How to get a St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is among the oldest and most respected. Established in 1984, it is the longest-running CBI program globally.

Under the CBI Index Report 2023, the St Kitts and Nevis program ranks the best across different areas, including:

• freedom of movement;

• minimum investment amount;

• ease of processing.

Requirements for participants are the following:

• investor must be over 18 with legal income, without a criminal record and serious illnesses;

• spouse of the opposite sex without a criminal record;

• children under 25, financially dependent on the investor or spouse;

• parents over 65, financially dependent on the investor.

Due Diligence. Applicants and their dependents aged 16 and above must undergo a thorough background check conducted by the government of St Kitts and Nevis. This Due Diligence process ensures that applicants meet the character requirements for citizenship.

All the terms of St Kitts and Nevis’s CBI program

Application documentation. Applicants are required to submit various documents as part of their application, including:

1. Passport and identification documents.

2. Birth certificates.

3. Marriage certificates.

4. Police clearance certificates.

5. Health certificates.

6. Proof of the source of funds for the investment.

Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the government of St Kitts and Nevis. If the application meets all requirements and is approved, applicants and their eligible family members will be granted citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis.

Investment options. The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program provides three options: a non-refundable contribution, the purchase of real estate, and the Public Benefit Option.

Let’s explore why the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program and the country's tax system are attractive for investors

To obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship, investors contribute $250,000 to the Federal Consolidated Fund under the Sustainable Island State Contribution Option. The contribution is non-refundable, made once, and doesn’t imply income.

The main advantage is that it requires fewer investments. If the investor participates in the CBI program alone, the total investment sum will amount to $270,000, including additional expenses.

The expenses increase when the investor adds family members to the application for citizenship. Family participation might be more beneficial under a real estate purchase option.

Contributions go to the Federal Consolidated Fund. It distributes investments between St Kitts and Nevis social programs to fight poverty and climate change. For example, the fund’s money went to help those affected by hurricanes.

Investors buy shares or condominium units in projects approved by the country’s government. Applicants usually invest $400,000, but $800,000 is the minimum investment in a single-family private dwelling designated as an Approved Private Home.

The main advantage is that the investments are refundable. The property can be sold in 7 years. The investor can earn an income of 2 to 5% per annum from leasing the property.

St Kitts and Nevis offers about a hundred real estate projects for purchase under the CBI program. Investors can also buy unapproved projects.

Immigrant Invest real estate experts analysed the developers’ offers and selected the best properties for investors.

Examples of investment properties in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts & Nevis, Frigate Bay

$400,000 — $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

$440,000+

Fraction in five star hotel under management of Hyatt Group

St Kitts & Nevis, Basseterre

$440,000+

Share in a 5-star hotel managed by Hyatt

Applicants invest $250,000 in Approved Public Benefit Projects.

Investors who would like to develop a project that brings substantial benefits to St Kitts and Nevis can apply to be designated as an Approved Public Benefactor. Once recognised, they can propose their projects for designation as Approved Public Benefit Projects, making them eligible for sale through this option.

Projects approved as Public Benefit Projects by the citizenship by investment unit boost local employment and facilitate technology transfer and capacity building in St Kitts and Nevis.

When obtaining citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis through the CBI Program, applicants are required to pay various fees. These fees cover different aspects of the application process and the investment in the country’s economy.

State fees. These fees are payable to the government of St Kitts and Nevis and cover the cost of processing the citizenship application. Government processing fees vary depending on the number of dependents and the chosen investment option. Generally, these fees can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.

Due Diligence fees. Applicants and their eligible dependents aged 16 and above must undergo a Due Diligence background check conducted by the government of St Kitts and Nevis. Due Diligence fees cover the cost of these checks and are typically charged per applicant.

Additional fees may be associated with the application process, such as courier fees for document delivery, translation fees for non-English documents, mandatory interviews, and other administrative expenses.

Obtaining citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis, a passport from the country offers several benefits, which may appeal to individuals seeking greater mobility, financial opportunities, and security.

1. Fast and remote process. St Kitts and Nevis’s citizenship by investment program is designed for efficiency, typically concluding within 6 months. The application and all related processes can be done remotely.

2. No residency requirement. The investment program comes with the added advantage of no mandatory residence requirement. It means applicants don’t need to live in St Kitts and Nevis before, during, or after the application process.

3. Increased global mobility is an important benefit under the citizenship by investment program. St Kitts and Nevis citizens do not need visas or obtain visas upon arrival in most countries.

4. Obtainment of the US visas. St Kitts and Nevis passport holders can get a B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa for the US, valid for 10 years and allowing multiple entries. Those visas can be extended online without an interview if they are valid or expired during the past 24 months.

