Licensed agent
Reviewed by A company or professional officially authorized by the state to file applications under an investment migration program; in several programs filing is possible only through them.
A licensed (authorized) agent is a company or professional granted state permission to handle applications under a specific investment migration program. The status implies vetting of the agent itself, regular reporting and accountability to the responsible authority. A register of active agents is normally published by that authority.
The agent is responsible for the completeness of the file, initial screening of the applicant and correct filing: gathering documents, helping build the source-of-funds evidence, dealing with the authority and following the case through to a decision. In several citizenship-by-investment programs the authority does not accept applications from individuals at all — only through an authorized agent. Rules often distinguish agents from promoters or introducers: the latter may attract clients but may not file.
For an investor the agent's status is a way to check a counterparty before paying: presence in the official register and a valid licence can be verified publicly. Working through an unlicensed intermediary does not speed anything up, but it raises the risk of refusal, lost funds and challenges to the reliability of the documents. The scope of services, payment terms and liability are fixed by contract and depend on the country and the program.
| What it is | A state-authorized intermediary for filing applications |
| Who it suits | Investors applying under CBI and some RBI programs |
| Where it applies | Primarily Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs |
| Not to be confused with | A real estate broker or a promoter with no filing rights |
| Role in investment migration | The mandatory filing channel and first line of file review |
How it works in practice
- The agent is found in the authority's official register rather than through advertising, and the licence expiry is checked.
- Before any payment, the contract fixes the scope of services, the payment schedule and what happens in case of refusal.
- The agent pre-assesses the applicant's profile and flags risks before filing.
- The file is assembled against the program checklist: identity documents, source-of-funds evidence, police clearance, translations and legalization.
- Program payments go to the authority's official account or through escrow, not to a representative's personal account.
Common pitfalls
- ! Dealing with an intermediary who merely represents an agent: a contract with a promoter does not carry the same protections as one with a licensed agent.
- ! Promises of guaranteed approval or of "speeding up" due diligence — a hallmark of an unreliable intermediary, since the decision rests with the state.
- ! Transferring the main payment to a representative's personal account instead of official accounts or escrow.
- ! Working without a written contract and fee schedule, so it is unclear what the service covers and how funds are handled if the application is refused.
FAQ
Is filing through an agent mandatory?
In several citizenship-by-investment programs, yes: the authority accepts applications only from authorized agents. Residence programs are usually more flexible, depending on the country.
How can an agent's licence be verified?
Through the official register kept by the responsible authority, which shows valid licences and their expiry.
How does an agent differ from a lawyer?
A lawyer provides legal advice, while an agent holds formal authority to file under the program; the roles can overlap where a firm holds that status.
Is the agent responsible for the outcome?
The decision is the state's, so no agent can guarantee approval; their responsibility covers completeness, accuracy and correct filing.
Can an agent's licence be revoked?
Yes — authorities run reviews and withdraw licences for breaches, so the status is worth checking at the moment of signing the contract.