St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment: all about the program and the country

What do investors gain from St Kitts and Nevis second citizenship

Freedom to travel around the world. St Kitts and Nevis citizens can travel to 157 countries without a visa. They can spend:

• up to 90 days in a half-year period in the Schengen countries;
• up to 180 days a year in the UK;
• up to 90 days a year in Hong Kong;
• up to 30 days a year in Singapore.

St Kitts and Nevis CBI Program

Travel to the United States. The B-1/B-2 visa allows holders to visit the United States for tourism, medical treatment or business for up to 6 months a year.

St Kitts and Nevis citizens are issued a visa immediately for 10 years.

St Kitts and Nevis citizens face fewer difficulties in getting a US visa compared to passport holders from many other countries: they can choose to apply for a US visa at an American consulate in any of the 156 countries that they can enter without a visa. The B-1/B-2 visa is normally issued within a few days.

Arsen

Businessman from Yerevan

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship for travelling

Arsen and Lusine began thinking about obtaining second citizenship when they started to experience problems with getting visas to Europe.

It was easier for Arsen because he travelled often, and the countries like France and Italy issued him a visa for 5 years. However, his family usually got short-term visas.

Arsen made up his mind to solve this problem. More and more friends and acquaintances shared with him the benefits of second citizenship by investment.

Read the investor's story

Relatively low expenses on obtaining citizenship. An investor can get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investing $150,000 in a state fund or purchasing government-approved real estate for $200,000.

Remote registration. The country’s law does not require an investor to reside in St Kitts and Nevis at the time of application or after citizenship has been approved.

Citizenship can be obtained without visiting the islands. A program agent accepts documents from the investor, and after approval of the application, they send the passport and certificate of naturalisation to the applicant. It is especially convenient if borders are closed.

Expedited process. The standard processing time for an application is 3 to 6 months. It can be reduced to 2 months when an investor chooses the expedited procedure.

An accelerated application processing costs an additional $25,000. The cost for family members included in the application is $20,000 per member over 16 and $500 for children under 16.

Samvel

Plant owner from Yerevan

How to get a St Kitts and Nevis passport in 2 months

Samvel’s children were preparing to study in the EU. Samvel and his wife wanted to go with their children, and decided to get Caribbean passports to travel to the Schengen countries visa-free.

To obtain Caribbean citizenship before the start of the school year, the investor used the accelerated application processing service.

Read the investor's story

Low tax rates. St Kitts and Nevis tax residents do not pay taxes on gifts, inheritance, capital gains or dividends.

Businessmen holding St Kitts and Nevis passports can register international companies in the country. They do not pay withholding tax on dividends, interest or royalties, and social security contributions for employees are just 6%.

Transfer of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by inheritance. St Kitts and Nevis is one of the few countries that allows citizenship by investment to be transferred by inheritance. Thus, the investor’s children or other family members under the age of 18 can become citizens by birth.

Benefits for Commonwealth Citizens. St Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is the head of state.

There are a number of benefits for citizens of Commonwealth countries: visa-free entry to member states, assistance and protection of the embassies of the participating countries and scholarships for studying at British universities.

Visa-free destinations for St Kitts and Nevis citizens

St Kitts and Nevis is a peace-loving country with a good political and legal reputation. Its citizens can travel to 157 countries visa-free, including the Schengen Area, The UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

The table below is grouped by region, containing the countries that St Kitts and Nevis passport holders can visit without a visa.

St Kitts and Nevis passport : a list of visa-free countries and territories

Who can participate in the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program

St Kitts and Nevis accepts applications from foreigners over 18 years of age. The applicant must have no criminal record and must be able to prove that the money to be invested was earned legally.

Who Can Obtain Caribbean Citizenship with an Investor

The investor can include the following family members in the citizenship application:

• a spouse;
• children under 30, including the ones from previous marriages;
• parents over 55 years old;
• siblings under 30, without children and unmarried.

Children and parents with mental or physical disabilities can participate in the program at any age.

Children between 18 and 30 years old, parents, and siblings must be completely financially dependent on the investor. The investor must provide documents that confirm material support: checks, bank statements, and receipts for payment of tuition at the university. Immigrant Invest’s lawyers draw up a notarized affidavit confirming their dependence.

Family members can join the citizenship program after the investor’s passport is issued. There is no time limit within which family members can join the program. The cost of obtaining citizenship for a spouse is $35,000 and $10,000 per member for the rest of the family.

In order for the citizenship application to be approved, it is not enough to just make the required payment: the investor and each family member over 18 years old must pass a Due Diligence check.

The St Kitts and Nevis CBI Unit verifies the authenticity of the documents, the absence of a criminal record and sanctions, as well as rejections of applications for other citizenship programs or residence permits. The government wants to make sure of the legality of the sources of the investor’s funds and their compliance with the law.

