Overview of dual citizenship
in St Kitts and Nevis
Dual or multiple citizenships are allowed in St Kitts and Nevis, as seen in Section 93 of the St Kitts and Nevis Constitution. Individuals who obtain the country’s passport can be simultaneously recognised as nationals of other countries.
Some nations do not allow dual citizenship or apply restrictions — for example, India, South Africa, or Nepal. Passports of such countries will be revoked if their holders become naturalised in St Kitts and Nevis.
Children born on St Kitts and Nevis soil automatically become citizens, regardless of their parents’ nationalities. Other ways to get a second citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis include marriage, descent, adoption, and investment. The latter is the fastest option, especially convenient for high-net-worth individuals and their families.
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship is granted for life and is passed to future generations. Newly naturalised citizens are not required to pass language or history tests but must take the Oath of Allegiance.
Marrying a St Kitts and Nevis national and getting dual citizenship
A spouse of a Kittian or Nevisian can apply for citizenship after 3 years of legal marriage.
Application forms for getting St Kitts and Nevis citizenship through marriage should be sent to the Ministry of National Security and Information.
Necessary documents include:
- marriage certificate;
- birth certificates of the applicant and their spouse;
- divorce decree or a death certificate if either spouse was previously married;
- police certificate from any place where the applicant has been residing for the last six months;
- two passport-size photos.
The applicant pays a fee of XCD 500 ($185) if the marriage had been registered before 1983 and of XCD 1,000 ($370) if after.
Marrying a national of the country for the primary purpose of obtaining citizenship is forbidden. The government can also reject an application from spouses who are in the middle of divorcing or are no longer living as husband and wife.
Proving descent from
a St Kitts and Nevis national and getting dual citizenship
Those with Kittian and Nevisian parents or grandparents may be eligible for naturalisation in the country.
Applicants submit a form to the Ministry of National Security, which can be done either in person or via a consular. They must provide names, dates of birth, places of birth, and places of usual residence of their parents and grandparents. The form also details the applicant’s personal information, addresses for the last ten years, and criminal record.
Other required documents include the following:
- applicant’s birth certificate;
- birth certificate of parents and, if applicable, grandparents, with certification by a Justice of Peace or Notary Public;
- police certificate if the applicant is 16 or older;
- two passport-sized photos.
There is an application fee of XCD 150, or $55.
Being naturalised as a St Kitts and Nevis national and getting dual citizenship
Long-time country residents, full age and capacity, can eventually apply for naturalisation. This is the longest citizenship path.
Applicants must prove they have lived in St Kitts and Nevis for at least 14 consecutive years and have resided in the country continuously for the 12 years preceding their applications.
All registered addresses in the country applicants have ever had must be listed in a form. The form is submitted to the Ministry of National Security of St Kitts and Nevis.
If granted citizenship, applicants pay a USD-fixed fee of $5,320.
Independence Square in Basseterre is dedicated to St Kitts and Nevis’ separation from UK colonial rule in 1983. Kittians and Nevisians are still considered Commonwealth citizens and use its benefits
Investing in the economy to get second citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis
The country has the oldest citizenship-by-investment program in the Caribbean. Participants can receive St Kitts and Nevis passports in 2—6 months. They are not required to reside in the country at any point.
By law, applicants must contact a licensed agent to participate in St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program.
Why the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program and the country's tax system are attractive for investors
Investors have three options to choose from:
- Contribution to the Sustainable Growth Fund. The minimum threshold is $150,000, but it is temporarily reduced to $125,000 until June 30, 2023. This option is non-refundable.
- Contribution to an Approved Public Benefit project aimed at developing the country. The minimum threshold is $175,000. This Public Benefit option is also non-refundable.
- Purchase of government-approved real estate. The minimum threshold is $200,000. Investors can buy shares or entire properties and resell them in five or seven years.
