PM Dr. Friday’s First Budget Charts Path to CBI Programme with “stringent international standards” 

By Val Matthias. Updated 11:05 p.m., Monday, February 9, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4)

Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday has announced that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will launch a Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI) by the middle of 2026. The declaration came during his first budget presentation in Parliament, where he outlined the initiative as a strategic response to the country’s economic vulnerabilities.  

Prime Minister Dr Friday said the programme is intended to secure a resilient and sovereign financial future for the nation, reducing reliance on debt while financing long term development. He stressed that the scheme will not be driven by revenue at all costs, but by integrity and resilience. 

The Prime Minister explained that the programme will adopt stringent international standards from the outset. These include continuous due diligence throughout the life of citizenship, multi‑layered background checks, and residency requirements. 

“We will not compete on volume. We will not compromise on standards. And we will not trade reputation for short term gain,” he told the members of parliament.  

All proceeds will be channelled through a legislatively established St. Vincent and the Grenadines Investment Fund (SVGIF). Dr Friday said that funds will be e directed exclusively to climate resilient infrastructure, healthcare, education, vocational training, debt reduction, and disaster contingency buffers.  

“This is not about passports,” Dr. Friday said. “It is about resilience, and leaving a tangible, transformative legacy for generations yet to come.”  

With this move, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will join other Eastern Caribbean states such as St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua & Barbuda, and Saint Lucia, which already operate CBI programmes. Dr Friday said SVG’s late entry allows it to position itself as a secure and reputable model, aligned with emerging international norms.  

The announcement comes at a time when global powers are scrutinising CBI programmes. The European Union has warned that the existence of investor citizenship schemes in visa‑free countries could justify suspending entry intoSchengen Area, a zone of 27 European countries that have abolished internal border controls, allowing free movement of people across member states. Its 2025 Visa Suspension Mechanism report describe as an inherent security risk. The United States has also intensified its monitoring, citing risks of money laundering, tax evasion, and misuse by individuals seeking to bypass security checks. Washington has urged Caribbean governments to strengthen due diligence and align with international standards. The United Kingdom has echoed concerns about transparency and security, though it has taken a less severe stance than the EU.  

By pledging to adopt the highest standards from the outset, Prime Minister Dr. Friday positioned SVG’s programme as a direct response to these international pressures. His government insists that the initiative will be integrity driven, transparent, and resilient, aiming to avoid the reputational pitfalls that have challenged other jurisdictions.  

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