All you need to know about the mandatory interviews in the Caribbean jurisdictions

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs (CIPs) in Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts & Nevis, and St Lucia are introducing mandatory application interviews shortly, a significant step forward within the CIP process. These mandatory interviews will include the applicant and any other adult dependent within their application. Each country's Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) will handle the in-person interviews. Since the world of virtual meetings has developed rapidly during the past decade, it is now possible to hold these interviews in a timely and simple manner that doesn't require much time or effort from any parties involved.

Why Are Interviews Being Introduced?

The addition of in-person interviews to the CIP application process comes as an added measure to the due diligence process. A meeting between top Caribbean government officials and a team of US Treasury delegates prompted the addition of interviews as the US suggested six principles that Caribbean CIPs should follow to maintain the authenticity and high safety level of their programs. The interviews aim to ensure that all the information an applicant provides is valid, bridge any culturally varying political or legal gaps, address any missing information in real-time, and open an unhindered and honest communication line between the applicant and the government.

The addition of the interviews to the process is a massive step forward for Caribbean CIPs, as they will help speed up the process and mitigate any delays due to missing or incorrect data and the time needed to address it.

For example, if there is a document that is missing any information, an interview provides a great solution to address this instantaneously instead of having to rely on a string of emails that are more prone to misunderstandings.

Since interviews can be conducted in any language (the CIU will provide a translator), this offers a platform for applicants to better explain any gaps or misinformation within their application. This line of direct communication is especially important when there are legal procedures that differ from one culture or political regime to another.

For example, Saudi Arabia does not have notaries in the common sense. If an applicant living in Saudi Arabia needs to submit a notarized document, they will go to a lawyer who can then certify it. When this document is sent to the CIU, the notarization is not the same as the ones they usually receive.

Instead of having to go back and forth in emails, this can be cleared up within seconds during an interview. This particular issue is now well known among Caribbean CIUs, but there are other similar situations that can arise, and an interview provides the best method to explain them without having to delay the application.

Cultural differences can also apply to marriage, divorce, adoption, and other issues. In Jordan, adopted children do not change their last names to match that of their adoptees. Certain groups in Indonesia do not use last names; instead, they use the name of their parent when creating official documentation. This could lead to children having different last names from their parents.

Cultural differences are easily solvable, but they may take time to do so in the traditional way. By having the ability to explain it in person, an applicant can clear any issue without having to worry about long email threads and time-difference waiting times.

Interviews can also be a great way to discuss financial information. Bank statements can be consistent, or they can be unclear depending on a person's income structure and expenditure habits. Going through a complex bank statement with a fine-tooth comb can be a challenge, even for experts, so it is good to have a discussion available to clear up any misunderstandings or point out any important information.

This is especially the case when banks in different countries work within different regulatory frameworks. The heightened variance increases the difficulty for CIU agents to determine specific information, and since they want to clear it up instead of just rejecting the document outright and requesting another one (that a bank may not be able to provide), interviews are the optimal route to unearthing the required information.

How To Prepare For Interviews

It is important to note that your licensed agent cannot attend the interview with you, meaning that you will have to prepare for it beforehand. An interview will focus on the following information:

• Validating identification and familial ties
• Ensuring financial information aligns with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards
• Background and criminal record
• Family members' financial dependence on the main applicant or spouse
• Travel history
• Motives for obtaining citizenship

At NTL Trust, we will coach and prepare you for the interview, and with our guidance, it will be a simple process that provides you with a platform to discuss any relevant issues directly with the government.

To prepare for an interview, you will first have to understand what documents you are submitting and why. The latter is extremely important, as once you understand what a CIU officer is looking for in each document, you will know what information is relevant to them and if there are any gaps that you will need to address. Secondly, you will need to understand any cultural differences and how you will prove that they are standard legal procedures in your home country. This can be done by providing documentation such as laws, affidavits, and publicly available information sources that back your claims.

Finally, you will have to prepare notes and any supporting documentation to take into the interview with you. This is critical so that you are prepared for any question or query the interviewer may have.

The interview shouldn't be considered a negative or stressful affair. Remember, CIPs contribute a significant amount to Caribbean economies. CIUs want you to pass, but they have to make sure that your application aligns with the strict due diligence standards they have in place to protect their citizens, including you, once you get approved.

That doesn't mean they will take the interview process for granted, quite the opposite, but the entire affair is more relaxed. It is akin to talking to a future partner in a beneficial venture rather than being drilled by an embassy employee who has no empathy for your situation or any stake in your application.

Hence, interviews should be viewed as a positive addition, as maintaining the authenticity of the program is beneficial for everyone involved, and adding a step in the process that both protects it and makes it quicker is a definite upgrade. If the idea feels even slightly daunting, do not worry about it because, at NTL Trust, our team will help you create your application dossier and the notes you need for the interview. The team will also coach you beforehand and will provide you with a list of additional documents and notes to bring along and how and when you may need to refer to them.

To know more about Caribbean CIPs and how they can elevate your life by enhancing your global mobility, helping you to hedge against political and economic instability, and open various doors of opportunities for you and your family members, contact NTL Trust today to book a comprehensive consultation with one of our experts.