Investment properties in St Kitts and Nevis
Investors are considered the main applicants. They are allowed to add their spouse, as well as financially dependent family members:
- children under 25;
- parents over 55;
- siblings under 25, with no children or spouses.
All applicants must be of good character and with no criminal records.
Family members receive St Kitts and Nevis passports and citizenship statuses along with the investor. Additional fees depend on the number of applicants and their ages.
Associated costs include:
- $7,500 for the investor and $4,000 for each family member over 16 — Due Diligence fee;
- $250 per person — application fee;
- $361 per person — passport fee.
A state fee of at least $25,000 is also paid by investors who choose the Public Benefit or the real estate purchase option.
How to get St Kitts and Nevis dual citizenship by investment: step‑by‑step procedure
Investors join the citizenship program with the help of a licensed agent, authorised by the St Kitts and Nevis government. Lawyers and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officers from the team assist the applicant and the dependents at every stage.
A licensed agent evaluates the investor’s chances of successfully receiving St Kitts and Nevis citizenship. This check reduces the risk of denial to 1%.
Lawyers fill out required forms and certify copies of necessary documents.
After the documents and Due Diligence fees are submitted, the CBI Unit of St Kitts and Nevis starts the vetting process.
Meanwhile, investors who have chosen the real estate option can reserve a property under escrow legalisation.
When the application is approved, the investor fulfils the program’s condition: they buy real estate or contribute to the Sustainable Growth Fund or a Public Benefit project.
The investor and the dependents receive St Kitts and Nevis passports and naturalisation certificates. The documents can be sent abroad; visiting the country is unnecessary.
Benefits of getting a second passport from St Kitts and Nevis
Visa-free entry to 156 countries, including the Schengen Area, EU, UK, Singapore and Hong Kong. This makes St Kitts and Nevis passport one of the world’s strongest.
Access to long-term US and Canadian visas. This includes a 10-year B-1/B-2 visa to the US, which allows both personal and business-related visits, and a 10-year tourist visa to Canada.
Tax burden reduction. Citizens of St Kitts and Nevis do not pay taxes on personal income, capital gains, real estate, dividends, inheritance, or gifts. There are also double taxation agreements with several countries, including the UK, the US, and Canada.
Companies registered in St Kitts and Nevis are eligible for up to 10—15 years of tax holidays. Hospitality and tourism enterprises pay a reduced VAT of 10% instead of 17%. There is also a free trade zone among the CARICOM members.
Quality education. Along with public schools and reputable universities in the country, Kittian and Nevisian students can get scholarships in the Commonwealth, UK, Europe, US, and Asia.
International business and financial opportunities. Entrepreneurs can register a company in St Kitts and Nevis in just three days, open accounts in local and worldwide banks, and transfer assets in any currency.
Belkacem is a business owner from North Africa. Extending his cargo company abroad required getting international visas.
Since Belkacem had been denied a US visa earlier, he chose to play it safe with the European one. Instead of applying for the Schengen visa with his Algerian passport, Belkacem decided to get second citizenship from the country that allowed visa-free access to the Schengen and EU countries.
Immigrant Invest needed to deal with two obstacles in Belkacem’s history:
- previous US visa denial, which can be a red flag to migration services;
- a lawsuit where the client was the plaintiff.
Learn how we dealt with these issues and helped Belkacem get visa-free access to Europe.
Living in St Kitts and Nevis
Usually referred to as a “dual-island nation”, St Kitts and Nevis is surrounded by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. St Kitts is the larger island, separated from Nevis by the Narrows waterway. The population of the country is approximately 53 thousand people.
St Kitts and Nevis is an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations, and the official language here is English. The national currency, Eastern Caribbean Dollar, is pegged to the United States Dollar: XCD 2.7 = USD 1.
The country’s tropical climate is relatively hot and humid, with an average annual temperature of +29℃. The hurricane season lasts from August to November. Both islands are mountainous, with tropical flora and fauna, sandy shores, lakes, and hot springs.