St Kitts and Nevis citizens can also get a 10-year tourist visa to Canada that grants multiple 180-day entries.

5. Investment opportunities. The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program allows individuals to obtain citizenship through investment in the country’s economy. It can provide access to investment opportunities in the Caribbean region and potentially generate returns on investment.

6. Tax benefits. St Kitts and Nevis is known for its favourable tax environment, including no personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax.

7. Dual citizenship. St Kitts and Nevis allows for dual citizenship. Investors can retain original citizenship while holding a St Kitts and Nevis passport. It provides added flexibility and benefits.

Gareth,

Entrepreneur from England

How a UK citizen acquired St Kitts and Nevis citizenship and cut taxes

Gareth got tired of living in a big city, the unstable political situation worldwide, and of the rapidly rising prices. The businessman wanted his second home to be remote and secluded. Gareth had been on Caribbean cruises and was familiar with the region, so he created a Plan B.

Five Caribbean countries offer citizenship by investment under similar terms. Looking closer at the countries, Gareth discovered he could find a second home and cut taxes.

Learn a case

Residency and naturalisation. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate that they have resided in St Kitts and Nevis for a minimum of 14 consecutive years, including continuous residence throughout the 12 months immediately prior to their application.

Descent or birth. Individuals born in the country to at least one citizen parent are eligible for citizenship by birth. Additionally, individuals born outside of St Kitts and Nevis may be eligible for citizenship if at least one parent is a citizen of the country.

Marriage to a citizen. A spouse of a St Kitts or Nevis national can apply for citizenship following three years of lawful marriage. However, it is prohibited to marry a citizen of the country primarily to acquire citizenship.

The government may deny applications from spouses undergoing a divorce or no longer residing together as a married couple.

The list of countries and territories with which Saint Kitts and Nevis have a visa-free regime is flexible and changes constantly depending on the situation in the world.

St Kitts and Nevis citizens do not need visas for 97 countries. When crossing the border, it is enough to provide a national passport. In most cases, the maximum stay is 90 days.

Visa on arrival is issued in 24 countries. Thе visualisation takes place at the airport or a security checkpoint.

Electronic Travel Authorization, eTA, is issued in 32 countries. The estimated time of arrival can be obtained online through the request form on the special website of the country’s migration service. The process usually takes 1—2 days.

Fewer than 50,000 inhabitants reside on the two islands of St Kitts and Nevis. The state is situated to the east of Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Saint Kitts and Nevis was a British colony until 1983. The country’s legal system is based on English law. The country is part of the British Commonwealth, and its formal ruler is the British Queen.

English is the language of communication in the country.

The taxation system allows for the optimisation. There are no taxes on gifts, inheritance, capital gains, or dividends in the country.

The main currency is the East Caribbean dollar. 1 US dollar is equivalent to 2.7 East Caribbean dollars.

Saint Kitts and Nevis combines tropical nature, beautiful beaches, and respectability. The capital, Basseterre, is the centre of business, culture, and fashion. Many Hollywood stars visit to relax and shop.

The country’s economy is based on tourism and agriculture. There are many luxurious hotels and a developed tourist infrastructure. On the islands, sugar cane, coffee, and cotton are primarily grown.

St Kitts and Nevis allows for dual citizenship. It means that individuals who obtain St Kitts and Nevis passport through the Citizenship by Investment program or any other means can retain their original citizenship while holding citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis simultaneously.

Dual citizenship offers several advantages, including:

1. Increased travel opportunities. With dual citizenship, individuals can benefit from visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a broader range of countries, as they can choose to travel on either passport, depending on their destination.

2. Access to services. Dual citizens have access to the rights and privileges afforded to citizens of both countries, including healthcare, education, and social welfare services.

3. Business and investment opportunities. Holding citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis and another country can give individuals access to diverse business and investment opportunities in both jurisdictions.

4. Cultural and personal connections. Dual citizenship allows individuals to maintain strong ties to their country of origin while forging connections and contributing to the community in St Kitts and Nevis.

1. St Kitts and Nevis’ citizenship by investment program offers individuals and families an efficient and flexible pathway to citizenship.

2. The program, designed to attract foreign investment and promote economic development, provides three options with varying minimum investment requirements — $250,000 to 800,000.

3. The process typically concludes within 6+ months, and applicants can benefit from remote application procedures without residency requirements.

4. To navigate the application process successfully, applicants must meet Due Diligence requirements, submit required documentation, and cover associated government and Due Diligence fees. Applications are accepted from licensed agents only.