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Second citizenship

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

St Kitts and Nevis was the first country to launch a citizenship by investment program. Since 1984, more than 20,000 applicants have obtained passports by investment. Investors are attracted by the benefits citizenship offers, such as the freedom of travel. Citizenship by investment costs at least $250,000, and the registration process takes minimum of 6 months.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment: All about the Program and 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 156 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.

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.

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

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.

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 156 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

Asia

No.

Country

Entry conditions

1

Armenia

Visa on arrival

2

Bangladesh

Visa not required

3

East Timor

Visa on arrival

4

Hong Kong

Visa not required

5

Georgia

Visa not required

6

Israel

Visa not required

7

Indonesia

Visa not required

8

Jordan

Visa on arrival

9

Iran

Visa on arrival

10

Cambodia

Visa on arrival

11

Laos

Visa on arrival

12

Lebanon

Visa on arrival

13

Macau

Visa on arrival

14

Malaysia

Visa not required

15

Maldives

Visa on arrival

16

Nepal

Visa on arrival

17

Pakistan

Electronic entry permit

18

Palestinian Territory

Visa not required

19

Singapore

Visa not required

20

Taiwan

Visa not required

21

Turkey

Visa not required

22

Uzbekistan

Visa not required

23

Philippines

Visa not required

24

Sri Lanka

Electronic entry permit

25

South Korea

Visa not required

Africa
No. Country Entry conditions
1 Botswana Visa not required
2 Burundi Visa on arrival
3 Gambia Visa not required
4 Guinea-Bissau Visa upon arrival
5 Egypt Visa upon arrival
6 Zambia Visa not required
7 Zimbabwe Visa not required
8 Cape Verde Visa upon arrival
9 Kenya Visa not required
10 Comoros Visa upon arrival
11 Lesotho Visa not required
12 Mauritius Visa not required
13 Mauritania Visa upon arrival
14 Madagascar Visa upon arrival
15 Mayotte Visa not required
16 Malawi Visa not required
17 Mozambique Visa upon arrival
18 Saint Helena Visa upon arrival
19 Reunion Visa not required
20 Rwanda Visa not required
21 Seychelles Visa upon arrival
22 Senegal Visa not required
23 Somalia Visa upon arrival
24 Sierra Leone Visa upon arrival
25 Tanzania Visa not required
26 Togo Visa upon arrival
27 Tunisia Visa not required
28 Uganda Visa on arrival

 

Europe

No.

Country

Entry conditions

1

Austria

Visa not required

2

Albania

Visa not required

3

Andorra

Visa not required

4

Belarus

Visa not required

5

Belgium

Visa not required

6

Bulgaria

Visa not required

7

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Visa not required

8

Vatican

Visa not required

9

Great Britain

Visa not required

10

Hungary

Visa not required

11

Germany

Visa not required

12

Gibraltar

Visa not required

13

Greece

Visa not required

14

Denmark

Visa not required

15

Ireland

Visa not required

16

Iceland

Visa not required

17

Spain

Visa not required

18

Italy

Visa not required

19

Cyprus

Visa not required

20

Kosovo

Visa not required

21

Latvia

Visa not required

22

Lithuania

Visa not required

23

Liechtenstein

Visa not required

24

Luxembourg

Visa not required

25

Malta

Visa not required

26

Moldova

Visa not required

27

Monaco

Visa not required

28

Netherlands

Visa not required

29

Norway

Visa not required

30

Poland

Visa not required

31

Portugal

Visa not required

32

Russian Federation

Visa not required

33

Romania

Visa not required

34

San Marino

Visa not required

35

North Macedonia

Visa not required

36

Serbia

Visa not required

37

Slovakia

Visa not required

38

Slovenia

Visa not required

39

Ukraine

Visa not required

40

Faroe Islands

Visa not required

41

Finland

Visa not required

42

France

Visa not required

43

Croatia

Visa not required

44

Montenegro

Visa not required

45

Czech Republic

Visa not required

46

Switzerland

Visa not required

47

Sweden

Visa not required

48

Estonia

Visa not required

Oceania

No.

