2025

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How an investment in St Kitts and Nevis became a living work of art: a US family’s story

When the uncertainty in the US grew louder, I realised I wanted an additional layer of stability — for myself and for my family. Thanks to Immigrant Invest, I achieved it in just four and a half months.

What made my journey special is that my investment didn’t just change our lives — it’s also helping to build something real and lasting for St Kitts and Nevis, and for the people who call this country home.

Jonathan, 45

Entrepreneur from the US

Clients’ names and photos have been changed

This case was provided by our expert

Lyle Julien

Investment programs expert

How an investment in St Kitts and Nevis became a living work of art: a US family’s story

On a quiet evening in his New York apartment, Jonathan stood before a sketch — his grandfather’s self-portrait, drawn decades ago. The lines were simple, but they carried a quiet ache.

“He always wanted to study art, ” Jonathan said softly. “But he had a family to support. He spent his life in an office, saving creativity for retirement.”

That portrait became a mirror. In his mid-forties, a self-made entrepreneur, Jonathan felt the same restlessness his grandfather once had. The turbulence of American politics, the possibility of rising taxes, and an uncertain economy had him questioning what came next. He wanted stability — not only for himself but for his wife and two children.

This is how Jonathan began researching ways out. He knew about citizenship by investment opportunities but had never explored them closely before that moment. The Caribbean drew his attention — turquoise seas, steady governance, and proximity to the US. Among the options, one project stood out: an art centre in St Kitts and Nevis, part of the Public Benefit Option.

It wasn’t just an investment. It was a tribute.

Jonathan,

Obtained St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

When I read about the art centre. I thought of my grandfather — of all the people who never had the means to follow their artistic passion. Supporting this project felt like closing a circle, like giving someone else the chance my grandfather never had.

Why Jonathan chose Immigrant Invest

Jonathan’s decision to obtain St Kitts and Nevis citizenship wasn’t made overnight. Investing abroad — even in a cause so personal — came with uncertainty. He knew the project aligned with his values but needed guidance to navigate the unfamiliar path. That’s when he turned to Immigrant Invest to ensure the process was smooth and fast.

From the very first consultation, Jonathan felt a shift. Instead of marketing talk, he was met with clarity and precision. Immigrant Invest’s lawyers mapped out the entire process, outlined each timeline and document, and explained the key requirements of the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program.

“They didn’t just sell me a passport, ” Jonathan later said. “They guided me through every decision. They understood that this wasn’t just about mobility — it was about legacy and making a change.”

Individual cost calculation for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

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How the Public Benefit Option works

The Public Benefit Option offers investors a chance to gain citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis while contributing to projects that strengthen the nation’s future. One of the government-approved projects is the Prime Creative Arts Center.

Applicants must be over 18, in good health, and free of criminal record, with a proven legal and stable source of income. A spouse, children under 25, and parents can be included in the application.

Investment breakdown for a family of four

For a family of four, the required investment under the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program include:

minimum investment — $250,000:
Due Diligence fee — $10,000 for the main applicant and $7,500 per dependant over 16;
application processing fee — $250 per person;
Certificate of Naturalisation fee — $50 per person;
passport fee — $361 per person.

Building a future for art and community in St Kitts

The Prime Creative Arts Center, rising in St Kitts and Nevis, will become a gathering place for artists, musicians, and audiences from around the world, celebrating the spirit and creativity that define the Caribbean.

Inside, expansive studios and luminous galleries will offer space for creation and exhibition. The centre’s crown jewel — a vast open-air amphitheatre with room for nearly 4,000 spectators — will host concerts, theatre productions, and community festivals beneath the island’s wide, starlit sky.

Yet its purpose extends beyond the arts. The project is a catalyst for opportunity: creating new jobs, supporting local performers, and strengthening the island’s position as a vibrant cultural destination.

St Kitts and Nevis Public Benefit Option — Visualisation of the completed Prime Creative Arts Center project

Step-by-step: how Immigrant Invest made the process seamless

With the help of Immigrant Invest, Jonathan and his family members obtained St Kitts and Nevis passports in around 4.5 months. Their expenses amounted to $273,644.

Here are the steps you would need to take if you decide to undergo the same journey.

April 7th, 2025

Preliminary Due Diligence

Immigrant Invest carried out initial Due Diligence to identify any factors that could prevent Jonathan and his family members from participating in the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program.

Once the family was confirmed eligible, Jonathan signed a service agreement to begin the full application process.

Immigrant Invest carried out initial Due Diligence to identify any factors that could prevent Jonathan and his family members from participating in the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program.

Once the family was confirmed eligible, Jonathan signed a service agreement to begin the full application process.

+ 3 weeks, $3,500

Documents preparation

Immigrant Invest lawyers prepared a detailed checklist of required documents, including:

copies of passports;
birth and marriage certificates;
police clearance certificates;
proof of residence in the US;
bank statements and professional recommendations;
evidence of income legality and source of funds;
HIV test results and valid health insurance.

Immigrant Invest assisted with document translations, legalisation, and completion of all government forms, ensuring accuracy and compliance from the outset.

Immigrant Invest lawyers prepared a detailed checklist of required documents, including:

copies of passports;
birth and marriage certificates;
police clearance certificates;
proof of residence in the US;
bank statements and professional recommendations;
evidence of income legality and source of funds;
HIV test results and valid health insurance.

Immigrant Invest assisted with document translations, legalisation, and completion of all government forms, ensuring accuracy and compliance from the outset.

+ 3 months, $18,500

Due Diligence

Lawyers submitted the application to the St Kitts and Nevis CBI Unit, where the comprehensive Due Diligence process begins.

During Due Diligence stage

Interview

Interview is a mandatory step during the Due Diligence process.

Jonathan attended the interview online. It was conducted in English by an independent professional company commissioned by the CBI Unit.

Interview is a mandatory step during the Due Diligence process.

Jonathan attended the interview online. It was conducted in English by an independent professional company commissioned by the CBI Unit.

+ 2 weeks, $250,000

Fulfilment of investment

After receiving approval, Jonathan transferred the required investment to the Prime Creative Arts Center, a government-approved project under the Public Benefit Option.

August 26th, 2025, $1,644

Issuance of passports

Following final compliance checks, the family received their Certificates of Registration and St Kitts and Nevis passports through the Consulate General in New York.

Where investment meets impact

A month later, Jonathan travelled to St Kitts to visit the Prime Creative Arts Center site — the project he had helped bring to life. The steel framework was already standing, shimmering in the Caribbean sun. Jonathan stood quietly, imagining the finished amphitheatre alive with music, children painting under the veranda — scenes his grandfather would have loved.

“I think he’d be proud, ” Jonathan said, looking out over the sea.

When he returned to New York, the contrast was striking. The first hints of autumn had arrived — shorter days, a cool breeze in the evenings. Jonathan found himself already picturing the winter ahead, when his family would escape the city’s chill to spend their holidays in St Kitts and Nevis, surrounded by warmth and sea light.

The St Kitts and Nevis passport became more than a document — it became a safeguard for Jonathan family’s future, a legacy built in sunlight, and a bridge to the creative spirit his grandfather once dreamed of.

You too can make a difference while obtaining second citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis or another country. To begin your journey, contact Immigrant Invest.

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