savings (natural disaster) fund from NTF savings","description":"IMF reports that resources were allocated in August 2018 to the savings fund being set up from a portion of the National Transformation Fund's savings (a natural disaster fund); regulations for its use were under review.","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2019","location":"PDF p. 43, Annex (implementation of past recommendations)","quote":"Resource allocations to the savings fund were made in August 2018 and the regulations for its usage are under review.","countries":"","short_title":"First allocations to the savings (natural disaster) fund from NTF savings","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-83b06df555","date":"2018-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Applicants resident in or citizens of Iran no longer accepted","description":"The CBI Board decided in August 2018 to stop accepting applicants who were residents or citizens of Iran.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2018-19","location":"PDF p. 5 (Chairman)","quote":"CIP Saint Lucia decided in August 2018 to stop accepting applicants who were resident/citizens in Iran.","countries":"","short_title":"Applicants resident in or citizens of Iran no longer accepted","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-26dc50cfe5","date":"2018-07-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Only registered providers may submit applications","description":"From 31 July 2018 applications could be submitted on applicants' behalf only by persons in the register of service providers.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 353 (printed p. 351), ch. 11.1","quote":"Από την 31η Ιουλίου 2018, αιτήσεις για το Κυπριακό Επενδυτικό Πρόγραμμα υποβάλλονταν εκ μέρους των αιτητών, μόνον από τα πρόσωπα που ήταν εγγεγραμμένα στο Μητρώο Παρόχων Υπηρεσιών","countries":"","short_title":"Only registered providers may submit applications","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-7969be0f5d","date":"2018-07-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Higher-education (UWI) investment route created","description":"S.I. 2018 No. 16 added an investment route through contributions to designated higher-education institutions (later the UWI Fund; first applications appear in H2 2020).","source_id":"atg-cbi-regs-2018","location":"PDF p. 4","quote":"designate institutions of higher education where a person who desires to apply for Citizenship by Investment shall contribute not less than $150,000","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua adds a university-donation route to citizenship","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda created a new way to qualify for citizenship: donating at least $150,000 to designated universities. The regulation does not say which currency.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-c5633f8cc5","date":"2018-06-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"New Law on Nationality delegates amounts to sub-decree","description":"The 2018 Law on Nationality replaces the fixed riel amounts: investors (Art. 21) need 12 months' legal residence and donors (Art. 22) 6 months; the amount, priority sectors and project types are set by sub-decree (Sub-decree No. 112 of 30 Aug 2018, not found).","source_id":"khm-law-nationality-2018","location":"PDF p. 7, Art. 21","quote":"ចំនួនទឹកប្រាក់ វិស័យអាទិភាព និងប្រភេទគម្រោងវិនិយោគ","countries":"","short_title":"Cambodia's new nationality law changes citizenship investment rules","plain_summary":"Cambodia's 2018 Law on Nationality replaced fixed payment amounts with rules requiring investors to hold 12 months' residence and donors 6 months, leaving exact amounts to a later decree.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-890c6ffc2f","date":"2018-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MUS","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"Budget proposes citizenship for USD 1 million and passports for USD 500,000","description":"The 2018-19 budget speech proposes two EDB schemes: citizenship for a non-refundable USD 1 million contribution to a Mauritius Sovereign Fund (USD 100,000 per family member) and a Mauritian passport for USD 500,000 (USD 50,000 per family member). No implementing law was found in the Finance Acts 2018 to 2026; the proposal appears not to have been carried out, but no official withdrawal was found either.","source_id":"mus-mof-budget-speech-2018","location":"paras 107-108, pp. 25-26","quote":"The first scheme will offer foreigners the opportunity to obtain Mauritian citizenship provided they make a non-refundable contribution of USD 1 million to a Mauritius Sovereign Fund","countries":"","short_title":"Mauritius budget proposes citizenship for US$1 million and passports for US$500,000","plain_summary":"The 2018-19 budget proposed citizenship for a US$1 million non-refundable contribution and a passport for US$500,000. No law carrying this out was found in later finance laws, and no official withdrawal was found either.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-08658a1a47","date":"2018-05-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Parliament passes further amendments easing citizenship by investment (54 votes)","description":"Amendments to the identity documents law and the citizenship law, including late amendments that made the names of investor citizens secret, became law after the final vote of 31 May 2018 with 54 deputies in favour.","source_id":"mda-zdg-2020-08-07","location":"background section","quote":"toate propunerile au devenit lege după şedinţa din 31 mai 2018, când proiectul a fost votat în lectură finală cu suportul a 54 de deputaţi","countries":"","short_title":"Parliament passes further amendments easing citizenship by investment (54 votes)","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-d1f8b5c1c8","date":"2018-05-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Due diligence, register of service providers, code of conduct and a cap of 700 naturalisations a year","description":"Council of Ministers decision; the Commission notes Cyprus announced the supervisory committee and code of conduct on 22 May 2018.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 31 (printed p. 25), timeline chart","quote":"Εισαγωγή ορίου 700 πολιτογραφ. ανά έτος.","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus adds checks and a yearly cap to its citizenship programme","plain_summary":"Cyprus introduced due diligence rules, a register of service providers, a code of conduct, and a cap of 700 citizenships granted a year.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-e74a77df9c","date":"2018-04-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"scandal","title":"Daphne Project: murdered journalist was investigating the IIP","description":"OCCRP and partners reported that Daphne Caruana Galizia, killed on 16 Oct 2017, had been investigating the IIP. They estimated EUR 850 million raised and alleged kickbacks.","source_id":"mlt-occrp-daphne-2018","location":"paragraph 1","quote":"she’d been digging for months into the island’s hugely profitable “passports for sale” program","countries":"","short_title":"Murdered journalist had been investigating Malta's citizenship sales","plain_summary":"Reporters found that journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, killed in October 2017, had been investigating Malta's citizenship-sale programme, estimated to have raised EUR 850 million, and alleged kickbacks.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-3acfdf1dc8","date":"2018-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"scandal","title":"Parliamentary inquiry report handed to the president; recommends prosecuting two ex-presidents","description":"AFP obtained the parliamentary commission's report (completed December 2017), which accuses former presidents Sambi and Dhoinine of taking part in a large fraud in the passport programme and recommends criminal proceedings; it was formally handed to President Azali the week before 10 April 2018. It says 47,950 passports were issued, a revenue shortfall of 971 million dollars, and a 105 million dollar 'gratification' to Sambi at the signing of the contract. Both deny the accusations.","source_id":"com-voa-2018-04-10","location":"paras 2-3 and near the end","quote":"La balle est désormais dans le camp de l'actuel chef de l'Etat, à qui le rapport a officiellement été remis la semaine dernière.","countries":"","short_title":"Parliamentary inquiry report handed to the president; recommends prosecuting two ex-presidents","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-eb33e23c46","date":"2018-03-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"rule_change","title":"Malta Individual Investor Programme Agency (MIIPA) set up to run the IIP","description":"On 29 March 2018 the Maltese government set up the MIIPA (LN 96/2018) to administer the IIP in cooperation with Identity Malta.","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2019-5","location":"PDF p. 6 (printed p. 5), section II.3","quote":"On 29 March 2018, the Maltese government set up the Malta Individual Investor Programme Agency (MIIPA) to administer the IIP.","countries":"","short_title":"Malta Individual Investor Programme Agency (MIIPA) set up to run the IIP","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-1f9a0e9c02","date":"2018-03-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"scandal","title":"Leaked inquiry report: law passed unlawfully, 'mafia' networks, missing revenue","description":"The commission found the law was changed in a session that violated procedure and the promulgated text lacks proper signatures; it named ex-presidents Sambi and Dhoinine as suspects.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-03-23","location":"paragraph on the law","quote":"The cross-party commission found that the law allowing the sale of citizenship was changed during a parliamentary session that violated its own procedures.","countries":"","short_title":"Leaked report: Comoros citizenship law passed unlawfully amid 'mafia' claims","plain_summary":"A leaked inquiry found the law allowing Comoros to sell citizenship was passed in a session that broke procedure, lacked proper signatures, and named two ex-presidents as suspects in illicit networks and missing revenue.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-5eca14bc42","date":"2018-03-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Draft gives a private company exclusive rights to run and promote the programme","description":"Ministry of Economy draft amendment to HG 786: an exclusive service company for up to 5 years (extendable by 3), bearing its own costs. Henley & Partners later became the operator.","source_id":"mda-mei-hg786-draft-2018","location":"annex, objectives of the contract, point 3","quote":"pe o perioadă de până la 5 ani, cu posibilitatea de a prelungi acest termen pentru o perioadă suplimentară de până la 3 ani","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova plans to hand one company exclusive rights to run its programme","plain_summary":"A draft amendment let a single private company run and promote Moldova's citizenship investment programme for up to five years, extendable by three; Henley & Partners later took the role.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-24fb89bfb9","date":"2018-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Saint Lucia cancels the citizenship of six recent applicants","description":"Saint Lucia cancelled the citizenship of six recently successful applicants over acts that could harm its reputation.","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 23 (printed p. 21)","quote":"In March 2018, Saint Lucia cancelled the citizenship of six recently successful applicants","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia cancels the citizenship of six recent applicants","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-6cab7b7c4a","date":"2018-02-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"context","title":"Justice ministry working group starts reviewing the investor scheme","description":"Working group set up to draft amendments to the Citizenship Act, including possible abolition of the investor scheme.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2019-12","location":"PDF p. 4, footnote 13","quote":"In Bulgaria, on 15 February 2018 a working group was set up by the Minister of Justice to draft amendments to the Bulgarian Citizenship Act","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria sets up group to review its investor citizenship scheme","plain_summary":"Bulgaria's justice ministry formed a working group to draft changes to the Citizenship Act, including possibly scrapping the investor citizenship scheme.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-ba806ae038","date":"2018-02","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"context","title":"Justice Ministry working group starts drafting citizenship law changes (reported)","description":"The deputy justice minister told Capital that work on the draft amendments (which would remove citizenship for investment) had been going on since February 2018.","source_id":"bgr-capital-2019-01-22","location":"para 2","quote":"По проекта за промени в закона се работи от близо година - от февруари 2018 г.","countries":"","short_title":"Justice Ministry working group starts drafting citizenship law changes (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-0d2443f5e9","date":"2018-01-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"scandal","title":"Government gives first official tally: nearly 52,000 sold","description":"Foreign minister says most passports bought outside the official programme went to people of Iranian origin.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-01-20","location":"paragraph 1","quote":"Comoros has sold citizenship to nearly 52,000 foreigners since 2009","countries":"","short_title":"Comoros reveals nearly 52,000 passports sold since 2009","plain_summary":"The foreign minister gave the first official count of Comoros's citizenship sales, saying most passports sold outside the official programme went to people of Iranian origin.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-9413ae55b1","date":"2018-01-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"rule_change","title":"New passport sales and renewals for foreigners on hold pending inquiry","description":"The interior minister says the sale of further passports and the renewal of existing documents held by foreigners are on hold pending the parliamentary inquiry and investigations into sales outside the official agreements.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-01-20","location":"paragraph 7","quote":"the sale of further passports and renewal of existing documents held by foreigners were on hold pending the parliamentary inquiry","countries":"","short_title":"New passport sales and renewals for foreigners on hold pending inquiry","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-6eb7443726","date":"2018-01-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Register of service providers and code of conduct created","description":"Cabinet decision 84.068 created a register of service providers, a code of conduct (drafted by CIPA) and a supervision and control committee, 11 years after the programme began.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF pp. 352-353 (printed pp. 350-351), ch. 11.1 (date on p. 352: \"Στις 9 Ιανουαρίου 2018\")","quote":"το Υπουργικό Συμβούλιο με την απόφασή του υπ’ αριθμό 84.068, αποφάσισε να εγκρίνει τη δημιουργία Μητρώου Παρόχων Υπηρεσιών","countries":"","short_title":"Register of service providers and code of conduct created","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-03c30ba98a","date":"2018-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"Comoros cancels a batch of 155 bought passports (reported)","description":"The Comoros quietly cancelled passports foreigners had bought, saying they were improperly issued; Reuters found more than 100 of the 155 holders were Iranians.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-06-29","location":"paras 1, 3","quote":"In January, the Comoros Islands quietly cancelled a batch of its passports that foreigners had bought in recent years.","countries":"","short_title":"Comoros cancels a batch of 155 bought passports (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-401ad364a8","date":"2018","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"scandal","title":"Parliamentary inquiry finds passports sold outside the Bidoon scheme and at least $100m missing (reported)","description":"A commission of inquiry set up in 2017 reported in early 2018 that the UAE had warned in 2013 that hundreds of passports were sold to foreigners outside the Bidoon programme, and that at least $100 million in passport revenue never reached the government.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-06-29","location":"section CHANGE OF TACK","quote":"That investigation found, in a report published in early 2018, that the UAE informed the Comoros authorities as early as 2013 that hundreds of passports had been sold to foreigners outside the programme for the Bidoon.","countries":"","short_title":"Parliamentary inquiry finds passports sold outside the Bidoon scheme and at least $100m missing (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-072ad07c7b","date":"2018","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"CBI-funded post-Maria housing programme","description":"The 2018/19 budget address said 3,853 new homes were contracted and that the government had used CBI funds exclusively to reach every community.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2018-19","location":"PDF p. 25","quote":"A total of three thousand, eight hundred and fifty-three (3,853) new homes are already contracted to be built.","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship-sale money funds new housing after hurricane","plain_summary":"Dominica said 3,853 new homes were contracted after Hurricane Maria, paid for entirely using money raised from selling citizenship.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-b6a3623d39","date":"2018","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"scandal","title":"Reported diversion of IIP application fees and payments to a senior official's account","description":"Transparency International and Global Witness, 'European Getaway' (Oct 2018). The report describes three Russian applicants whose agent's application fees (EUR 166,831) were sent to an offshore company's account at Pilatus Bank instead of the agent; an unsigned agreement promised that company a 50 per cent commission on direct referrals to the IIP, and a total of EUR 100,000 of IIP-related fees allegedly reached the account of the Prime Minister's chief of staff, who denied wrongdoing (based on reporting by Daphne Caruana Galizia and the Panama Papers). Dated to the report year; the underlying transfers are earlier.","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 35 (printed p. 33)","quote":"But instead of transferring €166,831 in application fees to BT International, they sent the money to an offshore company’s (Willerby Trade) account with Pilatus Bank.","countries":"","short_title":"Reported diversion of IIP application fees and payments to a senior official's account","plain_summary":"","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-1d1585da51","date":"2018","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-dsp","category":"price_change","title":"DSP fees reduced by Order No. 94 of 2018","description":"Order No. 33 of 2019 refers to a reduction of Honorary Citizenship DSP fees by Order No. 94 of 2018 (text not found).","source_id":"vut-dsp-regs-order-33-2019","location":"PDF p. 6, clause 8(2)","quote":"before the fees have been reduced by Order No. 94 of 2018","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu cuts fees for its honorary citizenship programme","plain_summary":"An order in 2018 reduced the fees for Vanuatu's Development Support Program honorary citizenship route, according to a later order referencing the change.","year":"2018"},{"event_id":"e-bc45a68954","date":"2017-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"scandal","title":"Parliamentary inquiry report accuses two former presidents (reported)","description":"A parliamentary report compiled in December 2017 and seen by AFP accuses former presidents Sambi and Dhoinine of involvement in systematic fraud in the passport scheme and calls for criminal action; it was submitted to the president in early April 2018.","source_id":"com-france24-2018-04-10","location":"paras 2-3 and last para","quote":"A parliamentary report compiled in December and seen by AFP accuses Ahmed Abdallah Sambi and Ikililou Dhoinine of involvement in systematic fraud","countries":"","short_title":"Parliamentary inquiry report accuses two former presidents (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-dff07901f4","date":"2017-11-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Dependent children up to age 29","description":"S.I. 2017 No. 76 raised the upper age for dependent children in full-time higher education from under 26 to under 29 (definition of dependant and reg. 5(12)), alongside the temporary NDF offer of $270,000. Made 29 Nov 2017 (House resolution 9 Nov 2017), gazetted 14 Feb 2019.","source_id":"atg-cbi-regs-2017","location":"PDF p. 4, regs 3-4","quote":"by repealing the word “twenty-six” and replacing it with the word “twenty-nine”","countries":"","short_title":"Dependent children up to age 29","plain_summary":"","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-f89c8d84e4","date":"2017-11-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"NDF threshold halved to US$100,000","description":"Announced 12 Oct 2017; applications at US$100,000 (family of up to four) or US$125,000 (five or more) accepted from 1 Nov 2017. Legally a temporary offer to 31 Oct 2018 (S.I. 2017 No. 76), but it stayed in use until 31 Jul 2024.","source_id":"atg-ciu-ndf-change-2017","location":"para 2","quote":"the Unit will be accepting Citizenship by Investment (CIP) applications under the new investment structure as of 1st November, 2017","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua halves its main citizenship price","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda cut its main fund threshold to US$100,000 for a family of up to four; meant as a temporary offer, it stayed in place until mid-2024.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-32191b1068","date":"2017-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Special unit for the programme set up in the Interior Ministry","description":"Until November 2017 the programme was handled by the Migration, Asylum, European Affairs and Population Records directorate; then a special unit was created in the Ministry of Interior.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 168 (printed p. 166), ch. 6, section 6.1","quote":"Μέχρι τον Νοέμβριο 2017 το Κυπριακό Επενδυτικό Πρόγραμμα τύγχανε χειρισμού","countries":"","short_title":"Special unit for the programme set up in the Interior Ministry","plain_summary":"","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-220faab6f2","date":"2017-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"context","title":"Prime Minister says the IIP will be extended and made more exclusive","description":"With 1,101 applications received by June 2017 (61% of the cap), the Prime Minister indicated in November 2017, as reported by the media, that the programme would be extended; the MIIPA launched a public consultation reported in January 2018.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2018","location":"PDF p. 23, section 3.2","quote":"Such conundrum was resolved in November 2017 when, as reported by the Media, the Prime Minister indicated that the programme would indeed be extended and that it would be more exclusive.","countries":"","short_title":"Prime Minister says the IIP will be extended and made more exclusive","plain_summary":"","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-8061774a11","date":"2017-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Government approves the regulation on citizenship by investment (HG 786/2017)","description":"Government Decision no. 786 of 4 Oct 2017 approves the regulation on acquiring citizenship by investment.","source_id":"mda-zdg-2020-08-07","location":"background section","quote":"în octombrie 2017, prin Hotărâre de Guvern, a fost aprobat „Regulamentul cu privire la dobândirea cetăţeniei prin investiţie”","countries":"","short_title":"Moldova approves rules for its citizenship investment programme","plain_summary":"Moldova's government approved regulations in October 2017 setting out how people can acquire Moldovan citizenship by investing in the country.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-3d88e72de7","date":"2017-09-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"Hurricane Maria","description":"Category 5 hurricane; damage estimated at US$1.3 billion (226 percent of GDP). CBI deposits and revenue financed much of the reconstruction.","source_id":"dma-imf-art4-2018","location":"PDF p. 2","quote":"On September 18, 2017, category 5 Hurricane Maria hit Dominica","countries":"","short_title":"Hurricane Maria devastates Dominica","plain_summary":"Category 5 Hurricane Maria caused an estimated US$1.3 billion in damage, worth 226% of Dominica's economic output; citizenship-sale money helped pay for rebuilding.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-038e4fc01c","date":"2017-09-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"context","title":"Honey Moon Beach Resort approved as CBI real estate project","description":"Cabinet Conclusion No. 681 approves the Honey Moon Beach Resort (209 acres at Savannes Bay; two AMResorts properties; gross development cost printed as $343.8M) as an approved real estate project, the first in the 2017/18 report.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2017-18","location":"PDF p. 14","quote":"approved via Cabinet Conclusion number 681 of September 4th,2017.","countries":"","short_title":"Honey Moon Beach Resort approved as CBI real estate project","plain_summary":"","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-fe8eb5f937","date":"2017-09-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Temporary cut in real-estate government fees","description":"S.R.O. 23 of 2017 lowered the government fee on real-estate applications to US$25,000 for a main applicant for 12 months from 1 September 2017.","source_id":"dma-sro23-2017","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"Commencing on the 1st day of September 2017, for a period of 12 months","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica temporarily cuts real-estate application fees","plain_summary":"Dominica lowered its government fee for real-estate citizenship applications to US$25,000 for a main applicant, for one year from September 2017.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-f210635c96","date":"2017-07-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"Observer reports discrepancies in CIU six-monthly reports","description":"An Observer Media Group story (1 Jul 2017) alleged disparities between passport and application counts in the 2015 reports. The CIU replied that one application can cover several persons and gave figures by nationality (e.g. Iran: 27 applications, 33 passports).","source_id":"atg-ciu-web-disparities-2017","location":"paras 1-4","quote":"which subsequently emerged as Saturday's headline story, alleging disparities in the CIU's six-monthly reports","countries":"","short_title":"News report questions Antigua's citizenship application figures","plain_summary":"A media report alleged mismatches between passport and application counts in Antigua and Barbuda's official reports; the citizenship unit said one application can cover several people.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-dd442bc68c","date":"2017-07-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"10% agent commission introduced","description":"Promoters/agents receive a 10% commission on NEF investments; licensed promoters rose from 5 to 33.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2017-18","location":"PDF p. 4","quote":"from July 1, 2017 we joined the rest of our regional counterparts by introducing an incentive plan","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia starts paying agents a 10% commission","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia began paying agents and promoters a 10% commission on donations to its citizenship fund; the number of licensed agents rose from 5 to 33.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-7f5e6cabb7","date":"2017-06-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"Canada requires visas from Antigua and Barbuda citizens","description":"From 27 June 2017, Antigua and Barbuda citizens need a visitor visa for Canada; existing eTAs were cancelled.","source_id":"atg-ciu-web-canada-2017","location":"para 1","quote":"with effect from 5:30 am EDT on June 27, 2017, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda will need a visitor's visa","countries":"","short_title":"Canada requires visas from Antigua and Barbuda citizens","plain_summary":"From 27 June 2017, Antigua and Barbuda citizens needed a visitor visa to enter Canada, and their existing electronic travel authorisations were cancelled.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-5274f2c119","date":"2017-06-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"Canada imposes visa requirement on Antigua and Barbuda","description":"Antigua and Barbuda citizens need a Canadian visitor visa from 27 June 2017; existing eTAs ceased to be valid. The document does not give Canada's reason.","source_id":"intl-atg-cip-canada-visa-2017","location":"p. 1","quote":"with effect from 5:30 am EDT on June 27, 2017, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda will need a visitor's visa/Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to travel to Canada.","countries":"","short_title":"Canada ends visa-free electronic travel for Antigua and Barbuda","plain_summary":"Canada required Antigua and Barbuda citizens to get a visitor visa from 27 June 2017, cancelling their electronic travel authorisations; the record does not give Canada's reason.