How to get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment

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 2024, the St Kitts and Nevis program ranks the best across different areas, including Due Diligence, ease of processing, the simplified rules of mandatory residence and visiting the country, and the program’s stability and reputation.

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 55, financially dependent on the investor.

Family members of the investor must be included in the investor’s citizenship application. After the application has been submitted, the investor may add a spouse or minor child to the application, provided it is done before the citizenship approval date, evidenced by the issue of Certificates of Registration.

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.

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.

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.

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 $325,000, but $600,000 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.

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.

Investors pay a state fee, which amount depends on the family member:

• $25,000 for the main applicant;

• $15,000 for the spouse;

• $10,000 per dependant under 18;

• $15,000 per dependant over 18.

Additionally, applicants pay fees for Due Diligence, certificates of naturalisation, and passports. The total investment amount is:

• $285,661 for a single investor;

• $308,822 for a married couple;

• $326,983 for a family of 3 people.

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.

These fees for a single applicant are consistent across all options and must be accounted for when budgeting for the program:

• Due Diligence fee — $10,000;

• processing fee — $250;

• Naturalisation Certificate fee — $50;

• passport fee — $361.

The government fees depend on the chosen investment option and the number of applicants. For example, under the real estate and Public Benefit investment options, the government fee is $25,000 for the main applicant, with additional fees for a spouse and children.

Due Diligence fee is $4,000 for each dependent over 16 years old.

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 $325,000 and 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.

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.

Arsen, 38 years old

Businessman from Yerevan

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.

Learn a case

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.

8. 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 under the age of 18 can become citizens by submitting an appropriate registration application.

9. Benefits for Commonwealth Citizens. St Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. 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.

10. Second home in a peaceful country. Citizens can visit St Kitts and Nevis anytime and stay there as long as they want. It may become useful to change scenery or in an emergency in the country of permanent residence.

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

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.

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;

• 6 to 10% on the sale of real estate.

Corporate tax rates are also quite low for St Kitts and Nevis tax-resident organisations:

• up to 0.3% on real estate;

• 6 to 10% on the sale of real estate;

• 6% social contributions;

• 33% on global income.

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 recognised 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.

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

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.

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.

Climate. Humid and hot, with winds constantly blowing from the southeast. It is sunny all year round and the average temperature remains +25…32°C. The period of intermittent rains lasts from May to November, and hurricanes occur from August to October.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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 locals speak English making it easy for foreigners to communicate and resolve issues that arise in everyday life.

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.

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.

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 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 600,000.

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.

5. St Kitts and Nevis citizenship provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 97+ countries tax advantages, dual citizenship, and transferable citizenship to dependents.