St Kitts and Nevis citizenship cost for an investor

Launched in 1984, the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is the oldest in the world. It requires applicants to contribute to the country’s economy. In exchange, investors and their families are granted full citizenship.

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program

Compared to other investment programs, investors are attracted by relatively simple procedures and low St Kitts citizenship costs. For example, there is no language test or history exam to get a passport, and obtaining a residence permit in Portugal or Italy takes the same amount of investment as a Caribbean passport.

Investors can apply for St Kitts and Nevis passports remotely. There are also no requirements to live in the country to maintain the status.

There are three investment options: a non-refundable contribution, a real estate purchase and a public benefit unit investment.

To participate, an investor should be over 18, have a legal and stable income, have no criminal records or prosecution, and have no serious illnesses.

An investor may add family members to the application:

• a spouse of the opposite sex without criminal records;

• children under 18;

• children between 18 and 25 years old who financially depend on the investor and attend a higher education institution;

• parents over 65 years that live with the investor and are fully supported by them.

To get a St Kitts and Nevis passport, an applicant must make a non-refundable contribution to the state-owned Federal Consolidated Fund no less than $250,000. The St Kitts and Nevis government spends the fund’s money on developing healthcare, education, tourism, culture, and alternative energy. This option is called The Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC).

The total contribution depends on the number of family members included in the application: an additional $50,000 has to be paid for a spouse, $50,000 for a minor child, and $75,000 for a child over 18 or a parent.

Applicants can also participate in the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program by investing in commercial real estate.

1. At least $400,000 worth of a share in a government-approved real estate project. The projects include five-star hotels, resorts, and objects of other kinds.

2. Investment minimum of $400,000 in a condominium unit designated as an Approved Private Home.

3. Purchase of a single-family private dwelling with a price of $800,000+. The object should be designated as an Approved Private Home.

The basic real estate investment amount is the same for single applicants and families, but the state fee depends on the size of the investor’s family.

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

Shares in real estate earn stable interest of 3 to 4% per annum and lease of the property may generate an annual income of 2—5%. After 7 years, the investment can be sold, and the initial investment returned.

The program includes a free vacation for 1—2 weeks at the resort in which the applicant has invested.

Examples of properties in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts & Nevis, Frigate Bay

$325,000 — $4,000,000

Share in a villa and apartments in a luxury hotel complex

58 m² — 426 m²

1—3

1—4

St Kitts & Nevis, Basseterre

$200,000 — $495,000

Turnkey apartments in a residential complex with ocean views

186 m²

3

St Kitts & Nevis, Basseterre

$1,795,000 — $1,895,000

Townhouse with a swimming pool in a landscaped park

278 m² — 295 m²

3

3

In addition to the investment, the applicant pays a non-refundable Due Diligence fee for each family member: $10,000 for the main applicant and $7,500 for each family member over 16 included in the application. There is no Due Diligence fee for children under 16 years old.

When selecting a property, an investor pays a special state fee.

Additional government fees and bank charges also need to be paid. Investors pay $200 for themselves and $100 for a spouse, children under 18, and parents. For minor children, it is $50.

When buying real estate, investors contribute to the insurance fund and pay fees for the transfer of property ownership.

To obtain Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment, an applicant needs to pay the costs within two stages.

To apply, an investor and their family collect documents, that are sent to the St Kitts and Nevis CBI unit. At this stage, the applicants pay for the translation and notarisation of the documents and the application fee. Then, there is Due Diligence payment.

The investment itself is carried out only after the applicant receives a letter of approval. State fees, bank charges, and courier services also should be paid around the same time.

The St Kitts and Nevis Golden Visa is an alternative name for the government investment program. It means an investor can get a second passport exchange investment in a short period. Investors choose St Kitts and Nevis passports because of their wide range of benefits.

Visa-free countries with a St Kitts and Nevis passport

Travelling without visas. An investor and their family may significantly increase their global mobility with St Kitts and Nevis passports.

Obtaining a US tourist or business visa for ten years. St Kitts and Nevis citizens can obtain a B‑1/B‑2 visa to the US for ten years. Visa holders can spend up to 180 days a year in the US visiting friends and relatives, travelling around the country, being treated at local clinics, and participating in conferences or business meetings.

Tax optimisation. In Saint Kitts and Nevis, there is no local or global income, wealth, and inheritance tax. Residents don’t pay taxes on dividends, royalties, and interest they earn in the country.

Available services of the Caribbean and European banks. With a St Kitts and Nevis passport, you can open accounts in the Caribbean and use all banking services. Depending on the country of first citizenship, it may be easier for an investor with a Caribbean passport to open accounts in Europe and the US.

How to open a bank account in St Kitts and Nevis

Retaining citizenship of other countries. St Kitts and Nevis legislation allows its citizens to have a second passport. Therefore, when obtaining a passport, the investor does not need to renounce the citizenship of other states.

An investor must renew their St Kitts and Nevis passport ten years later. Children under 16 get new St Kitts passports every five years. Documents for a passport renewal are submitted to the immigration service. The investors contact a licensed agent to renew a St Kitts and Nevis passport. The procedure is remote, and investors do not need to fly to the country.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for government programs in the European Union and the Caribbean.