The US State Department has recently published the Money laundering and Financial crimes report in 2018 and has expressed concerns on CIP programs running in several countries. The 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) is an annual report by the Department of State to Congress prepared in accordance with the Foreign Assistance Act. The two countries Malta and Grenada are not mentioned in the report.
According the report..
Cyprus
Cyprus amended its investor citizenship program in November 2016, lowering the investment threshold to allow foreign investors to apply for Cypriot (and therefore, EU) citizenship after investing more than U.S. $2.2 million in Cyprus. The Ministry of Interior and other Cypriot authorities conduct comprehensive background checks and due diligence before granting citizenship.
St Kitts and Nevis
An individual is eligible for economic citizenship with a U.S. $400,000 minimum investment in real estate, a contribution ranging from U.S. $250,000 to U.S. $356,000 (based on an application for two adults and two dependents) to the Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation, or a contribution of U.S. $150,000 to a newly created Hurricane Relief Fund. Real estate applicants must pay additional government fees of U.S. $50,000 and up, depending on family size. Applicants must make a source of funds declaration and provide supporting evidence. The government established a Citizenship Processing Unit (CPU) to manage the screening and application process. The CPU does not maintain adequate autonomy from politicians to prevent political interference in its decisions. St Kitts has responded to the report in a press release
St Lucia
St. Lucia launched an economic citizenship program (CIP) in October 2015, but changed its fees and regulations in January 2016. An individual can obtain citizenship for a minimum donation to the National Economic Fund of U.S. $100,000 per applicant, U.S. $165,000 for an applicant and spouse, or U.S. $190,000 for a family of up to four persons. Investment options include a U.S. $300,000 minimum purchase in real estate, a U.S. $3.5 million investment in an approved project, or a U.S. $500,000 purchase of government bonds (increasing to U.S. $550,000 for a family of four). Investment applicants must pay government fees of U.S. $50,000 and up, depending on the number of dependents. Applicants also pay due diligence fees of U.S. $7,500 per main applicant and U.S. $5,000 for each additional applicant over 16 years of age. Application for economic citizenship must be made through a government-approved local agent. An in-person interview is not required. Applicants must make a source of funds declaration and provide evidence supporting the declaration. The government established a Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to manage the screening and application process. The CIU does not maintain adequate autonomy from politicians to prevent political interference in its decisions. U.S. law enforcement also is increasingly concerned about the expansion of these programs due to the exposure to local corruption and the visa-free travel and ability to open bank accounts accorded these individuals.
Dominica
Under Dominica’s citizenship by investment program (CIP), individuals can obtain citizenship through a donation of U.S. $100,000 to the Government Fund for an individual or U.S. $200,000 for a family of four, or through an investment in real estate valued at a minimum of U.S. $200,000. The real estate option incurs fees ranging from U.S. $25,000 to U.S. $70,000 depending on family size. An application for economic citizenship must be made through a government-approved local agent and requires a fee for due diligence or background check purposes. There is no mandatory interview process; however, the government may require interviews in particular cases. Applicants must make a source of funds declaration and provide evidence supporting the declaration. The government established a Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to manage the screening and application process. The CIU does not maintain adequate autonomy from politicians to prevent political interference in its decisions. U.S. law enforcement is increasingly concerned about the expansion of these programs due to the visa- free travel and ability to open bank accounts accorded these individuals.
Antigua and Barbuda
In 2017, the government lowered prices for economic citizenship, halving the processing fee and the contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF). An individual is eligible for economic citizenship with a U.S. $400,000 minimum investment in real estate, a contribution to the NDF of U.S. $100,000, or a U.S. $1.5 million approved business investment. Applicants must pay a processing fee of U.S. $25,000 for a family of four, plus due diligence fees of U.S. $7,500 for each adult applicant. Applicants must make a source of funds declaration and provide evidence supporting the declaration. Nationals of several countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia, and Yemen are prohibited from applying for citizenship unless they are lawful permanent residents of Canada, the United States, or the UK. The government established a Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to manage the screening and application process. The CIU does not maintain adequate autonomy from politicians to prevent political interference in its decisions. In February 2017, Antigua and Barbuda approved a CIP application for Alexandre Cazes (since deceased), the alleged operator of AlphaBay, the world’s largest dark web marketplace.
Source: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/278760.pdf
