MORE CBI BLOWBACK: CANADA INSTITUTES VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA

 A government announcement from Antigua today advised that, effective 0530 local time tomorrow, July 27, Antiguans wishing to visit Canada must first obtain a visa. Although Antigua has instituted  a number of reforms and upgrades to its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, risk factors for the region's other CBI programs, as a whole, have increased, which may be the reason for this new visa requirement, or de-risking programs instituted by North American financial institutions.

Canadian consultants familiar with the country's negative experiences with CBI passports holders from St Kitts & Nevis, and the Commonwealth of Dominica, may be responsible for the new visa rule, and not any problems or issues involving Antigua. Dominica in particular has been a source of trouble for Canada, specifically Iranians holding Dominican CBI, and/or diplomatic, passports and citizenship*. A number of these individuals have been deported; others are presently being held, in custody, by Canadian immigration authorities. 

Readers who wish further information, from an official source, may obtain it from Canada Immigration News. The Canada Immigration Newsletter, Canada Enforces Visa Requirement on Citizens of Antigua & Barbuda here.
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* More details can be found elsewhere on this blog.