Test

How to successfully undergo a Due Diligence check

Take an anonymous 10-question test to learn more about Due Diligence checks.

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How much does St Kitts and Nevis citizenship cost

The costs of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship include investments, administrative and government fees and fees for preparing documents, forwarding documents and notarizing translations.

The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program offers a choice of two investment options:

The cost of obtaining a passport depends on the family members included in the application and the number of documents that need to be prepared.

Using the example of a contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund, let us calculate the cost of obtaining citizenship for an investor, a married couple and a family with two children.

Expenses on obtaining St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by contributing to the SGF, including fees

Features of investing in real estate in St Kitts and Nevis

The minimum amount of investment in real estate is higher than the fund contribution amount, but it does not depend on the number or age of family members included in the application.

Guide on real estate investments in St Kitts and Nevis

The option to invest in St Kitts and Nevis real estate is chosen by investors who want part of their investment to be returned. In the past few years, more than 50% of applicants of the CBI program have bought real estate.

Types of available properties. There are three types of real estate that investors can purchase under the citizenship programs:

1. Social or infrastructural projects with the minimum investment amount of $175,000.
2. Shares, apartments and villas in government-approved hotel complexes. The minimum investment amount is $200,000.
3. Unapproved villas worth more than $400,000.

The St Kitts and Nevis Government controls approved contractors in terms of timing and quality during the construction phase. Money is transferred to them in stages and only if all conditions are met.

The constructed hotel complexes are managed by companies with experience in the hospitality business in Europe, the USA and the Caribbean. The management companies find tenants, maintain the premises and grounds in good condition, hire service personnel, and manage the finances.

The minimum ownership period for the government-approved projects depends on the investment amount. Investors buying a share for $200,000 can sell it in 7 years. Investors who buy property for $400,000 or more can sell it 5 years later.

Examples of investment properties in St Kitts and Nevis

Condominiums in a luxury hotel complex in Frigate Bay. The price starts at $200,000

A villa with a private pool in a landscape park in Basseterre. The price is $2,575,000

Shares in a five-star hotel managed by Hyatt in Basseterre. The price is $220,000

Remote purchase procedure. To invest in real estate, the investor has to conclude an agreement to purchase real estate, choose an escrow agent, and open an escrow bank account. Investors do not have to do this themselves; they can delegate this and other tasks to a licensed program agent.

Fees for real estate investments. When buying real estate, applicants pay the following state fees:

• $35,050 for an investor;
• $25,050 for a spouse;
• $10,050 per child under 30 and parent over 55;
• $40,000 per siblings.

The fees don't apply to investments in social and infrastructural projects.

Using the example of purchasing a share in a government-approved real estate projects, let us now consider the costs of citizenship by investment for the investor and their family.

Expenses on obtaining St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by purchasing a share in an approved real estate project

Which one is more profitable: a fund contribution or real estate purchase

The minimum contribution to the state fund is $150,000. However, this does not necessarily make it more profitable than buying real estate. Contributions to the state fund are non-refundable, and their amount varies depending on the family members included in the application.

Detailed comparison of investment options

Real estate investments start at $175,000. However, the minimum cost of a share does not depend on the number of participants. Moreover, the property can be rented and then sold at a profit a few years later.

As an example, we consider the cost of participating in the citizenship program for different investment options for an investor with a family of four: spouses and two children aged 14 and 27.

Comparison of expenses under two investment options for a family of four

Individual cost
calculation of the St Kitts
and Nevis citizenship

Get the cost calculation

Taxes and doing business in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis exchanges information with other states according to the international system of common reporting standards (CRS). Investors with a St Kitts and Nevis second citizenship do not need to pay taxes in both their countries of citizenship.

Taxes for individuals and companies in St Kitts and Nevis

An investor becomes a tax resident by living in St Kitts and Nevis for at least six months of the year. Tax residents do not pay taxes on income, capital gains, inheritance, gifts or dividends.

Tax rates for individuals include:

• 0% on income earned outside St Kitts and Nevis;
• up to 0.3% on real estate;
• from 6 to 10% on the sale of real estate.

Corporate tax rates are also quite low for St Kitts and Nevis tax-resident organizations:

• 0% on income earned outside St Kitts and Nevis;
• up to 0.3% on real estate;
• from 6 to 10% on the sale of real estate;
• 6% social contributions;
• 33% on income generated in St Kitts and Nevis.

St Kitts and Nevis does not disclose financial information about the beneficial owners of the business. The personal data of the owners is not disclosed when registering companies. The government will provide another state with such data only in urgent cases: for example, if a company is found to be involved in fraud or terrorism.