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-e3affcca27","date":"2017-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"Parliamentary commission of inquiry set up","description":"Cross-party commission set up to investigate the programme; report completed December 2017 but not publicly released.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-03-23","location":"paragraph 2","quote":"The report, produced by a parliamentary commission set up in June 2017","countries":"","short_title":"Comoros sets up inquiry into its citizenship programme","plain_summary":"A cross-party parliamentary commission was set up in Comoros in June 2017 to investigate the citizenship-by-investment programme; its report was completed in December 2017 but was not publicly released.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-5b7c88fb38","date":"2017-05-05","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Investment fund route added (USD 1.5m)","description":"Real estate / venture capital fund units of USD 1.5m held 3 years become a qualifying route.","source_id":"tur-rg-2017-05-05-reg","location":"p. 2, Art. 1","quote":"En az 1.500.000 Amerikan Doları tutarında gayrimenkul yatırım fonu katılma payı","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey adds an investment-fund route to citizenship","plain_summary":"Turkey added a new way to qualify for citizenship: buying at least US$1.5 million in real estate or venture capital fund units and holding them for three years.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-ed92c351d2","date":"2017-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"CBI-funded airport development fund established","description":"An airport development fund for a new international airport was established as of May 2017, capitalised with US$10.0 million from the CBI programme; the Government decided to pay in US$5.0 million a month.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2017-18","location":"PDF p. 11","quote":"Government has taken the decision that an amount of US$5.0 million will be paid into that fund on a monthly basis.","countries":"","short_title":"CBI-funded airport development fund established","plain_summary":"","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-b65a4776d3","date":"2017-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-verp","category":"closure","title":"VERP replaced by VDSP and VCP","description":"Treasury: VERP phased out by March 2017 and replaced by the Vanuatu Development Support Programme and the Vanuatu Contribution Programme.","source_id":"vut-mfem-monthly-2017-12","location":"PDF p. 1, footnote 1","quote":"VERP was phased out by March 2017 to be replaced by similar programmes - Vanuatu","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu replaces its honorary-citizenship sale with two programmes","plain_summary":"By March 2017, Vanuatu phased out its honorary-citizenship sale and replaced it with the Vanuatu Development Support Programme and the Vanuatu Contribution Programme.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-79bc5ed6df","date":"2017-03","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-dsp","category":"launch","title":"Development Support Program starts","description":"VDSP (with VCP) replaces VERP; the IMF dates the ECP passports-for-investment offer from 2017.","source_id":"vut-mfem-coc-revenue-2019","location":"PDF p. 3","quote":"The VDSP and VCP programs, recorded as the Honorary Citizenship Program Fees, replaced VERP in March 2017","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu starts its Development Support Program","plain_summary":"Vanuatu's Development Support Programme, alongside the Contribution Programme, replaced its earlier honorary-citizenship sale; the IMF dates the start of its economic-citizenship offer from 2017.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-11e0f5bff4","date":"2017-01-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"WSM","program_id":"wsm-cia","category":"launch","title":"Samoa's citizenship investment scheme commences","description":"The Act and the Citizenship Investment Regulations 2016 (fees) come into force.","source_id":"wsm-cia-2015","location":"PDF p. 2","quote":"[Commencement date: 31 January 2017]","countries":"","short_title":"Samoa opens its citizenship-by-investment scheme","plain_summary":"The law and its fee rules came into force on 31 January 2017.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-53e33fe962","date":"2017-01-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Citizenship by investment launched","description":"Regulation amendment 2016/9601 creates five investment routes, including USD 1m real estate held 3 years.","source_id":"tur-rg-2017-01-12-reg","location":"p. 2, Art. 1-2","quote":"MADDE 2- Bu Yönetmelik yayımı tarihinde yürürlüğe girer.","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey launches its citizenship-by-investment programme","plain_summary":"New rules created five ways to qualify for Turkish citizenship by investing, including buying at least US$1 million of real estate and holding it for three years.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-e84e919cea","date":"2017-01-05","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CIU to keep 20% of each NEF contribution for marketing","description":"Amendment regulations (SI No. 1 of 2017, deemed in force 1 January 2017) let the Board retain twenty per cent of each monetary contribution to the National Economic Fund for marketing and promotion of the programme.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2017","location":"p. 1, reg. 4(b), new reg. 9(2)","quote":"The Board shall retain twenty per cent of each monetary contribution to the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund for the marketing and promotion","countries":"","short_title":"CIU to keep 20% of each NEF contribution for marketing","plain_summary":"","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-0464722367","date":"2017-01-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"NEF minimum halved to US$100,000","description":"Amendment regulations cut the minimum NEF donation from US$200,000 to US$100,000, removed the 500-application cap and the US$3m net-worth affidavit, and let the Board keep 20% of NEF donations for marketing.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2016-17","location":"PDF p. 4 (OCR)","quote":"lowering the minimum donation to the National Economic Fund from US $200,000 to US $100,000","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia halves its main citizenship price","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia cut the minimum donation to its National Economic Fund from US$200,000 to US$100,000, dropped its application cap and wealth-proof requirement, and let the board keep 20% of donations for marketing.","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-52050b010b","date":"2017-01-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Cap of 500 approved applications removed","description":"The 2017 amendment regulations removed the limit of 500 applications the Board could grant, dropped the requirement for an affidavit declaring financial resources of at least US$3 million, added a US$50,000 non-refundable administration fee for the bond option and lowered the NEF amounts.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2016-17","location":"PDF p. 5 (OCR), 'Amendments to the legislative'","quote":"Removing the limit of the number of applications which could be granted by the Board previously set at a maximum of 500","countries":"","short_title":"Cap of 500 approved applications removed","plain_summary":"","year":"2017"},{"event_id":"e-38cf04a52f","date":"2016-12-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Amendment regulations SI 105 of 2016 published","description":"SI 105 of 2016 (made 22 Dec 2016, in force 1 Jan 2017) revokes regulation 7(3) and (7) (including the US$3m financial-resources affidavit), lets the Board keep 20% of each NEF contribution for marketing, adds the US$50,000 bond administration fee and lowers the NEF minimums (US$100,000 alone).","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2016b","location":"p. 1, reg. 3","quote":"Regulation 7 of the principal Regulations is amended by revoking subregulations (3) and (7).","countries":"","short_title":"Amendment regulations SI 105 of 2016 published","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-12cdfb8d78","date":"2016-12-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"legal_basis","title":"Citizenship-by-investment amendments published in the Monitorul Oficial","description":"Law amendments allowing citizenship in exchange for investment published on 27 December 2016 after promulgation by President Timofti.","source_id":"mda-zdg-2020-08-07","location":"background section","quote":"iar pe 27 decembrie au fost publicate în Monitorul Oficial","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship-by-investment amendments published in the Monitorul Oficial","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-1b6c32d095","date":"2016-12-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"PNG","program_id":"png-investor-naturalisation","category":"rule_change","title":"PNG Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2016 sets criteria for investor naturalisation","description":"New s. 6B lists the matters weighed (business background, job creation, investor visa, language, connection) and requires a prescribed fee; no investment amount is set.","source_id":"png-act-42-2016","location":"new s. 6B","quote":"6B. CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION - INVESTOR.","countries":"","short_title":"Papua New Guinea sets criteria for investor citizenship","plain_summary":"A 2016 law lists what the minister weighs (business record, jobs, language, ties) and requires a fee, but sets no investment amount.","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-0a05298467","date":"2016-12-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Parliament adopts the citizenship-by-investment amendments at second reading","description":"The bill was voted at second reading on 16 December 2016, promulgated five days later and published in the Monitorul Oficial on 27 December 2016.","source_id":"mda-zdg-2020-08-07","location":"background section","quote":"Pe 16 decembrie 2016 proiectul de lege a fost votat în lectura a doua.","countries":"","short_title":"Parliament adopts the citizenship-by-investment amendments at second reading","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-a0f45c663e","date":"2016-12-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"CBI Amendment Regulations 2016: family government fees and wider dependant ages","description":"S.R.O. 38 of 2016 raised the age limits for student children and unmarried daughters as dependants from 25 to 28, lowered the age for parents and grandparents from 65 to 55, introduced family government fees on the real-estate route (US$75,000 for up to four, US$100,000 for up to six), cut the fee for other adult dependants to US$25,000 and the child registration fee to US$2,000.","source_id":"dma-sro38-2016","location":"PDF pp. 1-2","quote":"These Regulations shall come into force on the 1st day of December, 2016.","countries":"","short_title":"CBI Amendment Regulations 2016: family government fees and wider dependant ages","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-af403b05ae","date":"2016-12-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MDA","program_id":"mda-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Bill on citizenship by investment registered in Parliament","description":"PDM deputies led by Andrian Candu register amendments allowing citizenship in exchange for investment.","source_id":"mda-zdg-2020-08-07","location":"background section","quote":"a fost înregistrat la Parlament pe 1 decembrie 2016, de către un grup de deputaţi","countries":"","short_title":"Moldovan lawmakers propose selling citizenship for investment","plain_summary":"A group of Moldovan members of parliament, led by Andrian Candu, registered a bill in parliament allowing citizenship to be granted in exchange for investment.","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-4449a95baf","date":"2016-09-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"price_change","title":"Minimum investment cut to EUR 2m; parents of investors can be naturalised","description":"Decision 81.292: EUR 2m in real estate, business, funds or a combination, plus a EUR 500,000 home; parents added.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 54-57 (printed p. 52-55)","quote":"Περίοδος (Α): Αρ. Απόφασης 81.292, ημερ. 13.9.2016","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus cuts investor-citizenship minimum to €2 million","plain_summary":"Cyprus lowered its citizenship-by-investment minimum to €2 million in real estate, business, or funds, plus a €500,000 home, and extended eligibility to investors' parents.","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-1d9fafc00d","date":"2016-09-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Investors and their family members must hold Cypriot residence permits","description":"The Commission reports that Cyprus changed its rules in 2016 so that applicants under the investor citizenship scheme and their family members must hold residence permits (Council of Ministers Decision No 834 of 13.9.2016); the permit must be held for at least 6 months before the naturalisation certificate is issued.","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2019-12","location":"PDF p. 7 (printed p. 6) and footnote 34; PDF p. 5 (printed p. 4)","quote":"Cyprus also changed its legislation in 2016 to require applicants under its investor citizenship scheme and their family members to hold residence permits","countries":"","short_title":"Investors and their family members must hold Cypriot residence permits","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-4bf01ee21d","date":"2016-09","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Interior Ministry starts checking that applications are complete on receipt","description":"The practice of checking that all required documents were present on receipt began in September 2016.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 168 (printed p. 166), ch. 6, section 6.1","quote":"άρχισε να εφαρμόζεται από τον Σεπτέμβριο του 2016","countries":"","short_title":"Interior Ministry starts checking that applications are complete on receipt","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-c55054cb92","date":"2016-08-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"PNG","program_id":"png-investor-naturalisation","category":"launch","title":"PNG Constitution amended to allow naturalisation of investors","description":"Constitutional Amendment No. 43 inserts s. 67(4)(b): the minister may naturalise a person with the capital and commitment to invest, create jobs and transfer skills, subject to the Citizenship Advisory Committee.","source_id":"png-const-amend-43-2016","location":"s. 4 (amendment of Constitution s. 67)","quote":"who has the resources and capital, the commitment and credentials to invest in the country's economy to create employment and impart skills to citizens","countries":"","short_title":"Papua New Guinea changes its constitution to naturalise investors","plain_summary":"A 2016 amendment lets the minister grant citizenship to people with the capital to invest, create jobs and bring skills. No price is set.","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-1ef2b8e3a9","date":"2016-08-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal_basis","title":"Legal basis for investor naturalisation","description":"Law 6735 (International Labour Force) amends Citizenship Law 5901 Art. 12(1) to allow exceptional naturalisation of investor-type residence permit holders and Turquoise Card holders and their families.","source_id":"tur-rg-2016-08-13-law6735","location":"Art. 27(9)","quote":"5901 sayılı Türk Vatandaşlığı Kanununun 12 nci maddesinin birinci fıkrasına (a) bendinden sonra gelmek üzere aşağıdaki bent eklenmiş","countries":"","short_title":"Turkey creates legal basis for selling citizenship","plain_summary":"A new law let Turkey grant citizenship, as an exception, to holders of special investor residence permits and their families.","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-2fb0ceb206","date":"2016-08-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Investor residence permit category created","description":"Law 6735 adds to Foreigners Law 6458 Art. 31(1)(j) a short-term residence permit for foreigners who do not work in Turkey but invest in the scope and amount to be set by the Council of Ministers, with spouse and children; these permits may be issued for up to five years at a time (new Art. 31(5)). Holders of this permit (and Turquoise Card holders) are the group made eligible for exceptional naturalisation by the same law.","source_id":"tur-rg-2016-08-13-law6735","location":"Art. 27(10)(ç)","quote":"Türkiye’de çalışmayan ancak Bakanlar Kurulunca belirlenecek kapsam ve tutarda yatırım yapacaklar ile bunların yabancı eşi","countries":"","short_title":"Investor residence permit category created","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-df40b57f80","date":"2016-07-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal_basis","title":"Citizenship Law amendment creating the legal basis (date as given by Turizm Ekonomi)","description":"Turizm Ekonomi dates the legal basis to an amendment of Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law on 28 July 2016 (the data dates Law 6735 to its publication, 13 Aug 2016).","source_id":"tur-turizmekonomi-2026-08","location":"section 'Yatırım yoluyla vatandaşlık 2016’da başladı'","quote":"hukuki altyapısı 28 Temmuz 2016’da Türk Vatandaşlığı Kanunu’nun 12’nci maddesinde yapılan değişiklikle oluşturuldu","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship Law amendment creating the legal basis (date as given by Turizm Ekonomi)","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-1820b97ea9","date":"2016-07-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TUR","program_id":"tur-cbi","category":"legal_basis","title":"Article 12 of the Citizenship Law amended to allow investor naturalisation (date as given by Kronos)","description":"Kronos dates the amendment of Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law opening exceptional naturalisation to investors to 28 July 2016; the official gazette publication of Law 6735 (event e-1ef2b8e3a9) is 13 August 2016. Kept side by side (METHODOLOGY decision 14).","source_id":"tur-kronos-2026-08-08","location":"section 'YATIRIM KARŞILIĞI TÜRK VATANDAŞLIĞI YOLU NASIL AÇILDI?'","quote":"28 Temmuz 2016’da Türk Vatandaşlığı Kanunu’nun 12’inci maddesinde yapılan değişiklikle","countries":"","short_title":"Article 12 of the Citizenship Law amended to allow investor naturalisation (date as given by Kronos)","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-8f5e1be5d5","date":"2016-07","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"rule_change","title":"IIP lease agreements must come with a valuation report","description":"From July 2016 Identity Malta asks for a valuation report with every IIP lease agreement, confirming the rent is at market value (response to the regulator's 2016 recommendation after the \"letterbox\" article).","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2017","location":"PDF p. 25, section 4.0, Recommendation 13","quote":"As of July 2016, a valuation report is requested with all lease agreements submitted, confirming that the rental value is according to the current market value.","countries":"","short_title":"IIP lease agreements must come with a valuation report","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-5a0fc1779f","date":"2016-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"closure","title":"Sales suspended under President Azali","description":"The Azali government says it has suspended citizenship sales since coming to power in May 2016.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-03-23","location":"paragraph on suspension","quote":"The current Comoros government, led by President Azali Assoumani, has said it has suspended citizenship sales since coming to power in May 2016.","countries":"","short_title":"Comoros says it suspended citizenship sales under new president","plain_summary":"The Comoros government led by President Azali Assoumani said it has suspended citizenship sales since he came to power in May 2016.","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-9db3da8a0a","date":"2016-03-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"PNG","program_id":"png-investor-naturalisation","category":"legal","title":"Second parliamentary vote on the dual citizenship constitutional amendment","description":"Second vote on Constitutional Amendment No. 43: 91 of 111 seats voted for, none against; the law was certified on 29 Aug 2016.","source_id":"png-const-amend-43-2016","location":"Certification under Section 14, para (b)","quote":"the second vote was taken on 31 March 2016 when the number of seats in the National Parliament were 111 and those voting for the proposal were 91 and none voted against the proposal.","countries":"","short_title":"Second parliamentary vote on the dual citizenship constitutional amendment","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-8b826516c7","date":"2016-03-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-ciip","category":"rule_change","title":"Government lifts the suspension of the CIIP","description":"The Citizenship Office news item says the government decided to lift the suspension of the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (CIIP) as of 21 March 2016. Recorded exactly as the page prints it. Note: this date does not fit the reference to \"Order 93 of 2023\" in the next sentence of the same undated page (approval of three CIIP agents), so either date may be a misprint; no other stored document confirms it.","source_id":"vut-coc-web-ciip-agents","location":"news item \"CIIP suspension removed\", para 1","quote":"The Vanuatu government has decided to lift the suspension of the Capital Investment Immigration Plan(CIIP) as of 21 March 2016.","countries":"","short_title":"Government lifts the suspension of the CIIP","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-feb7ae37df","date":"2016-02-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"EU concludes the short-stay visa waiver agreement with Grenada","description":"Council Decision (EU) 2016/270 approves, on behalf of the EU, the agreement on the short-stay visa waiver for Grenadian citizens (applied provisionally since 28 May 2015; European Parliament consent 15 December 2015). The date of entry into force was to be published separately.","source_id":"grd-eu-dec-2016-270","location":"Article 1; footnote (1) to the preamble; signature","quote":"The Agreement between the European Union and Grenada on the short-stay visa waiver is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.","countries":"","short_title":"EU concludes the short-stay visa waiver agreement with Grenada","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-3026563ffe","date":"2016-01-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"applications_open","title":"Programme opens for applications","description":"The CIU began receiving citizenship applications on 1 January 2016.","source_id":"lca-ciu-ar-2021-22","location":"PDF p. 14","quote":"since it commenced receipt of citizenship applications on January 1st, 2016.","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia starts accepting citizenship applications","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia's citizenship unit began accepting applications for its citizenship-by-investment programme on 1 January 2016.","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-410d6b73ed","date":"2016-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"Construction of the Range Kempinski resort begins","description":"Construction of the Range Kempinski Dominica Resort (160 rooms, Douglas Bay, Cabrits), a project under the real-estate (investment) arm of the CBI programme, began in January 2016.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2016-17","location":"PDF p. 38","quote":"construction of the Range Kempinski Dominica Resort, commenced in January 2016","countries":"","short_title":"Construction of the Range Kempinski resort begins","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-53d7f86bd4","date":"2016-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"rule_change","title":"IIP moved from the Home Affairs ministry","description":"Responsibility for the IIP was transferred from the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security (to the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government, per the glossary); reported in January 2016.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2016","location":"PDF p. 21, section 3.2","quote":"The two main events of the past 12 months, namely the transfer of the IIP from the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security and the appointment of a new Regulator","countries":"","short_title":"IIP moved from the Home Affairs ministry","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-fb497f3113","date":"2016","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"Leaked central bank report: Bulgarian bank allegedly lent up to EUR 500,000 to citizenship applicants","description":"Transparency International and Global Witness, 'European Getaway' (Oct 2018). The report says Bulgaria's First Investment Bank allegedly awarded loans of up to EUR 500,000 to applicants for citizenship, as reported by the Bulgarian National Bank in a confidential report of 2012 leaked to the media in 2016.","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 18 (printed p. 16)","quote":"Indeed, Bulgaria’s First Investment Bank (Fibank) allegedly awarded loans of up to €500,000 to applicants for citizenship, as reported by the Bulgarian National Bank in a confidential report published in 2012 and leaked to the media in 2016.","countries":"","short_title":"Leaked central bank report: Bulgarian bank allegedly lent up to EUR 500,000 to citizenship applicants","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-7080e222d8","date":"2016","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Fee changes announced in 2015 deferred","description":"The 2016/17 budget address said the Government had decided to defer the new fee structure announced in the 2015 budget address; the existing fees continue to apply.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2016-17","location":"PDF p. 38","quote":"After some consideration, Government has decided to defer the implementation of the new fees.","countries":"","short_title":"Fee changes announced in 2015 deferred","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-2452f0f7de","date":"2016","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"PNG","program_id":"","category":"legal","title":"Papua New Guinea allows naturalisation of investors (reported)","description":"An academic report says 2016 amendments to the Constitution and Citizenship Act created a discretionary naturalisation category for investors. No programme, prices or figures were found; the amendments themselves were not read.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 30 (printed p. 27)","quote":"Amendments to Papua New Guinea’s Constitution and Citizenship Act in 2016 created a category of naturalisation","countries":"","short_title":"Papua New Guinea reportedly allows naturalisation of investors","plain_summary":"An academic report says 2016 amendments to Papua New Guinea's constitution and citizenship law created a discretionary category allowing investors to be naturalised, though no programme, prices or figures have been found.","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-53de91ae50","date":"2016","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-vcp","category":"legal","title":"Contribution Program regulations made","description":"Citizenship (Contribution Program) Regulations Order No. 220 of 2016 (s.13D); the text was not found, its existence is confirmed by the 2020 amending Order.","source_id":"vut-vcp-amend-order-38-2020","location":"PDF p. 1, clause 1","quote":"The Citizenship (Contribution Program) Regulations Order No. 220 of 2016 is amended as set out in the Schedule.","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu creates a Contribution Program for citizenship","plain_summary":"Vanuatu made regulations setting up a Contribution Program offering citizenship; the text of the original order was not found, but its existence is confirmed by a later amending order from 2020.","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-81cee2afa0","date":"2016","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-vcp","category":"launch","title":"Act No. 8 of 2016 rewrites the CIIP and Contribution Program sections","description":"The 2021 consolidation records that sections 13C (CIIP) and 13D (Contribution Program) were substituted by Act No. 8 of 2016; in the consolidated text the prescribed fees under both cover the applicant, spouse and 2 children, with a decision due within 3 months.","source_id":"vut-citizenship-act-cap112-2021","location":"PDF p. 15, endnotes; PDF p. 9, s.13C-13D (OCR)","quote":"13C & 13D Substituted by Act 8 of 2016","countries":"","short_title":"Act No. 8 of 2016 rewrites the CIIP and Contribution Program sections","plain_summary":"","year":"2016"},{"event_id":"e-7f7af15a06","date":"2015-12-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"Agreement signed for Tranquility Beach Resort","description":"The Government signed an agreement with Sunstone Inc. for the 73-room Tranquility Beach Resort in Salisbury, a CBI real-estate project.