CBI Passport Renewal Documents Checklist 2026 (All 6 Countries)

Last updated: March 2026

Your second passport is one of your most valuable assets — a carefully chosen instrument of global mobility, privacy, and security. Yet renewal day arrives faster than most investors expect, and the consequences of a lapsed CBI passport can be significant: visa-free access suspended, travel plans disrupted, and the risk of an administrative gap in your citizenship record. If you are holding a passport issued under one of the six major citizenship by investment programmes and renewal is on the horizon, this guide is for you. Below you will find a complete, country-by-country CBI passport renewal documents checklist for 2026, covering standard requirements, name changes, minor dependants, apostille obligations, photo specifications, and certified translation rules — everything you need to submit a clean, first-pass application.

Understanding the 2026 Landscape: ECCIRA and What It Means for Your Renewal

Before diving into individual country checklists, it is essential to understand the regulatory backdrop shaping Caribbean CBI passport renewals this year. The Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Reform Act (ECCIRA), formally established in December 2025 and covering St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia, introduces several material changes that affect renewal procedures.

Key ECCIRA provisions include:

• Physical presence requirement: A minimum of 30 days within the first five years of citizenship, with at least five days in year one.
• Tiered passport system: An initial five-year passport is issued upon naturalisation. After completing an orientation programme, satisfying the 30-day stay requirement, and providing updated biometrics, citizens may upgrade to a ten-year passport.
• Biometric data: Mandatory for all renewals under the new framework, aligned with European and North American e-passport standards.

Important note: As of the publication of this article, ECCIRA implementation has been postponed. The original April 2026 target has been pushed to mid-2026 at the earliest. Existing rules remain in force. We recommend all clients monitor official government announcements and consult our team before submission. Vanuatu, as a non-ECCIRA jurisdiction, is unaffected by these changes.

Visit our passport renewal hub for real-time programme updates as ECCIRA implementation progresses.

Universal Documents Required Across All Six CBI Programmes

Whilst each country has its own nuances, the following core documents are required by all six programmes. Preparing these in advance will save significant time.

• Completed renewal application form — official government form, signed and dated
• Current/expiring CBI passport — original document (not a copy)
• Prior nationality passport — valid copy, typically notarised
• Proof of original citizenship grant — naturalisation certificate or equivalent, apostilled
• Passport photographs — country-specific specifications (see section below)
• Proof of address — utility bill or bank statement dated within 90 days
• Government renewal fee — paid by certified bank draft or approved payment method
• Due diligence / background check consent form — where applicable

All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation from an accredited translator. Do not use machine-generated translations; these are routinely rejected.

CBI Passport Renewal Documents Checklist — Country by Country

St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts & Nevis operates one of the world's oldest CBI programmes and maintains rigorous documentation standards. As an ECCIRA member, the biometric requirement is forthcoming — applicants should be prepared to provide biometric data once the framework is activated.

• Completed Form PD1 (Passport Renewal Application)
• Original expiring SKN passport
• Certified copy of Certificate of Citizenship (apostilled)
• Two recent passport photographs — white background, 35mm × 45mm [VERIFY exact dimension requirement post-ECCIRA]
• Notarised copy of principal nationality passport (all data pages)
• Proof of residential address (within 90 days)
• Renewal fee: approximately USD 250 [VERIFY current government schedule]
• Processing time: 6–8 weeks standard; 3–4 weeks expedited [VERIFY]

Learn more about the full programme on our St. Kitts & Nevis citizenship by investment page.

Antigua & Barbuda

• Official passport renewal application form (available from the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit)
• Original expiring Antigua passport
• Certified copy of Certificate of Registration as a Citizen (apostilled)
• Two passport photographs — white background, 35mm × 45mm [VERIFY]
• Notarised copy of prior nationality passport
• Evidence of five-year residency obligation compliance (relevant for ECCIRA once enacted) [VERIFY post-ECCIRA requirements]
• Proof of address
• Renewal fee: approximately USD 300 [VERIFY]
• Processing time: 6–10 weeks [VERIFY]

Dominica

• Completed Dominican passport renewal application form
• Original expiring Dominican passport
• Apostilled copy of Certificate of Naturalisation
• Two passport photographs — white background [VERIFY local photo specification sheet]
• Notarised copy of home-country passport
• Proof of residential address
• Renewal fee: approximately USD 200 [VERIFY]
• Processing time: 6–8 weeks standard [VERIFY]

Grenada

Grenada is notable for its E-2 Treaty Investor visa access to the United States, making passport renewal particularly time-sensitive for investors leveraging this benefit.

• Grenada Citizenship by Investment Unit renewal application form
• Original expiring Grenadian passport
• Apostilled Certificate of Registration as a Citizen of Grenada
• Two passport photographs — white background, biometric standard
• Notarised copy of principal passport
• Proof of address
• Renewal fee: approximately USD 300 [VERIFY]
• Processing time: 6–8 weeks standard; expedited available [VERIFY]

Explore our Grenada citizenship by investment programme page for full programme details.

St. Lucia

• St. Lucia CIU passport renewal application form
• Original expiring St. Lucian passport
• Apostilled Certificate of Naturalisation
• Two passport photographs — white background [VERIFY St. Lucia photo specification]
• Notarised copy of principal nationality passport
• Proof of address (within 90 days)
• Renewal fee: approximately USD 250 [VERIFY]
• Processing time: 6–10 weeks [VERIFY]

Vanuatu

Vanuatu operates outside the ECCIRA framework entirely and processes renewals through the Vanuatu Citizenship Commission. Its procedures differ materially from the Caribbean programmes.

