Opportunities and benefits provided by St Kitts and Nevis citizenship
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 Ph.D. opportunities from leading educational institutions worldwide are also available for SKN nationals.
On-islands education is known for its medical institutions. The University of Medicine and Health Sciences is among the most prominent ones in St Kitts and Nevis. Its students 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.
Obtainment of visas. 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.
Visa-free travels. Cosmopolitans can enjoy the benefits of global travel. St Kitts and Nevis citizenship allows visa-free entry to the EU and Schengen zone. Though, starting from 2023, citizens will need a one-time ETIAS registration prior to a European Union entry, much like the US or Canadian citizens. Tourist entry to the UK is visa-free as well, with a permitted stay for up to 6 months.
Arsen is an entrepreneur from Yerevan. He often makes business trips to Europe and has a 5-year Schengen visa. However, his wife Lucine, young daughter Asmik, and elderly father Spartak had to apply for short-term Schengen visas whenever they wanted to join Arsen.
To solve this problem, Arsen decided to obtain second citizenship for himself and his relatives, choosing a country with visa-free entry to the Schengen zone and the UK.
The investor contacted Immigrant Invest and chose the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Real Estate Investment program. He applied remotely, the processing time was short, and the estimated expenses fit into the family’s budget. In 4 weeks, Arsen received the passports.
If entrepreneurs register a company in St Kitts and Nevis, they will be able to enjoy the economic benefits of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship.
Strong economy. Local Gross Domestic Product is growing, projected to reach $1.05 billion in 2022. 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 USD, EU, and GBP are also widely accepted across the islands, especially in tourist areas.
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.
The use of digital currencies is legalised, crypto assets are not taxable, and the islands have a Bitcoin ATM.
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.
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. Double taxation agreements are in place with several countries, including the US, the UK, and Canada.
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%.
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.
Enterprise groups eligible for tax holidays in St Kitts and Nevis
| Enterprise group | I | II | III | IV |
| Required contribution to the economy | Value added of at least 50% | Value added of 25%—50% | Value added of 10%—25% | Enclave enterprise that produces only export goods |
| Maximum tax holiday | 15 years | 12 years | 10 years | 15 years |
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.
What makes St Kitts and Nevis a great place to reside
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.
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 the 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.
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!
and his wife Guzel
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.
Benefits of obtaining St Kitts and Nevis citizenship via the investment program
Different nations offer different citizenship programs. Investing in St Kitts and Nevis economy is one of the most convenient ones — the benefits are listed below.
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.
The process only takes 2—6 months and is remote. The CIB program applicants don’t have to arrive in St Kitts and Nevis or visit an embassy. No language or history exams are required. Applicants don’t have to wait long for the citizenship obtainment verdict.
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 CIB program and earn income from renting or operating it. Leasing such property yields a 2%—5% annual income. After 5—7 years, its resale value can increase to 30%.
Dual citizenship is permitted. St Kitts and Nevis passport holders don’t have to revoke their other citizenship. Thus they can enjoy both nations' economic, legal, educational, cultural, and other advantages.
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.
How to obtain citizenship by investing in St Kitts and Nevis economy
The governmental Citizenship by Investment program has two options and several categories to choose from.
| Investment option | Minimal investment | Return of investment |
| Sustainable Growth Fund contribution | $125,000 until July 1, 2023 | None |
| Real estate property purchase | $400,000 for a private property | In 7 years |
| $200,000—$400,000 for government-approved projects | In 7 years | |
| $175,000 for Alternative Investment Option projects | Property can be used for generating income. It then must be turned over to the government after a reasonable operating period that allows returning the investment |
Additional expenses within the program include various 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, parents, and siblings. All applicants will receive the same life-long St Kitts and Nevis citizenship and the same rights.
How to apply for St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
- Choose a CBI agent approved by St Kitts and Nevis. It’s the only legal way to join the program. Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent approved by the government. We will help you choose the best investment option for you.
- Provide the applicants’ passports for a 1-day preliminary Due Diligence check. It will be run by our Compliance Officer.
- Prepare the documents with the help of our lawyers. The lawyers will translate data and fill out state forms for you.
- Await the completion of the Due Diligence check on St Kitts and Nevis’ side.
- Fulfil your investment pledge.
- Receive your passports for each applicant, and enjoy the benefits of citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It’s an alternative to EU citizenship that can be obtained through a reliable Citizenship by Investment program, the oldest in the Caribbean.
You can visit more than 150 countries without a visa, get a long-term B-1/B-2 visa to the US, run local and international businesses with a relaxed tax burden, invest in profitable real estate projects on the islands, get scholarships in the best educational institutions worldwide, and enjoy life under the Caribbean sun near the ocean. You can also add your family to your Citizenship by Investment program and ensure they get St Kitts and Nevis passport benefits as well.
Yes, you can travel to 157 countries and destinations around the world, including European Union states, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Hong Kong.
It is ranked 23d by the Global Passport Power Rank in 2022, which makes it one of the strongest in the world.
Yes, you can reside in the United Kingdom for 180 days every year as a St Kitts and Nevis national.
At least $125,000 for an economic contribution under the Citizenship by Investment program. However, you can’t “buy” citizenship; you need to use legal avenues, such as the Citizenship by Investment program.