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2016-17","location":"PDF p. 38","quote":"On Friday 18th December 2015, Government signed an agreement with Sunstone Inc., for the construction of the Tranquility Beach Resort Dominica.","countries":"","short_title":"Agreement signed for Tranquility Beach Resort","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-8a63130a79","date":"2015-11-05","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"WSM","program_id":"wsm-cia","category":"legal","title":"Samoa's Citizenship Investment Act 2015 receives assent","description":"Act No. 48 of 2015 sets up a Citizenship Investment Committee and a route to citizenship through a WST 4m investment, 3 years' permanent residence and 15 days a year in Samoa.","source_id":"wsm-cia-2015","location":"PDF p. 2","quote":"[Assent date: 5 November 2015]","countries":"","short_title":"Samoa passes a citizenship-by-investment law","plain_summary":"The 2015 Act offers citizenship to investors who put 4 million tala into Samoa and live there with permanent residence for three years.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-ead0baeed8","date":"2015-11-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"PNG","program_id":"png-investor-naturalisation","category":"legal","title":"First parliamentary vote on the dual citizenship constitutional amendment","description":"The National Parliament took the first vote on Constitutional Amendment No. 43 (Dual Citizenship), which also lets the Minister naturalise investors under a new s. 67(4)(b): 90 of 111 seats voted for, none against.","source_id":"png-const-amend-43-2016","location":"Certification under Section 14, para (a)","quote":"the first vote was taken on 3 November 2015 when the number of seats in the National Parliament were 111 and those voting for the proposal were 90 and none voted against the proposal","countries":"","short_title":"First parliamentary vote on the dual citizenship constitutional amendment","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-d78df6b479","date":"2015-10-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"scandal","title":"Reza Zarrab obtained Macedonian citizenship and passport","description":"Iranian-Turkish gold trader Reza Zarrab, arrested in the US in 2016 over Iran sanctions evasion, had been granted citizenship under Art. 11 under the name Riza Saraf; he applied on 2 Oct 2015 and the passport was issued on 29 Oct 2015, signed off by the then interior minister. Sources told Makfax that the Finance Ministry's opinion was negative.","source_id":"mkd-makfax-zarrab-2017","location":"paragraphs 4-6","quote":"му е дадено државјанство на Република Македонија во согласност со чл. 11","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia issued a passport to trader Reza Zarrab","plain_summary":"North Macedonia granted citizenship, under another name, to Iranian-Turkish gold trader Reza Zarrab, who was later arrested in the US over Iran sanctions evasion. His passport was issued about a month after he applied.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-d29ff4a1b5","date":"2015-10-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Citizenship by Investment Regulations made","description":"SI 89 of 2015 sets four investment options (National Economic Fund US$200,000; approved real estate US$300,000; enterprise US$3.5m or US$6m joint; non-interest bonds US$500,000), the fee schedule, a US$3m financial-resources affidavit and a cap of 500 granted applications a year.","source_id":"lca-cbi-regs-2015","location":"p. 7, reg. 7(9)","quote":"The Board may grant up to a maximum of 500 applications for citizenship by investment, annually.","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship by Investment Regulations made","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-969838636d","date":"2015-09-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"New CBI due diligence and processing fees announced","description":"The 2015/16 budget address announced new due diligence fees (US$7,500 spouse, US$4,000 / US$2,000 dependants), a US$3,000 processing fee and other fees from 1 September 2015, and higher Economic Development Fund contributions (US$175,000 single applicant) from August 2016. The 2016/17 budget address said implementation of the new fees was deferred.","source_id":"dma-budget-address-2015-16","location":"PDF p. 27","quote":"In addition, the following new fees will come into effect from 1st September 2015:","countries":"","short_title":"New CBI due diligence and processing fees announced","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-556abe08ed","date":"2015-08-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"context","title":"Tropical Storm Erika","description":"Storm caused damage estimated by the IMF at 96 percent of GDP; CBI resources were used for post-Erika rehabilitation.","source_id":"dma-imf-art4-2018","location":"PDF p. 8","quote":"While Erika had caused severe damage, estimated at 96 percent of GDP","countries":"","short_title":"Tropical Storm Erika devastates Dominica","plain_summary":"Tropical Storm Erika caused damage the IMF estimated at 96% of Dominica's economic output; the government used citizenship-sale money to help rebuild.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-b8554910fa","date":"2015-08-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Citizenship by Investment Act 2015 (No. 14 of 2015) dated 24 August 2015","description":"Founding Act of the St Lucia programme. The date is the one printed under the long title; the Act has no separate commencement section (METHODOLOGY decision 14: launched = in-force date, else the date the text gives). Assented 17 August 2015; regulations SI 89 of 2015 dated 2 October 2015; applications opened 1 January 2016 (separate event).","source_id":"lca-cbi-act-2015","location":"PDF p. 3, heading under the long title","quote":"[ 24th August, 2015 ]","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship by Investment Act 2015 (No. 14 of 2015) dated 24 August 2015","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-ce19f7e339","date":"2015-08-17","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Citizenship by Investment Act assented","description":"Governor-General assents to the Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015 (passed by the House of Assembly 28 July 2015 and the Senate 4 August 2015); the Act carries the date 24 August 2015 in its heading. It creates the CBI Board, the CIU and the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund.","source_id":"lca-cbi-act-2015","location":"PDF p. 3","quote":"PEARLETTE LOUISY, Governor-General. August 17, 2015.","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship by Investment Act assented","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-c0fce8e1de","date":"2015-08-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"context","title":"Partnership offers Antiguan citizenship to buyers of a UAE villa project (reported)","description":"The PM said buyers of villas in the Ajman Uptown project in the UAE would be offered citizenship under the CIP on paying an extra US$200,000 to the National Development Fund, with the CIU still doing due diligence. Date is that of the CIU repost; the arrangement may be older.","source_id":"atg-observer-2015-08-150","location":"paras 5-6","quote":"People who purchase villas in the Ajhman Uptown project in UAE will be offered Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship.","countries":"","short_title":"Partnership offers Antiguan citizenship to buyers of a UAE villa project (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-afd4accf66","date":"2015-08-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"lca-cbi","category":"legal","title":"Citizenship by Investment Act passed","description":"Senate passes the Citizenship by Investment Act No. 14 of 2015.","source_id":"lca-cbi-act-2015","location":"p. 23","quote":"Passed in the Senate this 4th day of August, 2015.","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia passes its citizenship-for-sale law","plain_summary":"Saint Lucia's Senate passed the Citizenship by Investment Act, creating the country's programme for selling citizenship.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-c825ed4de7","date":"2015-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Residence requirement cut to five days; names no longer laid before Parliament","description":"August 2015 amendments cut the residence requirement from 35 days to 5 days in the first five years, offered a limited-time NDF cut from US$250,000 to US$200,000, reduced processing fees, and dropped the requirement to lay the names of economic citizens before Parliament every six months.","source_id":"atg-observer-2015-08-changes","location":"paras 4-8","quote":"the removal of the requirement that the names of economic citizens be brought to Parliament every six months","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua eases residence rule, ends parliament reporting","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda cut the required stay for new citizens from 35 to 5 days, temporarily lowered its main price, cut fees, and stopped reporting new citizens' names to parliament every six months.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-5411b2c75d","date":"2015-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"National Transformation Fund Regulations put in place","description":"Regulations for the National Transformation Fund (the fund receiving CBI donations) were approved in August 2015 (a structural benchmark due 28 February 2015). They require forty percent of monthly NTF inflows to be saved for general budget financing (contingencies, natural disasters, debt reduction), NTF spending to be limited to non-recurrent productive infrastructure, and a Board of Directors for the NTF (planned by end-2016).","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2016","location":"PDF p. 67, MEFP para 10; PDF p. 77, structural benchmark 5","quote":"Adhere to the regulations for the NTF, put in place in August 2015.","countries":"","short_title":"National Transformation Fund Regulations put in place","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-c408e46fa5","date":"2015-07-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Cyprus replies to European Commission EU Pilot queries that nationality is a national competence","description":"Answer to the Commission's structured dialogue (EU Pilot) on the scheme; the Commission did not follow up until later.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 32 (printed p. 26)","quote":"η Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία απάντησε στις 6.7.2015 ότι η παραχώρηση της υπηκοότητας ανήκει στην αποκλειστική αρμοδιότητα της κάθε χώρας","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus tells EU that citizenship rules are its own affair","plain_summary":"Responding to European Commission questions about its citizenship-by-investment scheme, Cyprus said granting nationality is each country's own exclusive power; the Commission did not follow up until later.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-f550405487","date":"2015-07","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"Attorney General advises that naturalising investors' family members is probably ultra vires","description":"The opinion, held by the Ministry of Interior from July 2015, was not acted on; thousands of family members were naturalised afterwards.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF pp. 11-12 (printed pp. 5-6)","quote":"γνωμάτευση που από τον Ιούλιο του 2015 είχε δώσει ο","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus legal opinion: naturalising investors' families likely unlawful","plain_summary":"Cyprus's attorney general advised that naturalising investors' family members was probably beyond the law's powers. The interior ministry held the opinion from July 2015 but did not act, and thousands of family members were naturalised.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-e3dab7af78","date":"2015-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Fiscal rules cap CBI receipts counted toward primary balance at 1.5% of GDP from 2018","description":"The fiscal responsibility legislation (approved by Parliament in June 2015) reserves part of CBI receipts for budget financing and contingencies: 40 percent of monthly NTF inflows are saved, and the CBI receipts used to meet primary balance targets are capped at 1.5 percent of GDP from 2018 onward.","source_id":"grd-imf-ecf2-2015","location":"PDF p. 62, Annex on the fiscal responsibility framework, para 5","quote":"the total sum of CBI program receipts to be used for meeting the primary balance targets are capped at 1.5 percent of GDP from 2018 onward.","countries":"","short_title":"Fiscal rules cap CBI receipts counted toward primary balance at 1.5% of GDP from 2018","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-b6e1871652","date":"2015-05-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU visa waiver agreement with Dominica signed and applied","description":"The EU–Dominica short-stay visa waiver agreement was signed in Brussels and applied provisionally from signature.","source_id":"intl-eu-dma-visa-waiver-2015","location":"Final clauses","quote":"Done at Brussels on the twenty-eighth day of May in the year two thousand and fifteen.","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica citizens gain visa-free travel to most of Europe","plain_summary":"The European Union and Dominica signed a visa waiver agreement in Brussels, which applied immediately.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-df322c84fb","date":"2015-05-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU visa waiver agreement with Grenada signed and applied","description":"The EU–Grenada short-stay visa waiver agreement was signed in Brussels and applied provisionally from signature.","source_id":"intl-eu-grd-visa-waiver-2015","location":"Final clauses","quote":"Done at Brussels on the twenty-eighth day of May in the year two thousand and fifteen.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada citizens gain visa-free travel to most of Europe","plain_summary":"The European Union and Grenada signed a visa waiver agreement in Brussels, which applied immediately.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-6aba778974","date":"2015-05-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"EU-Grenada short-stay visa waiver applied provisionally","description":"Grenadian citizens (including CBI citizens) gained visa-free short-stay access to the Schengen area.","source_id":"grd-eu-dec-2016-270","location":"Recital (2)","quote":"the Agreement has been signed and is applied on a provisional basis as from 28 May 2015.","countries":"","short_title":"Visa-free travel to most of Europe begins for Grenada","plain_summary":"Grenadian citizens, including those who bought citizenship, gained visa-free short-stay access to most of Europe from 28 May 2015.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-c905ac6c52","date":"2015-05-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"LCA","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU visa waiver agreement with Saint Lucia signed and applied","description":"The EU–Saint Lucia short-stay visa waiver agreement was signed in Brussels and applied provisionally from signature.","source_id":"intl-eu-lca-visa-waiver-2015","location":"Final clauses","quote":"Done at Brussels on the twenty-eighth day of May in the year two thousand and fifteen.","countries":"","short_title":"Saint Lucia citizens gain visa-free travel to most of Europe","plain_summary":"The European Union and Saint Lucia signed a visa waiver agreement in Brussels, which applied immediately.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-4c5e813e50","date":"2015-05-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU visa waiver agreement with Vanuatu signed and applied","description":"The EU–Vanuatu agreement was signed and provisionally applied from 28 May 2015; it entered into force on 1 April 2017.","source_id":"intl-eu-reg-2025-11","location":"Recital 2","quote":"The visa exemption has applied to nationals of Vanuatu since 28 May 2015","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu citizens gain visa-free travel to most of Europe","plain_summary":"The European Union and Vanuatu signed a visa waiver agreement, applied from 28 May 2015 and formally in force from April 2017.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-188d44719a","date":"2015-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"State orders seizure of Comoro Gulf Holding assets (reported)","description":"The state ordered the seizure of company assets on the islands: 184 pieces of machinery, a stockroom and three piles of sand, per a local newspaper relayed by the Guardian.","source_id":"com-guardian-2015","location":"closing section","quote":"In May, the state ordered the seizure of company assets on the islands","countries":"","short_title":"State orders seizure of Comoro Gulf Holding assets (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-a82339f8ce","date":"2015-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Cabinet mandates quarterly publication of CBI statistics","description":"Prior action under the IMF ECF programme; the Ministry of Finance published quarterly CBI statistics from 2015 (replaced by IMA revenue statistics from 2024).","source_id":"grd-imf-ecf2-2015","location":"PDF p. 73, MEFP","quote":"A Cabinet conclusion mandating the publication of the CBI statistics has been approved in May 2015 (a prior action for the review).","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada ordered to publish citizenship-sale statistics","plain_summary":"As a condition of an IMF programme, Grenada's cabinet agreed to publish citizenship-sale statistics every three months from 2015.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-62b3aca1dd","date":"2015-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"IMF working paper on managing CBI inflows","description":"IMF staff paper (Xu, El-Ashram, Gold) documented surging CBI inflows in St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica, warned of sudden-stop risk from visa-policy changes, and recommended sovereign wealth funds.","source_id":"intl-imf-wp-15-93","location":"Abstract","quote":"The paper proposes a framework for managing inflows and savings from ECPs to contain macroeconomic risks, and it recommends the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund (SWF) where such revenues are large and persistent.","countries":"KNA;DMA","short_title":"IMF paper warns of risks from citizenship-sale money","plain_summary":"An IMF paper found citizenship-sale income surging in St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica, warned it could dry up suddenly if visa rules changed, and recommended saving it in a dedicated fund.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-87a2b18b24","date":"2015-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"rule_change","title":"Identity Malta issues revised IIP guidelines","description":"A more comprehensive set of IIP guidelines setting out the process step by step, including e-residence criteria (health insurance, self-sufficiency, property lease or purchase, Tier 1 due diligence).","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2015","location":"PDF p. 21 (printed p. 13), para 78","quote":"In May 2015, Identity Malta also released a revised set of Guidelines.","countries":"","short_title":"Identity Malta issues revised IIP guidelines","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-e60ad571fd","date":"2015-04-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal","title":"European Commission opens EU Pilot on the programme","description":"After exchanges since 2014, the European Commission sent a formal EU Pilot request questioning naturalisations of foreigners without a genuine link to Cyprus.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 470 (printed p. 468), section 14.2 point 1 (viii)","quote":"απέστειλε επίσημο αίτημα EU Pilot με ημερ. 24.4.2015","countries":"","short_title":"European Commission opens EU Pilot on the programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-95824428ed","date":"2015-04-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Bond restructuring gives creditors a share of CBI revenue","description":"Agreement in principle with holders of the 2025 bonds included sharing of CBI receipts above US$15 million a year after the ECF programme; these 'Bondholder CBI-related payments' reached EC$78.4m in 2024 (IMF CR 26/9).","source_id":"grd-imf-ecf2-2015","location":"PDF p. 46, Annex, para 1","quote":"The sharing of the CBI receipts will start only after the ECF-supported program and will exclude the first US$15 million in annual CBI revenue.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada's creditors to get a share of citizenship-sale revenue","plain_summary":"Grenada agreed that bondholders would share in citizenship-sale revenue above US$15 million a year, once an IMF programme ended; these payments reached EC$78.4 million in 2024.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-1176322645","date":"2015-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"legal","title":"Moroni court rules Comoro Gulf Holding owes the state USD 16m (reported)","description":"A court in Moroni ruled that Comoro Gulf Holding owed the state USD 16m from the economic citizenship programme. Judgment not seen.","source_id":"com-guardian-2015","location":"closing section","quote":"In April 2015, a Moroni court ruled that Comoro Gulf Holding owed the state USD $16m from the economic citizenship programme.","countries":"","short_title":"Moroni court rules Comoro Gulf Holding owes the state USD 16m (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-625a70904f","date":"2015-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-verp","category":"launch","title":"Honorary citizenship sale after Cyclone Pam launched in Hong Kong","description":"ABC reports a scheme to sell honorary citizenship (VERP) to 100 applicants after Cyclone Pam, launched in Hong Kong. The IMF (2016 Article IV) describes VERP as launched in late 2015.","source_id":"vut-abc-verp-2015","location":"article text","quote":"The passport scheme was launched in Hong Kong this month, aimed at wealthy Chinese investors.","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu launches honorary-citizenship sale after Cyclone Pam","plain_summary":"After Cyclone Pam, Vanuatu launched a scheme in Hong Kong selling honorary citizenship to 100 wealthy, mainly Chinese applicants; the IMF later described it as launched in late 2015.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-db3b26d31e","date":"2015-01-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-ciip","category":"rule_change","title":"CIIP rules rewritten; first REO route repealed","description":"Act No. 40 of 2014 repeals s.13CA (REO), rewrites s.13C (CIIP fee covers applicant, spouse and one child; decision within 3 months) and adds an offence for obtaining citizenship fraudulently.","source_id":"vut-cit-amend-act-40-2014","location":"PDF p. 5, Schedule item 13","quote":"the fee payable by an applicant under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan only covers the applicant, his or her spouse and 1 child.","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu rewrites investor-citizenship rules, drops real-estate route","plain_summary":"A new law repealed Vanuatu's real-estate investor-citizenship route, rewrote the main investor route so its fee covers only the applicant, spouse and one child, and made fraudulently obtaining citizenship an offence.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-ecb7257c26","date":"2015-01-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-reo-2014","category":"closure","title":"First Real Estate Option route repealed (Act No. 40 of 2014)","description":"Citizenship (Amendment) Act No. 40 of 2014 (assent 19 Dec 2014, in force on publication, 23 Jan 2015) repeals s.13CA.","source_id":"vut-cit-amend-act-40-2014","location":"PDF p. 1 (header) and Schedule item 14","quote":"Section 13CA\nRepeal the section.","countries":"","short_title":"First Real Estate Option route repealed (Act No. 40 of 2014)","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-a21178287d","date":"2015-01-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"context","title":"National Development and Social Fund set up as a government agency","description":"The NDSF was established to receive 70% of IIP contributions.","source_id":"mlt-ndsf-ar-2025","location":"PDF p. 5","quote":"On 6 January 2015 by means of Implementing Order S.L. 595.12 (“the Order”) the NDSF was established as a government agency","countries":"","short_title":"Malta sets up agency to manage citizenship-sale money","plain_summary":"Malta created the National Development and Social Fund as a government agency to receive 70% of the money paid by people buying citizenship.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-8d348b526d","date":"2015","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Real estate option introduced in practice","description":"IMF reports that in 2015 the government added a real-estate investment option to the programme.","source_id":"dma-imf-art4-2016","location":"PDF p. 18, footnote 15","quote":"In 2015 the government revised the ECP by introducing a new real estate option that grants citizenship in exchange for making investments in Dominica.","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica adds a real-estate route to citizenship","plain_summary":"In 2015, Dominica's government added an option to gain citizenship by investing in real estate, alongside its existing donation route.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-27a73521e9","date":"2015","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Fiscal Responsibility Act requires 40% of NTF proceeds to be saved","description":"IMF: first Caribbean CBI country to mandate saving CBI proceeds for disaster contingency. The current government later cut the set-aside to 10% and said none had actually been deposited before (2024 and 2025 budget statements).","source_id":"grd-imf-art4-2016","location":"PDF p. 29, Box","quote":"the FRA of 2015 requires that 40 percent of proceeds from the CBI program into the NTF are saved to make contingency financing available in the event of a ND.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada requires saving 40% of citizenship-sale money","plain_summary":"Grenada became the first Caribbean country to require saving 40% of citizenship-sale proceeds for disaster emergencies; a later government cut this to 10% and said none had actually been saved.","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-6e16d00fdb","date":"2015","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"rule_change","title":"IIP residence card validity extended from 12 to 18 months","description":"After agents complained about the EUR 200 renewal fee for a card valid 12 months, Identity Malta extended the validity of the IIP residence card to 18 months (before the report's August 2015 foreword).","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2015","location":"PDF p. 30 (printed p. 22), para 128","quote":"Identity Malta has already responded by extending the validity period from the original 12 months to 18 months.","countries":"","short_title":"IIP residence card validity extended from 12 to 18 months","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-018ddf3835","date":"2015","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-verp","category":"launch","title":"Vanuatu Economic Rehabilitation Programme introduced (Treasury)","description":"Treasury: the VERP fast-track citizenship programme was introduced in 2015 to raise revenue after Cyclone Pam, and phased out by March 2017.","source_id":"vut-mfem-monthly-2017-12","location":"PDF p. 1, footnote 1","quote":"Vanuatu Economic Rehabilitation Programme (VERP) was introduced in 2015 aimed at raising revenue post Cyclone Pam through fast-track citizenship programme.","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu Economic Rehabilitation Programme introduced (Treasury)","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-a1f38a2258","date":"2015","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"WSM","program_id":"","category":"legal","title":"Samoa adopts Citizenship Investment Act 2015 (reported)","description":"Academic account: a path to citizenship for persons of a minimum net worth who invest a set amount within three years; investors and family get permanent residence and can apply for citizenship after three years (five for ordinary naturalisation).","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 30 (printed p. 27), section 4.2.2","quote":"In Samoa, the Citizenship Investment Act 2015 provides a pathway to Samoan citizenship for persons of a minimum net worth","countries":"","short_title":"Samoa adopts Citizenship Investment Act 2015 (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2015"},{"event_id":"e-22e5932684","date":"2014-12-11","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Cabinet bars applicants from six countries","description":"Cabinet restricted applications from nationals of Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia and Yemen, unless they are lawful permanent residents of Canada, the US or the UK.","source_id":"atg-ciu-web-iraq-2016","location":"para 3","quote":"According to a decision by the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, at its meeting held on Thursday, 11th December 2014, the Restricted Country List","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua bars citizenship applicants from six countries","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda's cabinet barred applications from nationals of Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia and Yemen, unless they already had permanent residency in Canada, the US or the UK.