• Vanuatu Citizenship Commission renewal application form
• Original expiring Vanuatu passport
• Original Certificate of Citizenship (Vanuatu) — certified copy if original is retained
• Two passport photographs — white background, biometric standard, 35mm × 45mm [VERIFY Vanuatu specification]
• Notarised copy of primary nationality passport (all pages including stamps)
• Police clearance certificate from country of residence — apostilled, dated within six months
• Proof of address
• Renewal fee: approximately USD 500–700 [VERIFY current Vanuatu Citizenship Commission schedule]
• Processing time: 8–12 weeks [VERIFY]

See our Vanuatu citizenship by investment programme page for programme-specific guidance.

Additional Documents for Name Changes and Minor Dependants

Name-Change Renewals

If your legal name has changed since your original CBI passport was issued — due to marriage, divorce, or a court order — you must include additional evidence. Submitting a renewal without addressing a name discrepancy is one of the most common causes of outright rejection.

Required additional documents for name-change renewals (all six countries):

• Original name-change document (marriage certificate, divorce decree, deed poll, or court order)
• Apostille authentication of the name-change document
• Certified translation if the document is not in English
• Notarised sworn statement confirming name-change history (some countries require a statutory declaration before a notary public)
• Updated proof of address in new legal name

Minor Dependant Passport Renewals

Children added to a primary CBI application — or born after citizenship was granted — require a distinct set of documents for their own passport renewal.

• Completed minor applicant renewal form (countersigned by parent or legal guardian)
• Original birth certificate — apostilled and, where necessary, translated
• Parents' valid passports (notarised copies, both parents where applicable)
• Proof of parental custody or legal guardianship — apostilled — if parents are separated or divorced
• Passport photographs meeting minor-specific specifications (note: head size ratios differ for infants)
• Minor's expiring CBI passport
• School enrolment letter or equivalent proof of identity for children over 12 [VERIFY country-specific requirements]

Passport Photo Specifications: A Critical Detail

Photographs are rejected more frequently than any other document element. The table below summarises standard specifications. Note that ECCIRA's biometric standards, once enacted, may supersede these requirements for the five Caribbean nations.

Apostille and Certified Translation Requirements

All six programmes require supporting documents to be authenticated via apostille under the Hague Convention — or via notarisation and legalisation for documents originating from non-Hague countries. The distinction matters:

• Apostille: A single standardised certificate attached to the document by a competent authority in the issuing country. Accepted by all Hague Convention member states without further legalisation.
• Notarisation + legalisation: Required for documents from countries not party to the Hague Convention (e.g. certain Gulf states, China). This is a multi-step process: notarisation → state authentication → embassy/consulate legalisation.

Certified translations must be produced by a translator who is either officially accredited (e.g. sworn translator in their jurisdiction) or certified by a professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists. The translator must sign a declaration of accuracy and include their credentials. Digital or AI-generated translations are not accepted.

For a full breakdown of renewal costs associated with apostille and translation services, see our companion guide on CBI passport renewal costs and fees for 2026.

Processing Times and Fee Comparison at a Glance

All fees are government charges only and exclude professional advisory, apostille, courier, and translation costs. Consult our passport renewal hub for a full cost breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance should I begin the CBI passport renewal process?

We recommend initiating your renewal at least six months before your passport expiry date. Many countries and airlines will not accept a passport with fewer than six months of validity remaining, which means your travel access could be curtailed well before the expiry date on the document. Given that processing times for CBI renewals typically range from six to twelve weeks, starting six months out gives you meaningful buffer for document gathering, apostille processing, and courier logistics.

Can I renew my CBI passport whilst living outside the issuing country?

Yes — and this is in fact the situation for the majority of CBI passport holders. All six programmes accept renewal applications submitted through authorised agents or consultancies from abroad. Mirabello Consultancy handles the full process from our Zurich and Dubai offices on behalf of clients worldwide. We receive your documents, prepare the application, liaise directly with the relevant Citizenship by Investment Unit, and arrange secure international courier return of the renewed passport. Visit our free consultation page to discuss your specific situation.

Will ECCIRA affect my current passport's validity?

Not retroactively. If you hold a valid CBI passport issued before ECCIRA's implementation, it remains valid until its printed expiry date. However, when you next renew, the ECCIRA tiered system — assuming implementation has proceeded — will determine whether you receive a five-year or ten-year passport. Citizens who have already satisfied the 30-day physical presence requirement and completed orientation may be eligible for the ten-year issuance directly. Consult our team to assess your status before applying.

What happens if my supporting documents are in a language other than English?

Every non-English document must be accompanied by a full certified translation. This applies to birth certificates, marriage certificates, court orders, police clearance certificates, and any other supporting evidence. The translation must be produced by an accredited or sworn translator (depending on jurisdiction) and must include a signed declaration of accuracy along with the translator's professional credentials. Machine translations, including those produced by AI tools, are universally rejected.

My child was born after I received my CBI citizenship — can they be added and receive a passport now?

Yes, in most cases. Children born to a CBI citizen after the date of naturalisation are generally eligible for derivative citizenship, subject to country-specific rules regarding registration of the birth and submission of the required documents (birth certificate, parent's naturalisation certificate, both parents' passports, and so on). The process for adding a newborn or young child differs from a standard dependent renewal and typically requires an initial citizenship registration before a passport application can be submitted. Contact our team to confirm the process for your specific country and family situation.

What is the most common reason CBI passport renewal applications are rejected?

Based on our experience across 1,500+ renewals, the leading causes of rejection or delay are: (1) missing or incorrectly apostilled documents, (2) passport photographs that do not meet technical specifications, (3) certified translations missing the translator's declaration of accuracy, and (4) name discrepancies between documents where a name change has not been formally documented and evidenced. A professional pre-submission document review — which Mirabello provides as part of our renewal service — eliminates almost all of these risks before the application reaches the government authority.