00:00St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and CARICOM Chair Terence Drew defends Caribbean citizenship by investment reforms amid United Kingdom
00:07visa restrictions. Our correspondent Krista Hoyt with more details.
00:12The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis says his country's visa-free travel arrangement with the United Kingdom remains
00:20secure, despite Britain's recent decision to impose visa requirements on St. Lucian Nationals.
00:26Dr. Terence Drew, who currently serves as Chair of CARICOM, made the comments as regional governments examined the implications of
00:35the policy change.
00:36The UK cited concerns over asylum claims and security risks linked to citizenship by investment programs.
00:43Prime Minister Drew said reforms implemented by St. Kitts and Nevis have strengthened the integrity of its own program.
00:50The numbers that seek asylum are extremely low from St. Kitts and Nevis' end, especially since we have made the
01:01changes.
01:02He said the Federation has introduced additional measures aimed at improving due diligence and long-term investment requirements within the
01:11program.
01:11And I know that this is very much welcomed by our international partners. So I can say that. We have
01:19had before, but we have seen a significant drop-off because of the changes.
01:24Meanwhile, St. Lucia has rejected suggestions that its own program is responsible for the visa decision.
01:30Data indicates that 360 St. Lucia Nationals applied for asylum in the United Kingdom between 2022 and 2025.
01:40Regional leaders say maintaining strong oversight of citizenship programs is critical for protecting international mobility and financial credibility.
01:50Crystal Hoyt, Calisur, Bridgetown, Barbados.
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