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-278e1cd9bb","date":"2014-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"NTF to pass first EC$2 million a month to the budget for arrears","description":"Under the IMF-supported programme the National Transformation Fund will transfer through the budget to the CBI Fund the first EC$2 million of its monthly inflows, to settle supplier arrears by end-2015.","source_id":"grd-imf-ecf1-2014","location":"PDF p. 42, Annex II para 3; PDF p. 60, MEFP para 10","quote":"NTF will transfer through the budget to the CBI Fund the first EC$2 million of its monthly inflows for the settlement of arrears.","countries":"","short_title":"NTF to pass first EC$2 million a month to the budget for arrears","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-af91930b35","date":"2014-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"All CBI fees paid to the budget to be saved under the ECF programme","description":"Under the IMF-supported programme all CBI fees paid to the budget are saved for direct and contingent financing, with supplier arrears repaid first; the IMF says this means 25 to 100 percent of CBI inflows available to the public sector (budget fees and NTF) are saved, depending on the mix of applicants between the NTF and investment options.","source_id":"grd-imf-ecf1-2014","location":"PDF p. 41, Annex II para 2","quote":"This ensures that between 25 and 100 percent of the CBI inflows available to the public sector","countries":"","short_title":"All CBI fees paid to the budget to be saved under the ECF programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-753c51cd3f","date":"2014-11-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"Canada imposes visa requirement on St Kitts and Nevis","description":"Canada cited concerns about passport issuance and identity management within the CBI program.","source_id":"intl-can-ircc-kna-visa-2014","location":"Notice text","quote":"Canada has implemented the visa requirement on St. Kitts and Nevis due to concerns about the issuance of passports and identity management practices within its Citizenship by Investment program.","countries":"","short_title":"Canada makes St Kitts and Nevis citizens apply for visas","plain_summary":"Canada ended visa-free travel for St Kitts and Nevis, citing concerns about how passports were issued and identities checked under its citizenship-by-investment programme.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-fc9f17bc72","date":"2014-11-22","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"Canada imposes visa requirement on St. Kitts and Nevis citizens","description":"Canada removed the visa exemption (SOR/2014-267, registered 21 Nov 2014, in force noon ET the next day), citing risks from the CBI program.","source_id":"kna-canada-gazette-sor-2014-267","location":"Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement","quote":"Failure to satisfy the criteria is due in large part to risks stemming from the country's Citizenship-by-Investment Program.","countries":"","short_title":"Canada ends visa-free travel for St Kitts and Nevis","plain_summary":"Canada removed St Kitts and Nevis's visa exemption, saying the risks came largely from the country's citizenship-by-investment programme.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-1df471cc17","date":"2014-11-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"context","title":"Kuwait official says Bidun could get Comoros citizenship","description":"Kuwaiti interior ministry official says stateless Bidun would get special applications for Comoros economic citizenship.","source_id":"com-bbc-2014-11-10","location":"paragraphs 1-2","quote":"Tens of thousands of stateless people in Kuwait - known as Bidun - could be offered citizenship of the Comoros islands off Africa, an official says.","countries":"","short_title":"Kuwait suggests stateless people could get Comoros citizenship","plain_summary":"A Kuwaiti interior ministry official said tens of thousands of stateless people in Kuwait, known as Bidun, could be offered citizenship of Comoros through special applications.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-680b939283","date":"2014-10-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2014 gazetted","description":"S.R.O. 37 of 2014 replaced the 2013 regulations and set fees from 1 January 2014: US$100,000 fund contribution (single applicant) and US$200,000 minimum real-estate investment.","source_id":"dma-sro37-2014","location":"PDF p. 1","quote":"(Gazetted 23rd October, 2014.)","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica updates its citizenship-sale rules and fees","plain_summary":"New regulations set Dominica's prices from 1 January 2014: a US$100,000 fund contribution for a single applicant, or at least US$200,000 in real estate.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-f3b67ceb87","date":"2014-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"Investment Migration Council launched in Geneva","description":"The IMC was launched in October 2014 by a group of service providers to set standards for the industry.","source_id":"intl-imf-wp-15-93","location":"PDF p. 8 (printed p. 7), para 8","quote":"The Investment Migration Council (IMC), based in Geneva, was launched in October 2014 by a group of service providers","countries":"","short_title":"Investment Migration Council launched in Geneva","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-dae30d4e62","date":"2014-08-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Decision 77.131 (para α) applies from 1 August 2014","description":"Programme IV Period Γ, 1.8.2014-12.9.2016.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 177 (Annex 1, reproduced interim-report p. 49), para 30","quote":"ηµερ. 1.8.2014","countries":"","short_title":"Decision 77.131 (para α) applies from 1 August 2014","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-7c3744c3fc","date":"2014-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"context","title":"First citizen granted under the new CBI programme","description":"IMF notes most early applicants were from China and the first new citizen was approved in August 2014; receipts began in September 2014.","source_id":"grd-imf-ecf1-2014","location":"PDF p. 41, Annex II para 1","quote":"Most applicants to the Grenada's program so far originate from China, with the first new citizen from the program gained the Grenadian citizenship in August 2014.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada approves its first citizen under new programme","plain_summary":"The IMF said most early applicants to Grenada's new programme came from China, and the first person was granted citizenship in August 2014.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-2f097a3c0c","date":"2014-07-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-reo-2014","category":"launch","title":"First Real Estate Option route added","description":"Act No. 18 of 2014 adds s.13CA: citizenship for investors in a Vanuatu Government Approved Project holding a residence visa.","source_id":"vut-cit-amend-act-18-2014","location":"PDF p. 3, Schedule item 5","quote":"Requirements for application of a citizenship by an investor under the Real Estate Option Program","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu adds a real-estate route to investor citizenship","plain_summary":"A new law added a route to Vanuatu's investor citizenship programme for people investing in an approved government project and holding a residence visa.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-e575cc7abb","date":"2014-06-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Deposits used as loan collateral: loan money must be invested in Cyprus","description":"Council of Ministers clarification (decision 77.131) of the 19.03.2014 scheme: where qualifying bank deposits secure a loan, the loan proceeds must be invested in Cyprus and the Ministry of Interior informed. Published in the Official Gazette on 15.09.2014.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF pp. 376-377 (printed pp. 374-375), section 11.7.1 A; decision number PDF p. 432","quote":"25.06.2014, αποφάσισε να προβεί σε διευκρινήσεις","countries":"","short_title":"Deposits used as loan collateral: loan money must be invested in Cyprus","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-6bd08741b8","date":"2014-05-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"scandal","title":"US FinCEN warns banks about St Kitts CBI passports","description":"FinCEN advisory FIN-2014-A004 said illicit actors, including Iranian nationals designated by OFAC, were obtaining SKN passports through the CBI program, which it described as having lax controls. Routes then: US$400,000 real estate or US$250,000 SIDF contribution.","source_id":"kna-fincen-advisory-2014","location":"p. 1","quote":"certain foreign individuals are abusing the Citizenship-by-Investment program sponsored by the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) to obtain SKN passports for the purpose of engaging in illicit financial activity","countries":"","short_title":"US warns banks about St Kitts citizenship passports","plain_summary":"A US financial-crime watchdog warned banks that criminals, including sanctioned Iranian nationals, were getting St Kitts and Nevis passports through its citizenship programme, which it said had weak controls.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-78af3c8cf4","date":"2014-05-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU moves Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Vanuatu to the visa-free list (conditional)","description":"Regulation 509/2014 transferred Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Vanuatu and others to Annex II, applicable from entry into force of visa waiver agreements.","source_id":"intl-eu-reg-509-2014","location":"Recital 4, OJ L 149/67","quote":"The imposition of the visa requirement on the nationals of Dominica, Grenada, [...] Saint Lucia, [...] and Vanuatu is no longer justified.","countries":"DMA;GRD;KIR;MHL;FSM;NRU;PLW;LCA;VCT;WSM;SLB;TLS;TON;TTO;TUV;ARE;VUT;COL;PER","short_title":"EU offers visa-free travel to more citizenship-selling countries","plain_summary":"The European Union added Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Vanuatu and others to its visa-free list, pending formal waiver agreements.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-c328d89a7c","date":"2014-04-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"context","title":"Council of Ministers stops receiving the annexes of naturalisation proposals","description":"After a Council of Ministers decision of 09.04.2014 and the move to electronic meetings, from 30.04.2014 ministers saw only the proposal, not its annexes; no member asked for the annexes from then on.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 192 (printed p. 190), ch. 6, section 6.8","quote":"Από τις 30.04.2014 το Υπουργικό Συμβούλιο δεν είχε πρόσβαση στα Παραρτήματα της Πρότασης.","countries":"","short_title":"Council of Ministers stops receiving the annexes of naturalisation proposals","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-d99f36f755","date":"2014-03-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"EUR 5m thresholds, 'collective investment' at EUR 2.5m, and a route for company executives","description":"Decisions 76.668/76.973: EUR 5m across routes; collective schemes of EUR 12.5m+ at EUR 2.5m per investor (used by about 75% of applications to Sept 2016); executives paying EUR 100,000 tax over 3 years.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 50-53 (printed p. 48-51)","quote":"Περίοδος (Α): Αρ. Απόφασης 76.668 και 76.973, ημερ. 19.3.2014","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus sets €5 million threshold, adds executive route","plain_summary":"Cyprus set a €5 million threshold across its citizenship-investment routes, let collective schemes of €12.5 million-plus count at €2.5 million per investor, and added a route for executives paying €100,000 tax over three years.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-aa4d9ac83f","date":"2014-02-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"rule_change","title":"Regulation on the § 10(6) confirmation procedure","description":"Federal government regulation sets the procedure: Land governments forward files to the Interior Ministry, competent ministers give reasoned opinions, and the government decides at least once every half-year. No economic thresholds.","source_id":"aut-bgbl-ii-2014-39","location":"p. 2, § 4","quote":"jedenfalls einmal im Kalenderhalbjahr über die Erteilung oder die Nichterteilung einer Bestätigung","countries":"","short_title":"Austria regulates its special citizenship confirmation procedure","plain_summary":"A new Austrian regulation set the procedure for special citizenship confirmations: regional governments forward files to the interior ministry, ministers give opinions, and the government decides at least twice a year, with no economic thresholds.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-533efe9794","date":"2014-02-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"rule_change","title":"Austria: decree clarifying the special-interest naturalisation criteria (25 Feb 2014)","description":"Transparency International and Global Witness, 'European Getaway' (Oct 2018). Annex 1 says the Austrian scheme was amended in 2014; endnote 179 says an additional decree clarifying §10(6) was passed by the Council of Ministers on 25 February 2014, setting four categories of services (scientific, economic, sporting, cultural) with five to seven criteria each.","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 82 (printed p. 80), endnote 179 (to Annex 1)","quote":"An additional decree to clarify §10 (6) of the citizenship law was passed on 25 February 2014 by the Council of Ministers.","countries":"","short_title":"Austria: decree clarifying the special-interest naturalisation criteria (25 Feb 2014)","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-2e701a91a0","date":"2014-02-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"rule_change","title":"IIP regulations published (LN 47 of 2014)","description":"EUR 650,000 contribution, EUR 350,000 property or EUR 16,000 rent, EUR 150,000 investment, 1,800 cap, 70% of contributions to the NDSF.","source_id":"mlt-ln-2014-47","location":"reg. 12","quote":"The number of successful main applicants, excluding dependants, shall not exceed one thousand and eight hundred for the whole duration of the programme.","countries":"","short_title":"Malta publishes rules for its citizenship-sale programme","plain_summary":"Malta set its terms: a EUR 650,000 contribution, a EUR 350,000 property purchase or EUR 16,000 rent, a EUR 150,000 investment, and a cap of 1,800 successful applicants.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-994ba46085","date":"2014-01-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-ciip","category":"price_change","title":"CIIP fees set","description":"Fees Order No. 6 of 2014 sets the Form D application fee (VT 25,000 or USD 250) and the CIIP citizenship certificate fee (VT 1,000,000 or USD 10,000).","source_id":"vut-fees-order-6-2014","location":"PDF p. 3, Schedule 5","quote":"Citizenship Certificate Fees for Investors under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan pursuant to section 13C","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu sets fees for its investor citizenship programme","plain_summary":"Vanuatu set an application fee of VT 25,000 or US$250, and a citizenship certificate fee of VT 1,000,000 or US$10,000, for its Capital Investment Immigration Plan.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-8a4f35ff23","date":"2014-01-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"rule_change","title":"Malta agrees with the European Commission to add a residence requirement","description":"After talks with the Commission, Malta committed to requiring effective residence before naturalisation (it became 12 months in LN 47 of 2014).","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2014","location":"PDF p. 6","quote":"committed to “include genuine links to Malta through the introduction of an effective residence status in Malta prior to the possibility to acquire Maltese naturalisation”","countries":"","short_title":"Malta agrees to add a residency requirement","plain_summary":"After talks with the European Commission, Malta agreed to require applicants to actually live in Malta for a period before becoming citizens.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-b7fab90a97","date":"2014-01-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"rule_change","title":"European Parliament resolution on \"EU citizenship for sale\"","description":"Parliament expressed concern that national schemes involving the outright sale of Union citizenship undermine the concept of Union citizenship (reported in the Commission's 2019 report; the resolution text itself was not retrieved).","source_id":"intl-ec-com-2019-12","location":"PDF p. 2, section 1 and fn 2","quote":"The European Parliament, in its Resolution of 16 January 2014, expressed concern that national schemes involving the \"direct or indirect outright sale\" of Union citizenship undermined the very concept of Union citizenship.","countries":"","short_title":"European Parliament criticises selling EU citizenship","plain_summary":"The European Parliament said national schemes that directly or indirectly sell citizenship undermined the whole idea of European Union citizenship.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-bb4e6132e0","date":"2014","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"context","title":"Authorities hope for a new ECP agreement with Kuwait","description":"During the 2014 Article IV discussions the authorities said they were optimistic that a new ECP programme with Kuwait would be agreed; IMF staff urged that such volatile revenue be budgeted prudently, ring-fenced and protected by strong safeguards against misuse.","source_id":"com-imf-art4-2014","location":"Staff report, Policy discussions, 'New ECP.'","quote":"The authorities indicated that they were optimistic that a new ECP program with Kuwait would be agreed.","countries":"","short_title":"Authorities hope for a new ECP agreement with Kuwait","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-a274361479","date":"2014","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Group applications start to be submitted","description":"Proposals to the Cabinet covering groups of investors (collective applications) began in 2014 and were handled like individual applications from 2014 to 2018.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 265 (printed p. 263), ch. 8","quote":"αιτήσεις ομάδας αιτούντων αλλοδαπών επιχειρηματιών και επενδυτών για πολιτογράφηση ως πολιτών της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας, οι οποίες άρχισαν να υποβάλλονται από το έτος 2014","countries":"","short_title":"Group applications start to be submitted","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-99bbc3105a","date":"2014","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"visa_access","title":"IMF table: Grenadian passport visa-free to UK but not US, Canada or Schengen (2014)","description":"IMF table of visa-free access for ECCU CBI countries (source VisaHQ) shows Grenada: US No, UK Yes, Canada No, Schengen No.","source_id":"grd-imf-ecf1-2014","location":"PDF p. 41, text table 'Visa-Free Access for Selected ECCU Countries'","quote":"US              No         No        No        No","countries":"","short_title":"IMF: Grenada passport gave UK but not US access","plain_summary":"An IMF table found a Grenadian passport gave visa-free access to the UK, but not to the United States, Canada or most of Europe, as of 2014.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-f5b4ae2d7f","date":"2014","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Grenada citizenship programme inception year 2014 (IMF table)","description":"The IMF's 2025 Nauru Article IV lists Grenada's citizenship programme with inception year 2014 (sources: national authorities and IMF staff estimates). Other stored sources date the current programme's launch to 2013 (Act of August 2013); kept as a separate account (decision 14).","source_id":"nru-imf-art4-2025","location":"PDF p. 54, Annex VI, Table 1 'Nauru: Citizenship Programs for Selected Small Developing States'","quote":"Grenada 2014 $250,000 4-6 months","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada citizenship programme inception year 2014 (IMF table)","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-82d3dd1e24","date":"2014","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"launch","title":"Malta Individual Investor Programme established 2014 (TI annex)","description":"Transparency International and Global Witness, 'European Getaway' (Oct 2018). Annex 1 and Annex 4 give 2014 for Malta's CBI (endnote 191 cites the Maltese Citizenship Act).","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 54 (printed p. 52), Annex 1 'European golden visa programmes', column 'Year established'","quote":"Malta CBI: 2014 RBI: 2015, amended in 2017","countries":"","short_title":"Malta Individual Investor Programme established 2014 (TI annex)","plain_summary":"","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-6e6a76584c","date":"2014","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-ciip","category":"launch","title":"Dual citizenship and CIIP citizenship route take effect","description":"Citizenship (Amendment) Act No. 39 of 2013 commences: Part 3A dual citizenship, citizenship for investors under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan (s.13C), and a new honorary citizenship power (s.20), later used for VERP and the early DSP.","source_id":"vut-cit-amend-act-39-2013","location":"PDF p. 7, Schedule item 9","quote":"in the case of an applicant who is an investor under the Capital Investment Immigration Plan","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu allows dual citizenship and citizenship for investors","plain_summary":"A change to Vanuatu's citizenship law allowed dual citizenship, created a citizenship route for investors under its Capital Investment Immigration Plan, and gave the government power to grant honorary citizenship.","year":"2014"},{"event_id":"e-89274d489e","date":"2013-11-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"launch","title":"Act XV of 2013 creates the Individual Investor Programme route to citizenship","description":"Act No XV of 2013 (Government Gazette No 19,166, 15 Nov 2013) amended the Maltese Citizenship Act so that a certificate of naturalisation could be granted through participation in an individual investor programme. Implementing regulations followed (L.N. 450 of 2013, revoked and replaced by L.N. 47 of 2014 on 4 Feb 2014).","source_id":"mlt-cjeu-c181-23","location":"para 18","quote":"On 15 November 2013, the Republic of Malta adopted Act No XV of 2013: An Act to amend the Maltese Citizenship Act (Chapter 188 of the Laws of Malta) ( The Malta Government Gazette No 19,166, of 15 November 2013; ‘the 2013 amendment’). In parallel to the procedure laid down in Article 10(1) of the Maltese Citizenship Act, the 2013 amendment established the possibility for an applicant to be granted a certificate of naturalisation through participation in an ‘individual investor programme’","countries":"","short_title":"Act XV of 2013 creates the Individual Investor Programme route to citizenship","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-652aedbffe","date":"2013-11-12","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MLT","program_id":"mlt-iip","category":"context","title":"Parliament approves the Citizenship Act amendments creating the IIP","description":"The House of Representatives passed the amendments that created the Individual Investor Programme.","source_id":"mlt-orgcem-ar-2014","location":"PDF p. 14","quote":"These amendments were approved by the House of Representatives on the 12 November 2013.","countries":"","short_title":"Malta's parliament approves selling citizenship","plain_summary":"Malta's House of Representatives approved changes to its citizenship law that created the Individual Investor Programme, letting people buy Maltese citizenship.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-f316964955","date":"2013-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"SYC","program_id":"syc-investor-citizenship","category":"legal","title":"2013 amendments add an investor route to Seychelles citizenship (USD 1 million plus 11 years' residence)","description":"The Immigration Department's November 2013 guide to the 2013 amendments to the Citizenship Act lists an investor category for citizenship: USD 1 million invested in a Seychelles business plus 11 years' aggregate residence.","source_id":"syc-ics-quickguide-2013","location":"PDF p. 7 (printed p. 5), Citizenship, Investor Type 1; overview PDF p. 3","quote":"Has invested 1,000,000 US Dollars or more in a business in Seychelles and has resided for 11 years aggregate in Seychelles","countries":"","short_title":"2013 amendments add an investor route to Seychelles citizenship (USD 1 million plus 11 years' residence)","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-a9643a5ce1","date":"2013-10-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SYC","program_id":"syc-investor-citizenship","category":"context","title":"Cabinet approves bills amending the Citizenship Act and Immigration Decree","description":"State House reports that Cabinet approved two bills amending the Citizenship Act and the Immigration Decree, announced in the 2013 State of the Nation address: stricter citizenship rules, applicants to show their contribution to Seychelles, and a new permanent residency status for foreigners with the means to live in Seychelles. These are the 2013 amendments that brought the investor route (USD 1 million plus residence) under 'special circumstances'; their passage and in-force dates were not found.","source_id":"syc-statehouse-cabinet-immigration-2013","location":"news item, paragraph 1","quote":"The Cabinet of Ministers has recently approved two bills for the amendment of the Citizenship Act and the Immigration Decree","countries":"","short_title":"Cabinet approves bills amending the Citizenship Act and Immigration Decree","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-6799310a16","date":"2013-09","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"closure","title":"IMF says Comoros' economic citizenship programme was terminated in September 2013","description":"IMF working paper footnote: Comoros' Economic Citizenship Program was terminated in September 2013 for reasons relating to its conduct and objectives. Other sources in the dataset date the suspension of sales to May 2016.","source_id":"intl-imf-wp-15-93","location":"PDF p. 9 (printed p. 8), footnote 12","quote":"Comoros’ Economic Citizenship Program was terminated in September 2013","countries":"","short_title":"IMF says Comoros' economic citizenship programme was terminated in September 2013","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-ccd9bba659","date":"2013-08-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"price_change","title":"Family NDF option at $540,000 (US$200,000) introduced","description":"Amendment Regulations (S.I. 2013 No. 24) set the NDF contribution for a family of up to four at $540,000 and added a limited-time-offer regulation.","source_id":"atg-cbi-regs-2013","location":"PDF p. 7","quote":"the proposed contribution of the family to the National Development Fund shall be $540,000","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua sets a family citizenship price of EC$540,000","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda set the contribution for a family of up to four buying citizenship through its development fund at EC$540,000, about US$200,000.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-8a076a40b4","date":"2013-08-29","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Agent licences limited to citizens and long-term residents; oath can be taken abroad","description":"S.I. 2013 No. 24 limited agent licences to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda or persons lawfully resident for at least seven years, required professional indemnity insurance of at least $3,000,000, barred members of Parliament and CIU staff (and their families), and allowed the oath of allegiance at embassies, high commissions or consulates.","source_id":"atg-cbi-regs-2013","location":"PDF pp. 5-7, regs 4 and 5","quote":"who is a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda or who is lawfully ordinarily resident for a period of not less than seven years","countries":"","short_title":"Agent licences limited to citizens and long-term residents; oath can be taken abroad","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-47a5a09424","date":"2013-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act No. 15 of 2013 passed","description":"Parliament passed the Act establishing the current programme; regulations are SRO No. 17 of 2013. IMF describes the programme variously as launched in 2013 and 2014 (first applicants and receipts in 2014).","source_id":"grd-ima-web-2024","location":"Overview","quote":"The Citizenship by Investment Programme came into being in August 2013, when the Grenadian Parliament passed Act No. 15 of 2013","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada passes law for its current citizenship-sale programme","plain_summary":"Grenada's parliament passed the law behind its current citizenship-by-investment programme in August 2013; the first applicants and payments came in 2014.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-0298f99b8b","date":"2013-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"context","title":"Government offers an investor up to 5,000 naturalisations for EUR 10bn of home sales (not realised)","description":"Per the committee, around June 2013 the Interior Minister (with the President and Finance Minister) sought a deal under which a (blacked-out) investor's company would sell 5,000 homes at EUR 2m each and the government would grant 5,000 naturalisations, with purchases due by June 2014. The deal was not realised; the inquiry links it to the collective-investment criterion of 19.03.2014.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 514 (printed p. 512), ch. 15.3","quote":"η Κυβέρνηση ήταν διατεθειμένη να\nπαραχωρήσει 5.000 πολιτογραφήσεις","countries":"","short_title":"Government offers an investor up to 5,000 naturalisations for EUR 10bn of home sales (not realised)","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-fa3a0fa82c","date":"2013-05-24","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Council of Ministers decision sets the 'Cyprus Investment Programme' criteria","description":"Decision 75.148 under art. 111A(2): EUR 2m mixed investment/donations, EUR 5m direct investment or deposits, EUR 500,000 home; spouses and adult children included.