Updated on November 9, 2024

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

Trusted second citizenship and increased global mobility

$250,000+

Investment amount

6+ months

Obtaining period

7 years

Real estate
investment return

The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program is the oldest in the world: it was launched in 1984.

Investors contribute $250,000+ to a state fund or a public benefit unit or buy real estate for $325,000+. Real estate investment can be returned in 7 years.

Investors don’t take language proficiency tests or history exams to get citizenship. There are no residency requirements: applicants don’t have to live in St Kitts and Nevis before or after obtaining nationality.

An investor’s spouse, children, and parents can become citizens under the program. In addition, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship is hereditary.

Benefits of St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

  • 1

    Second home overseas

    Investors and their families may visit the islands anytime and stay for as long as they wish. St Kitts and Nevis is an attractive place for a vacation because of the warm climate, beautiful nature and beaches with white or black sand.

  • 2

    Long-term US visas

    St Kitts and Nevis citizens can get a 10-year B‑1/B‑2 visa to the USA. It allows the holder to travel around the country, visit friends and family, participate in business meetings and get medical treatment in American clinics.

  • 3

    Global mobility

    The St Kitts and Nevis passport provides more travel opportunities than any other Caribbean passport, for example, for visiting Europe and some Asian countries without visas.

  • 4

    International business

    Citizens have the right to register a company in St Kitts and Nevis. It helps investors in working with their foreign partners. For example, payments can be made without worrying about foreign exchange control regulations. The beneficial owner’s data is not entered in the commercial register when registering a company.

  • 5

    Tax optimisation

    St Kitts and Nevis tax residents do not pay taxes on dividends, interest or royalties. There is no tax on wages, capital gains or inheritance in the country.

  • 6

    Privileges in other countries

    St Kitts and Nevis is a Commonwealth of Nations and Caribbean Community member. That’s why the country’s citizens may use privileges in some other states, like visa-free entry or business benefits.

  • 7

    Dual citizenship

    The country allows dual citizenship, so one can keep their previous passports if other countries allow it, too.

  • 8

    Passing citizenship to future generations

    Newborn children can get the country’s citizenship after the investor becomes a citizen.

  • 9

    No residing required

    Investors don’t need to live in the country to obtain or maintain their citizenship.

  • 10

    Trusted program

    The St Kitts citizenship by investment program has been operating for 40 years.

price

Guide to obtaining St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

  • Step-by-step procedure

  • Requirements for applicants

  • Required documents

  • Answers to frequently asked questions

Who can get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

  • Investor

    • Over 18

    • No criminal records or prosecutions

    • No serious illnesses

    • Stable income

    • Capable of confirming the legality of the income

  • Spouse

    • Opposite sex

    • No criminal records

  • Children under 18

  • Children aged 18 to 25

    • In full-time attendance at a recognised secondary or tertiary-level institution of learning

    • Fully financially dependent on the investor

  • Parents

    • Over 55

    • Living with and fully supported by the main applicant

Investment options for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

St Kitts and Nevis allow applicants to choose whether to make a non-refundable contribution to the Federal Consolidated Fund or invest in real estate or in an Approved Public Benefit Project.

1 option

Non-refundable contribution — $250,000+

Investors contribute to the Federal Consolidated Fund under the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC) Option. The government of St Kitts and Nevis spends the fund’s resources on health care, education, tourism, culture, and alternative energy.

The contribution is non-refundable and doesn’t bring income.

Contribution to the fund

Investor

$250,000

Married couple

$250,000

Family of 3+

$250,000 for a family of up to 4 people
+ $25,000 per dependant under 18
+ $50,000 per dependant over 18

Due Diligence

Investor

$10,000

Married couple

$17,500

Family of 3+

$10,000 for the investor
+ $7,500 per family member over 16

Other fees

Investor

$661

Married couple

$1,322

Family of 3+

$1,983+

2 option

Real estate purchase — $325,000+

St Kitts and Nevis offers three options for real estate investors.

  1. $325,000+ can be invested in a share in a government-approved real estate project.

  2. $325,000+ can also be invested in a condominium unit designated as an Approved Private Home.

  3. $600,000+ is the minimum investment in a single-family private dwelling designated as an Approved Private Home.

The property can be sold in 7 years. The investor can earn an income of 2 to 5% per annum from leasing the property.