Country

Entry conditions

1

Vanuatu

Visa not required

2

Kiribati

Visa not required

3

Micronesia

Visa not required

4

Niue

Visa not required

5

New Caledonia

Visa not required

6

Cook Islands

Visa not required

7

Palau

Visa on arrival

8

Samoa

Visa on arrival

9

Solomon Islands

Visa on arrival

10

Tonga

Visa on arrival

11

Tuvalu

Visa on arrival

12

Fiji

Visa not required

13

French Polynesia

Visa not required

North America

No.

Country

Entry conditions

1

Anguilla

Visa not required

2

Antigua and Barbuda

Visa not required

3

Bahamas

Visa not required

4

Barbados

Visa not required

5

Belize

Visa not required

6

Bermuda

Visa not required

7

British Virgin Islands

Visa not required

8

Haiti

Visa not required

9

Guatemala

Visa not required

10

Honduras

Visa not required

11

Grenada

Visa not required

12

Greenland

Visa not required

13

Dominica

Visa not required

14

Dominican Republic

Visa not required

15

Cayman Islands

Visa not required

16

Cuba

Visa not required

17

Montserrat

Visa not required

18

Nicaragua

Visa not required

19

Panama

Visa not required

20

El Salvador

Visa not required

21

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Visa not required

22

St Lucia

Visa not required

23

Sint Maarten

Visa not required

24

Turks and Caicos Islands

Visa not required

25

Trinidad and Tobago

Visa not required

26

French West Indies

Visa not required

27

Jamaica

Visa not required

South America

No.

Country

Entry conditions

1

Argentina

Visa not required

2

Aruba

Visa not required

3

Bolivia

Visa upon arrival

4

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

Visa not required

5

Brazil

Visa not required

6

Venezuela

Visa not required

7

Guyana

Visa not required

8

Colombia

Visa not required

9

Costa Rica

Visa not required

10

Curacao

Visa not required

11

Peru

Visa not required

12

Suriname

Visa not required

13

Uruguay

Visa not required

14

French Guiana

Visa not required

15

Chile

Visa not required

16

Ecuador

Visa not required

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.

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

  • a spouse;
  • children under 25, including the ones from previous marriages;
  • parents over 65.

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

Children between 18 and 25 years old and parents 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.

Why the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program and the country's tax system are attractive for investors

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.

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  three investment options:

$250,000+
Non-refundable fund contribution to the Federal Consolidated Fund under the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC)
$400,000+
Real estate purchase
$250,000+
Public Good Investment Option

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.

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

CostsInvestorMarried coupleFamily of 3 or more
Contribution to the fund$250,000$300,000$350,000 for a family of up to 4 people
+$50,000 per dependant under 18
+ $75,000 per dependant over 18
Due Diligence fee$10,000$17,500$10,000 for the investor

+ $7,500 per family member over 16
Passport fee$361$722$1,083+
Application processing fee$250$500$750+
Issuing a certificate of naturalisation$50$100$150+
Total$260,661$318,822$376,983+

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.

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. $400,000+ can be invested in a share in a government-approved real estate project. The projects include five-star hotels and resorts, and objects of other kinds.
  2. Shares, apartments and villas in government-approved hotel complexes. The minimum investment $400,000+ can also be invested in a condominium unit designated as an Approved Private Home.
  3. $800,000 is the minimum investment in a single-family private dwelling designated as an Approved Private Home.

The property can be sold in 7 years. The investor can earn an income of 2 to 5% per annum from leasing the property.

Examples of investment properties in St Kitts and Nevis

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:

  • $25,000 for an investor;
  • $15,000 for a spouse;
  • $10,000 per dependant under 18 and parent;
  • $15,000 per dependent over 18.

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

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

CostsInvestorMarried coupleFamily of 3 or more
Purchase of real estate$400,000$400,000$400,000
State fee$25,000$40,000$25,000 for the investor

+ $15,000 for a spouse
+ $10,000 per dependant under 18
+ $15,000 per dependant over 18
Due Diligence fee$10,000$17,500$10,000 for the investor

+ $7,500 per family member over 16
Passport fee$361$722$1,083+
Application processing fee$250$500$750+
Issuing a certificate of naturalisation$50$100$150+
Total$435,661$458,822$476,983

Public Good Investment Option

Applicants make investments exceeding $250,000 in initiatives recognized as Approved Public Benefit Projects.