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 27 (printed p. 21)","quote":"Στη βάση της πιο πάνω πρόνοιας, λήφθηκε στις 24.5.2013 η Απόφαση του ΥΣ","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus launches its Cyprus Investment Programme for citizenship","plain_summary":"Cyprus set the rules for a citizenship-by-investment programme: €2 million in mixed investment and donations, €5 million in direct investment or deposits, a €500,000 home, with spouses and adult children included.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-eaf2ba8a6a","date":"2013-04-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Law 36(I)/2013 creates art. 111A(2): naturalisation of investors on Council of Ministers' terms","description":"Passed under urgent procedure and published the same day; Parliament to be informed in advance of each naturalisation.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 27 (printed p. 21)","quote":"ψηφίστηκε στις 30.4.2013 και δημοσιεύτηκε στην Επίσημη Εφημερίδα της Δημοκρατίας την ίδια ημέρα","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus passes law allowing citizenship for investors by government decision","plain_summary":"Cyprus passed a new law, approved under urgent procedure and published the same day, allowing the government to naturalise investors on terms it sets, with parliament informed in advance of each case.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-93a4e18fe6","date":"2013-04-16","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"price_change","title":"After the bank bail-in: EUR 5m investment, EUR 3m deposits or EUR 3m haircut losses","description":"Decision 74.912, weeks after the March 2013 bail-in, cut thresholds and let depositors who lost EUR 3m+ at Bank of Cyprus or Laiki qualify.","source_id":"cyp-audit-cip-2022","location":"PDF p. 27 (printed p. 21)","quote":"Η πρώτη Απόφαση του ΥΣ λήφθηκε στις 16.4.2013.","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus lowers investor-citizenship thresholds after bank bail-in","plain_summary":"Weeks after the 2013 bank bail-in, Cyprus cut its citizenship-by-investment thresholds to €5 million investment, €3 million in deposits, or €3 million in bail-in losses.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-e70e40db04","date":"2013-04-11","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"atg-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Citizenship by Investment Act 2013 published","description":"Act No. 2 of 2013 (with the Regulations in its Schedule) was passed by the House on 1 Feb 2013 and the Senate on 19 Mar 2013, and published in the Gazette on 11 Apr 2013. The CIU started receiving applications later in 2013.","source_id":"atg-cbi-act-2013","location":"PDF p. 1 and p. 9","quote":"Published in the Official Gazette Vol. XXXIII No. 20 dated 11th April, 2013.","countries":"","short_title":"Antigua and Barbuda passes its citizenship-for-sale law","plain_summary":"Antigua and Barbuda's parliament passed the law creating its citizenship-by-investment programme, published in April 2013; applications began later that year.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-01189116b3","date":"2013-02-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Fast-track investor citizenship (art. 14a) added","description":"Amendment in State Gazette no. 16 of 19 Feb 2013 creates the fast-track route after one year of permanent residence.","source_id":"bgr-lex-zbg-2026","location":"art. 14a","quote":"Чл. 14а. (Нов - ДВ, бр. 16 от 2013 г., отм. - ДВ, бр. 26 от 2022 г.)","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria adds fast-track citizenship for investors","plain_summary":"A change to Bulgaria's law created a fast-track citizenship route for investors, available after just one year of permanent residence.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-8a686ce638","date":"2013-01-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"legal","title":"Acquittals in the trial over the 2007 naturalisations of two Russians","description":"The Vienna criminal court acquitted Haider's former protocol chief (money laundering) and the two Russian-born businessmen and their lawyer (bribery), finding no proven link between the payments and the grant of citizenship. Not final at the time.","source_id":"aut-orf-koloini-2013","location":"paragraph 4","quote":"keinen konkreten Konnex zwischen den Zahlungen und der Verleihung der Staatsbürgerschaft","countries":"","short_title":"Austria: acquittals in 2007 citizenship bribery case","plain_summary":"A Vienna court acquitted Haider's former protocol chief and two Russian-born businessmen over a 2007 citizenship case, finding no proven link between payments and the citizenship granted. The ruling was not final.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-21d6447da1","date":"2013","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Bulgaria fast-track citizenship for investors introduced in 2013 (TI annex)","description":"Transparency International and Global Witness, 'European Getaway' (Oct 2018). Annex 1 gives 2013 for Bulgaria's CBI; endnote 180: in 2013 a fast-track option allowed investors to apply for citizenship after one year of permanent residence by doubling the investment.","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 54 (printed p. 52), Annex 1 'European golden visa programmes', column 'Year established'","quote":"Bulgaria CBI: 2013 RBI: 2009","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria fast-track citizenship for investors introduced in 2013 (TI annex)","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-3fd26e429c","date":"2013","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"rule_change","title":"IMF: ECP revenue fell steeply in 2013 after tighter controls","description":"The IMF says the programme sells passports to foreign nationals in some Middle Eastern countries, mainly the United Arab Emirates, under bilateral agreements, and that revenue declined steeply in 2013 after tighter controls were imposed in response to earlier irregularities. In 2013 the government spent ECP proceeds accumulated at the central bank in 2012 on capital spending.","source_id":"com-imf-art4-2014","location":"Staff report para 4 and footnote 1; Annex footnote 3","quote":"Revenues from the program declined steeply in 2013 following the imposition of tighter controls in response to earlier irregularities.","countries":"","short_title":"IMF: ECP revenue fell steeply in 2013 after tighter controls","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-cfb0b86838","date":"2013","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Cyprus amends its citizenship-by-investment scheme in 2013 (TI annex)","description":"Transparency International and Global Witness, 'European Getaway' (Oct 2018). Annex 1: Cyprus CBI amended in 2013; endnote 182 cites the Council of Ministers decision on the Cyprus Investment Programme of 24 May 2013.","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 54 (printed p. 52), Annex 1 'European golden visa programmes', column 'Year established'","quote":"Cyprus CBI: 2008, amended in 2013 and 2018","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus amends its citizenship-by-investment scheme in 2013 (TI annex)","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-3396a257e7","date":"2013","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Iranian nationals suspended from the CBI programme","description":"According to FinCEN, the St Kitts and Nevis government announced in 2013 that all Iranian nationals were suspended from the programme; FinCEN believed Iranian nationals continued to obtain passports through it.","source_id":"kna-fincen-advisory-2014","location":"p. 1","quote":"in 2013 the SKN government announced that all Iranian nationals were suspended from participating in the SKN Citizenship-by-Investment program.","countries":"","short_title":"Iranian nationals suspended from the CBI programme","plain_summary":"","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-63ed8f18c0","date":"2013","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"scandal","title":"Sons of Indian tycoon Subrata Roy naturalised","description":"In 2013 the sons of Indian businessman Subrata Roy, presented by the then prime minister as major investors on the Ohrid shore, received Macedonian citizenship; Roy was arrested in India shortly after and the investments never materialised, but the family kept the documents.","source_id":"mkd-dw-economic-citizenship-2023","location":"paragraph on controversial cases","quote":"Летото 2013 година, постариот син на Субрата - Семанто Рој се одомаќини","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia naturalises sons of Indian tycoon Subrata Roy","plain_summary":"North Macedonia granted citizenship to the sons of Indian businessman Subrata Roy, presented as major investors in the Ohrid shore project. Roy was later arrested in India and the investments never materialised.","year":"2013"},{"event_id":"e-c04dbebf87","date":"2012-12-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"price_change","title":"EUR 400,000 investment and 10 jobs threshold introduced","description":"Decree amendment of 6 Dec 2012 makes the main economic-interest criterion EUR 400,000 per person of direct investment in new capacity with at least 10 permanent jobs for a year. The European Commission dates the investor scheme to this December 2012 change.","source_id":"mkd-sv-decree-2012-161","location":"p. 4, item 3852","quote":"вестирал капитал во износ од најмалку 400.000 евра по","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia sets a EUR 400,000 investment threshold","plain_summary":"A December 2012 decree made North Macedonia's main criterion a EUR 400,000 investment creating at least 10 permanent jobs for a year; the European Commission dates its investor scheme to this change.","year":"2012"},{"event_id":"e-539fa37447","date":"2012-12-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"legal","title":"'Part of the Game': final verdict against Scheuch","description":"The Graz Higher Regional Court again found Scheuch guilty, amending the first-instance judgment: seven months suspended and a fine of EUR 67,500 (the first-instance judgment had imposed seven months and EUR 150,000).","source_id":"aut-orf-scheuch-2012-12","location":"paragraph 2","quote":"Scheuch erhielt sieben Monate bedingte Haft und eine deutlich niedrigere Geldstrafe von 67.500 Euro","countries":"","short_title":"Austrian court upholds Scheuch's conviction over citizenship offer","plain_summary":"Austria's Graz Higher Regional Court upheld Scheuch's conviction on appeal, giving him seven months suspended and a EUR 67,500 fine, lower than the EUR 150,000 set at an earlier retrial.","year":"2012"},{"event_id":"e-e8e429602a","date":"2012-07-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"legal","title":"'Part of the Game' retrial: Scheuch convicted again, seven months suspended and EUR 150,000 fine","description":"Klagenfurt Regional Court convicts FPK leader Uwe Scheuch in the retrial: seven months suspended prison and an unsuspended fine of EUR 150,000; not final. Unlike the first trial, the verdict rests on the promised statement on possible state funding, not on citizenship. The defence announced an appeal to the Graz Higher Regional Court.","source_id":"aut-orf-scheuch-2012-07","location":"lead paragraph; date line \"Publiziert am 06.07.2012\"","quote":"zu sieben Monaten bedingter Haft und 150.000 Euro Geldstrafe verurteilt worden. Das Urteil ist nicht rechtskräftig.","countries":"","short_title":"'Part of the Game' retrial: Scheuch convicted again, seven months suspended and EUR 150,000 fine","plain_summary":"","year":"2012"},{"event_id":"e-f0c390d587","date":"2011-11-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Interior Ministry takes over examining applications from the Civil Registry and Migration Department","description":"From 1 November 2011 examination of applications for naturalisation by exception moved from the Civil Registry and Migration Department to the Ministry of Interior.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 157 (printed p. 155), ch. 5 testimony 30 (A. Siakalli)","quote":"από την 1η Νοεμβρίου 2011, η αρμοδιότητα εξέτασης αιτήσεων κατ’ εξαίρεσης πολιτογράφησης","countries":"","short_title":"Interior Ministry takes over examining applications from the Civil Registry and Migration Department","plain_summary":"","year":"2011"},{"event_id":"e-d086c3d9a9","date":"2011-10-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"price_change","title":"Thresholds cut to EUR 10m investment or EUR 15m deposits; EUR 500,000 home required","description":"Decision 72.676 lowered the investment criteria and added a clean-record check and a permanent residence worth over EUR 500,000.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 43-45 (printed p. 41-43)","quote":"Περίοδος (Α): Αρ. Απόφασης 72.676, ημερ. 10.10.2011","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus lowers investor citizenship thresholds, requires a home","plain_summary":"An October 2011 decision lowered Cyprus's investor citizenship requirements to EUR 10 million invested or EUR 15 million deposited, added a clean-record check, and required a home worth over EUR 500,000.","year":"2011"},{"event_id":"e-4c7eb4dc03","date":"2011-08-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"legal","title":"'Part of the Game': Carinthian deputy governor Scheuch convicted","description":"Uwe Scheuch was convicted on 2 August 2011 of offering, in a tape-recorded conversation, to support a Russian investor's citizenship bid in return for a party donation; 18 months, six of them unsuspended. The Graz Higher Regional Court later quashed this verdict for a procedural error and ordered a retrial.","source_id":"aut-orf-scheuch-2012-07","location":"section 'Neuerliche Entscheidung bei OLG Graz'","quote":"Im ersten Prozess war Scheuch am 2. August des Vorjahres zu 18 Monaten Haft, sechs davon unbedingt, verurteilt worden","countries":"","short_title":"Austrian politician convicted over citizenship-for-donation offer","plain_summary":"Carinthian deputy governor Uwe Scheuch was convicted and sentenced to 18 months for offering a Russian investor citizenship in return for a party donation. A higher court later ordered a retrial over a procedural error.","year":"2011"},{"event_id":"e-4541b30249","date":"2011-07-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"scandal","title":"Prosecutors: Russian investors paid twice before naturalisation","description":"The anti-corruption prosecutors confirmed that two Russian investors who had since received Austrian citizenship paid a total of USD 2 million and EUR 900,000: the dollars for the Formula 1 career of a Carinthian driver, the second payment apparently for Haider or his party. Haider's former protocol chief was charged with money laundering; the payers and a lawyer were also charged.","source_id":"aut-standard-koloini-2011","location":"lead paragraph","quote":"zahlten dafür insgesamt zwei Millionen Dollar und 900.000 Euro","countries":"","short_title":"Austrian prosecutors say Russian investors paid twice for citizenship","plain_summary":"Austria's anti-corruption prosecutors said two Russian investors who later received citizenship paid USD 2 million and EUR 900,000 in total, funding a driver's Formula 1 career and, apparently, Haider or his party.","year":"2011"},{"event_id":"e-2edb565546","date":"2011-01-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"rule_change","title":"Spouses and dependent children of investors can be naturalised","description":"Decision 71.546 extended naturalisation to spouses and financially dependent children over 18 (students up to 28, disabled).","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 41-42 (printed p. 39-40)","quote":"Περίοδος (Β): Αρ. Απόφασης 71.546, ημερ. 4.1.2011","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus extends investor citizenship to spouses and children","plain_summary":"A January 2011 decision extended Cyprus's investor citizenship scheme to spouses and financially dependent children over 18, including students up to 28 and disabled dependants.","year":"2011"},{"event_id":"e-0bd8ea5c69","date":"2011","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"rule_change","title":"Scheme resumed under President Dhoinine with a new passport agreement","description":"After a brief suspension the scheme was continued by Dhoinine in 2011; a new agreement set the passport price at EUR 4,600 with a minimum of 5,000 passports.","source_id":"com-reuters-2018-03-23","location":"last paragraph","quote":"After a brief suspension, the scheme was continued by Dhoinine in 2011. A new agreement set the price of a passport at 4,600 euros","countries":"","short_title":"Scheme resumed under President Dhoinine with a new passport agreement","plain_summary":"","year":"2011"},{"event_id":"e-0d17f939d1","date":"2011","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-ciip","category":"legal_basis","title":"Immigration Visa Regulation No. 180 of 2011 sets up the Capital Investment Immigration Plan residence permit","description":"The CIIP citizenship route created in 2013 requires the investor to have complied for 24 months with the Capital Investment Immigration Plan residence permit under the Immigration Visa Regulation No. 180 of 2011.","source_id":"vut-cit-amend-act-39-2013","location":"PDF p. 8, Schedule, new s.13C(1)(a)","quote":"the investor complies with the requirements of the Capital Investment Immigration Plan for a period of 24 months from the date of submission of his or her application for a residence permit under the Plan in the Immigration Visa Regulation No. 180 of 2011","countries":"","short_title":"Immigration Visa Regulation No. 180 of 2011 sets up the Capital Investment Immigration Plan residence permit","plain_summary":"","year":"2011"},{"event_id":"e-80d0e6f23a","date":"2009-10-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"Sugar Protocol guarantees end","description":"Date from which the Community's denunciation of the ACP Sugar Protocol took effect.","source_id":"intl-eu-dec-2007-627","location":"Article 1","quote":"with effect from 1 October 2009","countries":"BRB;BLZ;COG;CIV;FJI;GUY;JAM;KEN;MDG;MWI;MUS;MOZ;KNA;SUR;SWZ;TZA;TTO;UGA;ZMB;ZWE","short_title":"EU's guaranteed sugar prices for St Kitts and others end","plain_summary":"The European Union's decision to stop guaranteeing prices for sugar from St Kitts and Nevis and other countries took effect on this date.","year":"2009"},{"event_id":"e-84d3474e60","date":"2009-07","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"scandal","title":"Cabinet rejects Carinthia's request to naturalise three Russian hotel investors","description":"A week after the Carinthian government approved subsidies for the 'Tibet' hotel project, the Council of Ministers refused the Land's request to naturalise three Russian businessmen planning to invest EUR 6 million; the Interior Minister had vetoed it.","source_id":"aut-presse-scheuch-tibet-2010","location":"paragraphs 1-2","quote":"eine Woche später lehnte der Ministerrat den Antrag auf Einbürgerung ab","countries":"","short_title":"Austria's cabinet blocks citizenship for three Russian hotel investors","plain_summary":"A week after Carinthia approved subsidies for a hotel project, Austria's Council of Ministers refused the region's request to naturalise three Russian businessmen planning to invest EUR 6 million, after the interior minister vetoed it.","year":"2009"},{"event_id":"e-5dcc2b30b3","date":"2009-05-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"ATG","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU-Antigua and Barbuda short-stay visa waiver agreement signed","description":"The European Community and Antigua and Barbuda signed the short-stay visa waiver agreement in Brussels (visa-free stays of up to three months in a six-month period). The text sets entry into force after ratification; provisional application is not stated in it.","source_id":"intl-eu-atg-visa-waiver-2009","location":"Article 8, OJ L 169/5","quote":"Done at Brussels, in duplicate, on 28 May 2009","countries":"","short_title":"EU-Antigua and Barbuda short-stay visa waiver agreement signed","plain_summary":"","year":"2009"},{"event_id":"e-74fd5050d3","date":"2009-05-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"Visa-free Schengen access for Antigua and St Kitts begins","description":"The EC signed visa waiver agreements with Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, St Kitts and Nevis, Mauritius, Barbados and Seychelles, provisionally applied from signature — the first such agreements the Community concluded.","source_id":"intl-ec-ip-09-846","location":"Press release text","quote":"the agreements are provisionally applied from the date of today's signature, 28 May 2009.","countries":"ATG;BHS;KNA;MUS;BRB;SYC","short_title":"Visa-free travel to most of Europe begins for Antigua and St Kitts","plain_summary":"The European Union signed visa waiver agreements with Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis and several other countries, letting their citizens travel to most of Europe without a visa.","year":"2009"},{"event_id":"e-3411b872ae","date":"2009-05-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU-St Kitts and Nevis short-stay visa waiver agreement signed","description":"The European Community and the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis signed the short-stay visa waiver agreement in Brussels (visa-free stays of up to three months in a six-month period). The text sets entry into force after ratification; provisional application is not stated in it.","source_id":"intl-eu-kna-visa-waiver-2009","location":"Article 8, OJ L 169/40","quote":"Done at Brussels, in duplicate, on 28 May 2009","countries":"","short_title":"EU-St Kitts and Nevis short-stay visa waiver agreement signed","plain_summary":"","year":"2009"},{"event_id":"e-1e92329c93","date":"2009","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"scandal","title":"'Part of the Game' affair: citizenship offered for investment (reported)","description":"An NGO post recalls that in 2009 the then deputy governor of Carinthia held out the prospect of citizenship to the adviser of a Russian investor in return for an investment plus a party donation.","source_id":"aut-foi-10-6-2018","location":"section \"Korruptionsrisiko\"","quote":"der damalige stellvertretende Kärntner Landeshauptmann hatte 2009 dem Berater eines russischen Investors im Gegenzug für eine Investition (plus Parteispende) eine Staatsbürgerschaft in Aussicht gestellt","countries":"","short_title":"'Part of the Game' affair: citizenship offered for investment (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2009"},{"event_id":"e-5947660fcb","date":"2009","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"context","title":"President announces UAE payment for documenting Bidoon families (reported)","description":"In spring 2009 President Sambi announced the UAE would send over $200m for documenting 4,000 Bidoon families; about $25m for the budget and $175m for roads, sanitation and power.","source_id":"com-guardian-2015","location":"section on the UAE deal","quote":"In the spring of 2009, President Sambi announced that the UAE was due to send over $200m","countries":"","short_title":"President announces UAE payment for documenting Bidoon families (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2009"},{"event_id":"e-485a0617c8","date":"2008-11-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"launch","title":"Economic citizenship law signed","description":"After a Gulf trip for MPs organised by Comoro Gulf Holding, the bill passed in November 2008 amid a walkout and was signed by President Sambi.","source_id":"com-guardian-2015","location":"section on the November 2008 vote","quote":"On November 27, 2008, amidst continuing public discontent, the bill was signed into law by President Sambi.","countries":"","short_title":"Comoros signs a law to sell economic citizenship","plain_summary":"After a Gulf trip for lawmakers organised by a private company, Comoros's parliament passed a citizenship-selling bill amid a walkout and public discontent, and the president signed it into law in November 2008.","year":"2008"},{"event_id":"e-2c91a0b532","date":"2008-10-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"context","title":"MPs flown to Kuwait on a trip organised by the scheme's promoter (reported)","description":"On 8 October 2008 officials including six of the bill's most vocal opponents were flown to Kuwait for a three-day all-expenses-paid \"fact-finding mission\" before the next parliamentary vote.","source_id":"com-guardian-2015","location":"opening section and section on the trip","quote":"Six of the law’s most vocal opponents were among those invited.","countries":"","short_title":"MPs flown to Kuwait on a trip organised by the scheme's promoter (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2008"},{"event_id":"e-ec4d9afa41","date":"2008-07","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"rule_change","title":"Parliament rejects economic citizenship bill","description":"In a heated July 2008 session the assembly rejected the bill, calling it an auction of Comorian nationality.","source_id":"com-guardian-2015","location":"section on the 2008 debate","quote":"In a heated session of debate in July 2008, the parliament rejected a proposed “economic citizenship” bill","countries":"","short_title":"Comoros parliament rejects a bill to sell citizenship","plain_summary":"In a heated session in July 2008, the Comoros parliament rejected a proposed economic citizenship bill, calling it an auction of Comorian nationality.","year":"2008"},{"event_id":"e-256a97c009","date":"2008-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"COM","program_id":"com-ecp","category":"context","title":"Contract on UAE-Comoros citizenship exchange signed (reported)","description":"The Guardian saw a leather-bound contract dated April 2008, signed by a UAE official on behalf of a private corporation and by the Comorian defence minister, approving Comoro Gulf Holding's chairman as mediator of a UAE-Comoros citizenship exchange.","source_id":"com-guardian-2015","location":"section on the contract","quote":"a leather-bound contract, dated April 2008","countries":"","short_title":"Contract on UAE-Comoros citizenship exchange signed (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2008"},{"event_id":"e-dae32853cd","date":"2008","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"launch","title":"Cyprus citizenship-by-investment scheme established 2008 (TI annex)","description":"Transparency International and Global Witness, 'European Getaway' (Oct 2018). Annex 1 (and Annex 4) give 2008 as the year Cyprus's CBI was established, amended in 2013 and 2018 (the 2018 reform is already a separate event).","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 54 (printed p. 52), Annex 1 'European golden visa programmes', column 'Year established'","quote":"Cyprus CBI: 2008, amended in 2013 and 2018","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus citizenship-by-investment scheme established 2008 (TI annex)","plain_summary":"","year":"2008"},{"event_id":"e-8deba4357e","date":"2007-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"context","title":"Cyprus Investment Programme Unit set up at the Interior Ministry","description":"The CIP Unit of the Ministry of Interior was created in November 2007; it reported directly to the Director General.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 366 (printed p. 364), section 11.4","quote":"η μονάδα\nδημιουργήθηκε τον Νοέμβριο του 2007","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus Investment Programme Unit set up at the Interior Ministry","plain_summary":"","year":"2007"},{"event_id":"e-f273d2dabb","date":"2007-09-28","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"EU denounces the ACP Sugar Protocol","description":"The Council denounced Protocol 3 on ACP sugar (guaranteed prices and quantities) for 20 ACP states including St Kitts and Nevis, with effect from 1 October 2009, noting the Community \"will cease to guarantee prices\".","source_id":"intl-eu-dec-2007-627","location":"Article 1, OJ L 255/38","quote":"is hereby denounced on behalf of the Community with effect from 1 October 2009 with respect to [...] the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis","countries":"BRB;BLZ;COG;CIV;FJI;GUY;JAM;KEN;MDG;MWI;MUS;MOZ;KNA;SUR;SWZ;TZA;TTO;UGA;ZMB;ZWE","short_title":"EU ends its guaranteed sugar-trade deal with St Kitts","plain_summary":"The European Union formally ended its decades-old deal guaranteeing prices and quantities for sugar from St Kitts and Nevis and 19 other countries, from October 2009.","year":"2007"},{"event_id":"e-a02a37ad3d","date":"2007-07-11","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"launch","title":"Council of Ministers starts naturalising foreign investors by exception","description":"Decision 65.824 introduced the first scheme for naturalising foreign investors and businesspeople, under the 'exceptional services' clause of the Civil Registry Law, with CYP 15m investment or CYP 10m deposit thresholds.