Key points about the St Kitts citizenship by investment program
The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program was established in 1984 and became one of the most successful in the world. It requires applicants to contribute to the country. In exchange, investors and their families are granted full citizenship.
Compared to other investment programs, investors are attracted by relatively simple procedures and low St Kitts passport costs. For example, obtaining a residence permit in Portugal or Spain takes three to four times more than 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 two investment options: a contribution to a state fund and a real estate purchase.
Non-refundable contribution of $125,000+
To get a St Kitts and Nevis passport, an applicant must make a non-refundable contribution to the state-owned Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF). The St Kitts and Nevis government spends the fund's money on developing healthcare, education, tourism, culture, and alternative energy.
The total contribution depends on the number of family members included in the application: an additional $25,000 has to be paid for a spouse and $10,000 for each child or parent. Unmarried siblings under 30 also get St Kitts and Nevis passports if investors pay $20,000 for a person.
Cost of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by contribution
| Family members | Contribution to the fund | Requirements |
| Investor | $125,000 | Over 18 years old, without criminal records and severe illness |
| Spouse | +$25,000 | Opposite sex, without criminal records |
| Children | +$10,000 | Under 25, fully financially dependent on the main investor |
| Parents | +$10,000 | Over 55, fully financially dependent on main investor |
| Siblings | +$20,000 | Under 25, unmarried, without children |
Real estate purchase for $175,000+
Applicants can also participate in the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program by investing in commercial real estate.
$175,000 is the minimum investment in a share of a social or infrastructure real estate project in St Kitts and Nevis. Applicants can also purchase shares, apartments or villas in projects pre-approved by the government for the citizenship program for $200,000. The projects include five-star hotels and resorts, apartments, villas, and yacht berths.
The basic real estate investment amount is the same for single applicants and families.
Why the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program and the country's tax system are attractive for investors
Cost of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment in real estate
| Family members | Real estate purchase | Requirements |
| Investor | $200,000 | Over 18 years old, without criminal records and severe illness |
| Spouse | $0 | Opposite sex, without criminal records |
| Children | $0 | Under 25, fully financially dependent on the main investor |
| Parents | $0 | Over 55, fully financially dependent on main investor |
| Siblings | $0 | Under 25, unmarried, without children |
Shares in real estate earn stable interest of 3 to 4% per annum. After 5 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.
Additional expenses for applicants
The St Kitts and Nevis investment program is the only one with a fast-track procedure. If you want to get your application approved within 60 days, you need to pay $25,000.
In addition to the investment, the applicant pays a non-refundable Due Diligence fee for each family member: $7,500 for the main applicant and $4,000 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: $35,050 for the main applicant, $20,050 for a spouse, and $10,050 for each additional family member.
Investment amount and other fees in both options
| Expense item | Investor | Married couple | Married couple with a child under 16 | Married couple with children under 16 and over 16 |
| Real estate purchase | ||||
| Investment | $200,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| State fee | $25,000 | $40,000 | $50,000 | $65,000 |
| Due Diligence | $7,500 | $11,500 | $11,500 | $15,500 |
| Other fees | $1,000+ | $2,000+ | $3,000+ | $3,000+ |
| Bank charges | $200 | $300 | $350 | $400 |
| Total amount | $233,700+ | $253,800 | $264,850 | $283,900 |
| Contribution to the fund | ||||
| Investment | $125,000 | $175,000 | $185,000 | $185,000 |
| Due Diligence | $7,500 | $11,500 | $11,500 | $15,500 |
| Other fees | $1,000+ | $2,000+ | $3,000+ | $3,000+ |
| Bank charges | $200 | $300 | $350 | $400 |
| Total amount | $133,700 | $188,800 | $199,850 | $203,900 |
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, he pays $50.
When buying real estate, investors contribute to the insurance fund and pay fees for the transfer of property ownership.
Benefits of a St Kitts and Nevis passport
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.
Travelling without visas. You can visit 156 countries without visas, including the Schengen states, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Obtaining a US tourist 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 income, wealth or 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
With St Kitts and Nevis passport, the investor and his family members have plan B in case of political, economic and other issues in the country of the first residency.
St Kitts and Nevis citizens can obtain a B-1/B-2 visa to the US for ten years.
Yes, it does. But you should find out what rules operate in the country of origin. Whether the government allows you to have second citizenship or you must renounce it.
Yes. St Kitts and Nevis citizens can travel visa-free to 156 countries around the world, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Britain, Ireland and the Schengen states. A St Kitts and Nevis passport gives broader travel opportunities than any other Caribbean passport.
St Kitts and Nevis tax residents do not pay taxes on dividends, interest or royalties. There is no tax on wages, capital gains or inheritance in the country.
The St Kitts and Nevis passport renewal fee is $361. Immigrant Invest lawyers can help investors to fill out legal forms and apply for a new passport.
From $125,000 — if investors contribute to the Sustainable Growth Fund. In this case, the investment is non-refundable.
If you apply under the real estate option, you can get back the money in 7 years. The investment amount starts from $200,000.
