The world of Citizenship by Investment (CBI) has ultimately split into two camps. While five key Caribbean countries have made mandatory online interviews an integral part of the process, Vanuatu has solidified its position as the fastest and most straightforward path to a second passport, maintaining the procedure without a formal interview. For an investor, this means one thing: the choice of jurisdiction has become even more strategic.
We will analyze in detail what the citizenship interview 2025 in the Caribbean countries entails, why it was introduced, and what the fundamental difference is from the procedure in Vanuatu. Our task is to provide you not just with information but with a commercial analysis that will help you make an informed decision.
Why have the rules of the game changed?
The introduction of mandatory interviews by Caribbean countries — St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, as well as St. Lucia — became a direct consequence of dialogue with the USA, the UK, and the EU. These global powers demanded enhanced Due Diligence checks to eliminate any security risks.
This step was aimed at protecting and strengthening the reputation of Caribbean passports. For the investor, this is a positive signal: the programs are becoming more sustainable, and the value of the acquired citizenship is increasing. However, it also added an additional stage, time, and expenses to the process.
Vanuatu, being in a different geopolitical context and having its own security protocols, took a different path. Instead of implementing interviews, the country focused on improving the process of collecting biometric data, which also complies with international security standards but does not complicate the procedure for the investor.
Interview in the Caribbean vs. Biometrics in Vanuatu
For an investor, it is extremely important to understand this difference, as it directly affects the speed, complexity, and personal involvement in the process.
Caribbean Standard 2025: Mandatory Virtual Interview
All five Caribbean countries with CBI programs require an interview. Here are its key characteristics as of October 2025:
- Format: The interview is conducted online via secure video communication. Personal presence on the islands is not required.
- Participants: The interview must be attended by the principal applicant and all dependents aged 16-17 years (depending on the specific country).
- The goal: This is not a test of cultural knowledge. The main task is verification. The CIU (Citizenship by Investment Unit) officer must ensure that the person on the screen is the same as the one in the documents, as well as confirm key information from the questionnaire.
- Process: The conversation lasts 30-60 minutes and is conducted in English (an accredited interpreter is involved if necessary).
The Vanuatu Approach: Focus on Biometric Verification
The Vanuatu program deliberately avoids bureaucratic complications, focusing on technology and speed.
- Without an interview: In Vanuatu, there is no requirement for a formal interview. You will not be asked questions about your business or source of funds in the format of an oral conversation.
- Mandatory biometrics: A key stage of security is the collection of biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photo). This procedure is necessary for issuing a modern biometric passport.
- Flexibility: Biometrics can be submitted either in Vanuatu itself or, more conveniently for investors, at one of the authorized Vanuatu consulates worldwide or through special mobile officers. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes.
This distinction is a key commercial advantage of Vanuatu. The program remains the fastest and least invasive for a busy investor who values their time.
What questions are asked at a Caribbean interview in 2025?
If your choice still fell on one of the Caribbean countries, preparation for the interview will not be difficult. All questions for citizenship interview are based solely on the information you have already provided in your application.
Here are the main topics that are addressed during the conversation:
- Confirmation of personal data: You will be asked to provide your full name, date of birth, residential address, and the names of family members included in the application.
- Professional activity: Be prepared to briefly describe your main business, position, and professional responsibilities. The goal is to ensure that you are who you claim to be.
- Source of funds: You may be asked to broadly confirm the information provided in the documents. For example: “Your form states that the funds for the investment were obtained from the sale of a company. Can you confirm this?”
- Connections with the country: They may ask why you chose this particular jurisdiction and what your plans are for using the new citizenship (travel, business, security).
- Checking the questionnaire: The interviewer may choose any item from your questionnaire and ask you to comment on it to ensure the consistency of your answers.
The main rule is to answer honestly and strictly in accordance with the submitted documents. Any discrepancy is a red flag for the inspectors.
Comparative Review of Verification Requirements (October 2025)
This table clearly demonstrates the difference in approaches between jurisdictions and will help you assess the time and financial costs.
| Parameter | Caribbean countries (Saint Kitts, Grenada, etc.) | Vanuatu |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory interview | Yes, for the primary applicant and dependents older than 16/17 years. | No. |
| Format | Virtual interview (30-60 minutes). | Absent. |
| The main goal | Verification of questionnaire data, identity confirmation. | Absent. |
| Biometrics | Is part of the overall document submission process. | The key stage of verification is conducted in person. |
| Impact on deadlines | May slightly increase the overall review time. | Does not affect the overall term, which remains the shortest in the world. |
What choice to make in 2025?
So, at the end of 2025, the investor faces a clear choice.
On one hand, the Caribbean route: reliable, prestigious, but now longer and more complicated due to the introduction of mandatory interviews. This is a good choice for those who do not prioritize speed and are ready for an additional verification stage.
On the other hand, the Vanuatu route: the fastest, most efficient, and confidential. The absence of interviews and a focus on quick biometric verification make this program an ideal solution for investors for whom time is money and who are looking for the most straightforward process to obtain a second passport for global mobility.
Your choice depends on your personal priorities. But if speed, simplicity, and minimal involvement in bureaucratic processes are the top priorities, then the Vanuatu program in 2025 remains unmatched.