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 40 (printed p. 38), para 24","quote":"Περίοδος (Α): Αρ. Απόφασης 65.824, ημερ. 11.7.2007","countries":"","short_title":"Cyprus launches a scheme to naturalise foreign investors","plain_summary":"In July 2007 Cyprus's Council of Ministers introduced its first scheme for naturalising foreign investors and businesspeople, as an exceptional service, requiring a CYP 15 million investment or a CYP 10 million deposit.","year":"2007"},{"event_id":"e-ae37981985","date":"2007-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"scandal","title":"Cabinet confirms citizenship for two Russian businessmen backed by Haider","description":"Replace 'acquitted in 2011 and again in 2013' with 'acquitted in a first trial (repeated on the order of the Vienna Higher Regional Court) and again in January 2013'; and 'largely used to sponsor' with 'which the defendants said were meant to sponsor'.","source_id":"aut-orf-koloini-2013","location":"paragraph 9","quote":"Auf Basis eines Ministerratsbeschlusses vom Jänner 2007 wurde den beiden Geschäftsleuten die Staatsbürgerschaft verliehen","countries":"","short_title":"Austria naturalised two Russians after Haider's intervention, prosecutors say","plain_summary":"Austria's cabinet naturalised two Russian-born businessmen in January 2007 after Carinthian governor Jörg Haider intervened with the chancellor; prosecutors alleged EUR 1.9 million in payments bought the citizenship. The defendants were acquitted twice.","year":"2007"},{"event_id":"e-7cd1b5bb5e","date":"2006-12-21","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"visa_access","title":"EU moves Antigua and St Kitts to the visa-free list (conditional)","description":"Regulation 1932/2006 transferred Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Mauritius, St Kitts and Nevis and the Seychelles to the visa-free list, applicable once bilateral visa waiver agreements enter into force.","source_id":"intl-eu-reg-1932-2006","location":"Recital 3, OJ L 405/23","quote":"Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Mauritius, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the Seychelles should be transferred to Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 539/2001.","countries":"ATG;BHS;BRB;MUS;KNA;SYC","short_title":"EU agrees to let Antigua and St Kitts citizens travel visa-free","plain_summary":"The European Union added Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis, with several other countries, to its visa-free list, once formal waiver agreements took effect.","year":"2006"},{"event_id":"e-01fc55bd3d","date":"2006-02-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"EU sugar reform cuts reference prices","description":"Council Regulation (EC) No 318/2006 replaced the intervention-price regime with reference prices falling from EUR 631.9/t (white sugar, 2006/07) to EUR 404.4/t from 2009/10, and cited the WTO panel and Appellate Body decisions on export subsidies.","source_id":"intl-eu-reg-318-2006","location":"Recital 9","quote":"Following the recent decisions on export subsidies of the World Trade Organisation Panel and the Appellate Body on EU export subsidies for sugar","countries":"","short_title":"EU cuts its guaranteed sugar prices","plain_summary":"The European Union replaced its guaranteed sugar prices with lower reference prices, citing the trade rulings against its export subsidies.","year":"2006"},{"event_id":"e-b0be528093","date":"2006-02-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"EU adopts aid for Sugar Protocol countries hit by reform","description":"Regulation (EC) No 266/2006 set up accompanying measures for the 18 Sugar Protocol countries (St Kitts and Nevis included), based on national multiannual adaptation strategies, with EUR 40 million for 2006. St Kitts prepared an \"Adaptation Strategy in Response to the New EU Sugar Regime\" (IMF CR 07/141, Box 2).","source_id":"intl-eu-reg-266-2006","location":"Title and Article 8","quote":"establishing accompanying measures for Sugar Protocol countries affected by the reform of the EU sugar regime","countries":"BRB;BLZ;GUY;JAM;KNA;TTO;FJI;COG;CIV;KEN;MDG;MWI;MUS;MOZ;SWZ;TZA;ZMB;ZWE","short_title":"EU offers aid to countries hurt by sugar reform","plain_summary":"The European Union set up support worth EUR 40 million for 2006 for 18 countries, including St Kitts and Nevis, hit by its reform of sugar subsidies.","year":"2006"},{"event_id":"e-1ffa2d359f","date":"2006","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"SSMC debt folded into central government debt","description":"IMF tables include the St Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Company debt in central government debt from 2006.","source_id":"kna-imf-cr-14-49","location":"PDF p. 24, Table 1 note 8","quote":"8/ St. Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Company (SSMC) debt included in central government debt since 2006.","countries":"","short_title":"Sugar company debt folded into St Kitts government books","plain_summary":"From 2006, the IMF began counting the closed sugar company's debt as part of St Kitts and Nevis's central government debt.","year":"2006"},{"event_id":"e-76c07ee688","date":"2006","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation created as a CBI route","description":"The SIDF was established in 2006 as an independent foundation funded by CBI contributions to support diversification away from sugar; its income rose from under 1% of GDP in 2007 to an estimated 12% in 2013.","source_id":"intl-imf-wp-15-93","location":"p. 22 (printed), Box 5","quote":"the SIDF was established in 2006 as an independent foundation, funded by contributions from the ECP, to support the development and diversification of the economy away from the sugar industry","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship-sale fund created to help economy move beyond sugar","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis set up a government fund in 2006, paid for by citizenship applicants, to help the economy recover from the end of sugar farming.","year":"2006"},{"event_id":"e-d48cb09a6c","date":"2005-07-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"St Kitts closes its state sugar industry","description":"The St Kitts Sugar Manufacturing Corporation (SSMC) stopped production, ending some 350 years of sugar on St Kitts. The OECS counted 1,406 SSMC employees in July 2005 and put released workers at about 12% of the labour force; the IMF says about 1,400 workers or 6% of the labour force.","source_id":"kna-sugar-oecs-retraining-2005","location":"p. 5, Executive Summary","quote":"On 30 July 2005, the sugar industry in St. Kitts and Nevis was closed resulting in the release of over one thousand workers","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts and Nevis shuts down its sugar industry","plain_summary":"The state sugar company stopped production on 30 July 2005, ending around 350 years of sugar growing and putting over a thousand workers out of a job.","year":"2005"},{"event_id":"e-a2731232fb","date":"2005-07","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"Government takes on the sugar company's debt (29% of GDP)","description":"According to the IMF, the closure required the government to service the SSMC debt, equal to 29% of GDP, via a 30-year bond mostly held by the state-majority National Bank and secured by about 4,700 acres of land; the industry had lost 3–4% of GDP a year.","source_id":"kna-sugar-imf-cr07141","location":"PDF p. 6, para 1","quote":"The closure has required the government to service the debt of the sugar company (29 percent of GDP).","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts government takes on the sugar company's huge debt","plain_summary":"After closing its state sugar industry, St Kitts and Nevis's government took on the sugar company's debt, worth 29% of the country's economic output, the IMF said.","year":"2005"},{"event_id":"e-cdbcbbcf70","date":"2005-02-10","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"launch","title":"First decree on criteria for special interest","description":"Government decree defines special economic interest broadly (direct investment, donation, securities, shares, know-how, innovation, new technologies) with no minimum amount; assessed by the Ministries of Economy and Finance. In force the day after publication on 9 Feb 2005.","source_id":"mkd-sv-decree-2005-9","location":"PDF p. 2, Art. 3","quote":"вестирал капитал со:","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia issues first rules on special-interest investment","plain_summary":"A 2005 government decree broadly defined North Macedonia's special economic interest as direct investment, donation, securities, shares, know-how, innovation or new technologies, with no minimum amount required.","year":"2005"},{"event_id":"e-875177aa46","date":"2005","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"BGR","program_id":"bgr-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Bulgaria introduces investor citizenship scheme (year given by the Commission)","description":"The European Commission's 2019 staff working document dates the introduction of Bulgaria's investor citizenship scheme to 2005.","source_id":"intl-ec-swd-2019-5","location":"PDF p. 4, section II.1","quote":"Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta introduced such investor citizenship schemes in 2005, 2007 and 2013 respectively.","countries":"","short_title":"Bulgaria introduces investor citizenship scheme (year given by the Commission)","plain_summary":"","year":"2005"},{"event_id":"e-5f268a251a","date":"2004-12-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"legal","title":"Citizenship Act 2004 rules out any future investment scheme","description":"Section 10 narrows 'Irish associations' to blood, affinity or adoption links, which the Minister said puts such schemes beyond possibility.","source_id":"irl-dail-debate-2004-10-27","location":"Minister's second-stage speech","quote":"That undertaking has been fulfilled by the provisions of section 10 of the Bill.","countries":"","short_title":"Ireland's 2004 law rules out any future investment citizenship scheme","plain_summary":"A 2004 Irish law narrowed who counts as having 'Irish associations' to blood, marriage or adoption links, which the minister said put any future investment-based citizenship scheme beyond possibility.","year":"2004"},{"event_id":"e-d7bb5b9f88","date":"2004-02-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"rule_change","title":"Art. 11 amended; Government to set criteria by decree","description":"The 2004 amendment rewrites Art. 11(1) (adding sport and 'other national interest') and requires the Government to set the criteria by decree.","source_id":"mkd-sv-law-citizenship-amend-2004","location":"PDF p. 2, Art. 8","quote":"Владата на Република Македонија со уредба ќе ги","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia widens special-interest citizenship rule in 2004","plain_summary":"A 2004 amendment to North Macedonia's citizenship law added sport and 'other national interest' as grounds, and required the government to set detailed criteria by decree.","year":"2004"},{"event_id":"e-038ec203f1","date":"2004-02-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"legal","title":"Out-of-court settlement","description":"Defendants pay about US$0.9-1m up front without admitting liability. Two Tongan ministers had resigned over the affair.","source_id":"ton-smh-2004","location":"paragraph 1","quote":"Tonga has settled a long-running lawsuit against its American court jester","countries":"","short_title":"Tonga settles its lawsuit over lost trust fund money","plain_summary":"Tonga reached an out-of-court settlement in its long-running lawsuit, with defendants paying about US$0.9-1 million up front without admitting liability; two Tongan ministers had earlier resigned over the affair.","year":"2004"},{"event_id":"e-610ce140b0","date":"2003-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"legal","title":"Government backs Senator Quinn's bill to end investment-based naturalisation","description":"In October 2003 in the Seanad the Minister declared the Government's support for the principle of a Private Members' Bill by Senator Quinn to end the possibility of the scheme being reintroduced, and undertook to legislate at the first opportunity (fulfilled by section 10 of the 2004 Bill).","source_id":"irl-dail-debate-2004-10-27","location":"Minister's second-stage speech","quote":"in October 2003 in the other House, I declared the Government's support for the principle of a Private Members' Bill, tabled by Senator Quinn","countries":"","short_title":"Government backs Senator Quinn's bill to end investment-based naturalisation","plain_summary":"","year":"2003"},{"event_id":"e-7358b75a1e","date":"2003-09-08","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"St Kitts and Nevis reserves third-party rights in the WTO sugar panel","description":"St Kitts and Nevis, then a Sugar Protocol exporter to the EU, reserved third-party rights in the single panel established on 29 August 2003.","source_id":"intl-wto-ds265-summary","location":"Panel and Appellate Body proceedings","quote":"On 8 September 2003, Australia, Brazil, St. Kitts and Nevis, Tanzania and Thailand reserved their third-party rights.","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts and Nevis joins the EU sugar subsidy case","plain_summary":"St Kitts and Nevis, then a sugar exporter to the European Union under special terms, joined the World Trade Organization case as an interested third party.","year":"2003"},{"event_id":"e-2c0133afaf","date":"2003-08-11","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"legal","title":"Trust fund case set for trial in San Francisco (reported)","description":"BBC: the case over the missing $24m from the Tonga Trust Fund (built from passport sales) was set for trial on 1 March 2004 in a US District Court; three people and six companies were named in the suit.","source_id":"ton-bbc-2003","location":"paragraph 2","quote":"If the 1 March 2004 court date sticks","countries":"","short_title":"Trust fund case set for trial in San Francisco (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2003"},{"event_id":"e-aeef00b62b","date":"2003-05","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"SYC","program_id":"","category":"closure","title":"Economic Development Act repealed; FinCEN withdraws advisory","description":"FinCEN withdraws its 1996 advisory because Seychelles has repealed the 1995 Economic Development Act; the FATF had also withdrawn its warning. The repeal date itself is not given.","source_id":"syc-fincen-withdrawal-2003","location":"p. 1","quote":"the Republic of Seychelles has repealed the 1995 Economic Development Act (EDA)","countries":"","short_title":"Seychelles repeals its 1995 investor law","plain_summary":"In May 2003 a US financial crimes agency withdrew its 1996 warning because Seychelles had repealed the 1995 Economic Development Act. The anti-money-laundering body had also withdrawn its warning. No repeal date is given.","year":"2003"},{"event_id":"e-0211002860","date":"2003","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"US INCSR 2003: Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and Nauru sell economic citizenship; sales called a law-enforcement impediment","description":"In the State Department's Offshore Financial Services Table for 2003 (issued March 2004), Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis and Nauru are marked Y under 'Sells Economic Citizenship'; the other listed centres are N or blank. The narrative warns that improperly controlled sales of economic citizenship let buyers obtain a passport in a new name.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2003-ofc","location":"Introduction (para 3) and Offshore Financial Services Table, column 'Sells Economic Citizenship'","quote":"The continued selling of \"economic citizenship,\" (passports sold to foreigners who promises to invest in the country) if improperly controlled, creates yet another impediment to law enforcement.","countries":"DMA;KNA;NRU","short_title":"US INCSR 2003: Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and Nauru sell economic citizenship; sales called a law-enforcement impediment","plain_summary":"","year":"2003"},{"event_id":"e-9e7651c772","date":"2003","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-citizen-investor","category":"context","title":"Nauru still marked as selling economic citizenship (INCSR 2003 table)","description":"The 2003 offshore financial centers table still marks Nauru 'Y' for selling economic citizenship.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2003-ofc","location":"Offshore Financial Services Table, row 'Nauru'","quote":"Sells Economic Citizenship","countries":"","short_title":"US report still lists Nauru as selling citizenship in 2003","plain_summary":"A 2003 US report table still marked Nauru as selling economic citizenship.","year":"2003"},{"event_id":"e-d3dfef0303","date":"2003","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-citizen-investor","category":"closure","title":"Earlier Nauru investor citizenship scheme ends (reported)","description":"An academic report says the scheme ran from 1998 and ended in 2003 after international concerns that Nauruan passports were used by suspected terrorists. No official closure document was found.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 30 (printed p. 27)","quote":"program ended in 2003 after international concerns about the use of Nauruan passports by suspected terrorists","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru's earlier citizenship-for-investment scheme reportedly ends in 2003","plain_summary":"An academic report says Nauru's scheme, running since 1998, ended in 2003 after international concern that Nauruan passports had been used by suspected terrorists; no official closure document was found.","year":"2003"},{"event_id":"e-9ab5c4e8d0","date":"2002-10-17","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"scandal","title":"Minister finds 11 passports granted in 1990 were 'irregular and unusual'","description":"After examining the file (also held by the Moriarty Tribunal), the Minister tells the Dáil that 11 passports and naturalisations were granted bypassing usual formalities; passports were prepared before applications were complete. He also confirms the Review Group report was published in August 2002.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-2002-10-17","location":"Minister's supplementary reply","quote":"the 11 passports and naturalisations in question were granted in a manner which was, even by the lax standards that have frequently characterised the operation of the scheme in question, irregular and unusual","countries":"","short_title":"Irish minister calls 1990 passport grants irregular and unusual","plain_summary":"Ireland's minister told parliament that 11 passports and naturalisations granted in 1990 bypassed normal procedures, with passports prepared before applications were even complete; a review group's report was published in August 2002.","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-9096c63bde","date":"2002-09-27","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"Australia and Brazil challenge EU sugar export subsidies at the WTO","description":"Australia and Brazil requested WTO consultations with the European Communities over export subsidies under the EC sugar regime (Council Regulation 1260/2001), opening disputes DS265 and DS266. St Kitts and Nevis was among the ACP sugar exporters that asked to join the consultations.","source_id":"intl-wto-ds265-summary","location":"Consultations","quote":"On 27 September 2002, Australia and Brazil requested consultations with the European Communities concerning the export subsidies provided by the EC in the framework of its Common Organisation of the Market for the sugar sector.","countries":"AUS;BRA;BRB;BLZ;CAN;COL;COG;CIV;FJI;GUY;IND;JAM;KEN;MDG;MWI;MUS;KNA;SWZ;ZWE","short_title":"Australia and Brazil challenge EU sugar subsidies at trade body","plain_summary":"Australia and Brazil asked the World Trade Organization to examine European Union subsidies for sugar exports; St Kitts and Nevis, which relied on selling sugar to Europe, asked to join the case.","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-dbf7a64f83","date":"2002-08-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"context","title":"Report of the review group on investment-based naturalisation published","description":"The Minister for Justice brought the review group report on the scheme to Government in July 2002 and published it on 4 August 2002 (copies in the Oireachtas Library), with a press statement.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-2002-10-17","location":"Minister McDowell's reply","quote":"I arranged for its publication on 4 August and a number of copies were placed in the Oireachtas Library at that time.","countries":"","short_title":"Report of the review group on investment-based naturalisation published","plain_summary":"","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-1059d1fa32","date":"2002-06","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"legal","title":"Tonga Trust Fund sues Bogdonoff and others in San Francisco","description":"Suit for fraud and negligence over the losses in Millennium Asset Management and alleged secret commissions.","source_id":"ton-smh-2004","location":"paragraph on settlement terms","quote":"the suit filed in San Francisco in June 2002","countries":"","short_title":"Tonga sues over lost trust fund money in San Francisco","plain_summary":"In June 2002 the Tonga Trust Fund filed a lawsuit in San Francisco against Bogdonoff and others, alleging fraud and negligence over losses in Millennium Asset Management and secret commissions.","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-ebb8566f4d","date":"2002-05-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MHL","program_id":"mhl-passport-sales","category":"scandal","title":"US jails agent who sold Marshall Islands passports (reported)","description":"Tommy Ho Ching Cheng, who sold Marshall Islands passports for $30,000 each to buyers from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan with false promises of US entry, is sentenced in Los Angeles for tax evasion on about $2.5 million earned in 1993-1996.","source_id":"mhl-mvariety-2002-05-30","location":"paragraphs 1-2","quote":"Tommy Ho Ching Cheng sold Marshall Islands passports for $30,000 each to people from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan","countries":"","short_title":"Agent who sold Marshall Islands passports jailed in the US (reported)","plain_summary":"A man who sold Marshall Islands passports for $30,000 each, falsely promising entry to the US, was sentenced in Los Angeles for tax evasion on about $2.5 million.","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-b0d668ad47","date":"2002-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"BLZ","program_id":"blz-ecp","category":"closure","title":"Belize announces end of economic citizenship sales","description":"According to the US State Department, the Government of Belize announced it would cease selling economic citizenships in January 2002. A 2020 academic report also dates the end to 2002.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2001","location":"Introduction, paragraph on economic citizenship","quote":"The government of Belize subsequently announced that it would cease selling economic citizenships in January 2002.","countries":"","short_title":"Belize ends its sale of economic citizenship in 2002","plain_summary":"The US State Department said Belize's government announced in January 2002 that it would stop selling economic citizenship, a date also given by a later academic report.","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-bd6f94cde4","date":"2002","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"BLZ","program_id":"blz-ecp","category":"context","title":"Belize marked as not selling economic citizenship (US INCSR 2002 table)","description":"The 2002 offshore financial services table marks Belize 'N' in the 'Sells Economic Citizenship' column (2001 table: 'S', suspended or ceased).","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2002-ofc","location":"Offshore Financial Services Table, row 'Belize'","quote":"Sells Economic Citizenship","countries":"","short_title":"US report lists Belize as no longer selling citizenship","plain_summary":"A 2002 US report table marked Belize as not selling economic citizenship, after the 2001 table had marked its programme as suspended or ceased.","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-0610c5b89d","date":"2002","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"BLZ","program_id":"blz-ecp","category":"closure","title":"Belize ends its citizenship by investment programme (as stated by GLOBALCIT)","description":"The GLOBALCIT report says Belize ended its citizenship by investment programme in 2002, while its nationality law still mentions dependants of an 'economic citizen'.","source_id":"intl-globalcit-caribbean-2020","location":"PDF p. 15 (printed p. 12), footnote 36","quote":"it is likely that this legal provision is no longer applied as Belize ended its citizenship by investment programme in 2002","countries":"","short_title":"Belize ends its citizenship by investment programme (as stated by GLOBALCIT)","plain_summary":"","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-bfc4c8fa77","date":"2002","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"CYP","program_id":"cyp-cip","category":"legal_basis","title":"Civil Registry Law 2002 allows exceptional naturalisation for services of the highest level","description":"Para. 2(στ) of the Third Schedule of the Civil Registry Law of 2002 (Law 141(I)/2002) lets the Council of Ministers naturalise a foreigner, regardless of residence, in very exceptional cases of services of the highest level to the Republic, for reasons of public interest, informing Parliament in advance. It does not mention investors; the 2007-2013 investor criteria were adopted under it.","source_id":"cyp-inquiry-cip-2021","location":"PDF p. 15 (printed p. 13) (printed pp. 10-11), paras 18 and 20","quote":"του περί Αρχείου Πληθυσμού Νόμου του 2002 (Ν.141(I)/2002)","countries":"","short_title":"Civil Registry Law 2002 allows exceptional naturalisation for services of the highest level","plain_summary":"","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-d687ff09f0","date":"2002","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"US INCSR 2002 table: Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and Nauru sell economic citizenship","description":"In the State Department's Offshore Financial Services Table for 2002 (issued March 2003), only Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis and Nauru are marked Y under 'Sells Economic Citizenship'; all other listed offshore centres, including Grenada, Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia and St. Vincent, are marked N.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2002-ofc","location":"Offshore Financial Services Table, column 'Sells Economic Citizenship', rows Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Nauru","quote":"Sells Economic Citizenship","countries":"DMA;KNA;NRU","short_title":"US INCSR 2002 table: Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and Nauru sell economic citizenship","plain_summary":"","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-fa151f3f52","date":"2002","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"CFATF plans a 2002 typologies exercise on Caribbean economic citizenship programmes","description":"The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force scheduled typologies exercises for 2002 on the economic citizenship programmes existing in the Caribbean and on terrorist financing (as reported by the US State Department).","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2001","location":"Caribbean Financial Action Task Force section (international organisations part)","quote":"For the year 2002, typologies exercises will be conducted on the issues of Economic Citizenship Programs existing in the Caribbean, and on Terrorist Financing.","countries":"","short_title":"CFATF plans a 2002 typologies exercise on Caribbean economic citizenship programmes","plain_summary":"","year":"2002"},{"event_id":"e-39486488b5","date":"2001-12-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"scandal","title":"Government admits trust fund money lost","description":"Tonga says the Tonga Trust Fund lost 50 million pa'anga through schemes promoted by the King's court jester and that it has started legal action.","source_id":"ton-mg-2002","location":"paragraphs 1-2","quote":"In a statement the government said its Tonga Trust Fund had begun legal proceedings to recover the money.","countries":"","short_title":"Tonga admits its trust fund lost 50 million pa'anga","plain_summary":"Tonga said its Tonga Trust Fund lost 50 million pa'anga through schemes promoted by the king's court jester, and that it had begun legal action to recover the money.","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-4e968e35d8","date":"2001-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"BLZ","program_id":"blz-ecp","category":"scandal","title":"Two economic citizens tied to a terrorist group refused US visas","description":"US embassy in Belize refused visas to two people who had just bought Belizean economic citizenship; the State Department says they were members of a proscribed Middle Eastern terrorist group.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2001","location":"Introduction, paragraph on economic citizenship","quote":"They were denied entry visas by the consular staff of the American embassy in Belize because the two applicants were members of a proscribed Middle Eastern terrorist group.","countries":"","short_title":"US refuses visas to two Belize citizenship buyers linked to terrorism","plain_summary":"In December 2001 the US embassy in Belize refused entry visas to two people who had just bought Belizean citizenship, saying they belonged to a banned Middle Eastern terrorist group.","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-147d2176a1","date":"2001-12","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-ecp","category":"visa_access","title":"Canada withdraws visa exemption for Grenada (reported)","description":"Reported by an industry source (citing The Globe and Mail) as linked to passports issued under the Economic Citizenship Program. Primary source (Canada Gazette Part II, 19 Dec 2001) identified but not read.","source_id":"grd-bestcitizens-2019","location":"section on Canada","quote":"By Dec 2001, Canada revoked visa waiver agreement with Grenada citing security concerns with passports in circulation issued under Economic citizenship program","countries":"","short_title":"Canada ends visa-free travel for Grenada passport holders","plain_summary":"Canada withdrew its visa exemption for Grenada, reportedly linked to security concerns about passports issued under Grenada's citizenship-for-sale programme.","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-9e13f93ad4","date":"2001-11-15","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-ecp","category":"closure","title":"Grenada announces indefinite suspension of the Economic Citizenship Program","description":"Foreign Minister Elvin Nimrod told the UN General Assembly that, after checking that no known terrorists had been granted citizenship, the programme was suspended indefinitely. An industry source dates the suspension to October 2001.","source_id":"grd-un-ga-2001","location":"statement, section on fight against terrorism","quote":"the Government of Grenada has taken a decision to suspend indefinitely, the Economic Citizenship Program.