19 benefits of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship and ways to obtain it by investment

The Citizenship by Investment program allows to obtain St Kitts and Nevis naturalisation in 6+ months. Here are the main advantages the new citizens enjoy.

1. Global mobility. An increase in global mobility is an important benefit of the citizenship by investment program. St Kitts and Nevis citizens do not need visas at all or obtain visas upon arrival in most countries.

2. Long-term visas to the US and Canada. Tourists and entrepreneurs with a St Kitts and Nevis passport can get a B‑1/B‑2 visa for the US, which is valid for 10 years and allows multiple entries. Those visas can be extended online without an interview if they are still 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.

How to obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

3. Access to quality education. Students and scholars in any field get educational benefits as St Kitts and Nevis citizens. They can apply for fully-funded scholarship programs in the country and abroad: in the UK and Commonwealth, the US, the EU, or Asia. Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD opportunities from leading educational institutions worldwide are also available for the country’s nationals.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is also known for its prominent medical institutions, for example, the University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Students and graduates of the country’s universities are qualified to sit for medical licensing exams and gain residency and licensure in the US and Canada.

As for young children, the compulsory 12-year school program in the county is free.

4. Strong economy. Local gross domestic product is growing and is projected to reach $1.38 billion in 2028.

The East Caribbean Dollar has been pegged to the US Dollar at a 2.7 to 1 rate for more than 45 years, which makes it a stable currency. Currencies like US Dollar, Euro, and Pound sterling are also widely accepted across the islands, especially in tourist areas.

5. Robust banking sector. Saint Kitts and Nevis citizens can open bank accounts in the Caribbean in person or remotely and transfer financial assets. Foreign exchange transactions are unlimited and can be in any currency. Businesses can also be eligible for financing from local banks.

6. High privacy of business operations and transactions. Foreign IT providers aren’t obligated to turn over source code or surveillance data to the government of St Kitts and Nevis. The banking sector conceals private data and doesn’t share it outside the tax residency or with the general public.

7. Free trade area and preferential access within the CARICOM market. A large spectre of goods traded within the Caribbean Community is kept duty- and quota-free.

Lenient taxation system. In St Kitts and Nevis, there are no taxes on personal income, capital gains, estate, royalties, interest, dividends, technical services, inheritance, or gifts.

The value-added tax rate on products like milk, rice, oats, bread, flour, or sugar is 0%. The reduced rate of 10% is applied to hotels and restaurants. The standard rate is 17%.

Double taxation agreements are in place with several countries, including the US, the UK, and Canada.

Tax holidays. Any St Kitts and Nevis-based enterprise can apply for a tax holiday under the Fiscal Incentives Act. This means up to 15 years of a break from taxes, including the 33% corporate tax.

1. No residency is necessary. Investors and their families don’t have to permanently reside in St Kitts and Nevis in order to gain or keep their citizenship.

2. The process normally takes 6 months. No language or history exams are required. Applicants don’t have to wait long for the decision on their citizenship application.

3. Investments can bring profit and be returned if you choose the real estate option. This is one of the primary St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment benefits.

Applicants can purchase residential or business property pre-approved by the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program and earn income from renting or operating it. Leasing such property yields a 2—5% annual income.

Examples of properties in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts & Nevis, Frigate Bay

$325,000 — $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

$350,000+

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

4. Dual citizenship is permitted. St Kitts and Nevis passport holders don’t have to renounce their other citizenship. Thus they can enjoy both nations' economic, legal, educational, cultural, and other advantages.

5. Citizenship will be passed to descendants. Getting a St Kitts and Nevis passport means securing a future for family generations to come, with all the benefits of Caribbean citizenship.

Kittitian and Nevisian citizens can make the country their second home, freely live in the majority of Caribbean Community countries, or simply make holiday visits. St Kitts and Nevis is also excellent for retirees who can enjoy its stability and sun-filled climate.

Year-round tropical climate. The country is the epitome of a Caribbean paradise. The average temperature is +27.5°C, and the ocean rarely gets colder than +26°C.