Infrastructure, public amenities and entertainment in St Kitts and Nevis are well-developed. The country has two international airports, multiple marinas, paved roads equipped for private and public transportation, beaches, markets and stores, banks, restaurants, and resorts.
Education in St Kitts and Nevis is provided in public and private schools and colleges. The country has four medical universities, as well as a University of the West Indies branch.
Health services are available in multiple hospitals and medical facilities, both public and private. St Kitts and Nevis has quality healthcare based on UK standards.
The capital city, Basseterre, is the country’s financial, political, and cultural hub. Most St Kitts and Nevis cities and towns are lively and beautiful. Residents and tourists alike enjoy a comfortable life on the islands.
Ferries and water taxis constantly travel between the islands of St Kitts and Nevis. The Sea Bridge ferry service allows passengers to load their cars on board
Summing up: St Kitts and Nevis’ dual citizenship
- St Kitts and Nevis permits multiple citizenships. The country’s passport can be obtained by birth, descent, marriage, naturalisation, or investment.
- Citizenship by investment is the fastest path to St Kitts and Nevis citizenship since it usually takes 2—6 months. Other paths take 3—14 years.
- The passport of St Kitts and Nevis makes its holders Commonwealth citizens. They can travel to 156 countries without a visa, conduct international business, reduce the tax burden and access quality education in Europe and the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
St Kitts and Nevis allows dual and multiple citizenships. However, before applying for a passport, make sure that the other country of your nationality recognizes dual citizenship.
The most common ways are:
- being legally married to a St Kitts and Nevis national for at least three years;
- proving that you’re a descendant of Kittian and Nevisian parents or grandparents;
- residing in St Kitts and Nevis for fourteen years;
- participating in St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program and contributing at least $125,000.
The investment route is the fastest: it takes up to six months, and a licensed agent guides all applicants.
Multiple citizenships are allowed in St Kitts and Nevis: if you obtain the country’s passport, you won’t be required to give up your other ones.
Global mobility becomes easier since the St Kitts and Nevis passport allows visa-free access to 156 countries, including the Schengen Zone, the EU, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Citizens of the country are also eligible for long-term visas to the US and Canada.
Certain taxes are not levied — such as taxes on personal income, capital gains, real estate, dividends, inheritance, or gifts. Companies that are registered in the country can apply for up to 15 years of tax holidays.
Access to international banking, business opportunities, education, and healthcare is open.
Permanent residency in the country is not required, but citizens can freely live in the beautiful tropical climate of St Kitts and Nevis and travel to other Caribbean islands.
As many as you want, since St Kitts and Nevis allows dual and multiple citizenships. This is stated in the country’s constitution.
Even if you have a passport of this nation, you can permanently reside elsewhere. You don’t have to visit St Kitts and Nevis in order to keep your citizenship status.
Moreover, anyone who wants to obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment can do so remotely, without travelling to the Caribbean.
St Kitts and Nevis citizens enjoy multiple benefits, including:
- visa-free entry to 156 countries, the Schengen Area, UK, and EU being among them;
- eligibility for long-term US visas;
- tax burden reduction;
- access to international business and banking systems.
Several Caribbean countries that permit multiple citizenships can issue passports in a couple of months. This is possible through their citizenship-by-investment programs. St Kitts and Nevis is one of those countries: for a minimum contribution of $125,000, it will grant citizenship to investors and their families. The process usually takes 2—6 months.
Other ways to obtain second citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis include:
- descent;
- marriage;
- naturalisation.
As a St Kitts and Nevis passport holder, you are eligible for a B-1/B-2 visa to the US. It will allow you to stay in the country for up to six months, with the chance to extend it to one year in the future.
This is a visitor visa: it allows travel through the US, completing business-related tasks, settling an estate, and participating in short-time training. However, you are not allowed to accept employment, marry, or remain in the US beyond the permitted period of stay.
Yes, up to 180 days a year. No visa will be needed to enter the UK with a St Kitts and Nevis passport. However, you will need to prove sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.