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada suspends its citizenship-for-sale programme indefinitely","plain_summary":"Grenada's foreign minister told the United Nations the programme was suspended indefinitely, after checking that no known terrorists had received citizenship through it.","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-c47d44a5e7","date":"2001-10-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MHL","program_id":"mhl-passport-sales","category":"closure","title":"Passport-sale provision repealed","description":"P.L. 2001-30 repeals s. 404(4) on the sale of passports. Section 404 now allows at most five discretionary naturalisations a year for distinguished service or the public interest, with domicile required.","source_id":"mhl-ag-citizenship-act-1984-consol","location":"PDF p. 6, history note to s. 404","quote":"P.L. 2001-30, §2(C) repealed subsection (4) dealing with sale of passports) Oct.18, 2001","countries":"","short_title":"Marshall Islands repeals passport sales","plain_summary":"The law allowing passports to be sold was repealed in October 2001. Only up to five naturalisations a year for distinguished service remain.","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-706f911746","date":"2001-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-ecp","category":"closure","title":"Grenada reportedly suspends citizenship sales after the September 11 attacks","description":"The US State Department reports that, in light of the terrorist attacks on the United States, Grenada suspended selling citizenship and passports to foreigners in October 2001. Another source dates the announcement of an indefinite suspension to 15 November 2001.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2001","location":"Grenada country section, para 2","quote":"In light of the terrorist attacks upon the United States, the GOG reportedly suspended the practice of selling citizenship status and passports to foreigners in October 2001.","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada reportedly suspends citizenship sales after the September 11 attacks","plain_summary":"","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-7a5dc070a5","date":"2001-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-ecp","category":"closure","title":"Economic citizenship scheme suspended (reported)","description":"An industry blog says Grenada suspended the scheme in October 2001 after pressure from US and Canadian authorities following 9/11.","source_id":"grd-bestcitizens-2019","location":"section \"Suspended\"","quote":"After pressure from US and Canadian authorities Grenada had to suspend the economic citizenship scheme in Oct 2001.","countries":"","short_title":"Economic citizenship scheme suspended (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-0b2ddb5340","date":"2001-10","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"scandal","title":"Deputy prime minister and education minister resign over the lost passport-sale money","description":"By 3 October 2001 Tonga's deputy prime minister and education minister had resigned over the scandal of USD 20 million missing from the Tonga Trust Fund (passport-sale proceeds handed to the king's 'court jester', US businessman Jesse Bogdonoff); a parliamentary investigation had tabled impeachment motions against the former finance and justice ministers.","source_id":"ton-cnn-2001","location":"para 3","quote":"Already the deputy prime minister and Tonga's education minister have resigned.","countries":"","short_title":"Deputy prime minister and education minister resign over the lost passport-sale money","plain_summary":"","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-b5590edae0","date":"2001-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"VCT","program_id":"vct-ecp","category":"closure","title":"St Vincent revokes economic citizenship programme","description":"SVG revoked the programme that provided the legal basis to sell citizenship and passports; no passports had been issued.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2001","location":"St. Vincent and the Grenadines country section","quote":"In April 2001 SVG revoked its economic citizenship program, which provided the legal basis to sell SVG citizenship and passports; however, no passports had been issued.","countries":"","short_title":"St Vincent and the Grenadines cancels its citizenship-selling programme","plain_summary":"In April 2001, St Vincent and the Grenadines revoked the law allowing it to sell citizenship and passports; no passports had actually been issued under the programme.","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-bb0a5546a1","date":"2001","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"US: Belize, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis sold inadequately controlled economic citizenships in 2001","description":"The INCSR 2001 says three Caribbean offshore centres sold inadequately controlled economic citizenships during 2001 (Belize, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis), that Grenada suspended sales in 2001 and that St Kitts and Nevis was the only Caribbean centre both selling economic citizenship and licensing virtual casinos.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2001","location":"Introduction, paragraph on economic citizenship","quote":"During 2001, three Caribbean Basin OFCs sold inadequately controlled economic citizenships: Belize, Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis.","countries":"BLZ;DMA;GRD;KNA","short_title":"US: Belize, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis sold inadequately controlled economic citizenships in 2001","plain_summary":"","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-4325970ba1","date":"2001","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-citizen-investor","category":"context","title":"US: Nauru sells 'improperly controlled' economic citizenships","description":"INCSR 2001 says that in the Pacific, Nauru sells improperly controlled economic citizenships.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2001","location":"Introduction, paragraph on economic citizenship","quote":"In the Pacific region, Nauru sells improperly controlled economic citizenships.","countries":"","short_title":"US says Nauru sells poorly controlled citizenships in 2001","plain_summary":"A 2001 US report said Nauru sells economic citizenships that are improperly controlled, in the Pacific region.","year":"2001"},{"event_id":"e-e71825728c","date":"2000-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Dominica says it has suspended economic citizenship under international pressure","description":"The government claimed to have suspended the programme after Canada threatened visa requirements for Dominican passport holders; the report also mentions a case of 11 Chinese nationals who tried to enter Canada on Dominican passports.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2000","location":"Dominica country section, para 3","quote":"In August 2000, the GOD claimed to have suspended the program in the face of international pressure-in particular, the Government of Canada threatened to impose visa requirements on Dominican passport holders.","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica says it has suspended economic citizenship under international pressure","plain_summary":"","year":"2000"},{"event_id":"e-83c17f48be","date":"2000-08","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-ecp","category":"scandal","title":"Grenada takes over offshore bank whose founder had bought a Grenadian passport","description":"The government took control of the First International Bank of Grenada in August 2000; the US report says its founder had changed his name and purchased a Grenadian passport. The bank reportedly owed about 6,000 depositors nearly US$150 million.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2000","location":"Grenada country section, paras on FIBG","quote":"changed his name, and purchased a Grenadian passport","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada takes over offshore bank whose founder had bought a Grenadian passport","plain_summary":"","year":"2000"},{"event_id":"e-2fbf291618","date":"2000-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"Dominica resumes passport sales","description":"The suspension of January 2000 was reversed in April 2000.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2000","location":"Dominica country section, para 3","quote":"but in April 2000, reversed his decision.","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica resumes passport sales","plain_summary":"","year":"2000"},{"event_id":"e-873d39a987","date":"2000-01","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"rule_change","title":"New Prime Minister suspends Dominica passport sales","description":"On taking office in January 2000, Prime Minister Roosevelt Douglas suspended sales of economic citizenship; he reversed the decision in April 2000.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2000","location":"Dominica country section, para 3","quote":"Upon taking office in January 2000, Prime Minister (PM) Roosevelt Douglas suspended passport sales, but in April 2000, reversed his decision.","countries":"","short_title":"New Prime Minister suspends Dominica passport sales","plain_summary":"","year":"2000"},{"event_id":"e-af920bddab","date":"2000","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"INTL","program_id":"","category":"context","title":"US lists jurisdictions actively selling economic citizenship","description":"State Department names five Caribbean sellers (Belize, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts/Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines) and Nauru in the Pacific.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2000","location":"Introduction, paragraph on offshore practices","quote":"Currently five Caribbean Basin OFCs are actively selling economic citizenships: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts/Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. In the Pacific region, economic citizenships are for sale in Nauru.","countries":"BLZ;DMA;GRD;KNA;VCT;NRU","short_title":"US names countries selling citizenship around the world in 2000","plain_summary":"A US State Department report named five Caribbean countries, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, plus Nauru in the Pacific, as active sellers of citizenship.","year":"2000"},{"event_id":"e-a7d4627168","date":"2000","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"context","title":"US says Tonga still sells economic citizenship","description":"The State Department's 2000 report says Tonga sells economic citizenship, which contradicts press accounts that sales ended in 1991.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2000","location":"Tonga country note","quote":"Tonga also sells economic citizenship.","countries":"","short_title":"US report says Tonga still sells citizenship in 2000","plain_summary":"A US State Department report from 2000 said Tonga sells economic citizenship, contradicting earlier press accounts that said sales had ended in 1991.","year":"2000"},{"event_id":"e-7b5c06f134","date":"2000","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VCT","program_id":"vct-ecp","category":"launch","title":"St Vincent and the Grenadines creates a legal framework for economic citizenship","description":"The US report (covering 2000) says SVG had recently created the legislative framework for an economic citizenship programme and projected about US$4.5 million from passport sales in 2000.","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2000","location":"St. Vincent and the Grenadines country section, para 3","quote":"Recently, SVG created the legislative framework for an economic citizenship program","countries":"","short_title":"St Vincent and the Grenadines creates a legal framework for economic citizenship","plain_summary":"","year":"2000"},{"event_id":"e-176ace29eb","date":"1999-11-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MUS","program_id":"mus-investor-naturalisation","category":"price_change","title":"Investor naturalisation threshold raised to USD 500,000","description":"Act No. 34 of 1999, passed by the National Assembly on 30 Nov 1999, replaces MUR 3 million with USD 500,000 'or such other sum as may be prescribed'.","source_id":"mus-citizenship-amend-1999","location":"s. 3 and closing formula","quote":"To provide for an increase in the sum to be invested to become eligibles for Mauritian Citizenship","countries":"","short_title":"Mauritius raises the investment needed for citizenship to US$500,000","plain_summary":"A law passed on 30 November 1999 replaced the MUR 3 million investment requirement with US$500,000, or another sum set later.","year":"1999"},{"event_id":"e-39c1487e38","date":"1998-06-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"legal","title":"Department of Justice review published in the Dáil record","description":"Minister places the substance of the Feb 1998 review and its statistics in the Official Report. It finds regulation of the scheme 'very difficult' and that it should not be re-established.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1998-06-25","location":"Summary of Review, final paragraphs","quote":"The Minister is of the view that the Scheme, as constituted, should not be re-established.","countries":"","short_title":"Irish review finds investor citizenship scheme should not return","plain_summary":"Ireland's minister placed a February 1998 review of the investor citizenship scheme in the official parliamentary record, which found regulating it very difficult and said it should not be re-established.","year":"1998"},{"event_id":"e-91df3d3551","date":"1998-04-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"closure","title":"Minister announces formal end of the scheme","description":"Press release: formal ending of the Investment Based Naturalisation Scheme; outstanding cases on hand to be processed under the 1994 procedure.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1998-06-25","location":"Appendix F, press release dated 20 April 1998","quote":"today announced the formal ending of the Investment Based Naturalisation Scheme","countries":"","short_title":"Ireland formally ends its investment-based naturalisation scheme","plain_summary":"Ireland's minister announced the formal ending of the Investment Based Naturalisation Scheme in April 1998, with outstanding cases still to be processed under the earlier 1994 procedure.","year":"1998"},{"event_id":"e-2d16b69e06","date":"1998-03-18","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"scandal","title":"Ombudsman reports improper issue of diplomatic and official passports","description":"Public report (13 Mar 1998, reissued 18 Mar 1998) on about 30 diplomatic and 40 official passports issued to foreigners in sham posts since 1993, with evidence of payments to ministers.","source_id":"vut-ombudsman-diplomatic-passports-1998","location":"paras 1.1-1.2","quote":"There appears to be about 30 diplomatic passports and 40 official passports that were issued to persons that were not proper appointments.","countries":"","short_title":"Ombudsman reports improper issue of diplomatic and official passports","plain_summary":"","year":"1998"},{"event_id":"e-788e091968","date":"1998","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"scandal","title":"Vanuatu Ombudsman exposes sale of diplomatic passports (reported)","description":"Academic account: in 1998 the Ombudsman exposed senior officials issuing diplomatic passports to 'honorary consuls' and sham positions for payment.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 29 (printed p. 26), section 4.2.1","quote":"In 1998, the Vanuatu Ombudsman exposed high level government officials who were issuing diplomatic passports","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu Ombudsman exposes sale of diplomatic passports (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"1998"},{"event_id":"e-19593bf58d","date":"1997-12-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"legal","title":"Ombudsman finds the 1997 immigration scheme and the agent's citizenship unlawful","description":"The Ombudsman's public report finds that the agent's contract illegally provided for selling up to 160,000 citizenships, that the agent's own citizenship and passports were void, and recommends that the appointment letters be invalidated and the matter referred to the Public Prosecutor.","source_id":"vut-ombudsman-resort-las-vegas-1997","location":"para 1.7; findings","quote":"the appointed agent of the People of Vanuatu has entered into a contract that illegally provides for the potential sale of Vanuatu citizenships to 160,000 overseas persons.","countries":"","short_title":"Ombudsman finds the 1997 immigration scheme and the agent's citizenship unlawful","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-575e247c89","date":"1997-11","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"scandal","title":"Foreign Minister Soksok takes over issuing diplomatic passports himself","description":"The Ombudsman reports that after its enquiry began in September 1997, Foreign Affairs Minister Vidal Soksok from November 1997 took over responsibility for issuing diplomatic passports himself, which the Ombudsman calls illegal (the Act gives no authority to the Minister to issue them).","source_id":"vut-ombudsman-diplomatic-passports-1998","location":"para 1.8","quote":"Mr Soksok from November 1997 has now illegally taken over responsibility for issuing diplomatic passports himself as advised to us by the Foreign Affairs Department.","countries":"","short_title":"Foreign Minister Soksok takes over issuing diplomatic passports himself","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-1f42c166f9","date":"1997-10-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"rule_change","title":"Government implements the 25 June 1997 decision on one application","description":"The Government decided to implement the previous Government's 25 June decision to process one application; the Minister approved it and procedures were still being finalised on 10 Feb 1998.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1998-06-25","location":"Additional Information, Summary of Review (10 Feb 1998), para 9","quote":"On 14 October, the Government decided that the decision taken by the previous Government on 25 June to process an application should be implemented.","countries":"","short_title":"Government implements the 25 June 1997 decision on one application","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-54f9b77657","date":"1997-09-02","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"rule_change","title":"New Government defers the scheme pending a ministerial review","description":"The Government deferred further consideration of the scheme pending a report by the Minister; the Minister said he would not consider any remaining cases meanwhile.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1998-06-25","location":"Additional Information, Summary of Review (10 Feb 1998), para 9","quote":"On 2 September 1997 the Government decided that further consideration of the Scheme should be deferred pending a report which would be submitted by the Minister.","countries":"","short_title":"New Government defers the scheme pending a ministerial review","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-10c435757f","date":"1997-09","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"scandal","title":"Ombudsman begins enquiry into illegal passport issues","description":"The Vanuatu Ombudsman's Office started enquiring into allegations of illegal issue of diplomatic and official passports in September 1997.","source_id":"vut-ombudsman-diplomatic-passports-1998","location":"para 1.8","quote":"when the Ombudsman’s Office started enquiring into allegations of illegal passport issues in September 1997","countries":"","short_title":"Ombudsman begins enquiry into illegal passport issues","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-2eef4037e4","date":"1997-07-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"scandal","title":"Government's exclusive agent signs a sub-agency contract contemplating the sale of 60,000-80,000 Vanuatu citizenships","description":"The appointed agent contracted an Australian sub-agent (Sydney Economic & Trade Centre Pty Ltd); the contract contemplated selling 60,000-80,000 citizenships at US$17,000-25,000 for citizenship and permanent residency, although the Constitution requires 10 years' residence before applying for citizenship.","source_id":"vut-ombudsman-resort-las-vegas-1997","location":"paras 1.2, 1.5 and 5.26","quote":"On 14 July 1997 Resort Las Vegas entered into a contract with a third party called Sydney Economic & Trade Centre Pty Ltd (“ SETC ”).","countries":"","short_title":"Government's exclusive agent signs a sub-agency contract contemplating the sale of 60,000-80,000 Vanuatu citizenships","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-b47bc2aece","date":"1997-06-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"rule_change","title":"Government accepts an application for a fourth company and a substitute investor","description":"On 25 June 1997 the outgoing Government accepted a further application for a fourth company and approved substituting an application where the original investor had withdrawn.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1998-06-25","location":"Additional Information, Summary of Review (10 Feb 1998), para 8","quote":"on 25 June 1997 the Government decided that a further application should be accepted in respect of a fourth company","countries":"","short_title":"Government accepts an application for a fourth company and a substitute investor","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-efe41c03bd","date":"1997-06-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"scandal","title":"Foreign Affairs Minister appoints a private company as exclusive government agent for an 'Immigration Scheme for Vanuatu'","description":"The day after the Council of Ministers approved a permanent residence scheme (VT 700,000 per family), the Minister of Foreign Affairs appointed Resort Las Vegas Group as the government's authorised and exclusive agent to market it. The Ombudsman later found the appointment unreasonable and the scheme unlawful.","source_id":"vut-ombudsman-resort-las-vegas-1997","location":"para 5.23","quote":"On 20 June 1997 (the day after the Council of Ministers met) Mr Jung’s company, Resort Las Vegas Group, was appointed by Mr Soksok as “ Vanuatu Government Authorised and Exclusive Agent ”","countries":"","short_title":"Foreign Affairs Minister appoints a private company as exclusive government agent for an 'Immigration Scheme for Vanuatu'","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-5135a2c517","date":"1997-06-19","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"context","title":"Council of Ministers approves a \"Permanent Residentship & Immigration Scheme\" (VT 700,000 per family)","description":"The Council of Ministers approved a memorandum of the Foreign Affairs Minister for a scheme giving permanent residence permits to investors for VT 700,000 per family, expecting 280 million vatu a year from 4,000 passports; the next day (20 Jun 1997) a company was appointed exclusive agent. The earliest official decision found that set up a paid scheme; the IMF reports passport sales already in 1996-1997, so it is not the start of all 1990s sales. The Ombudsman found it unlawful.","source_id":"vut-ombudsman-resort-las-vegas-1997","location":"paras 5.22-5.23","quote":"Just over a week later on 19 June 1997 the Council of Ministers had approved the scheme.","countries":"","short_title":"Council of Ministers approves a \"Permanent Residentship & Immigration Scheme\" (VT 700,000 per family)","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-ab7acf3e4c","date":"1997-06-13","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-citizen-investor","category":"launch","title":"Nauru creates a \"Citizen Investor\" category","description":"The Nauruan Community Ordinance Amendment Act 1997 lets Cabinet grant citizenship to a person who has made an investment set by Cabinet, on the recommendation of a new Nauru Citizen Investment Board.","source_id":"nru-act-11-1997","location":"PDF p. 4 (printed page 3), s. 6 inserting s. 5(6)(f); scanned, quote checked by eye","quote":"has made an investment in the island of Nauru of such form and in such amount as determined by Cabinet","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru creates a 'Citizen Investor' citizenship category in 1997","plain_summary":"A 1997 law let Nauru's Cabinet grant citizenship to a person who made an investment of an amount Cabinet set, on the recommendation of a new citizen investment board.","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-a5a189dd9a","date":"1997-05-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"rule_change","title":"Government accepts further applications for three companies","description":"Despite its 11 March decision, the Government decided additional applications should be accepted in respect of three companies.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1998-06-25","location":"Additional Information, Summary of Review (10 Feb 1998), para 8","quote":"On 6 May 1997, despite the decision of 11 March, the Government decided that additional applications should be accepted in respect of three companies.","countries":"","short_title":"Government accepts further applications for three companies","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-542cfa7763","date":"1997-03-11","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"rule_change","title":"Government limits processing to 19 committed cases; 50 others deferred","description":"The Government decided that 19 of the cases on hand when new applications were stopped (4 Sep 1996) were commitments to be processed, and 50 other cases were to wait until legislation was in place.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1998-06-25","location":"Additional Information, Summary of Review (10 Feb 1998), para 7","quote":"On 11 March 1997 the Government decided that 19 cases on hand at 4 September 1996 were to be regarded as cases where commitments had been made","countries":"","short_title":"Government limits processing to 19 committed cases; 50 others deferred","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-49afbb2f54","date":"1997","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-ecp","category":"rule_change","title":"Economic Citizenship Program made more attractive by 1997 amendment","description":"Industry account: the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1997 was passed to make an 'economic citizenship' (passport sale) scheme more attractive, implying the scheme existed before; it ran until 2001. Disagrees with the US State Department, which says the 1997 Act enabled the purchase of citizenship (launch event from intl-usdos-incsr-2000). No primary document found.","source_id":"grd-bestcitizens-2019","location":"opening section","quote":"Grenada passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1997 was passed to make economic citizenship scheme more attractive","countries":"","short_title":"Grenada changes law to boost its citizenship-for-sale scheme","plain_summary":"In 1997, Grenada passed a law meant to make its citizenship-for-sale scheme, which ran until 2001, more attractive to investors.","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-f6f3dafd3b","date":"1997","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"GRD","program_id":"grd-ecp","category":"launch","title":"Citizenship Amendment Act 1997 lets foreigners buy Grenadian citizenship","description":"US State Department account (March 2001): the 1997 amendment 'enables' foreign nationals to buy citizenship (about US$40,000 for a family of five, no residence requirement); about 300 economic citizenships issued. An industry account says instead that the 1997 Act made an existing scheme 'more attractive' (event e-49afbb2f54).","source_id":"intl-usdos-incsr-2000","location":"Grenada country section, para 3","quote":"The Grenada Citizenship Amendment Act of 1997 enables foreign nationals to purchase citizenship for a family of five for approximately US $40,000.","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship Amendment Act 1997 lets foreigners buy Grenadian citizenship","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-ee2a72e7bb","date":"1997","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"NRU","program_id":"nru-citizen-investor","category":"context","title":"Nauru creates 'citizen investor' category (reported)","description":"Academic account: Nauru legislated in 1997 (Nauruan Community Act 1956-1997 s 5(6)-(9)) for a 'citizen investor' who made an investment as determined by Cabinet.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 29 (printed p. 26), section 4.2.2","quote":"Nauru legislated in 1997 to create a category of ‘citizen investor’","countries":"","short_title":"Nauru creates 'citizen investor' category (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"1997"},{"event_id":"e-884ef7da84","date":"1996-10-09","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"KHM","program_id":"khm-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Law on Nationality creates investment and donation routes","description":"The 1996 Law on Nationality waives the 7-year residence requirement for investors spending 1,250,000,000 riels (Arts 10-11) and lets donors of 1,000,000,000 riels to the national budget apply (Art. 12); grants by Royal Decree; applicants may take a Khmer name.","source_id":"khm-cdc-law-nationality-1996","location":"p. 1, header","quote":"Promulgated on 09 October 1996","countries":"","short_title":"Cambodia's 1996 law lets investors and donors gain nationality","plain_summary":"Cambodia's 1996 Law on Nationality waived the usual seven-year residence requirement for people investing 1,250,000,000 riels, and let those donating 1,000,000,000 riels to the national budget apply for citizenship.","year":"1996"},{"event_id":"e-51d8463d9c","date":"1996-09-04","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"rule_change","title":"No new applications accepted pending legislation","description":"Government decides to stop accepting new applications until specific legislation is in place; existing applications continue.