Rich culture. The country’s historical heritage is a melting pot of African, Carib, English, and French influences. The islands have year-round celebrations of their diverse culture: from carnivals and music festivals to architecture.

Great local cuisine based on Caribbean recipes with an abundance of fresh fruit, grains, spices, meat, and fish.

How to enjoy life in St Kitts and Nevis

Robust recreation and leisure industry. The country has a whole package of things to do, be it yachting, scuba diving, water sports, hiking, playing golf on world-class courts, and more. The infrastructure is developed up to global standards, including fully accommodated superyacht marinas and moorings.

Yacht owners with a St Kitts and Nevis passport can register their yachts in the country, unlike foreigners. The whole process only takes a day, and owner names will remain anonymous. Registered commercial yachts can be rented out for a maximum of 84 days.

Free healthcare for children under 18 and adults over 62. Healthcare is on par with British standards.

English-speaking population. More than 90% of locals speak English, making private and business communications a breeze.

Essen and Guzel,

Obtained St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment in 2019

When obtaining St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment, I added my spouse, my child, and later my parents to the program. Now we all reside in the capital city of Basseterre every winter season, and my parents live happily in their own apartment near the beach. 

I also purchased a yacht, and the entire family enjoys boat trips, swimming, sunbathing on the deck, and fishing — as often as we can!

Living in St Kitts and Nevis as an American citizen can offer several advantages and disadvantages. It’s essential to conduct thorough research and possibly visit the country before making a decision to relocate there permanently.

Living in St Kitts and Nevis provides US citizens with a blend of financial benefits, lifestyle advantages, and investment opportunities, such as:

1. Beautiful environment. St Kitts and Nevis offer stunning natural landscapes, with pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and a generally pleasant tropical climate.

2. Tax benefits. St Kitts and Nevis are known for their favourable tax policies, including no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax. This can be particularly attractive for American citizens seeking tax advantages.

3. Citizenship by investment. The country offers a citizenship-by-investment program, allowing individuals to obtain citizenship through investment in real estate or a contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund.

4. Cultural diversity. The islands have a rich cultural heritage influenced by African, British, and Caribbean traditions, offering a unique and vibrant cultural experience.

5. Safety and stability. St Kitts and Nevis are generally considered safe and stable countries with low crime rates compared to other Caribbean nations.

US citizens should also consider certain drawbacks, such as limited job prospects and the isolation of St Kitts and Nevis as islands, which can lead to more complex and costly travel. The risk of hurricanes and potentially lower accessibility of medical services are also related to disadvantages.

The governmental citizenship by investment program has three options and several categories to choose from:

• Federal Consolidated Fund under the Sustainable Island State Contribution — $250,000;

• real estate property purchase — $325,000 with an opportunity to sell the property in 7 years;

• Public Benefit Option — $250,000.

Additional expenses within the program include other administrative state fees. However, property investors who obtain St Kitts and Nevis CBI by purchasing government-approved real estate get other advantages. For instance, they don’t have to pay the 10% Alien Land Holder licence fee.

An investor participating in the St Kitts and Nevis CBI program will be the main applicant. They can also add their spouse, as well as family members who are principally dependent on them: children and parents.

All applicants will receive the same life-long St Kitts and Nevis citizenship and the same rights.

1. Obtaining citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis through the citizenship by investment program offers numerous benefits for high-net-worth individuals, such as increased global mobility and an opportunity to optimise taxes.

2. St Kitts and Nevis provides a pathway to a second citizenship without requiring residency, language exams, or extensive waiting periods.

3. Investors can choose from various investment options, including non-refundable contributions of $250,000 and investment in government-approved real estate projects of $325,000.

4. Beyond the practical benefits, citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis offers a high quality of life with a tropical climate, rich culture, and robust recreational opportunities.

5. By partnering with approved agents like Immigrant Invest, investors can navigate the application process smoothly and realise their dreams of acquiring citizenship in this idyllic island nation.