Applying for Citizenship or Residency in 2026? What to Expect from Due Diligence 

Many applicants approach citizenship or residency programs like an administrative exercise that involves gathering documents, making necessary payments, and submitting forms. However, recent trends show that the review and approval process for these programs is far more rigorous, often involving a multi-layer investigation into an applicant’s financial history, reputation, source of wealth and even global footprint.  

As migratory regulatory processes tighten globally, popular RCBI countries, particularly across the Caribbean, are improving their due diligence and operating in an environment designed by compliance, deep scrutiny, transparency, and risk management.  

Due to this shift, the main concern for future CBI applicants is no longer ‘do I meet the financial requirements?’ but ‘is my profile fully prepared for the review process?’  

If you are applying for an RCBI program in 2026 or beyond, understanding how due diligence works and how to prepare strategically will reduce delays and improve your chances of approval. 

The past background check and due diligence process likely involved identity confirmation, criminal records checks, and ensuring the candidate was not on any sanction registers. Today’s level of scrutiny involves: 

• Risk-based financial investigations 
• Source-of-funds verification 
• Sanctions and watchlist screening 
• Politically exposed person (PEP) assessment 
• Media and reputational analysis 
• Multi-jurisdictional intelligence checks 

Governments are also using independent due diligence firms, intelligent databases, and highly sophisticated digital screening tools to thoroughly assess applicants.  Because multiple stakeholders are now involved, even minor inconsistencies can lead to requests for clarification and additional documentation, prolonging the process.  

Today, as cross-border banking, taxation, and mobility become more interconnected, governments have strengthened due diligence procedures to meet international transparency standards. In particular, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), in partnership with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), are collaborating together to ensure that citizenship programs are managed transparently. FATF maintains that, when well-designed,  

CBI programs can bring significant benefits to both applicants and the host countries. They advised governments on how to incorporate risk-mitigation measures, such as multi-layered due diligence, into the overall design of their CBI programs to achieve better outcomes. The result has been a more coordinated front on compliance and risk management across the board. 

Many applicants simply focus primarily on meeting the minimum investment threshold. However, delays and rejections can come from areas that are underestimated or overlooked. 

Underestimating cross-border information sharing  

If you have ever filled out an online visa application, you’re likely familiar with the question: “Have you ever been denied a visa before? If yes, explain the reason behind your denial?” Some applicants choose not to disclose past denials. Today, modern due diligence operates under a cross-border information-sharing model, where applicants are screened against international sanctions lists, PEP databases, and global watchlists. So, even information you do not disclose will likely be discovered.  

Treating source of funds as a formality 

Source of funds assessment has moved from ‘do you have the required funds?’ to ‘can you carefully and consistently show how these funds came about?’  

Applicants may be asked to provide documents like audited financial statements, tax filings, corporate ownership documents, inheritance documentation (if applicable), sale agreements, and so forth. This level of detail, clarity, and consistency in documenting sources of funds often determines how smoothly an application proceeds. 

Overlooking reputational review 

Governments now review applications from an international lens of financial integrity and collective security. As a result, media coverage, business history, and public exposure may form part of the overall assessment. Applicants with complex business or political histories must prepare clear narratives to prevent unnecessary delays. 

Thinking due diligence ends at approval  

CBI due diligence is an ongoing process and not one that ends at approval. Countries reserve the right to revoke citizenship or residency if it is later discovered that approval was obtained under false pretenses, with misrepresentation, concealment, or the presence of newly discovered sanctions. With this shift, due diligence is now a continuous process and not just an administrative milestone, and successful applicants must remain compliant.  

A well-prepared application requires structure, transparency, and proactive planning. Here are five steps applicants can take to strengthen their submission. 

1. Treat your application as a strategic submission 

Treat your application as a strategic submission rather than routine form-filling. It is best to plan by getting your tax filings in order, meticulously documenting your source of funds, and being ready to show and prove legal financial trails, while maintaining clarity about your business and investment ventures. 

2. Organize your source of funds 

Be ready to clearly show and prove legal financial trails. This includes tax filings, corporate documents, sale agreements, inheritance records (if applicable), and any other documentation that explains how your funds were generated. 

3. Expect cross-border scrutiny 

Do not assume that local incidents will remain local. Governments screen applicants across international financial records, sanctions lists, media archives, and intergovernmental information systems. Address any past visa refusals, discrepancies, or public matters transparently to avoid delays or refusals.  

4. Prepare political exposure narratives (if applicable) 

Applicants with political exposure or complex public profiles should prepare clear disclosure narratives. Working with legal advisors to explain business, political, or public affiliations in advance can help streamline the review process. 

5. Maintain compliance after approval 

Due diligence does not end at approval. RCBI programs operate within ongoing compliance frameworks, so applicants must maintain transparency and remain proactive about any changes in financial or legal circumstances. 

Citizenship programs remain a powerful tool for wealthy foreign nationals to explore ‘plan B’ passports and for countries to boost their economies. However, the application process is no longer about meeting a financial investment requirement and checking boxes.  

Countries are paying closer attention to applications, with high levels of scrutiny and due diligence, and applicants who approach the process strategically, and seek experienced legal advisory guidance have a greater chance of success.