For investors who obtained citizenship through a Citizenship‑by‑Investment (CBI) program, an expired passport does not mean the loss of citizenship, but the renewal process, required documents, and biometric steps vary by jurisdiction. Understanding each country’s specific rules can prevent travel delays.
Caribbean Investment Citizenship Passports
The Caribbean CBI jurisdictions each have their own renewal procedures.
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Antigua and Barbuda – Passports are valid for five years. Renewal is allowed if the holder has spent at least five days in the country during the five‑year period after citizenship was granted. Fees are separate from the original investment and may change.
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Dominica – Renewal can be done through the Passport and Immigration Department in Dominica or a Dominican consulate. No travel to Dominica or local address is required, and the process applies to expired passports or those lacking free pages.
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St. Kitts and Nevis – A National Biometric Enrolment and Passport Modernization Program launched in April 2026. All CBI citizens (including dependents) must complete biometric enrolment by 31 July 2027, providing fingerprints, a digital facial image, a digital signature, and, where applicable, an iris scan. The enrolment takes about 15 minutes and is required only once; the data remain valid for the lifetime of the passport, so future renewals do not need repeat enrolment.
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Grenada, Saint Lucia – Renewal follows the standard national procedures for passport replacement; specific CBI‑related conditions are not detailed in the source.
Vanuatu Passport Renewal
- Applicants must submit the standard passport application form, return the expired passport, and provide recent photos, proof of citizenship, and any other documents requested by the Department of Immigration and Passport Services.
- Fees differ by service level; investors may face a distinct fee structure for lost or damaged passports compared with ordinary citizens.
- Vanuatu is introducing biometric and electronic passport technology, increasing the emphasis on biometric data for identity verification and fraud prevention.
Montenegro Passport Renewal
- Montenegro’s former CBI program is closed to new applicants, but existing citizens retain their nationality.
- A new biometric passport requires the applicant’s personal presence. Required documents include a birth certificate, a certificate of Montenegrin citizenship, and the expired passport or a valid ID card.
- Adult passports are valid for ten years.
Practical Checklist for Renewal
Before initiating renewal, investors should:
- Start the process at least six months before the passport expires.
- Verify whether personal attendance is mandatory (e.g., Montenegro).
- Confirm the need for biometric data such as fingerprints, facial images, or iris scans.
- Determine if the expired passport must be surrendered.
- Gather any required citizenship certificates, birth certificates, or other identification documents.
- Ensure photographs meet the latest specifications.
- Review the current government fees and expected processing times, as these can change.
In most CBI jurisdictions, passport expiry does not terminate citizenship; it merely requires the issuance of a new travel document in accordance with the issuing country’s regulations.
Source article: apexcapital.one
