Second Citizenship
calendar iconJanuary 15, 2024
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St Kitts and Nevis citizenship cost for an investor

The minimum requirement under the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is $250,000 for a non-refundable contribution and $400,000 for real estate purchase. Obtaining period is at least 6 months.

St Kitts and Nevis passport cost depends on the chosen investment option and the number of family members included in the application. The total expenses for a single applicant, including investment and fees, start at $260,661.

Zlata Erlach
Zlata Erlach

Calculated St Kitts and Nevis citizenship cost

St Kitts and Nevis passport price

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship cost for an investor

Key points about the St Kitts citizenship by investment program

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. 

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.

Non-refundable contribution of $250,000+

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.

Cost of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by contribution 

Family members

Contribution to the fund

Requirements

Investor

$250,000

Over 18 years old, without criminal records and severe illness, with a legal and stable income

Spouse

+$50,000

Opposite sex, without criminal records

Children under 18

+$50,000

Children between 18 and 25

+$75,000

In full-time attendance at a recognised secondary or tertiary-level institution of learning, fully financially dependent on main investor

Parents

+$75,000

Over 65, living with and fully supported by the main applicant

Real estate purchase for $400,000+

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

State fee of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment in real estate

Family members

State fee

Requirements

Investor

$25,000

Over 18 years old, without criminal records and severe illness, with a legal and stable income

Spouse

$15,000

Opposite sex, without criminal records

Children under 18

$10,000

Children between 18 and 25

$15,000

In full-time attendance at a higher education institution, fully financially dependent on main investor

Parents

$15,000

Over 65, living with and fully supported by the main applicant

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.

Additional expenses for applicants

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.

Investment amount and other fees in all options

Expense item

Investor

Married couple

Married couple with a child aged 9

Married couple with children aged 9 and 18

Real estate purchase

Minimum investment

$400,000

$400,000

$400,000

$400,000

State fee

$25,000

$40,000

$50,000

$65,000

Due Diligence

$10,000

$17,500

$17,500

$25,000

Other fees

$1,000+

$2,000+

$3,000+

$3,000+

Bank charges

$200

$300

$350

$400

Total amount

$436,200+

$459,800+

$470,850+

$495,900+

Contribution to the fund

Minimum investment

$250,000

$300,000

$350,000

$350,000

Due Diligence

$10,000

$17,500

$17,500

$25,000

Other fees

$1,000+

$2,000+

$3,000+

$3,000+

Bank charges

$200

$300

$350

$400

Total amount

$261,200+

$319,800+

$370,850+

$378,400+

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.

Individual cost calculation of the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

Individual cost calculation of the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment payout order

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

Schedule of the costs payment

Payments before the application approval

Payments after the application approval

Translation and notarisation of documents

State fee for real estate

Due Diligence

Investment

Application fee

Courier and naturalisation certificate fees

Bank charges

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.

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. 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.

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.

Will you obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

Practical Guide

Will you obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the benefits of St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship?

    With St Kitts and Nevis passports, 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.

  • Does St Kitts allow dual citizenship?

    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.

  • Is Saint Kitts passport worth it?

    Yes. 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.

  • How much does it cost to renew a passport in St Kitts?

    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.

  • How much does it cost to get citizenship in St Kitts?

    From $250,000 — if investors contribute to the Federal Consolidated 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 $400,000.

    There are additional expenses such as Due Diligence, government fees, and bank charges. The minimum cost is $436,200 for real estate purchase and $261,200 for the Fund contribution.