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1998-06-25","location":"Summary of Review, para 7","quote":"On 4 September 1996 the Government decided that no new applications should be accepted pending the introduction of specific legislation","countries":"","short_title":"Ireland pauses new investor citizenship applications in 1996","plain_summary":"Ireland's government decided on 4 September 1996 to stop accepting new investor citizenship applications until specific legislation was in place, though existing applications continued to be processed.","year":"1996"},{"event_id":"e-3cfecb37ad","date":"1996-06-20","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MHL","program_id":"mhl-passport-sales","category":"closure","title":"Cabinet suspends the passport investment and sales programme (reported)","description":"Foreign Minister Phillip Muller announces after a Cabinet meeting that naturalisation under the Citizenship Act is suspended, citing misrepresentations in Hong Kong, Taiwanese and Chinese newspapers and concern for relations with the US.","source_id":"mhl-mij-1996-06-22","location":"Journal 6/22/1996, p. 19 item","quote":"The government of the RMI has suspended its naturalization program under the Citizen Act 1984 as amended.","countries":"","short_title":"Marshall Islands suspends passport sales (reported)","plain_summary":"After a Cabinet meeting in June 1996 the foreign minister announced that sales were suspended, citing misleading adverts in Asian newspapers and relations with the US.","year":"1996"},{"event_id":"e-35ed1510e8","date":"1996-02-01","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"SYC","program_id":"","category":"scandal","title":"FATF condemns Seychelles law offering immunity to USD 10 million investors","description":"The FATF condemns the Seychelles Economic Development Act 1995, which allowed concessions including immunity from prosecution and asset forfeiture for investors of at least USD 10 million; FinCEN tells US banks to scrutinise Seychelles transactions (March 1996).","source_id":"syc-fincen-advisory-1996","location":"p. 1","quote":"Among the concessions specifically permitted under the law are immunity from criminal prosecution and from forfeiture of assets.","countries":"","short_title":"International bodies criticise Seychelles law giving immunity to US$10 million investors","plain_summary":"A 1995 Seychelles law allowed immunity from prosecution and asset seizure for investors of at least US$10 million. An anti-money-laundering body condemned it, and in March 1996 US banks were told to scrutinise Seychelles transactions.","year":"1996"},{"event_id":"e-69cb58e6dc","date":"1996","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"MHL","program_id":"mhl-passport-sales","category":"closure","title":"Marshall Islands citizenship sales end (reported)","description":"Academic account: the programme ended in 1996, when the United States made entry on Marshallese passports more difficult. The programme record gives 2001 (repeal of s 404) from another source.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 29 (printed p. 26), section 4.2.2","quote":"The program ended at the same time that the United States made migration and entry to the United States on Marshallese passports more difficult.","countries":"","short_title":"Marshall Islands citizenship sales end (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"1996"},{"event_id":"e-bdc9cffaca","date":"1996","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"rule_change","title":"Tonga briefly reintroduces citizenship sales (reported)","description":"Academic account: briefly reintroduced in 1996, with Protected Person Passport holders given the right to apply for naturalisation (Nationality (Amendment) Act 1996).","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 29 (printed p. 26), section 4.2.2","quote":"It was briefly reintroduced in 1996, along with provisions giving holders of Protected Person Passports the right to apply for naturalisation.","countries":"","short_title":"Tonga briefly reintroduces citizenship sales (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"1996"},{"event_id":"e-cc6e7dda2f","date":"1996","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"context","title":"Passport sales in the 1990s","description":"The IMF records about 300 passports sold in 1996-1997 under 1990s schemes, later damaged by reports of illegal issuance; some countries, such as Canada, dropped visa waivers for Vanuatu nationals.","source_id":"vut-imf-art4-2015","location":"PDF p. 45, Appendix III","quote":"In the 1990s, there had been attempts to establish passport selling schemes in Vanuatu","countries":"","short_title":"Vanuatu sold passports in the 1990s, IMF records show","plain_summary":"The IMF recorded about 300 Vanuatu passports sold in 1996-1997 under schemes from the 1990s, later damaged by reports of illegal issuance; Canada then dropped visa-free travel for Vanuatu citizens.","year":"1996"},{"event_id":"e-b0954e1ca6","date":"1995-08-23","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MUS","program_id":"mus-investor-naturalisation","category":"launch","title":"Investors can naturalise after 2 years (MUR 3 million)","description":"The Mauritius Citizenship (Amendment) Act 1995 lets the Minister accept 2 years' residence instead of the usual period for a person who has invested at least MUR 3 million.","source_id":"mus-citizenship-amend-1995","location":"s. 5","quote":"invested in Mauritius a sum of not less than 3,000,000 rupees","countries":"","short_title":"Mauritius lets investors become citizens after 2 years","plain_summary":"A 1995 law let the minister accept two years' residence, instead of the usual period, from a person who had invested at least MUR 3 million in Mauritius.","year":"1995"},{"event_id":"e-3214d771c3","date":"1995","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"BLZ","program_id":"blz-ecp","category":"launch","title":"Belize economic citizenship programme operating (1995-2002 per IMF)","description":"IMF working paper Table 2 lists Belize's suspended citizenship programme with the period 1995-2002, suspended over security concerns after 9/11.","source_id":"intl-imf-wp-15-93","location":"PDF p. 8 (printed p. 7), Table 2","quote":"Belize 1995-2002 Security concerns after 9/11","countries":"","short_title":"Belize economic citizenship programme operating (1995-2002 per IMF)","plain_summary":"","year":"1995"},{"event_id":"e-df64fb3783","date":"1994-10-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"rule_change","title":"Advisory group terms of reference set a IR£1 million minimum","description":"Minister announces Government-approved terms of reference: IR£1m net investment per applicant, Forfás monitoring, police certificates; the scheme to be put on a statutory basis (never done).","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1994-10-25","location":"Minister's reply","quote":"the level of investment must involve a net contribution of at least £1 million per applicant","countries":"","short_title":"Ireland sets a IR£1 million minimum for its investor scheme","plain_summary":"Ireland's government approved terms requiring a net investment of at least IR£1 million per applicant, with monitoring by Forfás and police checks, intending to put the scheme into law, which never happened.","year":"1994"},{"event_id":"e-0c56a2d94c","date":"1994-10-25","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"legal","title":"Attorney General advises 29 applications approved in principle must be granted; scheme to be put on a statutory basis","description":"Minister reports that the Attorney General advised she was legally bound to grant the 29 applications approved in principle (on hand in June 1994) if conditions were met, and that the Government decided the scheme should be put on a statutory basis, with legislation given priority. Decisions were taken between June and October 1994; date is that of the announcement.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1994-10-25","location":"Minister's reply","quote":"The Attorney General advised that I was legally bound to grant the applications provided all the necessary conditions were met.","countries":"","short_title":"Attorney General advises 29 applications approved in principle must be granted; scheme to be put on a statutory basis","plain_summary":"","year":"1994"},{"event_id":"e-3261665ab2","date":"1993-08-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CPV","program_id":"cpv-investor-citizenship","category":"legal","title":"Nationality Regulation sets the documents for investor applications (Decree-Law 53/93)","description":"The 1993 Nationality Regulation detailed the documents required, including a summary of the investment project, proof of financial credibility and authorisation for foreign investment. Academic secondary source (GLOBALCIT country report, Jan 2026); law texts not read.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-cpv-2026","location":"PDF p. 12-13, note 58","quote":"The 1993 Nationality Regulation – Decree-Law No. 53/93 of 30 August 1993 – detailed the documents required with the application","countries":"","short_title":"Nationality Regulation sets the documents for investor applications (Decree-Law 53/93)","plain_summary":"","year":"1993"},{"event_id":"e-ebb763f367","date":"1993","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Citizenship by Investment programme established","description":"Dominica’s programme (originally the Economic Citizenship Programme) dates from 1993.","source_id":"dma-cbiu-brochure-2024","location":"PDF p. 5","quote":"The Commonwealth of Dominica has had a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme since 1993","countries":"","short_title":"Dominica starts selling citizenship","plain_summary":"Dominica's citizenship-by-investment programme, first called the Economic Citizenship Programme, began in 1993.","year":"1993"},{"event_id":"e-3afd546326","date":"1993","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"VUT","program_id":"vut-1990s","category":"context","title":"Ombudsman: improper issue of diplomatic passports to sham honorary consuls began in 1993","description":"The Ombudsman reports a practice, started in 1993, of issuing Vanuatu diplomatic and official passports to foreigners appointed honorary consuls or trade commissioners (about 30 diplomatic and 40 official passports), with evidence of payments to ministers. Not an investment programme; recorded as context for the 1990s passport sales.","source_id":"vut-ombudsman-diplomatic-passports-1998","location":"para 1.1","quote":"This report concerns an improper and unreasonable practice that started in 1993 and has gathered pace since then.","countries":"","short_title":"Ombudsman: improper issue of diplomatic passports to sham honorary consuls began in 1993","plain_summary":"","year":"1993"},{"event_id":"e-ff1cdfe1fd","date":"1992-12-30","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CPV","program_id":"cpv-investor-citizenship","category":"legal","title":"Law 64/IV/92 rewords the investor status as a grant of citizenship","description":"The second 1992 amendment replaced the \"attribution of all rights inherent to the condition of Cape Verdean citizen\" in Article 12(3)-(4) with the \"attribution of Cape Verdean citizenship\". Academic secondary source (GLOBALCIT country report, Jan 2026); law texts not read.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-cpv-2026","location":"PDF p. 13 (report p. 9)","quote":"rephrased paras 3 and 4 of Article 12 replacing the “attribution of all rights inherent to the condition of Cape Verdean citizen” by the “attribution of Cape Verdean citizenship,”","countries":"","short_title":"Law 64/IV/92 rewords the investor status as a grant of citizenship","plain_summary":"","year":"1992"},{"event_id":"e-cb3b6647f2","date":"1992-11-03","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MKD","program_id":"mkd-economic-interest","category":"legal_basis","title":"Law on Citizenship allows exceptional naturalisation for special interest","description":"Art. 11 of the 1992 Law on Citizenship allows an adult foreigner to be naturalised without the usual conditions where this is of special scientific, economic, cultural or national interest, with the Government's prior opinion.","source_id":"mkd-sv-law-citizenship-1992","location":"PDF p. 2, Art. 11","quote":"претставува посебен научен, економски, културен и на","countries":"","short_title":"North Macedonia allows naturalisation for special national interest","plain_summary":"A 1992 law on citizenship lets North Macedonia naturalise a foreigner without the usual conditions when this serves a special scientific, economic, cultural or national interest, with government approval.","year":"1992"},{"event_id":"e-5e13bc2dec","date":"1992-04-06","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"CPV","program_id":"cpv-investor-citizenship","category":"launch","title":"Cape Verde creates a quasi-citizenship status for investors","description":"Law 41/IV/92 amends the 1990 Nationality Act (art. 12(3)-(4)) to grant the rights of citizens, except political rights, to foreigners making investments that create jobs; Law 64/IV/92 (30 Dec 1992) reworded it as a grant of citizenship. Law texts not read; from an academic report.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-cpv-2026","location":"PDF p. 12, and note 58","quote":"introduced a quasi-citizenship by investment status in Article 12(3) and (4)","countries":"","short_title":"Cape Verde gives investors the rights of citizens","plain_summary":"A 1992 law gave foreigners who invest and create jobs the rights of citizens except the vote; later that year it was reworded as citizenship.","year":"1992"},{"event_id":"e-24f4871508","date":"1989-04","date_precision":"month","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"launch","title":"Government approves naturalisation for anyone prepared to invest","description":"The review says the Government, in April 1989, approved a large group of applications and decided future applications from investors should also be approved; a Statement of Intent was then given to enquirers.","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-1998-06-25","location":"Summary of Review, para 2","quote":"The Government decided that the applications should be approved and, furthermore, so should future applications for anybody who was prepared to invest in the State.","countries":"","short_title":"Ireland's government agrees to naturalise investors in 1989","plain_summary":"A government review says Ireland's government approved a group of investor applications in April 1989 and decided future applications from anyone prepared to invest in the country should also be approved.","year":"1989"},{"event_id":"e-630b807e7e","date":"1989","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"MHL","program_id":"mhl-passport-sales","category":"launch","title":"Marshall Islands legislates passport sales (Citizenship Act s. 404(4))","description":"P.L. 1989-37 adds a subsection (4) to s. 404 of the Citizenship Act 1984 dealing with the sale of passports; P.L. 1989-68 later the same year cuts the fee from $200,000 to $100,000. The amending acts themselves were not read.","source_id":"mhl-ag-citizenship-act-1984-consol","location":"PDF p. 6, history note to s. 404","quote":"amended by P.L. 1989-37, §2, adding new subsection (4)","countries":"","short_title":"Marshall Islands writes passport sales into law","plain_summary":"A 1989 amendment to the Citizenship Act allowed passports to be sold. A second amendment the same year cut the price from $200,000 to $100,000 (the currency is not stated).","year":"1989"},{"event_id":"e-1a2e825dc2","date":"1989","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"MHL","program_id":"mhl-passport-sales","category":"price_change","title":"Passport fee cut from $200,000 to $100,000","description":"P.L. 1989-68 lowers the fee for a passport under s. 404(4). Currency printed as '$'.","source_id":"mhl-ag-citizenship-act-1984-consol","location":"PDF p. 6, history note to s. 404","quote":"lowering the fee for a passport from $200,000 to $100,000","countries":"","short_title":"Marshall Islands halves the price of a passport","plain_summary":"The fee for a passport was cut from $200,000 to $100,000 in 1989 (the currency is not stated).","year":"1989"},{"event_id":"e-ff3b5ec57b","date":"1988","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"launch","title":"Minister says the investment-based naturalisation scheme was introduced in 1988","description":"Minister for Justice McDowell told the Dáil in 2002 that the scheme was introduced in 1988 on the initiative of the Minister for Industry and Commerce. The Department's 1998 review dates the Government decision to April 1989 (separate launch event).","source_id":"irl-dail-pq-2002-10-17","location":"Mr. McDowell's reply","quote":"The scheme was introduced in 1988.","countries":"","short_title":"Minister says the investment-based naturalisation scheme was introduced in 1988","plain_summary":"","year":"1988"},{"event_id":"e-1f2b9d4057","date":"1988","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"context","title":"Tonga Trust Fund set up, funded by passport sales","description":"IMF working paper Table 5 and Appendix Table A1: the Tonga Trust Fund (inception 1988), with stabilization and development objectives, was funded by the sale of Tongan passports to foreigners and the lease of satellite space; withdrawal rules unknown; its portfolio was invested entirely in three US companies and suffered large losses.","source_id":"intl-imf-wp-15-93","location":"PDF p. 27 (printed p. 26), Table 5; PDF p. 34 (printed p. 33), Table A1","quote":"Sale of Tongan passports to foreigners; revenue from lease of Tongan satellite space","countries":"","short_title":"Tonga Trust Fund set up, funded by passport sales","plain_summary":"","year":"1988"},{"event_id":"e-0055c8fbc2","date":"1988","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"closure","title":"Tonga discontinues citizenship sales after court challenge (reported)","description":"Academic account: after a court challenge the scheme was discontinued in 1988.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 29 (printed p. 26), section 4.2.2","quote":"After a court challenge, the scheme was discontinued in 1988.","countries":"","short_title":"Tonga discontinues citizenship sales after court challenge (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"1988"},{"event_id":"e-6eccea14d9","date":"1987","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"MHL","program_id":"mhl-passport-sales","category":"context","title":"Marshall Islands citizenship sales begin (reported)","description":"Academic account: discretionary naturalisation for 'distinguished service' in exchange for a prescribed fee enabled sales between 1987 and 1996 (Citizenship Act 1984 s 404). The programme record gives 1989 from another source.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 29 (printed p. 26), section 4.2.2","quote":"enabled the sale of citizenship in the Marshall Islands between 1987 and 1996","countries":"","short_title":"Marshall Islands citizenship sales begin (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"1987"},{"event_id":"e-f6f6f304e3","date":"1985-07-31","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"legal","title":"Citizenship Act 1985 in force with the special-interest constitutional provision (§ 10(4))","description":"The republished Citizenship Act 1985 (BGBl. Nr. 311/1985) took effect on 31 July 1985; its § 10(4) (constitutional provision) carried the 1973 wording naming scientific, economic, artistic or sporting achievements. The provision is now § 10(6) and speaks of the special interest of the Republic without listing fields.","source_id":"aut-ris-stbg-s10-1985","location":"RIS document header and § 10 Abs. 4","quote":"Kundmachungsorgan BGBl. Nr. 311/1985 Typ BG §/Artikel/Anlage § 10 Inkrafttretensdatum 31.07.1985","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship Act 1985 in force with the special-interest constitutional provision (§ 10(4))","plain_summary":"","year":"1985"},{"event_id":"e-d1316861d3","date":"1985","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"legal_basis","title":"Austria: citizenship in the special interest of the Republic dates from 1985 (TI annex)","description":"Transparency International and Global Witness, 'European Getaway' (Oct 2018). Annex 1 lists Austria's CBI with year established 1985 (the Citizenship Act 1985, §10(6), per endnote 178); a general special-interest clause, so filed as legal basis (decision 14).","source_id":"intl-ti-gw-european-getaway-2018","location":"PDF p. 54 (printed p. 52), Annex 1 'European golden visa programmes', column 'Year established'","quote":"Austria 1985, amended in 2014","countries":"","short_title":"Austria: citizenship in the special interest of the Republic dates from 1985 (TI annex)","plain_summary":"","year":"1985"},{"event_id":"e-90ba39b01e","date":"1984-03-14","date_precision":"day","jurisdiction":"MHL","program_id":"mhl-passport-sales","category":"legal_basis","title":"Citizenship Act 1984 in force, with s. 404 public-interest naturalisation","description":"The Citizenship Act 1984 (P.L. 1984-04) commenced; its s. 404 lets Cabinet naturalise persons for distinguished service or in the public interest. The passport-sale subsection (4) was later added to this section (P.L. 1989-37).","source_id":"mhl-ag-citizenship-act-1984-consol","location":"PDF p. 3, header; PDF p. 6, s. 404 history note","quote":"Commencement: 14 March 1984","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship Act 1984 in force, with s. 404 public-interest naturalisation","plain_summary":"","year":"1984"},{"event_id":"e-255f41567d","date":"1984","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"KNA","program_id":"kna-cbi","category":"launch","title":"Citizenship-by-investment program launched","description":"St. Kitts and Nevis launched the world's first CBI program, the year after independence.","source_id":"kna-canada-gazette-sor-2014-267","location":"Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement, Background","quote":"In 1984, St. Kitts and Nevis launched its Citizenship-by-Investment Program","countries":"","short_title":"St Kitts and Nevis launches the first citizenship-for-sale programme","plain_summary":"In 1984, a year after independence, St Kitts and Nevis became the first country in the world to let foreigners gain citizenship by investing money.","year":"1984"},{"event_id":"e-7789c132a5","date":"1984","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"rule_change","title":"Tonga amends Nationality Act to allow naturalisation for a fee (reported)","description":"Academic account: the 1984 amendment let the King naturalise any foreigner of 'good character on humanitarian grounds' for a prescribed fee, turning passport sales into citizenship sales.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 29 (printed p. 26), section 4.2.2","quote":"In Tonga, the sale of passports became the sale of citizenship in 1984 when the Nationality Act was amended","countries":"","short_title":"Tonga amends Nationality Act to allow naturalisation for a fee (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"1984"},{"event_id":"e-1aefd44b03","date":"1983","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"applications_open","title":"Tonga begins selling passports (press accounts)","description":"CNN dates the sales from 1983, proposed by Hong Kong businessman George Chen; proceeds to the Tonga Trust Fund at Bank of America, San Francisco.","source_id":"ton-cnn-2001","location":"paragraphs 4-5","quote":"Between 1983 and 1991 over 5,000 were sold raising around $30 million.","countries":"","short_title":"Tonga starts selling passports in 1983, press reports say","plain_summary":"Press accounts say Tonga began selling passports in 1983 under a plan from a Hong Kong businessman, raising around $30 million (currency not stated) from over 5,000 sales by 1991.","year":"1983"},{"event_id":"e-ddcea6922a","date":"1982","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"TON","program_id":"ton-passport-sales","category":"launch","title":"Tonga creates 'Tongan Protected Person Passports' (reported)","description":"Academic account: the King and Privy Council created Protected Person Passports in 1982, sold mainly in Hong Kong, conferring no citizenship or residence. The programme record gives 1983 from another source.","source_id":"intl-eui-globalcit-oceania-2020","location":"PDF p. 28 (printed p. 25), section 4.2.1","quote":"In 1982, the King and Privy Council of Tonga created ‘Tongan Protected Person Passports’, which were sold mainly in Hong Kong.","countries":"","short_title":"Tonga creates 'Tongan Protected Person Passports' (reported)","plain_summary":"","year":"1982"},{"event_id":"e-af22c88d3c","date":"1978","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"DMA","program_id":"dma-cbi","category":"legal_basis","title":"Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act enacted","description":"The Citizenship Act of 1978 provides the legal framework for naturalisation; according to the CBI Unit, sections 8 and 9 cover naturalisation of people taking part in Citizenship by Investment.","source_id":"dma-cbiu-brochure-2024","location":"PDF p. 5, section 'Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act'","quote":"The Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act, enacted in 1978, provides the legal framework for obtaining citizenship","countries":"","short_title":"Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship Act enacted","plain_summary":"","year":"1978"},{"event_id":"e-838a28bc20","date":"1973","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"rule_change","title":"Constitutional provision names economic achievements as grounds for naturalisation in the interest of the Republic","description":"The Citizenship Act amendment BGBl. Nr. 394/1973 (Art. I Z 5) gave the constitutional provision its wording: residence and other requirements are waived when the federal government confirms that the person's past or expected extraordinary achievements, in particular in scientific, economic, artistic or sporting fields, are in the interest of the Republic. Known from the RIS note on the 1985 text; the 1973 amendment itself was not read, so only the year is recorded.","source_id":"aut-ris-stbg-s10-1985","location":"§ 10 Abs. 4 and source note","quote":"insbesondere auf wissenschaftlichen, wirtschaftlichen, künstlerischen oder sportlichen Gebieten, im Interesse der Republik liegt. ( BGBl. Nr. 394/1973 , Art. I Z 5) (Verfassungsbestimmung)","countries":"","short_title":"Constitutional provision names economic achievements as grounds for naturalisation in the interest of the Republic","plain_summary":"","year":"1973"},{"event_id":"e-5f87f2885d","date":"1973","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"SLE","program_id":"sle-go-for-gold","category":"legal_basis","title":"Citizenship Act 1973, s. 27A: the President may cause any person to be registered as a citizen (promoters' account)","description":"The promoters say grants of citizenship under GO-FOR-GOLD rest on s. 27A of the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act 1973, which they quote as preserving the President's right to register any person as a citizen, and quote the Chief Immigration Officer calling this the operative legal basis pending amendment of the Act. The Act itself is not stored and s. 27A was not read.","source_id":"sle-gfg-update-2025","location":"p. 1; p. 7, FAQ 2","quote":"nothing in this Act shall affect the right of the President to cause any person to be registered as a citizen of Sierra Leone.","countries":"","short_title":"Citizenship Act 1973, s. 27A: the President may cause any person to be registered as a citizen (promoters' account)","plain_summary":"","year":"1973"},{"event_id":"e-fe72c97680","date":"1965","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"AUT","program_id":"aut-special-interest","category":"legal_basis","title":"Naturalisation in the interest of the state exists since the 1965 Citizenship Act","description":"The Interior Ministry states that § 10(6) StbG (naturalisation in the interest of the state, keeping the previous nationality) has existed as a constitutional provision since the Citizenship Act 1965.","source_id":"aut-parl-ab-8483-2011","location":"Answer to questions 3 and 4","quote":"der als Verfassungsbestimmung bereits seit dem Staatsbürgerschafts-gesetz 1965 existiert","countries":"","short_title":"Austria's special-interest citizenship rule dates to 1965","plain_summary":"Austria's interior ministry says a constitutional rule allowing naturalisation in the state's interest, while keeping a person's previous nationality, has existed since the 1965 Citizenship Act.","year":"1965"},{"event_id":"e-ab8c97e24a","date":"1956","date_precision":"year","jurisdiction":"IRL","program_id":"irl-ibn","category":"legal_basis","title":"Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, section 16 ('Irish associations')","description":"Section 16 of the 1956 Act lets the Minister waive naturalisation conditions for applicants with 'Irish associations'; the Minister told the Dáil in 2004 that this phrase was the basis for the investment scheme. Section 10 of the 2004 Act narrowed it to end such schemes.","source_id":"irl-dail-debate-2004-10-27","location":"Minister's second-stage speech","quote":"putting such schemes beyond possibility for the future is to assign a clearly defined meaning to the phrase \"Irish associations\" in section 16 of the 1956 Act, which was the phrase used as the basis for the former scheme","countries":"","short_title":"Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, section 16 ('Irish associations')","plain_summary":"","year":"1956"}]}