Registering a company. Most business in St Kitts and Nevis is conducted through companies registered in the form of an international business company (IBC). It is recognized by the jurisdictions of different countries and allows working with foreign partners.

Registering an IBC costs about $2,300 and takes less than two weeks. The total minimum annual cost of maintaining the company is $1,600.

Documents required for registering a company in St Kitts and Nevis:

1. Memorandum of Association
2. Director’s appointment letter
3. Certificate of registration of the St. Kitts and Nevis office
4. Declaration that the owner of the company has reached the age of majority

The credibility of the company is influenced by the political relations between states and the country's reputation. Sometimes foreign partners prefer to work with a business registered in St Kitts and Nevis rather than in a politically or economically less stable country.

St Kitts and Nevis: facts and places of interest

The two small islands of St Kitts and Nevis are located in the Caribbean, covering an arearnof 261 km² with a population of less than 50,000.

The locals speak English making it easy for foreigners to communicate and resolve issues that arise in everyday life. The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$ or XCD), although euros, US dollars and British pounds are also accepted.

Climate. Humid and hot, with winds constantly blowing from the southeast. It is sunny all year round and the average temperature remains +25 °C...+32 °C. The period of intermittent rains lasts from May to November, and hurricanes occur from August to October.

Nature. Jagged mountains overgrown with tropical forests, coconut groves, sandy beaches with coral reefs, pink salt lakes and blooming orchids along the river banks abound in St Kitts and Nevis. There are several extinct volcanoes in the country. A lake has formed in the crater of the highest volcano, Llamiuga.

Sightseeing. In the village of Challengers, an ancient rock painting of the Caribbean Indians has been preserved. The country has monuments of architecture from the Victorian era. Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Equestrian tournaments and a salsa and jazz music ca ival are held annually in June in St. Kitts. At the end of December, tourists arrive to take part in the most spectacular show, a carnival with colorful costumes and dances.

Christophe Harbor on the island of St Kitts near Hotel Park Hyatt and Reggie beach

A dormant volcano, Peak Nevis, with hot springs on its slopes

Brimstone Hill Fortress contains buildings and weapons from the colonial era

Transport. The country has two international airports: Robert Bradshaw is located in St Kitts and Vance Amory, on the island of Nevis.

Each island has modern ports that accept the largest cruise ships.

Public transport: minibuses, taxis and ferries. Travelling in a minibus costs $3 per 10 miles and in a taxi, $1 per mile. Ferries transport people and cars between the islands in 45 minutes. The fare is $25.

A narrow-gauge railway runs along the perimeter of the island of St Kitts, along which excursions are carried out in double-decker carriages. They last for four hours. The well-informed guides point out the sights of interest on the island and answer any questions that are raised.

Yachting. Christophe Harbor is home to the largest and most modern port in the Caribbean. There are berths for 300 ships and 60 berths for large yachts.

There is a customs office in Christophe Harbor. All amenities are equipped for yachtsmen: showers, cafes, shops and beaches. The prices for goods do not include duties. Spare parts and fuel for yachts are cheaper here than in European ports.

Only St Kitts and Nevis citizens can register a yacht under the country’s flag. The yacht is registered in one day, while the owners remain anonymous.

Visitors can travel around St Kitts by rail and a guided tour takes four hours. One of the attractions along the way is Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park

Christophe Harbor has anchorages for superyachts 45–60 meters in length

5 steps to obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment

1. Contact Immigrant Invest. St Kitts and Nevis law does not permit applicants to directly contact the department dealing with the citizenship by investment program. Our company has been issued a government license to apply for citizenship by investment on behalf of our clients.

Immigrant Invest has its own anti-money laundering compliance officer who examines the investor's documents and assesses the risk of the application being rejected. If they consider that everything is in order, the application is taken to the next stage.

2. Sign a contract. The investor and the agent company sign an agreement at the Immigrant Invest office or exchange documents through a courier.

3. Prepare and submit documents. Our lawyers translate documents into English and notarize them. They fill out the relevant government forms, upload scans of documents to the program's website, and mail the originals to St Kitts and Nevis. The investor pays us for reviewing the application review and a Due Diligence fee.

4. Wait for the decision of the St Kitts and Nevis government. The CBI Unit begins to consider the investor's application after receiving the original documents. The application processing takes 3 to 6 months. The expedited service, for an additional fee, reduces the verification process to 60 days.

The St Kitts and Nevis government conveys the decision on the application to the licensed agent. If the application is approved, the applicant must fulfill the investment conditions within 90 days.

5. Obtain citizenship documents. Our lawyers hand over the passport and naturalisation certificate to the investor at the Immigrant Invest office or send them by courier.

Frequently Asked Questions