Purchase of real estate

Investor

$325,000+

Married couple

$325,000+

Family of 3+

$325,000+

State fee

Investor

$25,000

Married couple

$40,000

Family of 3+

$25,000 for the investor
+ $15,000 for a spouse
+ $10,000 per dependant under 18
+ $15,000 per dependant over 18

Due Diligence

Investor

$10,000

Married couple

$17,500

Family of 3+

$10,000 for the investor
+ $7,500 per family member over 16

Other fees

Investor

$661

Married couple

$1,322

Family of 3+

$1,983+

3 option

Public Benefit Option — $250,000+

Applicants invest in projects that are considered Approved Public Benefit Projects.

Investment

Investor

$250,000

Married couple

$250,000

Family of 3+

$250,000

State fee

Investor

$25,000

Married couple

$40,000

Family of 3+

$25,000 for the investor
+ $15,000 for a spouse
+ $10,000 per dependant under 18
+ $15,000 per dependant over 18

Due Diligence

Investor

$10,000

Married couple

$17,500

Family of 3+

$10,000 for the investor
+ $7,500 per family member over 16

Other fees

Investor

$661

Married couple

$1,322

Family of 3+

$1,983+

Expenses for a family of 4

The spouses and two children aged 9 and 17

Contribution
to the state fund

Purchase
of the real estate

Public Benefit Option

Investment

$250,000

$325,000

$250,000

State fee

$60,000

$60,000

Due Diligence

$25,000

$25,000

$25,000

Other government fees

$2,644

$2,644

$2,644

Total

$277,644+

$412,644+

$337,644+

Individual cost calculation for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

Individual cost calculation for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees

Real estate for St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

https://immigrantinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/snimok-ekrana-2020-07-03-v-12.28.45.jpg

location iconSt Kitts & Nevis, Frigate Bay

$325,000 — $4,000,000

Share in a villa and apartments in a luxury hotel complex
square icon58 m² — 426 m²
bed icon1—3
bathroom icon1—4
https://immigrantinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/5ce5be075375ca7d12909cc4_park-hyatt-st-kitts-presidential-villa-exterior-pool.jpg.webp

location iconSt Kitts & Nevis, Basseterre

$440,000+

Share in a 5-star hotel managed by Hyatt

Why do applicants need a licensed agent’s help?

The St Kitts and Nevis law prohibits investors from applying for citizenship by investment on their own. The applicant must contact a licensed agent to participate in the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program. The licensed agent is a consulting company that assists applicants at every stage of obtaining citizenship.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program.

License IMA 2023
License IMA 2023

Step-by-step procedure of obtaining St Kitts and Nevis citizenship

The stages of obtaining the St Kitts and Nevis nationality are similar for all investment options.

1

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

A Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officer examines investors’ documents. The procedure is confidential and takes 1 business day. The applicant only needs to provide a passport.

Immigrant Invest has its own Compliance Department. The preliminary Due Diligence check reduces the rejection risk to 1%.

Take a short anonymous test and learn more about the nuances of Due Diligence checks.

Evaluate chances
2

2 to 4 weeks

Preparation of documents

Immigrant Invest’s lawyers prepare lists of the personal and financial documents required to participate in the citizenship program. They include passports, birth and marriage certificates and bank statements.

Our lawyers fill out all the state forms themselves; the investor only needs to sign them.

3

4 months

Due Diligence

The lawyers send the finished documents to the St Kitts and Nevis CBI unit. The applicant pays the Due Diligence fee, and an investigation begins. All family members over 16 years old must undergo a Due Diligence check.

Part of the Due Diligence process is a mandatory interview, which can be conducted online. The interview is attended by the main applicant and also dependents over 16 if deemed necessary. Applicants attend the interview alone, and a certified translator is provided if required.

4

Up to 3 months

Fulfilment of the investment condition

The CBI unit notifies Immigrant Invest about the decision of the investor’s application. After approval, the investor fulfils the investment condition within 90 days: contributes to the state fund or an Approved Public Benefit Project or buys real estate.

5

Up to 4 weeks

Getting citizenship

A Certificate of Registration is issued when the investment is made. The Certificate of Registration must be collected in person in St Kitts and Nevis or at an approved Embassy or Consulate. A passport is then issued based on this certificate.

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Answers to frequently asked questions

  • How to get St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

    A foreigner can become a St Kitts and Nevis citizen if they participate in the country’s citizenship-by-investment program. It requires an investment of $250,000+, and the application processing time is 6+ months.

    Investors’ spouses, children and parents may be included in the applications. Also, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship is hereditary.

  • How much does it cost to get citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis?

