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.
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.
The Head of the Legal Department, lawyer, Candidate of Juridical Sciences, Judicial Counsellor of the 3rd Class
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
| Expenses | Amount |
| 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.
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
| Expenses | Amount |
| 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 | Contribution to the state fund | Purchase of social real estate | Purchase of commercial real estate |
| Investment amount | $180,000 | $175,000+ | $200,000+ |
| Government fee | Not charged | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Due Diligence | $15,500 | $15,500 | $15,500 |
| Other fees | $2,644 | $2,644 | $2,644 |
| Total | $198,144+ | $258,144+ | $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.