InvestorMarried couple Family of 3 or more
Investment$250,000$250,000$250,000
State fee$25,000$40,000$25,000 for the investor

+ $15,000 for a spouse
+ $10,000 per dependant under 18
+ $15,000 per dependant over 18
Due Diligence$10,000$17,500$10,000 for the investor

+ $7,500 per family member over 16
Application processing fee$250$500$750
Passport fee$361$722$1,083+
Issuing a certificate of naturalisation$50$100$150+
Total$285,661$308,822$326,983+

Which investment option is more profitable

The minimum contribution to the SCIC and Good Public Investment is $250,000. However, this does not necessarily make these options more profitable in comparison to purchasing real estate, for contribution to the SCIC is non-refundable.

Real estate investment starts at $400,000. 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.

Comparison of expenses under three investment options for the investor, spouse and two children aged 9 and 17

CostsFund contributionProperty purchasePublic Good investment
Investment amount$350,000+$400,000+$250,000
Due Diligence fee$25,000$25,000$25,000
State fee$60,000$60,000
Other government fees$2,644$2,644
Investment amount returned-$400,000
Total$377,644$87,644$337,644

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.

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 area of 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.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment in 2021
Map of St Kitts and Nevis

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 carnival 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.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment in 2021
A dormant volcano, Peak Nevis, with hot springs on its slopes

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.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment in 2021
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

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 4 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

How much does St Kitts and Nevis citizenship cost?

Foreign citizens can obtain a St Kitts and Nevis passport by investment. The citizenship program offers three options:

  • $250,000: minimum contribution to the SISC;
  • $400,000: minimum investment in state-approved real estate;
  • $250,000: minimum investment in Public Good projects.

Investing in real estate is preferred by applicants who want their investment to be returned. The real estate bought for $400,000 can be sold after 7 years.

What are the advantages of a St Kitts and Nevis passport for an investor?

A St Kitts and Nevis passport allows the holder to enter and remain visa-free for up to 90 days in a half-year period in the EU, 180 days a year in the UK, 30 days a year in Singapore and 90 days a year in Hong Kong. It entitles the holder to travel freely to 156 countries around the world.

St Kitts and Nevis citizens can receive a B-1/B-2 visa to the United States for 10 years quickly and comfortably at the US consulate in any of the 156 countries that they can enter without a visa.

St Kitts and Nevis taxes are beneficial for businesses and individuals. The country has no taxes on capital gains, inheritance, gifts or dividends. Personal information about the owners of the company is not disclosed.

Citizens enjoy the benefits of the Commonwealth of Nations, including scholarships to study at university in the United Kingdom, which reduces their educational costs.

Does the applicant have to travel to St Kitts and Nevis to obtain citizenship?

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment can be obtained remotely: the program’s agent accepts documents from the investor, submits the application and then sends the passport and certificate of naturalization to the investor by courier. The law does not require residency in St Kitts and Nevis either at the time of the application or after citizenship has been granted.

The investor receives citizenship forever. A St Kitts and Nevis passport is renewable every 10 years. This can also be done remotely.

When does an investor need to fulfill the investment terms stipulated in the St Kitts and Nevis program?

The investment terms of CBI in Saint Kitts & Nevis need to be fulfilled within 90 days of the citizenship application being approved by the government. The department overseeing the application can extend this period if the investor applies for an extension and provides reasonable grounds for an extension.

What helps investors pass the Due Diligence check?

In order to successfully pass the Due Diligence check, the applicant must provide the correct information and authentic documents. The department in charge will reject the application if it considers the applicant has hidden information or forged documents.

It is also important that the investor does not have a criminal record, their application for citizenship or a residence permit in any other jurisdiction has not been rejected and sanctions have not been imposed on them.

What family members can participate in the CBI program in St Kitts and Nevis?

Investors can include the following family members in the application: a spouse, children under 25 and parents over 65.

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