    There are several investment options:

    1. A non-refundable contribution to the Federal Consolidated Fund of $250,000+.

    2. The purchase of a share in a government-approved real estate project for $325,000.

    3. The purchase of a condominium designated as an Approved Private Home for $325,000.

    4. The purchase of a private dwelling house designated as an Approved Private Home for $600,000.

    5. The Public Benefit Option with an investment of $250,000.

    The actual costs depend on the family composition. For example, the minimum amount of investment and government fees under the first option is $260,661 for one person and $277,644 for a family of four: spouses and children of 11 and 17 years old.

  • What is the economic citizenship program in St Kitts?

    St Kitts and Nevis allows foreigners to obtain citizenship by investment in the country’s economy. The program is the oldest in the world: it was launched in 1984.

    Applicants invest $250,000+ and pass Due Diligence. In return, they get increased mobility, an opportunity to enter St Kitts and Nevis anytime, and optimise taxation.

  • How long does the application process take?

    Obtaining St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment takes at least half a year. Due Diligence under the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship-by-investment program lasts for 4 months.

  • What is the minimum investment required if the real estate option is pursued?

    An investor may buy a share in a government-approved project for $325,000 or a private house for $600,000. Also, the real estate investment option implies a state fee of $25,000+.

  • Do St Kitts and Nevis allow dual citizenship?

    Yes, citizens of St Kitts and Nevis are allowed to have multiple citizenships. Investors may keep other passports unless other countries forbid dual citizenship.

  • Is it possible to return the investment?

    Investors can return some of the money under the St Kitts and Nevis program, but only if they buy real estate. They can sell it 7 years later. Meanwhile, they earn rental income during the entire ownership period. The investor usually makes 2–5% per annum.

    Real estate in St Kitts and Nevis is a safe investment. The government controls the developers who report on the construction progress and receive money on schedule.

  • Can Immigrant Invest guarantee that I will get citizenship?

    No licensed agent can guarantee obtaining citizenship. You probably deal with scammers if you are offered a 100% guarantee.

    Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary Due Diligence check to increase the chances of each application being approved. A certified Compliance Anti Money Laundering Officer examines the investor’s documents. If any risks appear, the lawyers look for an alternative solution, for example, another program.

    Immigrant Invest has its own compliance department. Preliminary Due Diligence helps our clients get the result they want in most cases.

  • Can I apply for citizenship myself?

    If you apply for citizenship by naturalisation, marriage, or other grounds, you can. However, only a licensed program agent can submit documents for the citizenship by investment program.

  • Do I need to come to St Kitts and Nevis to get a passport?

    You may need to come to St Kitts and Nevis to collect a Certificate of Registration. Another opportunity to do it is to visit an approved Embassy or Consulate.

    International travellers are welcome to visit St Kitts and Nevis. The Caribbean country is ideal for relaxation and has a pleasant climate, beautiful nature and numerous beaches. If an investor buys a share in a hotel, they get the right to spend 1–2 weeks a year at the property for free.

  • Which family members must undergo Due Diligence?

    Due Diligence is required for all family members over 16 years of age. Children under 16 years old do not need to go through it.

    Due Diligence is fee-based. The cost for the main applicant is $10,000, and $7,500 for each family member over 16included in the application.

  • Can St Kitts citizens live in the EU?

    St Kitts and Nevis passport holders can live in the EU if they obtain a residence permit in a respective country. It is impossible to stay there for a long time with only the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship.

150+ visa-free countries for St Kitts and Nevis citizens

Asia

Armenia

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Cambodia

India

Iran

Israel

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Lebanon

Malaysia

Maldives

Mongolia

Nepal

Oman

Pakistan

Philippines

Singapore

South Korea

Sri Lanka

Tajikistan

Thailand

Timor-Leste

Uzbekistan

Vietnam

Africa

Angola

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Comoros

Congo - Kinshasa

Côte d’Ivoire

Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

Ethiopia

Gabon

Gambia

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Kenya

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritania

Mauritius

Mozambique

Nigeria

Rwanda

São Tomé & Príncipe

Senegal

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Somalia

South Sudan

Tanzania

Togo

Tunisia

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Europe

Albania

Andorra

Austria

Belarus

Belgium

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Moldova

Monaco

Montenegro

Netherlands

North Macedonia

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

San Marino

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

Ukraine

United Kingdom

Oceania

Australia

Fiji

Kiribati

Micronesia

Palau

Papua New Guinea

Samoa

Solomon Islands

Tonga

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Caribbean

Antigua & Barbuda

Bahamas

Barbados

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Haiti

Jamaica

St. Lucia

St. Vincent & Grenadines

Trinidad & Tobago

South America

Argentina

Belize

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Ecuador

El Salvador

Guatemala

Guyana

Honduras

Nicaragua

Panama

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

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Zlata Erlach
Zlata Erlach

Head of the Austrian office

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