Having a previous visa refusal on your record can potentially cause negative implications when applying for a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. The UK and a Schengen visa refusal are both perceived as a “red flag” when screening candidates for their background. Concealing visa denials is considered the main mistake made by many citizenship investors because it makes them ineligible to apply for a CBI program.
This is due to the visa waiver agreements Caribbean countries, such as Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, and Grenada, have signed with the United Kingdom and EU Schengen states. Consequently, a visa refusal from any of the countries that they have visa waiver agreements with can easily lead to rejecting the application. Information related to visa refusals is recorded electronically and can’t be hidden just by changing names or replacing passports.
The UK and Schengen visas are very important screening tools to check the applicant’s background. All applicants for CBI programs, including their family members, must undergo background checks by reputable third-party due diligence firms, and governments.
Five reasons why to avoid visa refusals?
Here are five reasons why it’s generally advisable to avoid a Schengen or UK visa refusal before applying for citizenship:
Reason 1
The selection of citizenship candidates is carried out through systematic consultation of relevant databases, such as the Schengen Information System (“SIS”), as well as the verification of the Visa Information System (VIS) if the person is subject to visa requirements. A SIS database is shared by all 26 Schengen members. Therefore, any visa refusal will affect the suitability for citizenship.
Reason 2
A Schengen visa refusal is considered under the ‘high risk’ category and will raise a red flag in the eyes of compliance officers. Therefore, CBI programs may consider visa refusal evidence of non-compliance with entry requirements.
Reason 3
CBI countries share a list of refused applicants with one another. If an applicant is rejected by one CBI program due to a Schengen visa rejection, he will be automatically refused by the other.
Reason 4
A visa refusal may result in immigration authorities requesting additional documentation to address concerns raised by the refusal. This can add complexity and time to the citizenship application process.
Reason 5
Holding Caribbean citizenship can provide its holders increased mobility and flexibility as well as visa-free access to more than 140 countries, including Schengen states. Therefore, investors planning to obtain Caribbean citizenship can automatically gain free access to Schengen states and may be eligible for longer stays, without incurring the hassle of obtaining an entry visa.
Caribbean CBI program’s regulations
In order to protect their enhanced global mobility access and travel rights, Caribbean countries do not consider applications from individuals who have been rejected for a UK or Schengen visa in the past.
According to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act 2016, eligible applicants must provide true information in their application, including the fact that they have been denied a visa to a country with which Antigua and Barbuda has visa-free travel and who has not. Even if the applicant subsequently obtains a visa to the country that issued the denial, he shall not be approved for citizenship under this Act.
St. Kitts and Nevis have signed visa waiver agreements with over 150 countries. According to the Citizenship by Investment Act, failing due diligence checks or being denied an entry visa could lead to application refusal.
Grenada has signed waiver agreements with 147 states. According to Grenada Citizenship by Investment Act 15, an applicant who has been denied a visa to a country with which Grenada has visa-free travel and who has not subsequently obtained a visa to the country that issued the denial shall not be approved for permanent residence or citizenship under this Act.
Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment Program, launched in December 2015, stipulates that an applicant should not have been denied a visa to a country with which Saint Lucia has visa-free access.
Recommendations before applying for a citizenship
It’s advisable not to apply for a Schengen visa before applying for a second passport through citizenship by investment program because having a rejected Schengen visa application might impact your overall life negatively and may deprive you of the possibility of obtaining a second citizenship.
If you’ve experienced a previous visa rejection, meticulously examine the reasons behind the refusal. Resolve any issues identified during the rejection process before submitting a Schengen visa application to reduce the risk of a subsequent refusal. Caribbean countries with CBI programs will only take into consideration the outcome of the last visa application you have submitted to the UK or Schengen.
Applying for multiple Schengen visas simultaneously might raise red flags. Therefore, focus on one application at a time and address the issues of previous rejections before proceeding with a new application.
Reasons for a UK or Schengen visa refusal may include failure to provide required documentation and paperwork, or to complete information, or due to insufficient evidence of ties to the home country. A visa might also be rejected if the applicant has a history of overstaying or violating visa conditions in the past, as well as having health issues that pose risk to public health. It may also be rejected due to a failure to provide convincing documentation regarding the purpose of the visit. The reasons may be absurd, but the consequences are severe, that’s why its recommended to address any issue before submitting a visa application, that will eventually lead to citizenship rejection.
