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calendar iconJanuary 19, 2024
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St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment: choosing between a contribution and real estate

Two options are available to investors under the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program: a non-refundable contribution to a state fund and a real estate purchase. The options differ in the minimum investment amount and additional fees.

Let’s compare investors’ expenses under these options.

Lyle Julien
Lyle Julien

Told about the benefits of investment options offered by St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by real estate purchase or a contribution to the state fund

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment: choosing between a contribution and real estate

Investors choose between a contribution and a real estate purchase to obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship. The contribution amount starts at $125,000. Real estate must cost at least $175,000.

The time frame for getting a passport is 2 to 6 months. The application for citizenship by investment can include family members, namely: a spouse, children under 30, parents, grandparents and siblings.

Vladlena Baranova

Vladlena Baranova,

Lawyer, AML Compliance officer, certified CAMS specialist

If family members want to get a second passport, their participation is also paid for. The fees depend on the number of additional applicants and their age.

We calculate the costs for obtaining citizenship by investment for each family individually. The calculation includes an investment sum, additional fees, a payment schedule and a cost of legal assistance.

Non-refundable contribution to a state fund

The contribution to the state fund is the least expensive option for investors. However, it has a disadvantage because the investor can’t return the money like under the real estate option.

The main advantage of the option is that it requires fewer investment amounts. If the investor participates in the CBI program alone, the total investment sum will amount to $158,611, 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.

Minimum expenses for obtaining citizenship

Fund contribution

$170,000+ for an investor and a family of four
+ $10,000 for a dependant under 16
+ $20,000 for a dependant over 16

Due Diligence

$7,500 + $300 for a preliminary check
+ $4,000 per spouse and additional applicant over 16

Processing fee

$250 per applicant

Banking fee

$200 for the investor
+ $100 per additional applicant over 16
+ $50 per additional applicant under 16

Naturalisation certificate fee

$50 per applicant

Passport fee

$361 per applicant

Total

$158,611 for a single investor

Contributions go to the Sustainable Growth Fund. It distributes investments between St Kitts and Nevis social programs, for example, to fight poverty or help those affected by the pandemic.

The fund also finances projects that fight climate change. For example, the fund’s money went to help those affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment: Port Zante

The Government of St Kitts and Nevis use the fund money to develop the country’s infrastructure. About $48 mln were spent on the development of Port Zante in Basseterre, the capital city of St Kitts and Nevis

Options of the real estate purchase

$400,000 is the minimum cost of a property the investor buys to participate in the CBI program. It is a time-limited offer: the CBI unit accepts investors’ applications only until November 1st, 2022.

At least $200,000 is the investment amount for purchasing real estate from the government-approved list of projects. Investors usually buy shares or whole properties in five-star hotels.

$175,000 is the minimum share price in a social or infrastructural real estate project in St Kitts and Nevis.

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

Unlike the contribution, the investment amount in real estate doesn’t depend on the family composition. However, except for social projects, a special government fee is charged on all real estate purchases.

The main advantage of the option is that the investments are refundable. The investor can sell the share or property 5 years after obtaining citizenship.

Minimum expenses for obtaining citizenship

Real estate purchase

$175,000+

Government fee

$25,000 for an investor when purchasing a commercial property
+ $15,000 per spouse
+ $10,050 per child or parent
+ $40,050 per sibling
No fee is charged when investing in a social facility

Due Diligence

$7,500 + $300 for a preliminary check
+ $4,000 per spouse and additional applicant over 16

Processing fee

$250 per applicant

Banking fee

$200 for the investor
+ $100 per additional applicant over 16
+ $50 per additional applicant under 16

Naturalisation certificate fee

$50 per applicant

Passport fee

$361 per applicant

Total

$203,144 for a single investor

Examples of investment properties in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis offers about a hundred real estate projects available 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.

What to choose, a contribution or a real estate purchase?

If you are going to participate in the CBI program alone, the minimum expenses on obtaining St Kitts and Nevis passport will amount to:

  • $158,611 — with the non-refundable contribution to the state fund;

  • $203,144 — with the purchase of a real estate in the country. You will be able to return the money in 5 years by selling the property.

The expenses will increase if you add family members to St Kitts and Nevis citizenship application. The amount will depend on the number of additional applicants and their age.

Here is the minimum cost of participation in the St Kitts and Nevis program for a family of four. The calculation is made for three options and includes the investment amount and additional fees.

Expenses for a family of four with two minor children under 18

Expenses

Investment amount

Contribution to the state fund

$180,000

Purchase of social real estate

$175,000+

Purchase of commercial real estate

$200,000+

Expenses

Government fee

Contribution to the state fund

Not charged

Purchase of social real estate

$65,000

Purchase of commercial real estate

$65,000

Expenses

Due Diligence

Contribution to the state fund

$15,500

Purchase of social real estate

$15,500

Purchase of commercial real estate

$15,500

Expenses

Other fees

Contribution to the state fund

$2,644

Purchase of social real estate

$2,644

Purchase of commercial real estate

$2,644

Expenses

Total

Contribution to the state fund

$198,144+

Purchase of social real estate

$258,144+

Purchase of commercial real estate

$283,144+

Benefits of the St Kitts and Nevis passport for investors

The second citizenship for the whole family. The investor can include family members in the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment application. The eligible relatives are:

  • a spouse;

  • children under 25;

  • spouses’ parents;

  • siblings under 25.

Visa-free travel to 156 countries. St Kitts and Nevis citizens enter the EU states, the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore without visas.

The investor can also get a long-term tourist visa to the USA. The visa is issued within two weeks and stays valid for 10 years. Third-country citizens, for example, from Kazakhstan, sometimes wait for their turn to get such a visa for half a year or even longer.

Education for children at British universities. St Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The country’s citizens are eligible for scholarships and benefits to study at the best universities in the UK. For example, St Kitts and Nevis students can apply to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in Britain.

Tax optimisation. St Kitts and Nevis doesn’t have taxes on inheritance, capital gains and wages. Dividends, interest and royalties aren’t taxed either.

Vacations on the islands at any time. Investors with St Kitts and Nevis citizenship have the right to come to the country even if its borders are closed for tourists.

St Kitts and Nevis has a comfortable climate, picturesque landscapes and clean and equipped beaches. Travellers choose St Kitts and Nevis for yachting, climbing the tops of extinct volcanoes and long walks along colonial-styled streets.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.

Will you obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

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Will you obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?